National 4-H Conference

The Premier Youth Development Opportunity of the Department of Agriculture
Home Event Calendar National 4-H Conference

Conference dates

National 4‑H Conference is the pinnacle experience in 4‑H Civic Engagement, providing the opportunity for young people to connect, learn, engage, lead and impact their communities, nation and world. At the conference, delegates will have the opportunity to participate in round table discussions and present to federal partner agencies along with the opportunity for delegates to engage with their U.S. Senators and Representatives.

April 19-24, 2024
Hyatt Regency, Crystal City
Arlington, Virginia

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Watch what happens

Land-grant university 4‑H Departments send delegations of 4‑H youth between ages 15 and 19 to participate in the National 4‑H Conference. Delegates work together in the four weeks prior to the conference to prepare briefings on important topics. During the conference, delegates will virtually present their prepared briefings to federal officials in Washington, D.C. 4‑H youth also have the opportunity to engage in personal development experiences that increase their knowledge, resources, and skills while discussing topics affecting youth and 4‑H programming nationwide.

Delegates not only learn while at the conference: they are empowered to create positive social change in their communities and have the opportunity to practice and apply their skills in a real-world setting.

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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack welcomes students from the National 4-H conference to the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. on March 23, 2022. USDA photo by Tom Witham.

National 4‑H Conference logic model

The National 4‑H Conference Logic Model stems from the Citizenship Mission Mandate logic models. National 4‑H Conference is specifically focused on civic engagement, civic education, and personal development. Delegates arrive at the National 4‑H Conference Center ready to connect, learn, engage, lead and impact their communities, their nation and their world.

Conference objectives

Learn

Provide youth with a broad-based learning experience to acquire practical knowledge and skills that reinforce the attitudes and motivation to give them a heightened sense of responsibility and capacity to connect as active members of their communities, country and world.

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Practice

Engage youth in hands-on educational activities to explore, practice, develop and master skills and knowledge in civic engagement, civic education and personal development.

Apply

Facilitate opportunities for youth to apply their learning in real-world experiences and develop leadership skills using their voices, work, ideas and behavior to make a difference in their community, country and world.

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