4-H Getting the Ax in King County

King County can no longer afford to support 4-H, setting the nonprofit youth program scrambling to try to find funding for the 10,000 kids that participate in the organization, according to a story in the Renton Reporter and a post on the King County 4-H Facebook page.

As of Sept. 30, kids across King County will be without their local 4-H programs. The county was forced to cut the organization from its budget this year, and funding will end Jan. 30, according to the Reporter. Washington State University’s Extension Program, which oversees 4-H programs in the state, will provide funding until the fall, partially using reserves from last year’s county contribution.

4-H (the "Hs" stand for “Head, Heart, Hands and Health”) is a diverse program that offers clubs that range from raising sheep to farming and photography to robotics. Historically, 4-H is the largest youth development organization in the nation.

Editor's Note: to read about one of the last events hosted by the King County 4-H ahead of the Christmas season for some Seattle kids and their parents.