The Ferry County Fair in Republic, Washington, showcased the talents of 24 Colville Reservation 4-H members who exhibited a wide range of projects including market animals, shooting sports, horses, poultry, rabbits, baking, crafts, and food preservation. These youth demonstrated mastery—one of the essential elements of Positive Youth Development—through showmanship, still-life exhibits, and educational posters. A highlight for horse participants was the horse skill-a-thon, a hands-on learning event involving tasks like identifying horse breeds and parts, tying knots, and wrapping horse legs, now in its third year and popular among both youth and adults.

Linda McLean, Director and 4-H Educator for the Colville Reservation WSU Extension, emphasized that 4-H offers over 100 project areas beyond farming, welcoming all youth ages 5 to 19. While fair participation is voluntary, many 4-H members choose to exhibit their projects locally. For more information on 4-H and other Extension programs, interested individuals can contact McLean at the Colville Reservation WSU Extension office.