About the 4-H Program, Agent & Staff

• Woody Davis, OSU Extension Faculty, 4-H Youth Development Agent, 503-397-3462

• Debi Westphal, 4-H Secretary - 503-397-3462

4-H is the youth education program of OSU Extension Service. It is a non-formal, community-focused, experiential education program for today's youth. The program combines the cooperative efforts of youth and adult volunteers with community and Extension resources. The mission of 4-H is to develop youth and adult potential to improve communities through learning to live; learning to make a living; strengthening families and communities; becoming lifelong learners; developing leadership; and using research-based knowledge and the land grant university system. 4-H is open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, disabilities, economic status, or geographic location.

Please call or email Debi Westphal for 4-H project information and/or member and leader enrollment information and forms.

Membership in the Columbia County 4-H program is open to all youth in grades K-12:

• Adventures Program: Youth in grades K-3 may participate in this non-competitive, group-oriented program allows youth to explore many topics such as natural resources, the community, foods, science, art and more.
• 4-H Program: youth in grades 4-12 may join 4-H project clubs, which are led by volunteer leaders. Some of the project areas include:
  • Animal Science: dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, poultry, pigeons, beef, sheep, swine, dairy cow, dairy goat, meat goat, pygmy goat, horse.
  • Engineering: woodworking, computers, tractor
  • Expressive Arts: art, ceramic, fiber arts and photography
  • Home Economics: sewing, food & nutrition, food preservation, knitting, crocheting
  • Horticulture: Flowers, Vegetables & Herbs
  • Natural Science: archery, entomology, geology
• Overnight camps, short-term programs and special events are also ways youth can get involved in 4-H.

The 4-H program in Columbia County involves approximately 140 volunteer leaders, working with more than 400 youth in 93 4-H clubs. Volunteers complete a leader application, provide references, and attend a new leader orientation/training prior to starting a 4-H club or becoming a co-leader. Please call or email Debi Westphal for a 4-H leader application and information.