2012 4-H National Conference
Date and Location
When
March 24, 2012 8:00 AM to March 29, 2012 5:00 PMWhere
Chevy Chase, MD
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). Deemed “the Secretary’s Conference”, 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, DC. 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.).
An invitation is extended to the more than 100 Land-Grant colleges and universities across national and its territories to send a delegation of high-school 4-H members (15-19 yrs.) to represent their state's 4-H program at the National 4-H Conference. Each land-grant institution has a process by which it selects 4-H members to attend the conference. While there are many ways for 4-H members to get to the conference – nomination, award recognition, identified youth leader, etc., what is most important is the impact 4-H members will have on their communities after the National 4-H Conference experience.
What will they do?; How will they work to improve youth programs in their communities and state?; and how will they exemplify the ideals of the 4-H program as active and contributing citizens to our society?
