Melinda and her husband Rick take a special interest in helping the youth in Ferry, Okanogan and Stevens County. They have been resource leaders in Ferry County going on 4 years now.
In 2008, Rick and Melinda took on the role of Equine State 4-H Team coaches, and made it happen to get Ferry County over to Puyallup, WA to compete at the WA State 4-H Fair. Prior to teams from Ferry County going to State in 2008, Puyallup Washington has not seen a representative from Ferry County in the horse barns for over 10 years! Ferry County has now had teams in Senior Performance, Senior Games, and Intermediate Performance each year since, and the interest is continuing to grow!
This year in 2011, Wildwind Farm will host the Saturday day of the Bi-County 4-H qualifying/Open show to help kids get qualifed in Dressage & Jumping. Wildwind Farm, Inc. will donate 1/2 of the profits from the Saturday event to the Equine 4-H State Team Fund to help with travel costs. See the "Wildwind Show Series" page for more information on the Bi-County show.
Melinda also is the main club leader of Flying Changes 4-H club, and has donated the use of their facility to this club for their use in meetings, both general and mounted. For more information on the Flying Changes 4-H club, please see information down below.
The love of 4-H began for Melinda when she was just 12 years old, and joined her first 4-H club called the Fircrest Caballeros in Tacoma, WA. When the main club leader decided to retire, Melinda did not want to see the Caballeros disban, so she asked her father to take on the leadership role. From there, Melinda became the President of the club, and put in many years of service, and had a great time teaching the younger 4-hers. Melinda attended the Pierce County Fair every year with her 4-H project horse that she trained. She qualified and went to State Fair 5 our of her 6 years! She also had numerous Grand Champions in her age division in the Horse Judging Competition and judged at State Fair as well. As an Intermediate 4-Her, she placed 5th out of State in Horse Judging, and competed in Nationals in Denver, Colorado.
When Melinda became too old to be a 4-Her, she continued as a Club Leader in Kitsap County. She has also put in many volunteer hours working at 4-H Horse Camps/Clinics in Pierce, Kitsap & Jefferson Counties. She introduced the Medals Riding Program and Huntseat Equitation Over Fences in Kitsap County, and those programs are still in place today!
Melinda looks forward to the future of 4-H in Ferry County, and has also taken on the role of Ferry County Horse Council Chairman. If you are interested in 4-H, please contact our local extension office or Melinda at (509) 690-1399.
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