Ephrata-Soap Lake Ag Boosters in need of donations

EPHRATA — Organizers of a fund to support 4-H, Grange and FFA participants from Ephrata and Soap Lake at the annual stock sale during the Grant County Fair said the fund needs donations.

Valli Millard, director of the Ephrata-Soap Lake Ag Boosters, said the organization’s goal is to ensure raising a fair animal is not a net loss for young people from the two communities.

“We’re involved with trying to support youth whey they sell their animals at the fair,” Millard said.

Every year the livestock barns at the fair are filled with pigs, lambs and cattle raised over the summer by 4-H, FFA and Grange participants. Young people sell their animals at the stock sale with the goal of making at least enough money to offset their expenses. The Ag Boosters use the money raised each year to boost the price of animals who aren’t drawing the kind of bids they need to reach that goal.

Millard said the Ag Boosters have a pretty good estimation of the expense involved in raising an animal — and like everything else, it’s gone up the last couple years. She attends the sale and keeps track of the average price, along with an estimate of the amount needed to break even. The Ag Boosters use their funds when a Soap Lake or Ephrata participant is not reaching the break-even point.

“I’ll go in and add some money,” Millard said.

The Ag Boosters support Ephrata and Soap Lake participants, Millard said. She checks eligibility since some participants have other avenues of support.

For 2023 the Ag Boosters raised about $9,600, added to funds left over from the previous year. There is a small carryover in 2024, but donations are down. So far donations total about $3,500; Millard said ideally the fund would have about $8,000 to $9,000 by the fair time.

Donations can be sent to Millard at Ephrata-Soap Lake Youth Ag Boosters, ℅ First Interstate Bank, 66 Basin St. SW, Ephrata, WA 98823.

A flyer has been distributed around the two communities with information about the Ag Boosters and a QR code, and people can also use that to donate, Millard said.

The Grant County Fair runs Aug. 13-17 this year.