AMES, Iowa – Velista Martin of Adair County has been selected to represent Iowa at the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 28 – Dec. 2.  She is sponsored by the Iowa 4-H Foundation National 4-H Congress Endowment.  Martin, 16, is the daughter of Joe and Vanessa Martin of Fontanelle.

Martin is one of 22 youth from Iowa attending the leadership conference, entitled “Accept the Challenge.”  Iowa’s Congress delegates are selected through interviews and evaluation of support materials. Martin, a junior at Nodaway Valley High School, was chosen for her leadership, citizenship and overall achievement in the 4-H program.

During her eight years in 4-H, Martin completed several major projects including leadership, food and nutrition, citizenship, beef, and sheep. She has received state 4-H honors including a state beef project award. At the local level she has been recognized with agriculture awards, outstanding intermediate 4-H’er, beef showmanship and sheep showmanship. She served as vice-president, secretary and historian of her 4-H club. She also participated in county 4-H council, area 4-H council, state 4-H council, National 4-H Congress, the Citizenship-Washington Focus and the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference.

“My 4-H involvement and experiences have helped me receive the honor of attending National 4-H Congress,” Martin said. “My 4-H experiences have helped improve my leadership, citizenship and communication skills. By being an active 4-H member, I am learning to be a better person who will be successful in life and in a future agriculture career.”

For more information about 4-H, contact the Adair County office of Iowa State University 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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