National 4-H Conference 2012

In late March, over 250 4-H members and adults from across the country descended on the nation's capital to make their voice heard as part of the 2012 National 4-H Conference, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

Delegates heard presentations from special guests Dr. Jill Biden [view blog], Second Lady of the United States, and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack [view photos]. Aaron Davis, the author of the inspiring book "10 Minute Truths" and the co-author of two others, presented the opening keynote address.

Participants at this year's conference engaged in personal development experiences that increased their knowledge, resources and skills on issues that matter most to them. As in previous years, delegates participated in roundtable discussions with partnering federal agencies about topics specific to issues affecting youth and communities nationwide and the role 4-H can play in addressing those issues. Issue topics for this year's conference included: alcohol and drug use prevention, youth suicide prevention, healthy eating and living, equal education for under-represented groups, integration of veteran and military families into local communities, and using science and technology to improve local communities. The group that presented at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is featured on the OSTP blog site.

Since the first conference in 1927, the National 4-H Conference, known as the "Secretary's Conference," continues to be USDA's premier youth development opportunity to engage youth in developing recommendations for the 4-H Youth Development Program. For more infromation, visit the National 4-H Conference web site.