By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
For Sara Britton, 4-H has always been more than a club—it’s been a way of life.
Raised around livestock and deeply involved in agriculture, the Otsego High School student thought she knew what to expect from a national 4-H conference. But after attending Ignite by 4-H in Washington, D.C., she came home with far more than she anticipated: new skills, broader perspectives, and a stronger sense of confidence.
“I thought it would be neat,” Sara said. “But it ended up being so much more. It was totally different than I expected—in a good way.”
Ignite, a national gathering that draws more than 1,800 4-H members from across the country and U.S. territories, brought together young people with diverse backgrounds but shared interests. For four days,4-H teens collaborate, connect and cultivate a passion for expanding their minds and their world. They enjoy hands-on workshops, experiences and activities in their key programming track, such as agriscience, animal science, community accelerators, Citizenship Washington Focus, healthy living or STEM.
For Sara, who was one of about 15 youth traveling in her Ohio group, the experience began as a leap outside her comfort zone.
“At first I was a little nervous because I didn’t know anyone going,” she admitted. “But everyone was really welcoming. It made me more confident just being able to go somewhere new and adapt.”
That confidence grew as she immersed herself in the animal science hands-on workshops tailored to her interests in animal science. One of her favorites, “Vet for a Day,” allowed her to practice suturing using simulated skin and learn about real veterinary tools.
“That was something I’d never done before,” she said. “It gave me a whole new appreciation for how detailed that work is.”
Another standout session focused on herd management and artificial insemination—topics she already had some familiarity with from her family’s farming background. Still, the workshop deepened her understanding.
“I knew a little about it, but not the science behind it,” she explained. “Learning about timing and how precise everything has to be—that’s something I can take back and apply.”
Beyond agriculture, Sara explored sessions on entrepreneurship, stress management, and interview skills. One workshop on beekeeping even showed how a simple hobby could grow into a business.
“You were constantly learning something new,” she said. “Every session was different, with different speakers and perspectives.”
The conference also offered unique experiences outside the classroom. Sara toured Washington, D.C.’s monuments at night and was selected for a rare visit to the Pentagon—an opportunity she called one of her favorites.
“It was like its own city,” she said. “There were shops, restaurants—just so much going on. And we got to hear from military leaders about their experiences, which was really interesting.”
While the setting was impressive, Sara said the biggest takeaway wasn’t a single moment—it was a mindset.
“A lot of the speakers talked about stepping out of your comfort zone,” she said. “If you want to achieve something, you have to take chances and not be afraid to fail.”
That message resonated. Already active in Leaders of Tomorrow 4-H Club, Otsego FFA, Otsego High School Student Council, Wood County Junior Fair Board, Livestock Judging, and Wood County 4-H Council, Sara is no stranger to staying busy. But Ignite reinforced her desire to keep pushing herself.
“I’ve always liked being involved, but this made me realize how important it is to keep trying new things,” she said.
Sara’s long-term goal is to become an agriculture teacher—a path inspired by her love of both farming and helping others learn.
“I enjoy working with younger kids and teaching them how to show animals,” she said. “Agriculture is such a big part of my life, and I want to share that with others.”
Back home, she’s already sharing her Ignite experience, presenting to the Wood County 4-H Council and encouraging others to attend.
“I would definitely recommend it,” she said. “It’s such a unique opportunity. You learn so much, and you meet people from all over.”
As she looks ahead to a packed summer that includes 4-H camp, livestock judging in North Dakota, and continued leadership roles in 4-H, junior fair and FFA, she carries with her the lessons—and confidence—she gained in Washington.
“It just showed me that it’s okay to go out and do things on your own,” she said. “You never know what you’ll gain from it.”
