Wells-Yoakum Talks About Plans For Washington’s 4-H

Earlier this year, Washington State University appointed Kayla Wells-Yoakum as the new statewide director of 4-H, the state’s largest youth development program.  Wells-Yoakum, who has nearly two decades of WSU Extension experience under her belt, noted she’s looking forward to leading 4-H into the next chapter of growth.  She says that growth will only occur because of the great volunteers statewide.

“4-H is a volunteer-driven program. And, one of the first things I thought about was that's a lot of people I need to meet," she said.  "That's a lot of people that I need to form relationships with. And that's a lot of, just a lot of peopling that's going to have to happen in the near future and the far future.”

4-H Is A Family Organization

Wells-Yoakum added 4-H has a history of family roots, which is true for her family.  Her great-grandfather is a member of the 4-H Hall of Fame in Washington’s Lincoln County, while her mom used her 4-H and FFA project money to help pay for college.

“4-H was the foundation of my mom's side of the family growing up,": Wells-Yoakum said.  "I haven't traced back the generations, but that's at least two generations older than me that have been involved in 4-H. It's a legacy that I shoulder a little bit. And, you know, part of me is not upset, but part of me wishes that I had dabbled in 4-H as a youth myself, just because of all the good things I've learned about the program and seen about the program in the years that I've been an extension educator with Washington State University.”

Plans For the Immediate And Long-Term Future

Wells-Yoakum added she wants the people of Washington, in rural and urban communities a like, to see the organization as partners, volunteers and leaders.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com