DAYTON--Since taking over from Donna Hangar as the Columbia County 4-H Club program coordinator in April, Ashley Trevino has been working hard to increase membership, as well as to keep the eleven existing 4-H clubs on track.

Trevino said she is happy overall, but would like to add more clubs to the list for older youth.

"We have 38% of the middle school enrolled in 4-H. I couldn't be more delighted with this percentage," said Trevino.

Trevino would like to see a higher rate of participation in 4-H for students in high school, where the enrollment rate is only 10% of the high school student body.

Trevino said that students may not know that they can be in FFA as well as 4-H.

Trevino has been working with Asotin County 4-H Coordinator Kim Belange, to develop a new club, targeting older students, called "Know Your Government." And she is working in concert with other county 4-H coordinators to develop a county and state ambassador club.

Trevino also said that new state policy for 2016-2017 requiring mandatory youth leaders in clubs should also help to increase enrollment.

"Adolescence is a very difficult time for most. The more involvement these teens have in their community, the better chance of success they will have in their futures," said Trevino.

In October Trevino took advantage of a 4-H leadership forum in the Tri-Cities, as part of her own 4-H education.

"I took a lot of agricultural livestock classes, including the steer merit program," she said. "If we work with Asotin and Garfield counties, we could offer that.

"I also had a class in the Working 4-H Ranch Horse Club, where you learn how to cut cattle, round-up, rope, and vaccinate. That's a cool program to develop," she said.

"I think 4-H clubs are very important. They help youth build leadership and responsibility, they know about agriculture and healthy living, and they develop a good work ethic to help them become good citizens and adults," Trevino said.

"Overall this has been a great year. I enjoy seeing the community involvement with the 4-H members," she added. "Columbia County is a strong county built upon by strong community members that take pride in the county, and they know the value that 4-H has on its youth."

Local 4-H clubs currently have 88 members, and twenty two leaders according to Trevino.

Columbia County 4-H clubs include; Barnyard, Columbia County Corrals, Columbia County Livestock, Columbia County Marksmen, Columbia County Robotics, Cookin' Up Some Fun, Handy Helpers, Krafty Farmers R-Us, Pots and Pins, Rockin' D Riders, and Upper Whetstone Fleecers.

For more information about the 4-H program visit the WSU Extension Office at 137 East Main Street in Dayton, or contact Ashley Trevino at: (509) 3824741, or by email at: Ashley.Trevino@wsu.edu.