Missouri 4-H'ers chosen to go to national convention in Atlanta

Thirty 4-H members from across the state will head to Atlanta, Ga., to represent Missouri at the National 4-H Congress Nov. 28 to Dec. 2. The winners were announced during the State 4-H Congress, held June 4 to 6 at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Area delegates are Amanda Birk of Burfordville, Kari Fields of Jackson, Barbara Kammler of Perryville and Jennifer Kasten of Pocahontas.

The winners were selected through an application and interview process that began with nearly 200 applications at the county and regional level.

"The young people headed to National 4-H Congress will have the opportunity to truly grow into the future by utilizing their leadership skills to positively influence others and by contributing through community service," said Ina Metzger Linville, state 4-H youth specialist at the MU. "The educational and cultural opportunities offered at National 4-H Congress will reflect the personality of Atlanta."

The 2003 National Congress, with a theme of "Growing into the Future," includes workshops on leadership development, youth empowerment and cultural diversity. A new feature will be issue forums on topics such as agricultural production, environmental stewardship and food safety.

Delegates will tour Centennial Olympic Park, the World of Coca-Cola, CNN Center, the Carter Presidential Library and the Martin Luther King Center for Peace Studies.