The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WALLA WALLA—The Shindig has chosen the recipients of grants funded by donations made by attendees at last year’s event and aimed at increasing youth participation in local FFA Chapters and 4-H Clubs. Blue Mountain Community Foundation is the fiscal sponsor for the Shindig’s charitable giving and facilitates the grant application program.

Yellowhawk Resort hosts the Shindig annual event that highlights local wine and food and raises donations to support the Walla Walla Valley agricultural sector.

This year the Shindig returns on August 25 & 26, 2023, at the Yellowhawk Resort in Walla Walla, Wash. Tickets will go on sale this month. For more information, visit https://yellowhawkresort.com/the-shindig/

“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have funds raised during the Shindig Weekend Event go to our local youth agricultural programs.  Having grown up participating in 4-H and FFA projects in SE Washington, I know firsthand that the life skills learned during those years have been transformative to my career and adult life today.  Our goal of increasing accessibility and participation in these youth activities will only get better every year as our Shindig Event grows and awareness of where the funds are going increases,” said Dan Thiessen, co-owner and operating manager of Yellowhawk Resort.  

Thanks to the generous donations from Shindig guests, nearly $50,000 was awarded to six organizations tackling the challenge of increasing accessibility and lowering barriers for local youth wanting to participate in FFA or 4-H. These grants include:

Prescott School District – $13,000 to support the rebuilding of the FFA and Agricultural Education program

Touchet FFA – $5,000 to support travel and affiliate dues

Walla Walla County 4-H Council – $8,000 to support increased livestock education

Walla Walla Public Schools Foundation – $2,000 to support first-grade field trips to the Wa-Hi FFA barn

Waitsburg FFA – $16,000 to support the purchase of a new livestock trailer and leadership conference fees

W-M FFA Alumni and Supporters – $5,000 to support FFA vocational contest fees