Ignite Conference 2026

Spark your imagination and passion!

Ignite by 4-H, an inclusive teen event, returns March 2025 to Washington, D.C. Join us for four days of inspiring speakers, workshop sessions, activities, and entertainment. The summit will provide high-school aged youth from across the country the opportunity to explore the best 4-H has to offer in STEM, Agriscience, and Healthy Living. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover exciting career paths, make connections, and create an action plan to ignite change in your community!

Join 4-H'ers from around the country in Washington, DC, for a 5-day experience where high-school aged teens connect, make memories and find their spark by exploring the best 4-H has to offer! Detailed conference schedule available here.

Who is eligible in Oregon?

• Oregon 4-H teens 14-19 years old
• Have not been to a national 4-H event before
• Able to travel to Washington DC in March 2026
• Involved in 4-H in the past year (member, participant, in-school program, camp or event attendee)
• Upload a brief video and complete the application form (accessible options available. Contact [email protected])

To complete your application, please upload a 2-4 minute video at beav.es/ignite2026 (case sensitive) in response to this prompt:

"In a short video, tell us what sparks your curiosity — something that excites you and might inspire you to lead in the future. Reflect on how attending the 4-H Ignite Conference in D.C. could help you explore your spark, build connections, and create change."

How to Apply

• Applications will be open from September 15 to Wednesday, October 15 at 11:45 pm.
• Apply using this form.
• You'll need to upload a brief (2–4 minute) video as part of your application.
• You can upload the video at this link. (The video upload link will also be available in the application form)

Please note: Costs are mostly covered for Oregon 4-H'ers. Please apply through the process above, not at the national 4-h.org website. We've already reserved space for Oregon 4-H'ers, and a generous donor has covered over $1,200 of the conference cost and airfare! The conference begins on March 25 in Washington, DC, but we plan to arrive a day early to take full advantage of the long travel time and see a bit more of D.C. while we're there. March 24 activities will be based on the interests of the group :)

Tracks

You're in charge of your experience! Several experience tracks are available for youth to decide what interests them most. Choose from the tracks below, and include which track interests you most in your application.

Agriscience

Teens in the Agriscience track will explore the science and sustainability of modern agriculture and food systems. From environmental conservation and soil science to hydroponics, urban farming, renewable energy, and pollination, this hands-on track emphasizes plant-based systems and sustainable innovations. Participants will strengthen problem-solving, creative, and critical thinking skills while uncovering exciting career paths in agricultural science and environmental stewardship.

​​Animal Science

The Animal Science track is for teens passionate about animals, biology, and their impact on food systems and communities. This immersive experience focuses on the science and care of animals through hands-on learning in fields such as veterinary science, meat science and production, ranching, livestock management, and equine science. Teens will gain practical knowledge in animal health, nutrition, and agricultural practices that support ethical, sustainable animal care.

​Community Accelerators

Community Accelerators is a dynamic track where teens learn to drive change at the local level through social entrepreneurship, service learning, and community-based problem solving. Teens come together to collaborate, share ideas, and develop innovative solutions for real-world challenges—creating transformative progress that benefits all communities. By harnessing their creativity and passion, participants become catalysts for meaningful, lasting change.

​​Healthy Living

Our Healthy Living programming empowers youth to be healthy in both body and mind by helping them develop the knowledge and skills to make informed choices, lead active lifestyles, and face life’s challenges with confidence. Through interactive workshops, teens in this track will dive into topics like nutrition, food inequity, food waste reduction, and mental and emotional well-being—preparing them to take charge of their health and become leaders in their communities.

​STEM

In the STEM track, teens will experience innovation in action through hands-on challenges in robotics, engineering, coding, and emerging technologies. They'll dive into fields like artificial intelligence (AI), computer science, physics, and chemistry—developing the technical and analytical skills to thrive in a technology-driven world. This track encourages experimentation, creative problem-solving, and future-focused thinking.