July 22-25, 2025
Atlanta, GA
Since 1942, State Congress has been the premier competition and recognition event for high school age Georgia 4-H’ers. Held each year in Atlanta, State Congress is a four-day event that hosts various contests, recognizes 4-H scholarship recipients, and honors state 4-H winners in a variety of projects and competitions. Throughout the week, we highlight outstanding 4-H student-led service projects, professionals, friends, private donors, and public officials for their contributions to the success of 4-H in Georgia.
The cornerstone of the week is the state level Georgia 4-H Project Achievement competition. Over 200 youth from across Georgia deliver 10 to 12-minute presentations in various project areas and meet with judges to discuss their portfolio of project work, leadership, and service. Those who place first in their project area are celebrated as Master 4-H’ers throughout the week.
State Congress also hosts the Leadership in Action state competition. Eight youth from each area in Georgia are competing for state honors. Young people in Leadership in Action have identified a community need and worked to meet the need in their community. The competition takes place on Tuesday with the announcement of winners during the Tuesday evening Leadership Banquet.
Other activities include tours of the Atlanta area and a reception for the student to meet with 4-H donors and UGA administrators. As delegates come from all corners of Georgia, the opportunity to meet and spend time in the capital of Georgia is an experience itself for many competitors.
Full-time delegates to State Congress are high school-aged 4-H’ers who have advanced beyond district competition and are competing considered state finalists in the Project Achievement and Leadership in Action competitions. High school-aged special event state winners are invited to State Congress for the Annual Banquet on Thursday evening.
Coordinated by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension Georgia 4-H program, Congress is financially supported by donors and contributors to the Georgia 4-H Foundation.
Please contact your local Extension Office for more information.
Click here to view 2024 Special Event Winners
Click here to view 2024 State Project Achievement Competitors
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (working cooperatively with Fort Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the counties of Georgia) offers its educational programs, assistance, and materials to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action organization.