National 4-H Conference is hosted by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Louisiana 4-H has an application and interview process to select our four (4) delegates. These delegates represent Louisiana 4-H at the National 4-H Conference in D.C.
At National 4-H Conference, each delegate chooses a topic to research, discuss and formulate a briefing to present to federal agencies. These topics are real world issues that federal agencies are working to address and want youth perspective to inform their work. This is a working conference, youth spend several days meeting in small groups to discuss the challenge question, share their perspectives, and formulate a response presentation. Youth visit with those federal agencies to formally present their feedback.
Federal Partners play a key role by presenting an issue of importance on which they would like to receive youth perspective. Federal partners provide young people an opportunity to see firsthand how they can influence government decision making.
Land-grant Colleges and Universities are invited to select and send high school-aged 4-H participants, along with chaperones, to National 4-H Conference. Each is encouraged to partner within their state to select a delegation based on age, background, geographic distribution and/or experience with 4-H.
Youth Participants choose the topic, research the issue, work with their peers to develop a 45-minute briefing and formally present their recommendations to the federal partner. They can also apply to serve in various leadership roles at National 4-H Conference.
Career Exploration & Readiness: Youth participants gain valuable skills, experience and networking opportunities while learning about careers in agriculture, decision making and leadership.
After the Conference
Louisiana National Conference Delegates are empowered to bring change to our state and their communities. Each year, the Louisiana NCD team will support the following events with opportunities for more!
Spark ∙ Action ∙ Change | Summit - February
Junior Leadership Conference - March
4-H University Educational Session - June
Teen Leader Conferences - as needed
Program Rules and Requirements
4-H members selected are expected to be knowledgeable about 4-H, Louisiana, and are dedicated to implementing new 4-H programming.
Delegates must be either 10th or 11th grade in high school when they apply.
Interested members do not have to serve on a leadership board and do not have to complete a leadership board application in addition to the NCD application. However, if they are interested in serving on a leadership board, they must apply when those applications are released.
Delegates selected can only serve one (1) time for a one (1) year period.
Expenses for the four (4) delegates selected to represent Louisiana at the National 4-H Conference will be paid. Exclusions include travel to the airport where the delegation departs from, souvenirs, and some meals on their own. Youth are required to pay the $250 non-refundable trip deposit.
Selection will be based on overall 4-H work including projects, leadership, civic engagement, and service to the 4-H program, public speaking experiences, as well as originality of ideas about the future of 4-H programming.
To Apply
Communicate with your Parish 4-H Agents to complete the application on 4-H Online and look for the 2026 National Conference Delegate Application on the Events page. Questions about applications should be directed to Brittany Babineaux, bbabineaux@agcenter.lsu.edu
To
help make it easier to complete your application in 4-HOnline, the exact
application questions have been listed below.
Answers
must not exceed 500 words per question. Strong submissions include
examples and real experiences that relate to the question.
Tip:
Prepare your answers in Microsoft Word or similar program and once you are
ready, copy and paste into 4-HOnline!
Application Questions
1. Why are you applying to become a National Conference
Delegate for Louisiana 4-H? What are you hoping to learn or gain from the
experience?
2. Describe your involvement in 4-H or other youth
organizations. What are the project areas that you are involved in? How have
you been involved?
3. Participation in National 4-H Conference requires a
significant amount of public speaking, leadership, and teamwork. Please
describe your relevant public speaking, teamwork, and leadership experiences.
4. What is the most important youth issue in your community
or region? What can you and your peers do to have a positive impact on the issue?
Interview Judging Procedures
Scoring is based on overall communication skills, leadership,
engagement, 4-H advocacy and awareness of state and local issues, and whether
the Candidate possesses the overall qualities and attributes of a prospective
National 4-H Conference Delegate.
Candidates will be interviewed separately for 15 minutes
total. Each candidate is asked the same interview questions to ensure that all
candidates have an equal opportunity to talk about their own experiences and
thoughts about this unique opportunity.
Interview Preparation
During the personal interview with the judges, comments
should appear to be the original and sincere thoughts of the 4-H member.
The judges will be scoring each candidate using the
following criteria:
Conduct:
Did the participant…
Appear
relaxed and self-confident?
Articulate,
enunciate, and speak distinctly?
Maintain
an acceptable speaking pace?
Clearly
answer questions?
Express
enthusiasm and self-confidence?
Appearance/Mannerisms:
Did the participant…
Appear
neat and well-groomed?
Act
in a businesslike manner?
Appear
genuine and sincere?
Answers
questions thoroughly and logically
Provides
interesting ideas and perspectives
Show
critical thinking skills, and clear thoughts about the future.
