Yakima Extension / Washington State University

10/07/2026

October 15 is Global Handwashing Day!

Global Handwashing Day is a chance to remind people that handwashing saves lives, show them simple steps for washing their hands effectively, and help make safer food and better health possible for everyone. To help you spread the word, we’ve put together a toolkit with a new video and ready-to-go messages paired with graphics in English and Spanish

Get your kit here.https://fightbac.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Global-Handwashing-Day-Toolkit-FINAL-2026.pdf
The Global Handwashing Day Toolkit includes a ready-to-use social media message in English and Spanish paired with a graphic, a NEW handwashing short-form video, plus a link to additional handwashing resources.

10/06/2026

FIRA USA 2026 is North America's premier 3-day event is taking place from October 20–22, 2026, at State Fair Park in Yakima

FIRA USA is fast approaching, and registration is now open! We are looking forward to this incredible opportunity in Yakima! WTFRC has been instrumental in bringing FIRA to the Yakima Valley this year. Many locals are helping create relevant programs and opportunities for the Ag industry. The event is free for farmers and farmworkers – we hope you will join us October 20-22!

The email below has some great information on what to look forward to at FIRA. To register or for more details: https://app.imagina.com/fira-usa-2026/

If you have any questions, are interested in sponsoring or want to get involved in the program please contact Ines Hanrahan ([email protected]).

Our hope is to share FIRA USA (Yakima, WA) with the entire industry so that nobody misses out on this incredible event – please help us by sharing!

09/22/2026

📢 Office Closure Notice - The Yakima County Extension Office will be closed today, Tuesday, September 22, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. as our staff supports 4-H Youth Development activities at the Central Washington State Fair.

📞 Please leave us a message at 509-574-1600, and we will return your call as soon as possible.

📧 General Questions: [email protected]
📧 Yakima County 4-H Questions: [email protected]
📧 Master Gardener Questions: [email protected]

Thank you for your patience and understanding! 💚

09/10/2026

Central Washington State Fair, Yakima Fairgrounds - September 25 to October 4, 2026.
* What is your favorite part of the fair?
* What is your favorite fair food?

For more information visit

09/03/2026

The apple harvest has begun. Tell me your favorite apple or favorite apple recipe!

09/03/2026

You won’t want to miss these insights into cover crop selection and management, including an introduction to the Western Cover Crops Council selection tool and NOP compliance context. Sept 10, webinar

08/28/2026

🥫 CANNING SEASON IS HERE! 🍅🌽

Before you fire up your pressure canner, get your gauge tested! ✅

🔹 Pressure canner gauges should be tested every year at the start of canning season.

📞 509-574-1600
📍 WSU Extension Office
2403 S. 18th St., Suite 100, Union Gap
⏰ Mon–Fri | 9–12 & 1–4

📚 Need recipes? We also have canning, freezing, drying & pickling recipe books available!

Start your canning season safely! 🫙❤️

08/27/2026

Dolly Parton’s roots began in 4-H, and throughout her remarkable life, she truly lived the 4-H pledge of giving her “hands to larger service.”🍀💚

Dolly Parton’s roots began in 4-H, and throughout her remarkable life, she truly lived the 4-H pledge of giving her “hands to larger service.”🍀💚

Her extraordinary talent touched generations, but her legacy extends far beyond her music. Through her generosity, compassion, and commitment to giving back, she used her success to open doors, inspire young people, and make a difference in the lives of others.

08/27/2026

Congratulations, Dr. Jessica Willoughby, on receiving funding to develop community-centered communication strategies that support fi***rm safety.

We're proud to celebrate Dr. Jessica Willoughby, whose project, Safe Storage, Safer Communities: Messaging to Prevent Adolescent Fi***rm Injuries in Rural Households, has received funding from the Grandmothers Against Gun Violence Foundation.

Working alongside Dr. Elizabeth Weybright (WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences) and Dr. Ashley Hall (WSU Extension - Island County) the project will bring together rural Washington communities, fi***rm safety experts and researchers to develop and evaluate communication strategies that support secure fi***rm storage among families with adolescents.

Please join us in congratulating Jessica and her research team on this important achievement.

08/27/2026

Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the EPA is getting back on track to eliminate animal testing. Click the link to read the article

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency was getting back on track with reducing mammalian animal testing and recommitting to the ambitious goal laid out during the first Trump Administration to eliminate the practice by 2035.