National 4-H Conference

Bringing hundreds of 4-H'ers to the nation's capital each spring, National 4-H Conference is the flagship youth development opportunity of USDA, hosted by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). From April 11-16, 2025, the nationally recognized event is developing the next generation of leaders. Experience unparalleled discovery, learning, professional development, and networking with 4-H'ers from around the world. During the Conference, delegates will become familiar with the government and future career opportunities and share their voice with federal agencies and congressional committees.

Join us for an Information Session about the 2025 National 4-H Conference on November 21, 2024, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Register Online

HOW IT WORKS

There are many ways young people, as well as federal partners and Land-grant Universities, can benefit from participating in National 4-H Conference.

Federal Partners

Federal partners play a key role by presenting an issue of importance on which they would like to receive youth perspective. Federal partners provide young people an opportunity to see firsthand how they can influence government decision making and be introduced to the various careers found in federal service.

Land-grant Universities

All Land-grant Colleges and Universities are invited to select and send high school-aged 4-H participants, along with chaperones, to National 4-H Conference. Each is encouraged to partner within their state to select a diverse delegation based on age, background, geographic distribution and/or experience with 4-H.

Youth Experience

Participants choose the topic, research the issue, work with their peers to develop a 45-minute briefing and formally present their recommendations to the federal partner. They can also apply to serve in various leadership roles at National 4-H Conference.

Impact

In preparation for, during and after National 4-H Conference, youth participants learn, practice and apply new skills and use their voices, talent and ideas to make a difference. They are empowered to generalize what is learned to affect change in their own community. Those who participate in National 4-H Conference report increased leadership, civic engagement, agency, and social and cultural competence.

Pathways to Employment

Youth participants gain valuable skills, experience and networking opportunities with federal agencies that can result in future internship, fellowship and career opportunities.

NOW RECRUITING LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is now accepting submissions from youth and adults to serve in leadership positions at the 2025 National 4-H Conference. The National 4-H Conference offers opportunities for youth to learn, practice, and apply civic engagement skills through roundtable discussions, federal agency briefings, and more. These unique and engaging experiences would not be possible without the Youth Leadership Team, Collegiate Facilitators, and Adult Advisors who provide leadership to conference activities and events.

How to Apply

To be considered for a Leadership Position, please follow the steps listed below.
STEP 1: Review the National 4-H Conference leadership position descriptions.

STEP 2: Applicants must complete Part A (saved as LastName-FirstName_InterestForm) and send a PDF resume outlining education and experience relevant to 4-H, leadership, civic engagement and the leadership role (saved as LastName-FirstName_Resume).

STEP 3: Email the completed form with resume to [email protected] using subject line "National 4-H Conference Leadership Interest", and in the cc line include the State 4-H Program Leader/contact for the Land-grant University you plan to represent. Interest Forms are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

Currently Open Positions

Collegiate Facilitator	Up to 22 positions open for 2025 National 4-H Conference
Collegiate Facilitator Adult Advisor	Up to 2 positions open for 2025 National 4-H Conference
Lead Collegiate Facilitator	Up to 2 positions open for 2025 National 4-H Conference
Youth Leadership Team (YLT)	Up to 6 positions open for 2025 National 4-H Conference
YLT Adult Advisor	Up to 2 positions open for 2025 and 2026 National 4-H Conference

POLICIES

Youth delegates and adult chaperones must read the National 4-H Conference Delegate Handbook and complete the Registration Form in Español or English. The Handbook was developed to help delegates and adult chaperones prepare for and know what to expect at National 4-H Conference. The handbook is full of information and helpful tips about the nation's capitol, the Conference hotel, what to pack, schedule of events, challenge questions and much more.

Adult chaperones must review the National 4-H Conference Guidebook for 1862, 1890 and 1994 Staff and Volunteers and Other Travel Groups. The Guidebook was developed by USDA-NIFA to help adult chaperones and volunteers understand their role in Conference.

National 4-H Conference is administered by the USDA-NIFA in cooperation with S. Stewart and Associates, Inc. who handles registration, payment policies, hotel reservations, cancelation penalty deadlines, transportation, and other logistics. For questions contact [email protected].

ACCESSIBILITY REQUESTS

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Maurice Smith, National Program Leader, at [email protected] no later than March 7.

Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to limited English proficient individuals upon request. If you need interpretation or translation services, please visit NIFA language services or contact Lois Tuttle, Equal Opportunity Specialist, at [email protected]  or (443) 386-9488 no later than March 7.

SCHOLARSHIPS

We are pleased to offer financial assistance to 4-H youth and adult chaperones to maximize opportunities for those who otherwise would not be able to attend Conference. The Scholarship Form, with instructions, can be found on the National 4-H Conference Resources. For more information, email [email protected], subject line "National 4-H Conference Scholarship Program". Additional details about the scholarship program will be shared at the Information Session on November 21, 2024.

INFORMATION SESSION

Join us for an Information Session about the 2025 National 4-H Conference on November 21, 2024, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. This information session will share details about the event, including a preliminary look at the agenda, registration process, costs, and more. Register Online

For questions contact [email protected].

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