The National 4-H Conference was held April 11-16 in Washington, where youth from across the country go in the hopes of expanding their leadership skills, engaging with other 4-H members and being inspired to make a difference in their community, country and world.

The national conference is the signature experience in 4-H leadership and civic engagement. 4-H youth delegates serve on a priority topic committee with other teen leaders from around the nation to develop solutions for important issues facing today's youth.

The three North Dakota youth delegates agreed that talking with people from around the country was a highlight of the conference and that the experience taught them about working together with people with different perspectives. The conference includes youth from every state and Puerto Rico.

“While working with my roundtable group, I was able to advocate challenges that youth in my area face and hear different perspectives from others across the country, which I found to be very rewarding,” says Addilyn Groven, a 4-H member from Grand Forks County.

Each group meets with government or other agency officials to present their ideas on Capitol Hill.

Clara Kjelland, a 4-H member from Walsh County, was in a group that presented ideas to officials from NASA. The group talked through ideas like making the NASA website and resources more interesting and easier for kids to use — an experience she described as “surreal.”

“We also brought up how worried a lot of youth are about things like climate change and declining resources,” says Kjelland. “We need to work to preserve our natural resources, helping ensure that one of North Dakota's largest industries continues to thrive.”

Speaking in front of government officials in the nation’s capital was motivating for Marisa Mumm, a 4-H’er from Richland County. She says her message to legislators was about the importance of the 4-H program, and she also emphasized why North Dakota agriculture should continue to be supported.

State 4-H groups bring a report to the conference to distribute to legislators and their aides. The North Dakota 4-H’ers’ report describes things they say youth are proud of, such as its youth programs and the hard work of North Dakotans; they also share things they say need improving, such as “the lack of care (for) the earth and its inhabitants” and barriers for younger farmers. They also offer potential areas of growth, like technological and entrepreneurial advancement.

“It was an honor to chaperone these remarkable young women as they represented our state on the national stage,” says Katie Thompson, the North Dakota State University Extension agent for Walsh County, who chaperoned the 4-H’ers. “They embraced every opportunity to learn, contribute and grow, and the experience was both impactful and inspiring.”

Applications to serve as a 2026 delegate are due to NDSU Extension Aug. 1, 2025. For more information, contact Rachelle Vettern, an NDSU professor and a 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 8, 2025

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

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu