4-H and FFA

The 4-H youth program is volunteer driven and community based it was started at the beginning of the 20th century to ensure the future of rural youth. It consists of a community of more than six million members from ages nine through nineteen and 60 million alumni from across America.

Skagit county 4-H just celebrated the 100th anniversary of having clubs in the county, The clubs emphasize learning, leadership/life skills, healthy living, citizenship and science through classes, hands-on projects, and community service. Students can choose from a variety of projects in the areas of technology, human sciences, large and small animals, science and engineering, natural resources, and citizenship and leadership.

Beyond the excitement of learning something new through a project, youth have the opportunity to participate in leadership conferences, travel the world, become involved in their community through service, develop healthy youth/adult partnerships and meet new friends in a safe and comfortable setting. In Skagit County, 300 youth are organized into 23 clubs and mentored by 60 adult volunteer Leaders.

As the world did, our program changed with COVID and we are re building and in need of adult volunteers to teach youth skills, sewing, cooking, wood working, art, small engines, robotics are some of the projects that have interest but no leader to teach the youth.

Children ages 5- 18 can join 4-H; visiting with leaders and members at the fair is a great way to find a good fit for an individual’s interests. 4-H members can compete with their projects in contests at the local, state, regional, or national levels and also attend conferences and events. 4-H has four Essential Elements: Belonging, Generosity, Mastery, and Independence. These topics give youth a safe place to “Learn as they Do”, generate positive youth/adult partnerships, and feel a part of a bigger community. The 4-H motto is “Making the Best Better”. You will see these values reflected in the youth when you take time to visit and talk with 4-H members at the fair. Coordinator: “4-H thrives in Skagit County due to incredible support from the Skagit County community. The generosity of our community enables Skagit County 4-H to continue our mission in raising responsible, thoughtful and generous leaders for our future.”

4-H EXHIBITS AND CONTESTS

The 4-H building (Building A) is full of interesting still-life exhibits and 4-H in Action demonstrations. Building C houses the dog project and show ring, dog projects show in obedience and agility through an obstacle course; handlers work

with dogs both on and off leash. The Pavilion barn is the home of livestock projects; Dairy, Beef and Swine along with an exhibition of Shooting Sports. Goats and Sheep are housed and shown across the fairgrounds in Building F. Building E is the Small Animal Barn, this barn fills up with Rabbit, Cavy, Cat and Poultry projects. The Horse barns and the Horse arena is busy all day with many different horse performances.

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The FFA organization was founded in 1928 by 33 farm boys under the name the Future Farmers of America; FFA now has almost 760,113 members in 8,739 chapters nationwide with millions of alumni. The organization is part of the high school courses in more than 300 careers in the food, fiber and natural resources industry including animal science, horticulture, agricultural mechanics and natural resources.

The FFA motto: “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve” and the chapter’s activities are planned to help students do all of this.

Skagit County has three FFA chapters:

The Burlington-Edison FFA chapter has a long tradition of involving its members in the many different facets of agriculture that the Skagit Valley area has to offer. Students take pride in exhibiting their various projects at the fair each summer, and during the school year are involved in everything from Trapshooting and Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems to Floriculture and Nursery Landscape and Veterinary Science, Food Science and Leadership training in many different ways.

Mount Vernon FFA is one of the first five chapters in Washington State! We’re also the home to the first female National FFA Officer, Julie Smiley. Throughout the year our chapter is dedicated to community service and leadership; we work on projects with Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland, Neighbors in Need Food Bank, and other organizations. Besides animal projects, students participate in Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems and Veterinary Science competitions and their activities include many options for students to practice their leadership skills in the community.

Sedro-Woolley FFA is active in the Floriculture and Nursery Landscape competitions hosted by FFA as well as Logging Rodeo and Trapshooting activities. Their activities are about getting outdoors - whether it’s to tend to animals, practice for competitions, or explore the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The chapter emphasizes leadership and personal development through action and involvement and we strive to offer members as many new and exciting experiences as possible.

Come and see the FFA club member booths and livestock exhibits in:

· Dairy Cattle · Beef Cattle · Swine · Sheep · Goats · Poultry · Rabbits · Dairy Cattle and Livestock Judging Contests · Agriculture Mechanics and Technology Displays · Horticulture and Landscape Displays · Educational Exhibits

The Skagit County Junior Livestock Auction will be held Friday night, August 12th at 6:00 p.m. in the Skagit County Fair Pavilion. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR YOUTH BY BUYING LOCAL LIVESTOCK.