75th Annual National 4-H Conference News:

National 4-H Conference: 75 Years and Counting

For 75 years, the National 4-H Conference has been the premier youth development event for the USDA. Originally held in tents on the National Mall, the format and location for Conference has changed but the goal is the same to provide a forum in which delegates can share ideas and give feedback to the USDA and the Secretary of Agriculture about how to make the 4-H youth development program even better.

Over 325 youth and adult delegates gathered at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center on April 1-6, eager to share ideas and form recommendations in guiding future national 4-H youth development programs in their communities.

Shaped by the theme of Build the Future ? Tag, You're It, the conference was organized around roundtable discussions focused on the Essential Elements of 4-H and facilitated by Collegiate 4-H members. These roundtables gathered throughout the conference to generate and discuss ideas and select one big idea to present at the Town Hall meeting.

The ideas were brought before all the delegates at the Town Hall, with the attendees voting on the top five issues they felt 4-H should focus on at the national level.

Cathann Kress, CSREES National 4-H Headquarters Director, shared with delegates the top recommendations during the USDA Assembly on Tuesday morning. Delegates strongly voiced that they want more attention on state and national opportunities to keep younger teens interested and active in 4-H, a national service project to create a unified effort, opportunities for high school credit through 4-H activities, and an increase in 4-H communications across the nation. The recommendations will be shared with Agriculture Secretary Johanns who attended the USDA Assembly and extension leaders at the national, state, and local levels.


Dr. Cathann Kress listens to a discussion during one of the roundtable sessions where the conference attendees brainstormed how to make 4-H even better.


With 34 workshops being offered for the conference attendees, many didn't know which to choose! This group is discussing how they can Turn Up the Volume on Youth Voice.
Return to top

75th Anniversary Celebration

Much has changed in the 75 years since 1927 when the National 4-H Conference began. Known then as National 4-H Camp, delegates would drive for days across the country to sleep in tents on the National Mall outside the United States Department of Agriculture. Through the years, modes of transportation and lodging have changed. Delegates are now welcomed to their national 4-H home at the National 4-H Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland, each year to participate in the conference.

This year, conference attendees celebrated the history of the conference by hosting conference alumni from the past 75 years at the anniversary celebration. Conference delegates were honored by the presence of the alumni and gave a standing ovation to Nellie Mabel Turner, a Missouri delegate from the first 4-H National Camp in 1927. These mentors and leaders paved the way to where 4-H is today, and the young leaders were inspired by Nellie's presence.

Nellie brought with her the gavel given to her and the other 1927 National 4-H Camp delegates by W. M. Jardine, Secretary of Agriculture. The gavel, which was taken from a 100-year old wooden beam from the White House, was engraved with the Secretary's signature. In celebration, gavels were given out again at this year's conference commemorating the event.

Also in attendance was Dr. C. Peter Magrath, President of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. 4-H is one of our core activities, Dr. Magrath said. It is a very important part of what we do. He praised 4-H for continuing to keep our young people in educational environments. He also extended his thanks to Nellie for joining the event. Nellie, you truly are an inspiration.

Dr. Cathann Kress, Dr. Mary McPhail Gray, CSREES Deputy Administrator for Families, 4-H, and Nutrition, and Donald T. Floyd, Jr., President and CEO, National 4-H Council, also spoke to the alumni and updated them on the latest happenings in 4-H.

Many think it's our education, or our programs that are the legacy of 4-H but all of us know it's really the people. You are all a part of the legacy of 4-H, said Dr. Kress.


Leaders in the 4-H movement share stories and memories. From left, Dr. C. Peter Magrath, President of NASULGC, Maria Parisi, Program Specialist and National 4-H Conference Coordinator, National 4-H Headquarters and Nellie Mabel Turner, 1927 National 4-H Camp delegate.
Return to top

Delegates Spend the Day on Capitol Hill

On Tuesday, April 5, the National 4-H Conference delegates spent their day in Washington, DC. The delegates were welcomed to the Whitten Patio at the Department of Agriculture for the USDA Assembly. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns spoke to the conference attendees about the role of 4-H today as well as about his great 4-H experiences. A photo of Secretary Johanns with the delegates is available for view by clicking here.

