• By April Bowman
• Posted Monday, December 13, 2010

National 4-H Congress

A delegation of fifteen North Carolina 4-H youth and two adults representing thirteen counties including Forsyth County, attended the eighty-ninth annual National 4-H Congress which was held in Atlanta, Georgia. The North Carolina delegation returned home from five days in which more than eight hundred youth and adults representing 4-H programs across the country gathered to participate in educational, service and recreational opportunities.

Seth Barrick and Josh Nzewi represented Forsyth County at the November 26 -30, 2010 conference. Seth is the 17 year old son of Michael and Melinda Barrick of Walkertown. Seth said, “it was the best 4-H event that I’ve ever been to”. Josh is the 17 year old son of Emmanuel and Sochi Nzewi, formerly of Kernersville. This year’s theme “Accept the Challenge” focused on ways for 4-H’ers to accept the challenge of global awareness, exploration, service and action. Workshops, speakers and group activities encouraged National 4-H Congress delegates to think broadly and to accept the challenge to work to make their club, community, country and world a better place.

During workshops participants had a chance to participate in sessions ranging from service learning to sustainable agriculture. National 4-H Congress speakers challenged participants to reach out and to make a difference in the world. One way participants reached out to help others was by donating money to help build the second 4-H Clover Habitat for Humanity house. In a morning set aside for community service, 4-H participants traveled to different parts of Atlanta and surrounding areas to participate in community service activities. The closing banquet featured Miss America 2010, Caressa Cameron, as the speaker as well as the US Army Forscom Band who provided entertainment.

The history of the National 4-H Congress goes back more than eighty years. An educational tour to Chicago was the forerunner to what would eventually become known as National 4-H Congress. Today National 4-H Congress provides a great opportunity for 4-H members from the across the country to come together and learn about community involvement, culture diversity, and service to others while meeting new friends.

For more information on this event or other 4-H programs, please contact April Bowman, 4-H Agent in Forsyth County at 336.703.2855 or by email at 4H@forsyth.cc. North Carolina 4-H has over 218,000 youth enrolled in the program as well as over 21,400 youth and adult volunteers. North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation.