AMES, Iowa—Luke Applegate of East Pottawattamie County has been selected to represent Iowa at the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Ga. Nov. 24-28. He is sponsored by the Iowa Farm Bureau Life Charitable Trust and the Knau Memorial. Applegate, 17, is the son of Doug and Kathy Applegate of Oakland.

Applegate will join 22 other youth from Iowa at the leadership conference, entitled "Lead, Learn, Grow." Iowa's Congress delegates are selected through interviews and evaluation of support materials. Applegate, a senior at Riverside Community High School, was chosen for his leadership, citizenship and overall achievement in the 4-H program. 

During his nine years in 4-H, Applegate has completed major projects including leadership, communication, citizenship, swine and welding. He has received state 4-H honors such as Seals of Excellence for working exhibits and numerous project ribbons for exhibits at the state fair. Along with these, Applegate has received honors at the county level including top working exhibit awards, outstanding junior and the Bill Sick Memorial Award. He also has served as vice president, historian and reporter of his 4-H club. He has served on his county and area 4-H councils and participated in the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference and Citizenship-Washington Focus trip.

“The knowledge I have gained through 4-H reaches into every area of my life,” said Applegate. “I hope that some of the projects and activities I have been involved in will inspire others. The skills I have learned will help me continue my educational opportunities through college and life.”

For more information about 4-H, contact the East Pottawattamie County office of Iowa State University (ISU) Extension. 4-H in Iowa is administered through the ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development program and headquartered on the ISU campus in Ames.

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