4-H Members Participate in 2022 National Youth Summit on Agri-Science

            Lincoln University Cooperative Extension (LUCE) sponsored 10 students from around the state of Missouri to attend the 2022 National 4-H Youth Summit on Agri-science in Bethesda, Maryland, on March 10-13th.  The event was hosted by the partnership of the National 4-H Council and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

            High school students from all over the country developed the skills and knowledge needed for the challenges facing agriculture, food security, and sustainability at the recent event. Students also participated in several workshops and learned about critical issues in agriculture, including water quality, food safety and security. St. Louis 4-H member, Frank Mwangi, enjoyed the workshop about honey. Frank learned about the entire honey making process, the vital role bees play in agriculture and the environmental influences that affect production.

            Another focus at this year’s Summit was increasing awareness of available career opportunities and pathways in agriculture. Prior to the conference, students prepared briefings to present and discussed issues facing the agriculture industry. 

            The youth were led by a team of LUCE 4-H Area Educators: Callie Newsom, James Boyer, Tomielle Lane, Pershard Owens and 4-H State Specialist, Adrian Hendricks.  The students were from Kansas City, St. Louis, Jefferson City, Caruthersville and Sikeston, Missouri. 

            “The experience was amazing,” said Sikeston Area Educator, Pershard Owens.  “It was amazing to see the students enjoy learning about things they didn't know. They are super excited about starting their programs here, and I can't wait to see what they get accomplished.”

            St. Louis Area Educator, Tomielle Lane, also benefitted from the Summit as it provided an opportunity to get to know her students better. “As an educator and mentor, I can help foster their ideas and passion while exposing them to something new,” shared Lane.

            Teens not only learned while at the conference; they were empowered to create positive social change in their communities and have the opportunity to practice and apply their skills in a real-world setting. As student Frank Mwangi put it, “This experience was an awesome one and I’m grateful for the chance to go.”