Each spring, USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), as the National 4-H Headquarters, brings hundreds of 4-H’ers to the nation’s capital for a week of exciting educational, citizenship and leadership activities.
Known as the “Secretary’s Conference,” this national event has developed generations of leaders to create positive change in America since 1927.
Western Oregon University
NIFA’s Division of Youth and 4-H (DY4-H) is gearing up for the 2026 National 4-H Conference taking place April 10-15. Central to the National 4-H Conference is the roundtable experience, which utilizes a peer leadership model for youth to practice citizenship skills through roundtable discussions and the presentation of Youth Perspective Briefings to 18 Federal agencies. This unique and engaging experience would not be possible without the Collegiate Facilitators, a group of 20 college students and two adult advisors who support youth roundtable groups.
Two Lead Collegiate Facilitators mentor, assist with training and provide critical back-up support to Collegiate Facilitators as they facilitate youth participants in roundtable groups.
DY4-H is excited to work with the following Lead Collegiate Facilitators and Collegiate Facilitators for the 2026 National 4-H Conference:
Rosabelle Surla is a senior at Western Oregon University studying psychology and early childhood development. From the Island of Saipan, she has been involved with the Northern Mariana Islands' 4-H Youth Development organization since 2019, where she created the “Clover Designs” program for youth leaders across the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota. She also served as a state council leader, developing workshops and leadership trainings across the three islands.
We are thrilled to welcome Rosabelle to her fourth National 4-H Conference, where she has previously participated as a youth delegate and Collegiate Facilitator. She shares, “During the 2025 National 4-H Conference, I worked with a group of students who had a myriad of personalities and stories that allowed them to bring their unique experiences to the table. Our collaboration created innovative solutions for our challenge question, which meant every person’s voice mattered; it was our greatest strength.”
St. Johns River State College
Helena Peterson is a freshman studying business at St. Johns River State College. From Jacksonville, she has participated in the University of Florida 4-H program since she was five years old, participating in public speaking, forestry, sewing and much more. She served as the Florida 4-H State Treasurer and Youth Chair of the Florida 4-H Mock Legislature.
We are excited to welcome Helena to her second National 4-H Conference, where she has previously participated as a youth delegate. She shares, “I find it incredibly inspiring to see youths advocating for what they believe in…to make needful changes in their communities. I participated in this process myself when I attended National Conference in 2025. It was one of the most impactful events I have ever attended.”
To learn more about the 2026 National 4-H Conference, please visit the National 4-H Conference webpage.
Roundtable Collegiate Facilitators
| Zach Cryer Major/Year: Nutrition & Food Sciences/Pre-Med University: Louisiana State University Hometown: Benton, LA |
| Luke Stephens Major/Year: General Studies/Senior University: Coastal Alabama Community College Hometown: Fulton, AL |
| Ryley Crabtree Major/Year: Community Economic Development/Freshman University: Virginia Tech Hometown: Jonesville, VA |
| Ashley Porter Major/Year: Communication/Junior (CC Transfer) University: University of Southern California Hometown: Oxnard, CA |
| Adrianna Meyer Major/Year: Community Leadership with a minor in Agribusiness/Senior University: The Ohio State University Hometown: Swanton, OH |
| Alex Paul Major/Year: Accountancy/Sophomore University: University of Illinois Hometown: Cisne, IL |
| Laura Manzueta Major/Year: Political Science/Sophomore University: Miami Dade College Hometown: Miami, FL |
| Travon Jones Major/Year: Strategic Communication and Journalism with a minor in Public Law/Junior University: Old Dominion University Hometown: Lawrenceville, VA |
| Lainey McGregor Major/Year: Environmental Studies/Freshman University: Florida Gulf Coast University Hometown: Fort Myers, FL |
| Libby Macklin Major/Year: Integrated Science/Sophomore University: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Hometown: Blue Hill, NE |
| Eduardo Díaz-Vega Year/Major: Biology, tropical medicine and global health/Senior University: University of Puerto Rico Hometown: Ponce, PR |
| Venya Gunjal Major/Year: Biomedical Engineering/Sophomore University: Georgia Tech Hometown: Atlanta, GA |
| Abigail Worth Major/Year: Exercise Science with an Advanced Personal Trainer Certification/Freshman University: Montgomery College Hometown: Gaithersburg, MD |
| Veronica Rosauer Major/Year: Biology/Freshman University: Florida SouthWestern State College Hometown: Fort Myers, FL |
| Naomi Jackson Major/Year: Marketing/Freshman University: Howard University Hometown: Macon, GA |
| Brady Larkin Major/Year: Political Science/Sophomore University: Grove City College Hometown: Abingdon, MD |
| Antonio Becker Major/Year: Animal Science (with a poultry and zoo/exotic production emphasis)/Sophomore University: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Hometown: Little Falls, MN |
| Jaylynn Greer Major/Year: Human Nutrition/Junior University: North Carolina A&T State University Hometown: Bowling Green, OH |