Youth and Adult Leadership

Learn more about the Maryland 4-H State Council in the FAQ Sheet.

The Maryland 4-H State Council is the premier leadership opportunity in Maryland. It comprises active 4-H members from around the state interested in developing high-level leadership skills and representing their county 4-H program. State Council members have the opportunity to learn from each other, volunteers, and faculty/staff outside of their club and county. The State Council is led by a youth officer team and faculty/staff advisors. 

The Maryland 4-H State Council is led by the State Council Executive Committee, which includes:

Youth Officers

	About Ashlynn:  I have been an active 4-H member for the past nine years and have participated in a variety of activities, including ones held on a national and international level.  Currently, shooting sports is my primary 4-H activity, along with entering projects, showing livestock, and participating in various clubs and organizations. My hobbies include activities outdoors such as camping, hiking, and snowboarding. Next year, I hope to start the journey toward a degree in large animal sciences.
	About Abby:  Hi, my name is Abby Worth. I am 15 years old and Homeschooled. I have been in 4-H for 10 years and this is my 3rd year on the Maryland 4-H State Council. Throughout my time in 4-H, I’ve held positions like Historian, Community Fair Queen, National Leadership trip Maryland Delegate, and I am currently the Vice-President of State Council. Outside of 4-H, I enjoy practicing Kendo, Brazilian Jujitsu, Archery, and Yoga, playing the drums, making Christmas Ornaments, baking, and learning WWI, WWII, and Aerospace history. I can’t wait for a wonderful year on State Council.
	About Jayson: I am a hardworking and persistent individual that goes to Poolesville high school. I have been studying music since I was 6 and hoped to become a great musician one day. On top of that, I excel at math and am currently aiming to get into MIT.
	About Lydia: Hi, I am Lydia Vassiliadi, and I am an 11th grader in Allegany County. I love soccer, basketball, 4-H robotics, and science. In the past, I have been on various 4-H robotics teams, was selected as a "Young Woman in STEM" for Maryland Mentor, representing 4-H; and I worked to combat runoff in my area as part of the 4-H Runoff Raiders Club. It is my second year as Treasurer of the State Council, and I look forward to the new year!

To Join State Council

Eligibility	Any active Maryland 4-H youth aged 13-18 (as of January 1 of the upcoming program year) may apply to be on the Maryland 4-H State Council. Membership is verified through 4-H Online.
Submission Deadline	November 20  (this has been extended)
Application Package	General Membership Information Packet Cover letter 4-H Resume Current portrait picture
Submission Portal	4-H Online - Under Events       How to Apply for a Leadership Opportunity Help Guide
Notification	December 15

State Council Informational Flyer

Contact the State Council through the State Council Coordinator (Dr. Jeff Howard) at jwhoward@umd.edu.

The Maryland 4-H State Council would love to connect with your club, event or activity! Reach out to see what the State Council can do for you!

The Maryland 4-H Program is proud to offer senior 4-H members the opportunity to participate in Leadership Trips at the National Level. All enrolled and dues-paying club members ages 14-18 (as of January 1st, the year the trip takes place) from all counties and Baltimore City are eligible to submit an application and portfolio packet (see instructions below) for any of the following national leadership trips. To be considered for a Leadership Trip, a 4-H member must complete a portfolio package including an application, 4-H resume, essay, and interview.

IMPORTANT Information on the Senior 4-H Portfolio Process 

How to Apply for a Leadership Opportunity Help Guide

Links to helpful resources: 

• Overview of the Portfolio Process
• Jazzing Up Your Resume
• Interview Etiquette
• Preparing 4-H'ers for Interview Success

2026 Senior Essay Question:

“When faced with the potential of limited funding, how would you advocate to your community the value of funding the 4-H youth development program?”

College of AGNR and Maryland 4-H Foundation Matching Scholarship for Top Overall Senior Portfolio

Established in 2015, the College of AGNR will offer a scholarship award of $1,000 to each of the nine senior high overall individuals at the following annual 4-H competitions: Dairy Judging, Hippology, Horse Judging, Horticulture Judging, Livestock Judging, Livestock Skillathon, Poultry Judging, Rabbit Judging and Overall High Score 4-H Portfolio, winner of the portfolio process which encompasses National 4-H Conference, National 4-H Congress, Camp Miniwanca, Virginia 4-H Congress and West Virginia Older Members Conference.

 The recipient must apply as a bachelor’s degree-seeking student, be accepted to the University of Maryland, and enroll in the College of AGNR.

The Maryland 4-H Foundation will offer matching scholarships to these students for $1,000.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has 8 different departments, including Animal and Avian Sciences, Agriculture and Resource Economics, Entomology, Environmental Science and Policy, Environmental Science and Technology, Nutrition and Food Science, Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, and Veterinary Medicine. 

Learn more at https://agnr.umd.edu/departments-programs/departments 

Bowl Teams 

4-H provides numerous opportunities for members to focus on a specific subject while having fun competing on a bowl team.  4-H bowls are patterned after "College Bowl" and "It's Academic" television shows.  Most bowl teams compete with others of the same age.  A bowl team usually has five members, with four competing and one as an alternate.  Typically, county winners advance to regional contests, and regional winners advance to state contests.  There are currently bowl contests for nutrition, horses, livestock, and dogs.

