By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
Grace Miller knows one thing for sure—she has been changed for good thanks to 4-H.
Not long ago, she described herself as shy and reserved. Today, she speaks with clarity and conviction about agricultural policy, youth leadership, and her future in public service.
“4-H has basically brought me out of my shell,” she said. “I am who I am today because of the 4-H program.”
Her transformation didn’t happen overnight. She built skills in public speaking, teamwork and advocacy through 10 years as a member and officer of Duke’s Mixture 4-H Club, in leadership roles within the Wood County 4-H program, and with multiple state-level opportunities. She served five years as club president, represented youth on county boards, and now contributes at the state level through the Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council.
She also attended Citizenship Washington Focus (now merged with IGNITE) last summer; served as a 4-H camp counselor for two years despite never attending camp as a young 4-H’er; sits on the county 4-H committee, Hands to Larger Service Day committee, junior fair board and represents the junior fair board on the senior fair board.
She also mentors younger members in her club and in other area 4-H clubs—something she considers one of the most rewarding parts of her experience.
“I just enjoy helping others grow,” she said. “That’s what 4-H is all about.”
She recently participated as one of the five chosen Ohio delegates for the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C. The week was a defining moment for Grace, in a journey from quiet participant to confident advocate for the future of American agriculture.
At the National 4-H Conference, she and the other Ohio delegates joined youth from across the country to tackle real-world challenges alongside federal agencies and congressional partners. But for this young leader, a 10-year 4-H veteran raised on a sixth-generation cattle farm, the experience was deeply personal.
“I’m very passionate about it,” she said, reflecting on her roundtable topic: Cultivating the Future of Rural America. “It’s very difficult for younger farmers to actually obtain land anymore.”
Her group’s mission was ambitious—to develop a proposal to encourage more young people to enter farming. In just a few days, they crafted and delivered a comprehensive presentation to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, addressing barriers like rising land costs and an aging farming population.
Her group’s proposal at the conference focused on practical solutions: grant programs, youth engagement initiatives, and stronger connections between education and agricultural careers. And the professionals in the room listened to the team’s impressive presentation.
“We need to encourage youth and show them there’s a place for them in agriculture,” she said.
Beyond the presentations, the conference offered a rare look at government in action. Delegates visited federal agencies, connected with leaders, and even walked the halls of Capitol Hill.
“It was one of those amazing experiences that you don’t actually understand how big it is until you do it,” she said.
Those moments reinforced a growing sense of purpose for Grace.
“Opportunities like this aren’t just for a select few,” she said. “They’re there for anyone willing to step up.”
Her journey is the perfect example for the younger 4-H’ers. The fact that she went from a quiet, shy 4-H member to a national delegate presenting policy ideas stands as proof.
That passion is guiding her future plans. Whether she returns to the family farm or follows a different path, she intends to study political science and pursue a career in agricultural policy or law—possibly one day serving as a voice for rural communities at the state or national level.
Growing up on a sixth-generation cattle farm has permanently branded a love and interest in agriculture for the Bowling Green Christian Academy senior. She has seen firsthand the economic pressures facing farmers and understands the urgency of bringing new voices into the industry.
The week in the nation’s capital sparked a lifetime path, but it was Ohio 4-H Camp that catapulted her from quiet, soft-spoken Grace to a strong, vocal advocate for 4-H and agriculture.
The state leadership camp “brought me out of my shell and helped me realize how many opportunities go beyond what is just in my county,” Grace recalled.
She credited Wood County 4-H Program Assistant Jenny Morlock for pushing her “to go above and beyond and to apply for everything possible,” Grace said.
In fact, it was Morlock who convinced Grace to apply for an Ohio 4-H Achievement Award in Citizenship and Community Service. She recently learned she was chosen as the state winner in that category. The award will be presented in the fall in Atlanta, Georgia.
Community service has been an important focus in 4-H, school and church. For the state 4-H award, Grace documented community service from her 10 years in 4-H, with additional service as a chaplain at BG Christian Academy and other service experiences.
She acknowledged the role faith plays in her life’s work in community service and mentorship. “. I wouldn’t be where I am today without God,” she said. “My faith really grounds me and gives me a sense of purpose.”
She said her path forward will be grounded in her commitment to service and mentorship, gifts which 4-H gave her, and which she hopes to inspire in other young people.
