More than 400 youth, adults getting on the road to annual 4-H State Conference

More than 400 youth, adults getting on the road to annual 4-H State Conference NMSU Press Release Jocelyn N. Apodaca This year 4-Hers are taking the scenic route to New Mexico State University for the annual 4-H State Conference, July 13-16. “The theme is referring to 4-H having many different routes and roads a person can take because of the opportunities the program provide,” said Amy Zemler, 4-H youth activities specialist. With an expected turnout of more than 400 guests, the conference provides many entertaining features along with the educational elements throughout the week. The four-day conference includes competitions, a guest speaker, dances, activities, officer elections and more. Keynote speaker is Miss New Mexico Jessica Burson, of Roswell. She is a fifth-year agriculturist and her platform for the Miss USA pageant was, “Planting the seeds of a better tomorrow.” “I have been surrounded by 4-H since day one; one of my first memories was making sand castles in the show-ring,” Burson said. “I hope the 4Hers walk away fueled up to make a difference. 4-H is important to me because it is a safe environment that allows kids to grow and reach their full potential, while also allowing them to explore the areas of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. I am proud to be a product of 4-H and will continue to invest myself into this amazing opportunity for young people.” This year the state conference will host a workshop by the visiting 4-H state leadership team from Colorado. Participants in the conference will compete in events on topics such as public speaking, horticulture, entomology and range management, to name a few. An awards ceremony and themed dances will follow. Friends of and honorary 4-H member recipients will be recognized during the awards session on Thursday morning, July 16. Recipients are chosen by nominations submitted by coworkers, agents or fellow 4-H volunteers. “4-H provides life-long lessons that youth apply to goals they have set,” Zemler said. “For State 4-H Conference, they are applied to wanting to win contests or be elected in to a leadership position.”