MISSISSIPPI STATE – Since the 4-H goal of making the best better applies not only to young people but also to the volunteer leaders who oversee local clubs, ongoing training is key to staying prepared.

A group of 23 volunteer leaders from Mississippi will join about 200 others at the annual Southern 4-H Volunteer Conference at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, Ga. This year’s theme, “4-H: Framing our Future, Building our Best,” is being coordinated by hosting states Georgia, North Carolina and Kentucky.

Harvey Gordon, 4-H youth specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said the event will offer a wide range of workshops and training opportunities for delegates.

“Participants will gain skills, valuable ideas and inspiration to help them make major contributions to the local 4-H program,” Gordon said. “The four-day event is packed with intensive learning labs that highlight experiential learning in a new light. Volunteers will select an area to attend and then spend several hours in programming related to that topic.”

Mississippi has more than 103,500 young people involved in 1,731 4-H clubs across the state. For more information on attending this forum or 4-H Youth Development, contact the local Extension office.