Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I register for National 4-H Conference?
Known as the “Secretary’s Conference,” the National 4-H Conference is the premier youth development event for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 4-H National Headquarters at USDA extends an invitation, on behalf of the Secretary of Agriculture, to the more than 100 Land Grant Colleges and Universities across the U.S. and U.S. Territories, to send a delegation to the National 4-H Conference. Each state/land-grant university has their own processes for identifying and selecting delegates. To learn more about becoming a delegate, contact your State 4-H Program Office. Need help? You can find your State 4-H Program Office through www.4HUSA.org.
- How old do I need to be to attend the National 4-H Conference?
Youth delegates must between 15 (by January 1 of the conference year) and 19 years old. Adult Chaperones must be at least 24 years old (with the exception of Extension staff members) and must meet their state’s requirement for a chaperone.
- How many delegates can a land-grant university send to the conference?
There is no limit on the number of delegates a land-grant university can send to the conference. However, the only stipulation is that delegations cannot exceed 8 youth:1 chaperone.
- Can I exhibit at National 4-H Conference?
The National 4-H Conference is a working conference for the youth and adult delegates selected to attend. The program does not include exhibit space for vendors.
In general, delegates wear “business casual” attire for daytime events such as assemblies, workshops, and roundtable discussions. Delegates wear business attire for Capitol Hill Day. It’s especially important to wear or bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes for Capitol Hill Day. Delegates typically dress in casual clothes for evening entertainment and activities. More information to help delegates prepare for the Conference – including a dress guide can be found on the “Delegate Information” page.
- Where is the National 4-H Conference?
When the conference began in 1927, it was known as the National 4-H Camp, and delegates slept in tents on the National Mall in Washington, DC! Since 1959, the Conference has been housed at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The Conference Center is operated by our private partner—National 4-H Council (http://www.4hcenter.org/index2.html).