The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

The end of summer is marked by local county fairs. County fairs provide opportunities for 4-H members to showcase their projects and demonstrate their knowledge of the chosen subject-areas. Many local youth exhibited their 4-H projects at the NCW District Fair, Waterville, the Ferry County Fair, Republic and the Okanogan Fair, Okanogan.

4-H is the largest youth-serving organization in the world. The philosophy of 4-H is “Learn by Doing”, and encourages youth to develop lifeskills, through hands-on participation in over 100 different project areas. Lifeskills are those skills that young people can carry into their adult lives to become successful, caring and contributing citizens of their communities. Youth develop such skills as responsibility, decision making, accountability, empathy, generosity, team-work, and leadership. All of these qualities are sought after by colleges and employers.

Although many youth enter livestock projects at county fairs, these are not the only project areas available to them. 4-H offers over 100 different project areas such as technology, shooting sports, robotics, foods & nutrition, performing arts and much more. All projects are designed to allow youth to grow and develop at their own pace.

If you would like more information about 4-H, please contact Linda McLean, Colville Reservation-Ferry County Extension Educator, (509) 634-2305 or ljmclean@wsu.edu . Or you may contact Dan Fagerlie, Project Director, (509) 690-0009 / (509) 775-3087 or fagerlie@wsu.edu or Debra Hansen, Interim Ferry County Director, (509) 775-5225 ext. 1116 or the Okanogan County Extension office (509) 422-7245.