Ten teens from Illinois attended a five-day national conference in Atlanta, Ga. from November 29-December 3. Delegates to National 4-H Congress included Logan County 4-H members Sophia Schneider, daughter of Jennifer Schneider and member of the Beason Ag 4-H club, and Alexander Steffens, son of Jason and Beth Steffens and member of the Chester 4-H club. Delegates to National 4-H Congress are selected on their outstanding 4-H accomplishments.
National 4-H Congress offers states an opportunity to provide these outstanding 4-H youth with an expanded educational experience through seminars, community service projects, and tours sponsored by local and national 4-H program donors.
Sophia stated, “Attending the National 4-H Congress was a once in a lifetime opportunity and allowed me to build connections with 4-Hers all across the United States and Puerto Rico. I would strongly encourage all 4-Hers to apply to attend in order to polish fundamental skills and connections that will last a lifetime."
Alex concluded, “National 4-H congress was a once in a lifetime event that I will never forget. The experiences given to me at 4-H congress have made me a stronger leader and speaker for my community. More than that, the relationships I created at congress with like-minded teens from around the country will last me a lifetime.”
National 4-H Congress is an educational event designed to make an impact as one of the premier experiences 4-H members across the country can come together and participate in.
4-H clubs are open to all youth ages 5-18, and enrollment is now open for the 2024-2025 year. During club meetings, 4-H members make friends while exploring their interests, trying new things, and developing leadership and life skills. For more information about 4-H activities in Logan County, visit extension.illinois.edu/LMS/4-H-youth-development.
ABOUT ILLINOIS 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities, two times more likely to make healthier choices, two times more likely to be civically active, and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.