The 2026 National 4-H Conference will take place April 10-15 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.
Bringing hundreds of 4-H’ers to the nation’s capital each spring, the National 4-H Conference is the flagship youth development opportunity of USDA, hosted by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). By providing opportunities for young people between the ages of 15 and 19 to share their voices with the federal government, this nationally recognized event is developing the next generation of leaders.
Experience unparalleled discovery, learning, professional development, and networking with 4-H’ers from around the world. During the Conference, delegates will become familiar with the government and share their voice with federal agencies and congressional committees with the goal of impacting change in America.
How it Works
There are many ways young people, as well as federal partners and Land-grant Universities, can benefit from participating in National 4-H Conference.
- Federal Partners play a key role by presenting an issue of importance on which they would like to receive youth perspective. Federal partners provide young people an opportunity to see firsthand how they can influence government decision making.
- Land-grant Colleges and Universities are invited to select and send high school-aged 4-H participants, along with chaperones, to National 4-H Conference. Each is encouraged to partner within their state to select a delegation based on age, background, geographic distribution and/or experience with 4-H.
- Youth Participants choose the topic, research the issue, work with their peers to develop a 45-minute briefing and formally present their recommendations to the federal partner. They can also apply to serve in various leadership roles at National 4-H Conference.
- Exploration and Discovery: Youth participants gain valuable skills and knowledge about citizenship, leadership, and agricultural prosperity by participating in novel learning activities.
Impact
In preparation for, during and after National 4-H Conference, youth participants learn, practice, and apply new skills and use their voices, talent and ideas to make a difference. They are empowered to generalize what is learned to affect change in their own community. Those who participate in National 4-H Conference report increased leadership, civic engagement, agency, and social and cultural competence.
