Attending the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., helped Malory Kemp, a 4-H member from Pembina County, gain confidence in her ability to lead.

“We, as youth, need to make our voice heard in order to make a difference in our future,” says Kemp. “It is important to give teens the courage to speak out at all levels of government.”

Kemp was one of four North Dakota 4-H’ers who attended the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., April 14-19. The other delegates were Jack Kram of Cass County, Michaela Mitchell of Stark/Billings County and Hannah Myrdal of Walsh County.

More than 260 youth attended the conference to explore current issues affecting youth and the role that 4-H can play in addressing those issues. Delegates participated in roundtable groups that researched issues, developed presentations on their findings and then shared the findings with key decision makers at various federal agencies throughout the Washington, D.C., area.

For Myrdal, the most memorable part of the trip was presenting to a federal agency.

“I was in the U.S. Senate with 14 other 4-H’ers,” says Myrdal. “I had to learn how to work and cooperate and then present to important people in our government.”

Mitchell agrees that the trip was unforgettable.

“National 4-H Conference was an eye-opening and inspirational experience,” says Mitchell. “My life has been forever touched and changed.”

 Kram enjoyed making new friends and gaining leadership skills.

“Knowing that I could make a difference in the country through this event was a great experience,” he says.

Hannah Peterson, a North Dakota State University Extension agent from Wells County, chaperoned the North Dakota delegates.

“As an Extension agent in North Dakota, advocating for 4-H is one of the best parts of my job,” says Peterson.

For more information about applying to serve as a 2024 delegate, contact Rachelle Vettern, NDSU Extension leadership and volunteer development specialist, at 701-231-7541 or rachelle.vettern@ndsu.edu. 4-H is a program of NDSU Extension.

The North Dakota 4-H Foundation sponsored this educational opportunity.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – May 3, 2023

Source: Rachelle Vettern, 701-231-7541, rachelle.vettern@ndsu.edu

Editor: Elizabeth Cronin, 701-231-7881, elizabeth.cronin@ndsu.edu