The 2023 National 4-H Conference marked another successful chapter in 4-H's long-standing tradition of youth leadership development. Held in Washington, DC, the conference brought together youth delegates from across the United States and Canada for an intensive five-day leadership experience.
Conference Highlights The gathering featured signature elements that made it a transformative experience for participants:
Delegates engaged with USDA officials and congressional representatives to discuss agricultural policy and youth development initiatives
Youth leaders participated in roundtable discussions focusing on current issues affecting rural and urban communities
Teams collaborated on action plans addressing food security, climate change, and youth mental health
Participants toured the National Mall and visited key historical monuments and Smithsonian museums
Evening networking events fostered connections between delegates from different states and territories
Key Achievements Throughout the conference, delegates:
Developed and presented policy recommendations to federal agency representatives
Created state-specific action plans for implementation in their home communities
Built lasting connections with peers and mentors from across the country
Enhanced their understanding of federal government operations and policy-making processes
Strengthened their public speaking and leadership capabilities
Educational Components The conference curriculum included:
Workshop sessions on effective advocacy and public policy
Training in professional communication and presentation skills
Collaborative problem-solving exercises
Leadership development seminars
Cultural competency and diversity awareness programs
Impact and Outcomes The conference resulted in:
Implementation of youth-led community projects across multiple states
Enhanced partnerships between state 4-H programs and federal agencies
Increased youth engagement in local and national policy discussions
Strengthened network of young agricultural and community leaders
Development of practical leadership skills among participants
Legacy Impact The 2023 conference continued to build on 4-H's tradition of developing young leaders while adapting to address contemporary challenges and opportunities in agriculture, youth development, and community engagement.
Arizona 4-H members Jonah Johnson, Dr. Gerardo Lopez, and Andres Astra had the exciting opportunity to present at last year’s Ignite by 4-H national summit in Washington D.C. They led an interactive workshop highlighting how they are using augmented reality technology to drive hands-on 4-H learning and engagement. Through dynamic demonstrations and activities, the team showed high school students from across the country how they are leveraging augmented reality to ignite interest in emerging technologies. Attendees were able to try augmented reality for themselves, exploring innovative future applications across diverse fields. Jonas, Gerardo, and Andres represented Arizona 4-H on a national stage at the 2023 Ignite conference. Their augmented reality workshop empowered the next generation of leaders with a glimpse of the limitless potential of technology to transform education and connect young people to promising careers. The hands-on showcase was a huge hit at the summit!