Nineteen Iowa 4-H youth members joined 750 of the nation’s best and brightest young people in Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 29 to Dec. 3 to attend the 2024 National 4-H Congress, hosted cooperatively with National 4-H Headquarters, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National 4-H Council and the State 4-H Programs.

Iowa’s delegates were Olivia Olson, Cass County; Lauren Greving and Pacey Bogue, Carroll County; Samantha Tilley, Hamilton County; Luci Kucera, Jasper County; Samantha Wunderlich and Saylee Gingerich, Johnson County; Wesley Meyer, Jones County; Kylee Kremer, Linn County; Riley Reid, Marion County; Aaron Lee, Plymouth County; Marli Vanlaningham, Polk County; Nora Pickhinke, Sac County; Elijah Westercamp, Van Buren County; Conner McCoy, Warren County; Grant Farnham, Webster County; and Kamryn Backhaus, Landen Nelson, and Weston Willand, Worth County.

These 19 delegates were selected by 4-H volunteers from around the state through an application and interview process as a part of State 4-H Recognition Day last March. The application process for this opportunity focuses on experience and proficiency in leadership and civic engagement activities.

“National 4-H Congress is a 4-H tradition that spans over 100 years,” said Madeleine Bretey-Smith, 4-H civic engagement and leadership specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “Each year, hundreds of young people from around the country travel to Atlanta to participate in educational workshops, hear from world-renowned speakers and build their 4-H network.”

The conference focused on “Courage to Grow, Heart to Serve,” and 4-H delegates heard from speakers in plenary sessions...