For lunch, delegates were invited to the first official event for the National 4-H Congressional Caucus. The luncheon was a chance for the House and Senate staff to meet these top young leaders in 4-H. Creation of the National 4-H Congressional Caucus has been in the works since the fall of 2003. This National 4-H Congressional Caucus is a window for youth to learn about Congress and what it does, said Stan Johnson, Vice-Provost for Extension, Iowa State University. It is a chance for our 4-H youth to learn about how to be a part of it [Congress]. Stan encouraged the youth to speak with their congressional representatives and encourage them to join the National 4-H Congressional Caucus.

After the luncheon, the delegates moved on to Capitol Hill, there they met with representatives of Congress and staff to share the voices of youth from their state and discuss state 4-H programs. The young leaders were enthusiastic to share their love for 4-H with their government officials. Between meetings, the delegates toured the Capitol and enjoyed the spring weather and cherry blossoms throughout the downtown area of Washington, D.C.

The Conference ended at the banks of the Potomac River, where delegates boarded the Spirit of Washington for the Clover Cruise. For their last night at conference, delegates enjoyed dinner and dancing aboard ship as they floated down the river with the monuments as a backdrop.


Washington, DC - Members of the Arizona delegation show off their 4-H scarves and ties in front of the U.S. Capitol. From left, Bryan Chadd, Maricopa County 4-H Agent, University of Arizona, Clayton Freed, Samantha Morriss, Sean Ames and Tanner Herbert.


The Oklahoma delegation poses for a photo with Oklahoma congressional senior staff.
Return to top

Top 4-H Volunteers Honored at National 4-H Conference Opening Assembly

Joe Walters of Winnsboro, Louisiana and Ellen Doerner of Loomis, California are the recipients of the 2005 National 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer Recognition Awards. Donald T. Floyd, Jr., President and CEO for National 4-H Council and Ronald Bumb, Area Sales Manager for Monsanto Company and a former 4-H member, presented the awards to Walters and Doerner during the opening ceremony at the 75th National 4-H Conference.

Ellen Doerner of Loomis, California, received the 2005 National 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer of the Year Award, given to an individual who has volunteered for 4-H less than 10 years. She was joined by June Stewart, her mentor and friend. June is the Placer County 4-H Program Representative, and has helped Ellen make such a difference for the young people in her 4-H club. Doerner thanked the National 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer Recognition Program for honoring her. I am very humbled by this award, Ellen said. I am used to be being the person taking the photo, not the one in it.

In only five years, Ellen Doerner has encouraged hundreds of Placer County, California 4-Hers to make their best better. She has nearly doubled the membership of the Loomis Community 4-H Club since becoming leader. Doerner has also led the club with a wildfire community rehabilitation project. Ellen is proudest of initiating Presentation Project in her club, which gives 4-Hers a chance to build their confidence and poise as they hone their public speaking skills.

Joe Walters received the 2005 National 4-H Salute to Excellence Lifetime Volunteer Award, given to an individual who has spent 10 or more years volunteering for 4-H. Joe was thankful for his award, but he knows the award is not the reason he works with 4-H young people. When I reflect on my reason for all these years of youth work, I can say with all truthfulness that it is not the acclaim of others, it is the appreciation from a former 4-Her whose life has taken a positive turn due to some of my efforts, Walters said.

It is estimated that Walters has touched the lives of tens of thousands of young people during his 33 years as a volunteer leader for the Louisiana 4-H program. Walters helped pioneer the 4-H Shooting Sports program in multiple Louisiana parishes, worked with others to found the Wild Woods Wanderings environmental 4-H youth education program for Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi and is now working with other volunteer leaders in Louisiana to pilot the 4-H ATV Safety Program.

