Youth programs will continue through use of funds available in supplemental budget

The Metropolitan King County Council gave its approval Monday to a supplemental 2009 budget ordinance that includes County support of youth programs directed by the King County 4-H (Head, Heart, Hands, and Health) program.

In closing a $56 million budget gap, the adopted 2010 King County Budget ended funding for several programs, including 4-H. The 4-H program has been using the money they receive from King County to leverage additional financial support and there was concern that without County funding they would have to end the program.

“We in King County are justifiably proud of our agricultural heritage and ongoing support for local farmers who supply fresh, high-quality, healthy food to our citizens,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, a Redmond resident who represents Council District 3 including the Sammamish River and Snoqualmie Valley agricultural production districts. “Supporting our next generation of farmers is a crucial role for us to play if we are to maintain a vital agricultural community in the future. In addition to agriculture projects, the youth involved in 4-H learn a lot about civics, such as the flood of testimony they presented about the benefits of the program during our budget deliberations. In response, we worked together to keep this important program going next year.”

Working in partnership with Washington State University Extension, the goal of King County 4-H has expanded beyond the organization’s agricultural origins with a growing emphasis on urban youth. The $109,000 in funding provided by the County from the 2009 Budget will go toward a variety of activities ranging from plant science and horse riding to robotics, environmental stewardship and photography.

The King County Executive and Council adopt quarterly adjustments to the County’s annual budget. These supplemental budgets provide for relatively minor changes to the County budget and the funding of certain critical services.