Citizenship Washington Focus

Is a national 4-H event held at the National 4-H Center during June and July.  This excellent week-long event is open to high school-age youth, not just 4-H'ers.  Those attending CWF will increase their leadership skills, gain a much broader understanding of citizenship, learn a great deal about their nation's capital and the federal government and have 4-H Council's Web Page at http://www.fourhcouncil.edu

Club Officers 

4-H clubs elect a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and reporter.  Other officers, who may be elected or appointed, can include committee chairs (program, telephone, health, safety, conservation, etc.), song leaders, game leaders, and sergeants of arms. Officers usually serve for one year. 

Exchange, Interstate

This is a popular activity for older 4-H'ers and adults. Maryland counties that are interested in exchange will respond and begin the process of planning dates, activities, etc. Maryland usually receives many exchange requests because of our proximity to Washington, DC, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean. The typical exchange involves 8 to 12 teens and

two or more adults who visit another state one summer, staying in the homes of host 4-H families for about a week and then hosting the 4-H'ers they stayed with the following summer. In some cases, both ends of the exchange occur in the same summer. 

IFYE

The International Four-H Youth Exchange (the "F" originally meant farm) allows 4-H'ers from around the world to visit another country to learn about other lifestyles and cultures and spread goodwill and understanding. There are several options and lengths of stay, with a typical stay of six weeks to six months. 

National 4-H Conference

This event is held at the National 4-H Center in the spring and is attended by some of the top 4-Hers in the nation. At the National 4-H Conference, teen delegates take the lead by serving on consulting groups to make recommendations for the future. Activities include visiting Capitol Hill and meeting with their senator or representative.

State 4-H Leaders Association

This volunteer association allows volunteer leaders from all over the state to network and share successful ideas. The group provides and supports statewide volunteer training and serves as an advisory to the State 4-H Leader and State 4-H Specialists. Membership will be open to all adult 4-H volunteers. 

Maryland 4-H State Council 

The Maryland 4-H State Council is a group of teen leaders working to "Make the Best Better" through leadership and civic engagement in their communities, counties, and state. Council membership is open to all Maryland 4-Hers ages 13-18, and each county/city 4-H Unit is urged to have at least one representative to the 4-H State Council. The Council comprises four committees that direct the Council's activities & events: Planning & Outreach, Public Issues, Public Relations, and Service. The State Council actively participates in public education about a chosen youth issue at Maryland Day and the Maryland State Fair and plans. It leads local and statewide 4-H activities in observance of National 4-H Week. The State Council plans and hosts Maryland's signature teen leadership event, the Maryland 4-H Congress, on the summer's University of Maryland campus.  Application for State 4-H Council is made in November for the coming year; teens elected to State Council serve one-year terms and must re-apply for membership each year. 

Maryland 4-H Congress

The Maryland 4-H Congress is the state's premier teen leadership opportunity. Held at the University of Maryland, "M4HC" allows 4-Hers ages 13-18 to explore career opportunities in a variety of areas and to experience life on a college campus. Youth attending Maryland 4-H Congress live in campus residence halls and eat-in dining halls, enjoy campus recreational activities, and attend workshops and tours in campus classrooms, labs, and facilities. Participants can meet and make friends with fellow 4-Hers from across the state, discover career opportunities, perform community service, and learn skills that help them prepare for college and workforce readiness.  Registration for the Maryland 4-H Congress occurs in late spring and is held in the summer.

Wonders of Washington (WOW)

The National 4-H Council provides this "ultimate Washington experience" for youth groups (students in grades 6 - 12) of 25 or more. Two- and six-day programs are available. Lodging is provided at the National 4-H Center. WOW includes field trips and workshops highlighting the historical, political, and cultural attractions of Washington, DC. Call the National 4-H Council at 1 800 368-7432 for more information.

Citizenship and Civic Education:

Citizenship Adventure Kit

Citizenship Guide's Handbook

Service Learning:

Service Learning 1: Agents of Change

Service Learning 2: Raise Your Voice

Service Learning: Helper's Guide

Leadership:

Step Up To Leadership - My Journal

Step Up To Leadership - My Portfolio 

Step Up To Leadership - My Workbook  

Citizenship and Civic Education:

Citizenship Adventure Kit: Designed to engage youth in changing a piece of the public world, discovering the possibilities of democratic citizenship, and building a commitment to taking action in new and exciting ways.

Citizenship Guide's Handbook: Designed to engage youth in changing the public world, discovering possibilities of democratic citizenship & building commitment to taking action in new and exciting ways. Plan a project that will create, change, or improve.

Service Learning:

Service Learning 1: Agents of Change: Appropriate for Middle School-aged audience. Youth become "Special OPPortunities Agents" as they follow a series of exciting activities that engage youth in their community & allow them to reflect on their experiences.

