WHAT IS NATIONAL 4-H CONFERENCE?
National 4-H Conference is the Secretary of Agriculture’s premier youth development opportunity to engage youth in developing recommendations for the 4-H Youth Development Program. If you want to strengthen your leadership and/or citizenship projects, this is an excellent opportunity.
National 4-H Conference is a working conference in which youth and adults–at the invitation of the Secretary of Agriculture–assist in the development of recommendations to help guide 4-H Youth Development Programs nationally and in their communities. This event brings together youth, volunteer leaders, and state and county Extension staff members from across the United States, the U.S. Territories, and the Canadian Provinces.
As the sponsor for this conference, the National 4-H Headquarters–located within Families, 4-H, and Nutrition at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) –is charged with sharing the recommendations that emerge from the conference with the Secretary of Agriculture, national Extension Program Leaders, and others who determine 4-H programs. Each
delegate chooses an important societal topic to discuss in a round-table situation with other delegates. From the round-table discussion, the groups prepare a briefing to present to federal stakeholders. This experiential approach ensures that the conference is a meaningful experience for the youth and adult participants. Social activities in the evening, tours of Monuments and Museums and cultural entertainment round out the conference.
LOCATION:
The 2025 National 4-H Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City – Arlington, VA. It is right by the Ronald Reagan National Airport and approximately 5 miles from the Nation’s Capitol, making it the perfect gateway to Washington, D.C.’s leaders, monuments and museums.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
The National 4-H Conference requires youth who are focused and committed to working during the Conference and in their state. The Texas delegation will be limited to 1-5 youth delegates, and 1-2 adult chaperones who will be required to engage in pre- and post-conference work and participate in all scheduled conference activities. The minimum age requirement for a Texas youth delegate is 15 years old (must be by January 1, 2025). The maximum age for a Texas youth delegate is 18.
We will maintain an alternate list of those who may not be selected for our 2025 Texas Delegation in the event that additional spots open at the National level.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applications will open on December 18, 2024. Applications must be submitted online and certified through 4HOnline by January 8, 2025. Choose ‘2025 National 4-H Conference Delegate Application’. A fee is NOT required to complete the application. County Extension Office personnel will certify the application, so please communicate with your Extension Agent of your intent to apply. Final selection of delegates will be made on the basis of the online application; you may be contacted for a telephone interview. The final selection of delegates will be announced on, or before, January 17, 2025.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY:
National 4-H Conference is offering financial assistance to 4-H youth and adult chaperones to maximize opportunities for those who otherwise would not be able to attend Conference. These forms are due via email to Megan Logan in the Texas 4-H Office at mmlogan@ag.tamu.edu on January 8, 2025 (same date as the delegate application is due on 4HOnline).
Application can be found at:https://www.nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2024-08/National%204- H%20Conference%20Scholarship%20Form_English_remediated_0.pdf
COST:
The delegate’s share of registration, adult chaperone registration(s), lodging, airfare, meals, and transportation costs between $2,250-$2,750. Once we receive the information from Nationals and can look at additional costs, we will let selected participants know the final cost. This registration fee will be due on February 1, 2025, payable through 4- HOnline.
TEXAS DELEGATION MEETING LOCATION:
The Texas delegation will travel as a group out of Houston, Austin, San Antonio or Dallas (depending on the cost of airline tickets and the geographical makeup of the delegation). All travel costs to and from the airport to meet the group is the responsibility of the delegate.