JOIN US FOR NATIONAL 2025 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.
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.
PEER LEADERSHIP MODEL
A key component of National 4-H Conference is amplifying youth voice. One way we do this is through a peer leadership model.
The Youth Leadership Team (YLT) is made up of six high school students and two adult advisors. They are assembled to provide youth voice in conference planning and implementation.
Youth Leadership Team Adult Advisors
Natalie Korniak, Purdue University
Teki Hunt Winston, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
The Collegiate Facilitator Team is made up of 24 college students and two adult advisors. This group is assembled to host and facilitate youth roundtable groups.
Collegiate Facilitator Adult Advisors
Nicole Swinson, Virginia State University
Megan Skiba, Purdue University
Lead Collegiate Facilitators
Jody Coloma, Portland State University
Chloe Rowland, Montana State University
REGISTRATION
Register for 2025 National 4-H Conference to share your voice with federal agencies and congressional committees from April 11-16 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. Registration rates are $980 for youth or adult (double occupancy room) and $1,510 for adult (single occupancy room). Registration period opens Monday, February 3 and will close Monday, February 24 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
Download the Registration Form ahead of time to collect needed information before registering your delegation online.
All registered adult chaperones must attend an online chaperone orientation on Wednesday, March 19, at 4:00 p.m. ET.
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 National4-HConference@usda.gov.
ACCESSIBILITY REQUESTS
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Maurice Smith, National Program Leader, at Maurice.Smith2@usda.gov 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 Lois.Tuttle@usda.gov 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 National4-HConference@usda.gov, subject line “National 4-H Conference Scholarship Program”. Scholarship forms are due January 13, 2025 11:59 PM Eastern.
INFORMATION SESSION & OTHER RESOURCES
Missed the 2025 National 4-H Conference Information Session on November 21? View the recording and PowerPoint slides to catch up! All forms and important documents for the event can be found on the National 4-H Conference Resources page.
National 4-H Conference ResourcesFor questions contact National4-HConference@usda.gov.