Roughly 300 youth from across Colorado are visiting Colorado State University’s campus June 20-23 to compete in contests, attend workshops and explore new possibilities.

“The state conference is a chance for Colorado 4-H’ers to explore CSU’s campus, meet faculty and find their passions through different workshops,” said Josie Thomas, the state 4-H conference committee chair who helped decide on this year’s “opening doors” theme. 

Thomas, who has participated in 4-H for 10 years, was among this year’s primary planners of the event, which is produced largely by 4-H participants. Conference attendees are 14 to 18 years old. 

“My ultimate goal with this conference is for the kids to feel like they have the power and knowledge to choose their career, or to at least start on a path toward what they think they want to do,” Thomas said. 

With workshops and tours covering biology, design, engineering, food production, horticulture, leadership, performing arts, physics, robotics, sustainability and textiles, there are plenty of career options to explore and skills to learn. Thomas will help lead the Health Rocks workshop focused on mental health and how to make healthy choices for body and mind. 

4-H youth also will have the opportunity to demonstrate their public-speaking ability and test their knowledge on topics such as horses, livestock, and family and consumer sciences. 

Horse sense 

4-H certainly has opened doors for Thomas, who is from the town of Elizabeth. Her team was selected for the national horse bowl in 2019, and in 2023, she was invited to the national hippology contest. For the uninitiated, “hippology” is the study of the horse, not – as one might assume – the hippo. 

“4-H has been full of good times for me, including several state champion titles, national contests and now my state office position,” she said.  

Thomas added that the highlight of her time in 4-H was representing Colorado as a delegate during Citizen Washington Focus in Washington, D.C. Through this leadership development program, she toured the nation’s capital, met 4-H’ers from across the country and brainstormed solutions to state issues. 

AJ Turner, this year’s state 4-H president, also has learned a lot about leadership during his time in 4-H. Turner, from Fort Lupton, said serving as state president has developed his patience and changed his outlook on life. 

“This year’s experience has given me more self-confidence and respect,” Turner said. “The most rewarding part has been working on a team but also leading one.” 

Passing the torch 

At the end of the conference, 4-H state senate elections will be held and new leaders will be installed. This will bring to an end Thomas, Turner and Colorado 4-H Vice President Ryer Roberts’ time in 4-H – but not Roberts’ time on the Fort Collins campus.  

Roberts, from Fruita, will attend CSU in the fall to study agriculture education. The University’s strength in agriculture swayed his decision to enroll at CSU. 

Ryer said the best part of being a state officer has been meeting Colorado 4-H members that have diverse and unique experiences different from his own.  

This conference is a parting gift to their fellow 4-H’ers. 

“It’s been such a joyful experience to have an idea that will impact Colorado 4-H members and turn that into a weeklong conference, where they get to live their full potential,” Roberts said.  

The Colorado 4-H Youth Development Program is one of many lifelong learning opportunities offered through CSU’s Office of Engagement and Extension. More information about the conference can be found on the 4-H events page.