Douglas County Makes an Impact at National Conference

Each year, the Secretary of Agriculture hosts the National 4-H Conference. This year, Maggie Weinroth, one of our very own here in Douglas County, was chosen to go! You can see her in the picture above with Senator Ken Salazar.

The National 4-H Conference is the premier youth development opportunity to engage youth in developing recommendations for the national 4-H Youth Development Program. Colorado is allowed to send six 4-H members, along with a state specialist. Youth are chosen through county nominations, followed by interviews at the Colorado State Fair.

Each year, they choose a program that youth focus on throughout the week. The theme in 2008 "GREEN AID" reflects the question, “As society becomes more environmentally conscious, how can the 4-H Youth Development Program “aid” in enhancing socially significant and relevant programming to increase the environmental awareness of our clubs, our communities, our country, and our world.

Here in Colorado, you can get your trip paid for through sponsorships and grants. Both the Colorado 4-H Foundation along with our local Douglas County 4-H Foundation sponsored Maggie's trip this year. Maggie is happy to come talk to your 4-H club or group about her experiences. Just contact the 4-H Office to set something up.

The 2009 National 4-H Conference will be held March 28-April 2, 2009 at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center. The Center is located in a quiet, 12-acre campus-like setting in Maryland, one mile from the nation's capital, making it the perfect gateway to Washington, D.C.'s leaders, monuments and museums. If you are interested in getting involved, information comes out in the June newsletter, so keep your eyes open!