Service Learning 2: Raise Your Voice: A no-nonsense guide for older youth introduces service-learning as an empowering learning vehicle for young leaders. Voices of real young people engaged in service inspire and enable youth to identify with others.

Service Learning: Helper's Guide: Offers leaders group service-learning activities like community mapping, identifying group roles, and teaching journaling. Offers advice tailored to help mentors seeking to lead youth through enriching learning experiences.

Leadership:

Step Up To Leadership - My Journal: All activities offer a cross-cultural perspective. Young children & teens can lead in many ways - at home, in clubs, youth groups, school & the community. The fun continues with an interactive website to enhance & support learning.

Step Up To Leadership - My Portfolio: All activities offer a cross-cultural perspective. Young children & teens can lead in many ways – at home, in clubs, youth groups, school & the community. The fun continues with an interactive website to enhance & support learning.

Step Up To Leadership - My Workbook: All activities offer a cross-cultural perspective. Young children & teens can lead in many ways - at home, in clubs, youth groups, school & the community. The fun continues with an interactive website to enhance & support learning.

Leadership

It is a part of every 4-H
4-H member is involved in at least one of the more than 200 projects offered in Maryland. 4-H’ers will spend approximately half their time in each project learning the subject matter to which the project relates, and the other half in leadership development, citizenship development, career education, and preparation for the workforce

4-H Leadership Projects

4-H projects are planned experiences in which youth develop knowledge, attitudes, skills, and aspirations related to a specific topic. The Maryland 4-H leadership curriculum currently includes projects which are being updated, and new leadership projects are in development.

4-H Club Officer And Committee Systems

4-H is a group experience in which members gain leadership knowledge, aspiration, skills, and attitudes through real-life responsibilities as officers and committee members. Resources and training are available in the University of Maryland 4-H Youth Development program to maintain and strengthen officer and committee systems.

4-H Camp Counselor Opportunities

Teens develop advanced leadership abilities by serving as 4-H camp counselors, peer helpers, and other capacities.

4-H Teen Board Members

By serving on local, state, and national 4-H boards and representing 4-H on the boards of partner organizations, 4-H teens gain real-life leadership experiences. Resources and training are available from the University of Maryland 4-H Youth Development program to maintain and strengthen 4-H teen boardsmanship and governance opportunities.

National & International 4-H Leadership

Teens represent Maryland 4-H through many national and international leadership opportunities each year. Maryland 4-H professionals and volunteers work with these teens to prepare them for success before, during, and after their experiences.

Maryland 4-H State Council 

Maryland 4-H State Council is a group of teen leaders working to "Make the Best Better" through leadership and civic engagement in their communities, counties, and state.  Council membership is open to all Maryland 4-Hers ages 13-18, and each county/city 4-H Unit is urged to have at least one representative to the 4-H State Council. The Council comprises four committees that direct the Council's activities & events: Planning & Outreach, Public Issues, Public Relations, and Service. The State Council actively participates in public education about a chosen youth issue at Maryland Day and the Maryland State Fair and plans. It leads local and statewide 4-H activities in observance of National 4-H Week. The State Council plans and hosts Maryland's signature teen leadership event, the Maryland 4-H Congress, on the summer's University of Maryland campus. Application for State 4-H Council is made in November for the coming year; teens elected to State Council serve one-year terms and must re-apply for membership each year. 

Maryland 4-H Congress

The Maryland 4-H Congress is the state's premier teen leadership opportunity. Held at the University of Maryland, "M4HC" allows 4-Hers ages 13-18 to explore career opportunities in a variety of areas and to experience life on a college campus. Youth attending Maryland 4-H Congress live in campus residence halls and eat-in dining halls, enjoy campus recreational activities, and attend workshops and tours in campus classrooms, labs, and facilities. Participants can meet and make friends with fellow 4-Hers from across the state, discover career opportunities, perform community service, and learn skills that help them prepare for college and workforce readiness. Registration for the  Maryland 4-H Congress occurs in late spring and is held in the summer.

Be a 4-H volunteer; 4-H provides the opportunity to share your talents and time to help youth develop as they follow a positive path to their future. Research shows young people significantly benefit from having caring adults in their lives.  Do you have time to de that person?  Do you like robotics, GPS, engineering, scrapbooking, cooking, gardening, dog care, financial management, leadership, or woodworking? These are just some of all the wonderful things to do in 4-H. It's not just a program for farm kids. You can commit to volunteer at my levels; some opportunities are short-term, and others can last longer – it really is up to you.

4-H needs:

Club leaders--organizational leaders who guide the local 4-H clubs.

Project leaders--volunteers who have skills or talents they want to share with young people.  This is an excellent way to set your own schedule to work with young people. Help them develop a passion for the things you are interested in--like woodworking, caring for an animal, robotics, cooking, sewing, and a whole lot more. Resource leaders--people who can only make a short-term commitment but want to help out – at camps, fairs, clinics, or other ways.

Parent helpers of all kinds.

Short Term leaders--people who can only make a short-term commitment but want to help out – at camps, fairs, clinics, or other ways.

Maryland 4-H Volunteer Association