Local New Hampshire Youth Join Teens From Across The U.S. At
National 4-H Youth Summit On Agri-Science In Washington, D.C.
Hands-on learning experience prepared youth to develop an
action plan to address local challenge.
From L-R: Hayden Gardner (Loudon, NH), Kristen Kish
(Methuen, MA), Kelsie Pittman (Northwood, NH), and Trinity Bond
(Loudon, NH).
With increased challenges facing our communities and the
agriculture industry, it is essential to design youth-driven
programs dedicated to identifying ways to improve health,
agriculture and food. Four NH 4-H youth, Kristen Kish and Kelsie
Pittman of Rockingham County, Trinity Bond and Hayden Gardner of
Merrimack County, recently got the chance to hone their
agri-science skills at the National 4-H Youth Summit on
Agri-Science in Washington, D.C.
For
three dynamically engaging days, these youth participated in a
variety of sessions on topics focused around precision
agriculture, food and health, animal science, wildlife biology,
biobased products and bioenergy. With support from industry
leaders, youth had the opportunity not only build skills and
knowledge, but also explore careers in the agri-science
industry.
The
4-H members, who were selected based on their submission of a
resume and successful completion of two interviews, were given
the opportunity to hear the Honorable Ted McKinney
Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agriculture
Affairs speak at the opening ceremony. Inspired by
McKinney’s words the youth took part in community action
planning. During this process, they assessed the needs of
New Hampshire and proposed an action plan to address these
needs. Their action plan includes expand the diversity of
non-animal agricultural programming available to youth in the
state through the development of the 4-H Agricultural
Ambassadors.
“I
had a lot of fun on the 2019 National Agri-summit. In addition
to making some new friends from other states. I also learned a
lot more about sustainable agriculture, problems with farming
today and what the future of farming might look more like.” -
Hayden Gardner, Merrimack County.
“I
learned so much on this trip! I feel more prepared to advocate
for agriculture in the future. I loved the unique out of state
collaboration opportunities that were available to us during
this conference. I am excited to be a part of the foundation of
the 4-H Ag Ambassadors program starting in our state!” - Kristen
Kish, Rockingham County
The
trip was sponsored by the 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire.
The
2019 National 4-H Youth Summit on Agri-Science was sponsored by
Bayer, The CHS Foundation and ADM.
About 4-H
4‑H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, grows
confident young people who are empowered for life today and
prepared for career tomorrow. 4‑H programs empower nearly six
million young people across the U.S. through experiences that
develop critical life skills. 4‑H is the youth development
program of our nation’s Cooperative Extension System and USDA,
and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network
of 110 public universities and more than 3000 local Extension
offices. Globally, 4‑H collaborates with independent programs to
empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed
4‑H experience grows young people who are four times more likely
to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to
make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically
active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM
programs.
Learn more about 4‑H at
www.4‑H.org, find us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/4‑H and on Twitter at
https://twitter.com/4H.