Each year, state 4-H programs are invited to nominate two outstanding individual volunteers for the National 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer Awards Recognition Program. Gene and Sharon Swackhamer created the National 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer Recognition Award Program to emphasize the important work of 4-H volunteers across America. The awards are made possible through the National 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer Recognition Fund and Monsanto Company, the program's national presenting sponsor. Contact Carolyn Fernandez at cfernandez@fourhcouncil.edu or 301-961-2983 for more information.


Washington, DC - Joe Walters and Ellen Doerner are the recipients of the 2005 National 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer Awards. From left are Gene Swackhamer; Suzonne Walters; June Stewart; Sharon Swackhamer; Doerner; Ronald Bumb; Walters; Dr. Cathann Kress, Director of Youth Development, National 4-H Headquarters, CSREES, USDA and Donald T. Floyd, Jr., President and CEO, National 4-H Council.
Return to top

A Day in the Life of the National 4-H Conference Delegates

During their stay, the National 4-H Conference delegates enjoyed a variety of activities. After an early morning start, the days were packed with assemblies, tours, workshops, lively discussions and much more. Join us as we take you on a walk through their days:

Morning Assembly
Champion wrestler Rulon Gardner spoke to the delegates at the opening of the 75th anniversary celebrations. He shared his ups and downs that he encountered throughout his life, but told the delegates, I always had one goal: to be my best and to do my best. He even pulled up Tennessee 4-H delegate, Jamie Lockhart, from the audience to share a wrestling move where he demonstrated that even though he was so much shorter than his opponents, he learned how to turn it into an advantage rather than let it defeat him. He urged delegates to use every opportunity to their advantage and not allow their weaknesses to defeat them.


Tennessee 4-H delegate, Jamie Lockhart, looks on as Champion Wrestler Rulon Gardner talks to the National 4-H Conference attendees.

Friendships
Friendships were easily made with everyone sharing stories of their love for 4-H. During some down time, Indiana delegate Ellen Knapke spent time getting to know Evelio Mendez from Puerto Rico. By being able to gain new perspectives and develop lasting memories and friendships, 4-H'ers are able to bring ideas home and keep giving back to their communities.


Ellen Knapke, Rockville, IN spends time with Evelio Mendez, Las Marias, PR.

Ideas, Ideas, Ideas
And of course, the main part of the day was spent with different groups in the form of icebreakers, learning and facilitating workshops and being involved in roundtable discussions. These allowed participants to learn new things and come up with exciting ideas to implement in their own state. Check out many more photos of what the young leaders at National 4-H Conference did by clicking here.


A group gets to know each other through using a group dynamic activity.
Return to top

Behind the Scenes: How National 4-H Conference is Created

The National 4-H Conference came together as the result of the hard work of youth and adult members on the National 4-H Conference Planning Committee. It has been really great watching it all come together, said Katie Smith from New Jersey.

For the past year, the committee has emailed, talked on the phone and met to plan this year's event. Their hard work definitely paid off as the delegates thoroughly enjoyed their stay. Being on the conference planning committee has been a really great experience, said Betsy Jensen from New York.

Led by Maria Parisi, National 4-H Conference Coordinator for National 4-H Headquarters at USDA, the planning committee was busy at work throughout the conference. California delegate Jennifer Washman said, I liked planning the conference, but best of all I loved meeting so many different people. Katie, Betsy and Jennifer agreed that they would be more than happy to return for many years to come, but for now they are all planning on continuing with 4-H through and after college.


From left, Betsy Jensen, Katie Smith and Jennifer Washman stand in front of photos from the first National 4-H Conference (National 4-H Camp) in 1927.
Return to top

Build the Future: Tag You're It!

What's next? The delegates have returned home and are excited to get to work. The National 4-H Conference site gives the delegates a Call to Action where they can report their great projects and successes back to National 4-H Headquarters.


The New Mexico Leadership Team is excited to get to work!