COLUMBIA, Mo. – Former Henry County 4-H member Brendon Engeman was one of five youths selected to represent 4-H in March for National Ag Day Congressional Visits on Capitol Hill. The trip to Washington, D.C., was part of the 2022 National Ag Day Student Leadership Program, which engages young people to raise awareness of the importance of agriculture.

The group met in advance virtually to discuss the advocacy process, including creating persuasive arguments, talking with legislators and following up with them. In D.C., Brendon and the other 4-H representatives joined selected students from Future Farmers of America, Agriculture Future of America, and Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences. Brendon visited with Sen. Todd Young of Indiana to discuss educational  opportunities for young farmers, supporting established farms and rural broadband.

“In the surrealness of standing in Washington, D.C., I started to think maybe I could fill a role on Capitol Hill advocating for farmers in Missouri and across the nation,” Brendon says.

Between National Ag Day events and networking opportunities, the group visited popular sights on the National Mall. The 4-H representatives also met with National 4-H Council trustee Mary Snapp.

Brendon encourages other 4-H’ers to be advocates wherever they are. “Even if you can’t make it to D.C., just go talk with your state legislators,” he says. “It is just as important. There’s a lot of things we do in Missouri that could use a youth voice in them.”

Photos:

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Brendon Engeman, third from left, and other 4-H representatives visit National Ag Day exhibits at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2022/20220502-BE-2.jpg
Brendon Engeman, second from left, and other 4-H representatives meet with National 4-H Council trustee. Mary Snapp, fourth from left.

https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2022/20220502-BE-3.jpg
Engeman, right, and a fellow delegate visit Capitol Hill as a part of the National Ag Day Student Leadership Program.