Tazewell County 4-H’er attends prestigious National 4-H Conference
Sophia Robinson, a Tazewell County 4-H'er and Southwest District Ambassador for Virginia 4-H State Cabinet was selected by Virginia 4-H to attend 2026 National 4-H Conference April 10-15 in Arlington, Virginia.
"Attending the National 4-H Conference was an unforgettable experience. I loved meeting people from across the country and participating in Roundtable #10 with the United States Department of Agriculture on “Cultivating Rural America’s Future,” where I was proud to represent my state after two of our solutions were considered for adoption.
Outside of the roundtable, I also went on a nighttime monument tour in Washington, D.C., did line dancing, participated in an escape room, and met congressmen, all of which made the experience even more memorable.
I learned a lot about how federal agencies like the United States Department of Agriculture work directly with youth input to shape solutions for rural communities. I also gained a better understanding of how many different factors go into supporting rural development, like education, infrastructure, and access to resources. Beyond that, I learned how important it is to confidently share ideas and collaborate with people from very different backgrounds to create real change.
Attending National 4-H Conference had a big impact on me. It made me even more interested in rural development and how organizations like the United States Department of Agriculture help support communities like mine. It also pushed me to feel more confident sharing my ideas and speaking up in group settings, especially after seeing that our solutions were seriously considered.
I made friends from all over the country, which helped me see different perspectives and realize how many shared challenges students face. Overall, it motivated me to stay involved in leadership opportunities and look for ways I can continue making a difference in my own community.”
National 4-H Conference is the flagship civic engagement opportunity of the 4-H program, hosted by USDA. Often known as the Secretary's Conference, it was originally founded 99 years ago as the National 4-H Camp. The conference provides the opportunity for youth to develop leadership skills by working on real-world issues provided by federal agencies and then formally presenting proposed solutions to those agencies.
Virginia 4-H selects representatives from the State 4-H Cabinet and Teen Leadership Councils to represent the program at this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
