WSU Thurston County 4-H Youth Development Program

07/27/2026

https://www.thurstontalk.com/2026/07/25/new-to-thurston-county-4-h-hunting-skills-project-promotes-conservation/

Just one 4-H club in Thurston County offers shooting sports, but Justin Spruiell, a Thurston County 4-H instructor and volunteer, says it’s about so much more than target practice.

07/10/2026

https://www.thurstontalk.com/2026/07/08/thurston-county-4-h-is-flocking-to-the-2026-county-fair/

What do you think of when you think of 4-H? Cattle and sheep? Maybe horses? Or maybe sewing projects and growing produce. For many families in Thurston County, 4-H is going to the birds! Poultry projects have seen huge growth in recent years. You can meet the kids and the birds at the 2026 Thurston....

06/30/2026

🍀 Call to Parents of 4-H'ers to participate in the WSU 4-H National Index Study for Youth!

The mission of National 4-H Council is to empower youth in 4-H programs to reach their full potential working and learning in partnership with caring adults. To assess our success in this endeavor, we are conducting an annual study to measure the impact of 4-H on youth and we

invite your 4-H’er(s) to respond. This study is also being replicated by 4-H programs in other states nationwide and is described in greater detail below. You are voluntarily deciding whether or not to allow your child to participate in this study. By allowing your child to complete and submit their survey response, you have given your permission for your child to participate. Your child can withdraw from the study at any time.

All supporting information about the study has been sent to Parents of 4-H youth this week through 4-H Online broadcast email. If participating, please complete the survey by July 15, 2026.

National 4-H Youth Index study: bit.ly/National4HYouthSurvey

If you have any questions about this survey, please contact Alyssa Bowers, ([email protected]) or Kayla Wells-Yoakum ([email protected]) with the Washington State 4-H and Co-PI’s of the study. Thank you for your time and interest, it is greatly appreciated.

Youth Assent Information
We would like to invite you to take part in the National 4-H Annual Index study. We are asking you because you are participating in a 4-H program and are 13-18 years of age.

We would like to ask you some questions about your experience in the 4-H program in 2025. Your responses will be combined with other youth responses and will help us make sure future 4-H programs are really good! This survey will take you about 15-25 minutes to complete.

Your parents have been informed of your invitation to take part in this study. You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. You can leave any questions you don’t want to answer blank and you can stop the survey any time you want. There are no right or wrong answers, we just want you to answer each question as honestly as you can.

Thanks for your help! 🍀

06/22/2026

The Thurston County Fair is looking for 4-H clubs to walk with the Cow Van during the local parades this summer.

Save the Dates:

Yelm Prairie Days: Saturday, June 27

Tumwater July 4th Parade: Saturday, July 4

Capital Lakefair Parade: Saturday, July 18

If your group is interested in joining one or all of the parades, contact the Fair Office to sign up! Email [email protected] or call 360-786-5453.

05/16/2026

05/06/2026

Help Thurston County 4-H youth reach their goals by clearing out your junk! Donate unwanted scrap metal items to be turned into money for the Thurston County 4-H Youth Development Program.
• When: Drop off scrap metal items from May 5th – May 31st
• Where: Thurston County Fairgrounds (Follow the signs to the drop-off bin!)
• Why: All proceeds support Thurston County 4-H Youth
Some examples of items we’ll take are:
- Common Household (Iron) Metal Items: (i.e., metal bed frames, bbq grills, bicycles, metal shelving, metal gutters, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, etc.)
- Appliances: empty refrigerators, stoves, washers/dryers, microwaves, oven, etc.
- Auto Parts: rims, engines, transmissions, batteries, car body parts, etc.
- Other miscellaneous household metals: Christmas lights, copper pipes/wiring/electrical cords, brass fixtures, pots/pans/metal utensils, etc.
Do you need items picked up? Limited pick-up is available: Email [email protected]

05/03/2026

Help Thurston County 4-H youth reach their goals by clearing out your junk! Donate unwanted scrap metal items to be turned into money for the Thurston County 4-H Youth Development Program.
• When: Drop off scrap metal items from May 5th – May 31st
• Where: Thurston County Fairgrounds (Follow the signs to the drop-off bin!)
• Why: All proceeds support Thurston County 4-H Youth
Do you need items picked up? Limited pick-up is available: Email [email protected]

04/18/2026

Since 2010, Tractor Supply has partnered with 4‑H to prepare youth to be ready for work and life. The success of the Paper Clover campaign has raised more than $24 million to impact local youth with the technical skills and life skills that prepare them for whatever comes their way.

100 percent of funds raised through the bi-annual Paper Clover campaign directly benefits 4‑H youth. Please support our 4-H youth at your local Tractor Supply Store April 17 - May 3, 2026.