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Big Quill Gets Big Award

Jefferson County 4-H Club Learns Science and Business As It Runs Oyster Operation

Big Quil Enterprises, a Jefferson County 4-H club chosen by the Northwest Area Foundation as the recipient of its annual “Great Strides Award” for making significant progress in reducing long-term poverty. Besides the national recognition, the award includes $100,000 intended to help support Big Quil, a student-operated shellfish business.

Big Quil Enterprises got its start through Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funding of the Quilcene/Brinnon Connecting Schools and Communities initiative that ended last spring. The initiative connects students to community resources through service learning and project-based educational opportunities.

Historically, Jefferson County’s economy was dependent on the now depressed timber industry. As a result, many areas of the county still have high unemployment and poverty rates. The aquaculture and shellfish industries are helping to turn that around.

The students in Big Quil Enterprises harvest oysters from a leased beach on Big Quilcene Bay on Hood Canal and sell them to area shellfish distributors and consumers. The students also manage the beach and use different propagation techniques, which they scientifically monitor to compare success rates. According to Pamela Roberts, Jefferson County 4-H Coordinator, “They are really learning the science and the skills that will lead to [lucrative local] jobs.”

“It’s really important to sustain the Big Quil program as a model of youth entrepreneurship,” Roberts continued. “Like any business, Big Quil needs to become profitable. They aren’t there yet, but I think the Northwest Area Foundation sees the potential, and that’s why they are investing in it.”

Jefferson County Extension Big Quil Enterprises 4-H club members Souhil Alazani and Nick Pol display oyster harvest.

4-H Clubs Honored for Mentoring Youth

WSU Extension 4-H clubs in Pacific-Grays Harbor and Benton-Franklin counties were among the 18 Washington organizations honored recently in Olympia by the Washington State Mentoring Partnership for their outstanding work with youth.

A $5,600 award to Benton-Franklin 4-H will go toward an embroidery machine for their Young Designers Club. Club members mentor Pasco High School students who are learning computerized sewing programs, embroidery technique, and customization.

Kay Hendrickson, WSU Extension Franklin County Educator, said the project benefits teens now and in the future. “The students have a real sense of accomplishment. They are using decision-making, critical thinking, and consumer skills. The teens are excited to bring in ready-to-wear garments and customize them for their own use.”

Pacific County plans to use its $4,000 grant for a multi-generational quilting camp on the Long Beach Peninsula. WSU Pacific County Extension Educator Toni Gwin said “bringing people together of all ages at Camp Moorehead will be engaging for all involved. Kids who love computers can program the stitches and adults help the youth with the mechanics of sewing. It’s a great sharing of needs and knowledge.”

Lt. Governor Brad Owen with 4-H members Dallas and Colby Trusty, WSUE Grays Harbor County Educator Joan Vance, and 4-H volunteer Carol Trusty. The group received a Washington State Mentoring Partnership award of $4,000 that will be used for a multi-generation quilting camp that promotes positive youth development and academic success.
(Photo by Betsy Fradd)

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