More than 1,000 4-H members and volunteers will visit Richmond on Tuesday, Feb. 16, to meet their legislators and learn about Virginia’s legislative branch of government for the annual 4-H Day at the State Capitol.

Virginia 4-H sponsors the annual trip to Richmond for 4-H’ers across the commonwealth to learn about the legislative process and to express their gratitude to state delegates and senators who support the 4-H youth development programs.

“4-H Day at the State Capitol is a unique opportunity for 4-H’ers to get a first-hand look at how the legislative process works and see our elected representatives in action,” said Cathy Sutphin, associate director of 4-H Youth Development with Virginia Cooperative Extension. “This trip is also an opportunity for lawmakers to put faces to the programming that the funding provides for youth all over the commonwealth.”

Virginia 4-H engages youth ages 5 to 19 in hands-on educational programs and activities designed to help them gain knowledge, life skills, and attitudes that will further their development as self-directed, contributing, and productive members of society.

As part of the day's activities, 4-H members will deliver DVDs to state lawmakers highlighting various aspects of 4-H programming. After lunch, many of the students will participate in various tours, view House and Senate sessions, and visit many other sites of interest to learn more about Richmond.

Virginia 4-H has celebrated 4-H Day at the State Capitol for more than 21 years, usually at the start of a new legislative session in late January or early February. 

Over 214,000 youth are enrolled in Virginia 4-H’s hands-on educational programs. Throughout the commonwealth, more than 12,700 adults and teens volunteer their time and energy to mentor and teach 4-H members about science and technology, career and economic education, citizenship, communication and expressive arts, family sciences, leadership, and other topics. In addition, there are six 4-H educational centers that conduct residential camping programs for more than 10,700 youth annually.

For information about 4-H programs in your area, locate your local office on the Virginia Cooperative Extension website. Virginia Cooperative Extension is an educational outreach program of Virginia's land-grant universities: Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, and a part of the National Institute for Food and Agriculture, an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture.

Written by Amy Loeffler

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