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Skagit County 4‑H sees enrollment growth, new career‑focused grant and rising volunteer participation
Summary
WSU Skagit County 4‑H coordinator Nicole Jones told commissioners Oct. 6 the program surpassed pre‑pandemic participation levels, has secured a $15,000 career‑readiness grant and is expanding teen leadership and career ambassador activities.
Skagit County 4‑H reported membership growth, volunteer increases and new career development programming during an Oct. 6 presentation to county commissioners.
Nicole Jones, the county’s new 4‑H coordinator, said the program had 485 youth participants last year and had already passed 500 for the new enrollment year. She said volunteer leaders also increased — roughly 99 in the prior year and more than 100 in the current year — and club counts rose from 19 to 20. Jones described hands‑on programming at the county fair (over 500 youth exhibitors and 1,700 still‑life exhibits), participation at the state fair and a robust set of activities including archery, animals, public presentations and STEM projects.
Nut graf: Jones said 4‑H has been awarded a $15,000 nutrient agriculture career‑readiness grant to build an Ag Career Ambassador program that will provide workshops, farm tours, professional‑skills training and a plan to send four teens to the national Ignite by 4‑H conference in Washington, D.C.
Jones outlined four grant priorities: recruit and train Ag Career Ambassadors, connect teens to local agriculture employers for hands‑on career experience, provide leadership and networking opportunities, and support Ignite by 4‑H attendance. She said the county kicked off the ambassador program with a pizza meeting and received strong immediate interest from teens.
Several youth members joined the presentation to recite the 4‑H pledge and describe their projects: competition horses and horse‑knowledge teams, dog and small‑animal projects, archery and leadership activities. Jones said the county and Extension partners will continue outreach at schools, county events and ag‑focused festivals to grow participation.
Ending: Jones urged continued commissioner support for 4‑H’s volunteer recruitment, fair partnerships and career‑readiness programming; the commissioners issued a formal proclamation recognizing National 4‑H Week during the same meeting.
