July 31, 2019 - Mariposa County 4-H was represented at the California 4-H State Leadership Conference this year for the first time in several years.  The State 4-H Leadership Conference is three-day conference at UC Davis and is open to all youth ages 13-19 years old at the time of conference.  This year the conference theme was “Planting the Seeds of Change.”  The theme was chosen by the State 4-H Ambassadors and the conference follows their platform for their ambassador year. The 4-H State Ambassadors are between 16-20 years old. 

4H Members on the Underground Tour on Friday, July 19 in Old Sacramento

The mission of the conference is to give youth the tools to create change in their communities. Our goal is to inspire and facilitate the ability of youth to create impact in their communities on issues they care about.  Members that attended had memorable learning experiences:

• Improving your personal leadership skills to benefit your county 4-H program.
• Advancing your college and career readiness.
• Expanding your network with 4-H members, volunteers, and staff outside of your county.

Members attend educational tours, workshops, assemblies, a pool party, a dance, and an ice cream social with a trinket trade. This year the keynote speaker on Saturday was Chris Temple, Co-Founder of Living on One and Award-Winning Documentary Film Maker.  He was able to show how something small can change and touch so many lives. His current film “Living on One Dollar” is available on Netflix and Amazon.

Bootjack 49ers 4-H Club members Levi Goodman and Emma Nielsen had a great time at this conference and are already talking about attending next year.  Both members have heard for years from their club leader what opportunities are available for youth as they get older in 4-H.  Opportunities such as helping organize the conference, leading workshops, working as a program assistant with the members, or a State 4-H Ambassador.  Both members are excited for next year and will be planning fund raisers to pay for their conference and trinkets for next year. 

The State 4-H Sponsors for this year’s conference were Tractor Supply Company, Dean Memorial Legacy Endowment, California Cotton Alliance, Bank of the Sierra, and Ironstone Concours’ Foundation.

If you would like to learn more about what 4-H  has to offer contact the Mariposa County 4-H office or check out one of the clubs in Mariposa County. 

Bootjack 49ers 4-H club meets on the second Tuesday at of every month at 6:30 P.M. at the Mariposa Lutheran Church.  Bootjack 49ers 4-H Clubs next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, at 6:30 P.M., email us at Bootjack49ers4h@gmail.com and check out our Facebook and Instagram at @bootjack49ers4H.