Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
National 4-H Conference is the premier youth professional and leadership development conference of 4-H, recognizing and developing the next generation of future leaders. Administered by 4-H National Headquarters within the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) in the Department of Agriculture (USDA), it is a working conference in which each land-grant university in the United States and its territories is invited to select youth and adult delegates to learn, share resources, and develop recommendations to help guide 4-H Youth Development programs nationally and in their communities. The conference is known as the "Secretary's Conference" because delegates attend at the invitation of the Secretary of Agriculture. More than 250 youth and adults are expected to participate in the 82nd Annual National 4-H Conference, held March 24-29, 2012. Dr. Jill Biden, Second Lady of the United States, the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA Agency heads, NIFA staff, and others will also participate in the conference.
Animal Health Component
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Research Effort Categories
Basic
100%
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The National 4-H Conference is the pinnacle experience in 4-H Citizenship, providing the opportunity for young people to connect, learn, engage, lead and impact their communities, their nation and their world. The conference connects participants with 4-H leaders, youth development practitioners, Cooperative Extension faculty, land-grant university administrators, government officials, researchers, policy-makers, 4-H alum, business leaders and funding partners through four days of general sessions, workshops, and roundtable discussions. Participants will have an opportunity to develop responses to issues that concern them and share those ideas with stakeholders. The purposes of the conference are to: 1) engage 4-H youth in personal development experiences that will increase knowledge, resources, and skills; 2) discuss topics affecting youth and 4-H programming nationwide; and 3) empower and mobilize 4-H youth to create positive social change in their communities in a meaningful and genuine way. OUTCOMES: 1) Delegates will gain perspective about the contributions of prominent figures, organizations and events to improving the issues facing our society. 2) Delegates will gain knowledge of the various ways in which they can become actively engaged citizens and will be better informed to take action back in their communities. 3) Roundtable discussions during National 4-H Conference will provide participants with practical knowledge and skills (learn), hands-on educational activities (practice) and direct opportunities to utilize skills (apply).
Project Methods
Roundtable discussions are a key component of the conference. Organized into roundtable teams, youth delegates will think critically about current issues affecting youth and the role 4-H can play in addressing those issues. Collegiate facilitators will frame the discussions and work with the roundtable teams to inform their thinking about what it means to be an active citizen and make a difference in the 21st century. Briefing topics will include: alcohol and drug use prevention; youth suicide prevention; healthy eating and living; EEO for under-represented groups (rural and inner city); integration of veterans and military family members into the local community; using science and technology to improve your local community; how to make education relevant for future career readiness; and creating the next American scientist. Additionally, youth will attend tracked competency/skill building workshops to help reinforce existing knowledge and introduce new concepts in 5 core competencies: decision making, issue planning, forming partnerships, event planning, and self identify. These structured experiences will set the foundation for briefing presentations, addressing key issues and providing youth recommendations to help solve those issues in communities that are shared on Wednesday, March 28 with federal, state and local government agencies, 4-H program leaders, decision-makers and policymakers.