King County Executive proposes $100,000 to continue 4-H youth programs

Published 12:25 pm Friday, June 29, 2012

King County Executive Dow Constantine has sent the King County Council a supplemental budget request for $100,000 to continue support for 4-H youth programs in King County through 2012.

The proposed ordinance would add $100,000 of general fund support for continuation of such 4-H youth programs as raising rabbits, horse riding, photography, county fair exhibitions, cooking, public speaking and more. It would also re-appropriate $16,000 of funding from last year for Washington State University (WSU).

The supplemental budget request must be approved by the King County Council.

“More than 10,000 young people in King County gain valuable life experiences through 4-H, and this funding will keep the program going in collaboration with our partners at WSU Extension,” Constantine said in a county press release.

The WSU 4-H program is intended to promote lifelong success through experiential learning, leadership development and community service. Its youth development programs teach life skills with the goals of reducing high-risk behaviors, improving academic performance and creating the foundations for future leadership and citizenship.

“For 96 years, Washington State University has partnered with King County to provide a variety of extension education and outreach services to residents throughout King County,” WSU Extension interim associate director Randy Baldree said in the release. “This funding would ensure continuation of the King County 4-H Youth Development program and nutrition education programs, and provide a strong framework for other WSU Extension programs in agriculture, natural resources, health and wellness, and economic development to continue.”

The funding for 4-H will go toward a variety of activities such as nutrition, plant sciences, horse riding, robotics, environmental stewardship and photography. With the support it receives from King County, the 4-H program can leverage additional funding.

“Young people all over the county have an opportunity to learn important life skills through 4-H programs,” said King County Council member Kathy Lambert, who represents northeast King County. “The ability to participate in activities at the county level can qualify them for statewide competition. Youth agriculture programs offered by 4-H also help grow the farmers of tomorrow that will produce our food in the future.”

King County and WSU Extension are currently working on a broader strategic relationship to develop long-term funding for 4-H and to leverage resources and achieve the shared goals of both organizations.

Examples of such a partnership could include:

• Collaborating on programs that improve nutritional well-being for residents and promote local food systems.
• Sharing applied research that benefits residents and the natural environment.
• Supporting the regional aerospace industry.
• Contributing to social equity and family asset building.