DAYTON-Since becoming the WSU Dayton Extension Agent fifteen years ago, Paul Carter said youth enrollment in 4-H has increased from 75 to 102, this year, and remains steady.

"It is very important to know that we still view the youth of the county as our primary program area," Carter said. "These kids are the future of the community and we see that every day as many of them stay here, or leave, and then return to make this home."

"If I could I would have every kid in the county in 4-H sometime in their life," he said.

One of the ways 4-H can continue to flourish is by making sure families can afford to enroll their youth in 4-H programs.

In 2017 the state instituted an annual $25 membership fee per child.

Since then, membership in 4-H is down, in some areas. For instance Spokane has seen a forty percent decline in membership, Carter said.

Carter said an endowment created through the Blue Mountain Community Foundation in Nov. 2018 to pay for enrollment fees will continue in perpetuity for the benefit of the young people in this community.

While the endowment is primarily used for enrollment fees, Carter said other member events and activities could be given a boost through monetary contributions, including those that have high start-up costs like Robotics and the shooting sports.

Gifts can also help with camp and academic scholarships, he said.

Checks can be made to: the Blue Mountain Community Foundation with "4-H enrollment fees" in the subject line, and they can be dropped off at the WSU Dayton Extension Office at 137 E. Main St. They can also be mailed directly to the Blue Mountain Community Foundation at: P.O. Box 603, Walla Walla, WA 99362.

Disbursements of endowment funds are reviewed and managed by the Extension Agent, the Extension Office Manager, the 4-H Coordinator, and the 4-H Leader, Council President, or Treasurer, in February of each year, according to Carter.