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Ohio 4-H Youth Development

Ohio State University Extension

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5 teens at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC

National 4-H Conference

National 4-H Conference

April 18-24, 2024 // Washington, D.C.
Open to enrolled 4-H teens across Ohio!

Background: The National 4-H Conference is the premier civic engagement opportunity for 4-H members (15-19 years old) who are actively engaged in 4-H programs across the U.S. and its territories. The conference is administered by 4-H National Headquarters of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This experience upholds a tradition dating back to 1927. Known then as the “National 4-H Club Camp,” delegates slept in tents on the grounds of the National Mall in front of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Washington, D.C. Held annually, except for several years during World War II, the camp served to develop the next generation of leaders. Delegates attended training workshops, became acquainted with government, and had the opportunity to meet with state leaders. In 1958, the event name was changed to National 4-H Conference and, in 1959, the meeting moved from the National Mall to the newly founded National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, MD (right outside of Washington, D.C.). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, National 4-H Conference was cancelled in 2020 and held virtually in 2021. 

Additional information about the National 4-H Conference can be found in the application and from National 4-H.


Selection Process

  1. Interested Ohio 4-H members must complete an application via Qualtrics (linked at bottom) by December 1 at 11:59 p.m. Applicants must be 15-19 as of January 1, 2024, and currently enrolled as an Ohio 4-H member.
  2. After an application is received, the State 4-H Office will request a referral from county 4-H professional. 
  3. A selection board of advisors, 4-H educators, and past Ohio Teen Leadership Council members will review applications and as needed, conduct interviews.
  4. Those selected are expected to participate in all pre-conference and conference activities and adhere to all National 4-H guidelines, complete required work as a result of conference participation, and share knowledge gained with Ohio 4-H upon  return.

Interested in applying for this opportunity? Complete this application by December 1 at 11:59 p.m. (If you are interested in seeing the questions you will be asked, click herePlease note: all applications should be submitted online through Qualtrics for consideration).


NATIONAL 4-H CONFERENCE FACILITATORS AND YOUTH LEADERSHIP TEAM (YLT):

Roundtable Facilitators (ages 19-24) and YLT (ages 16-18) play a critical role in the success of the National 4-H Conference! For more information about these two opportunities and to apply, visit USDA NIFA's conference webpageApplications for both opportunities are due by 11:59 p.m. on August 30, 2023.


Thank you to the Ohio 4-H Foundation and donors to Celebration of Youth for sponsoring the 2024 Ohio delegates to National 4-H Conference!