Virginia 4-H Congress to celebrate 100th anniversary on June 21-24

In honor of the 100th State 4-H Congress, the Virginia 4-H and FFA flags will fly over Virginia Tech’s Burruss Hall the last two weeks of June. The Virginia 4-H flag was raised on Friday, June 17, and lowered on Friday, June 24, for State Congress held June 21-24. The FFA flag will be raised Monday, June 27, and lowered on Thursday, June 30, for the Virginia FFA Convention held June 27-30 in Blacksburg. (Photo courtesy Chad Proudfoot)

BLACKSBURG, Va. —Members of 4-H from across the commonwealth will gather here June 21-24 as they have done for 100 years to learn and grow at 4-H Congress.
Excitement is growing in the State 4-H Office at Virginia Tech where Congress is held as leaders put the final touches on a celebration to mark a century of an event that develops leaders.
“100 Years of Hands to Larger Service” is the them for the Centennial Celebration which will be marked by fireworks on the Virginia Tech Drill Field Thursday night.
“With 2022 being our 100th Congress, we have several special activities planned,” Chad N. Proudfoot, state 4-H organizational specialist said. “On Thursday, we’re hosting a reception for Virginia 4-H alumni and friends to celebrate their association with the program.”
The evening will continue with everyone taking part in the Clover Fest Celebration with performances by current 4-Hers, the recognition of Youth in Action Award winners, the Emerald Clover recipient, and Friends of 4-H. 
Following the evening celebration, there will be a special firework display on the Drill Field followed by 100th Congress cupcakes for all to enjoy. 
“We hope that it will be a very special evening for everyone,” Proudfoot said.
He traced the history of the event which began in August 1919 as Boys’ and Girls’ Short Course.
“Following integration in 1967, this annual event became known as Virginia 4-H State Congress,” Proudfoot continued. “There were two years when Congress was not held due to travel restrictions and rationing during World War II, and during this pandemic we held a virtual Congress in 2020.
“Last year, we held ‘Congress Across the Commonwealth’ where district level programming was conducted at three of our 4-H Educational Centers.”
The mission of Virginia 4-H State Congress is to provide competitive and non-competitive educational experiences to Virginia teens and the adults who work with them, helping them to develop life skills and leadership abilities to become contributing citizens in their communities.
The congress has wide ranging goals that include providing a high-quality educational experience for 4-H youth ages 14-18; promoting 4-H as a major statewide educational youth program; and providing educational, recreational and social experiences for youth that would not normally be available at the unit or district level.
The congress seeks to enhance skill development through all 4-H Congress activities including Competitions, Hands-on Workshops, and Community Service projects and recognizing all competition and award winners in front of their peers at a statewide event,
Congress will recognize the support of volunteer adult 4-H leaders that support 4-H Congress; promote an understanding of the value of diversity among Congress participants and enhance delegate’s sense of personal and social responsibility through an environment that fosters independence, accountability, decision-making and time management.