Posted: March 2, 2026
During the recent Pennsylvania 4-H State Leadership Conference, the 2026 4-H State Council announced this year's theme, "Passion Sparks Opportunity," to guide program participants.
4-H 2026 theme: Passion Sparks Opportunity
According to the State Council team, the theme is aimed at inspiring and encouraging 4-H youth to explore various project areas that may interest them and build passions to open future opportunities.
The inspiration for the theme came from the diverse backgrounds of 4-H members and the wide range of project areas they pursue. Despite these differences, Pennsylvania 4-H sparks a common idea of passions leading to opportunities, which, according to the State Council team, led to the theme.
"Our inspiration was each other's stories and listening as we shared how a single 4-H project, started months or even years ago, opened doors to opportunities," the council said. "Those opportunities were possible because of a passion sparked by 4-H."
In announcing the theme, the council said the motto is more than a tagline; it is a promise. They hope to ignite excitement in 4-H youth across the commonwealth by sharing their passions, lifting others up and embracing every chance to grow.
"We want members to keep in mind that there are so many important lessons in the smaller moments as well as the big ones, and to take advantage of all of them," the council said.
The council is a premier group of young people, selected from across the state, who serve as the official youth spokespeople for the Pennsylvania 4-H program.
Jeanette Stackhouse, Penn State Extension 4-H education specialist for leadership and civic engagement, serves as advisor to the State Council.
"State Council is the highest youth leadership opportunity in Pennsylvania 4-H," Stackhouse said. "These young people give a year of their time to serve a program that has had an impact on them."
Throughout their yearlong term, these individuals plan state-level events, such as the 4-H State Leadership Conference and SLC Junior. Council members represent the program at various events around the state, including the Pennsylvania Farm Show and Penn State's Ag Progress Days.
They also discuss the program with government officials, industry representatives, community organizations, Penn State leadership and external stakeholders. In addition, they promote opportunities to current 4-H members and volunteers, while working to grow the program and introduce it to new families.
Council members serve as role models, teaching their peers and younger 4-H'ers about leadership and engaging in professional development activities to enhance their own skills.
"I started 4-H at eight years old with market lamb and goat projects, and as the years went on, I added new species and quickly found a love and passion for animal science and the agricultural industry," said Sophia Leiden, president of the State Council. "This passion has sparked several internship opportunities for me in the veterinary medicine industry specifically."
Serving on the council offers opportunities to learn about government and develop further skills in public speaking, time management, and team development.
More information about the 4-H State Council is available on the Penn State Extension website.
State Council members regularly visit local 4-H clubs, County Councils and county events to assist with icebreakers, teambuilding workshops and other topics. To request a State Council member at a community event, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website.
