Hadessa Adsit Selected To Attend National 4-H Conference In Washington, DC

Hadessa Adsit of Mexico is representing New York State at the 2026 National 4-H Conference in Arlington, VA, April 10-15. “Hadessa is among the best and brightest of our 4-H family, and she has consistently striven to learn, participate and excel in her knowledge of the dairy farming industry and Holsteins,” said Linda Brosch, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County 4-H Team Coordinator. “ She was awarded the I Dare You Award in 2024—the highest honor given out by the Oswego County 4-H program.

MEXICO, NY – Hadessa Adsit eats, sleeps, and lives her passion for all things Holstein and dairy farming. That passion and a multitude of professional honors and accomplishments have earned her an invitation to participate in the 2026 National 4-H Conference in Arlington, VA, April 10-15. She is among six 4-H students representing New York State.

“Hadessa is among the best and brightest of our 4-H family, and she consistently strives to learn, participate and excel in her knowledge of the dairy farming industry and Holsteins,” said Linda Brosch, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County (CCEOC) 4-H Team Coordinator. “She demonstrates proactive leadership, a positive attitude and is a role model. In addition, she was awarded the I Dare You Award in 2024—the highest honor given out by the Oswego County 4-H program. This award encourages young people to lead creative lives by developing their talents and capacities to the fullest. To be eligible, recipients must be high school juniors or seniors who embody these qualities and are willing to take on life’s challenges with confidence and determination.”

Adsit has spent her entire life working on her family’s dairy farm, Wilkholm Farm, in Mexico, NY. During the past three years, she has been active in 4-H and New York Junior Holstein, having competed in seven national dairy competitions. She is also an intern for John Clark of Feedworks USA, a member of the 2025 Junior Dairy Leader Class, and an Ambassador for the 2026 New York Ag Society Ambassador Program, where she received the Distinguished Junior Member Award. Hadessa has been a member of the 4-H program for eleven years.

She was a gymnastic coach for the past 2 years, has been home schooled since first grade and completed her senior year in 2025 with a dual enrollment at Tompkins Cortland Community College,earning 12 credits toward a 24- credit program and had a 4.0 GPA. She received the Gold Medal for National Latin Exam in 2021, 2022 and 2023. In 2022 she received the 50- hour volunteer award.

“”4-H has blessed me in so many ways and I’ve grown so much,” Adsit said. “ I owe a lot to Kathy Jamerson, my 4-H leader and to Linda Brosch.
          “ I’ve selected the topic of “Preparing Youth For Artificial Intelligence” through the Department of Defense as the one I’ll be concentrating on at the conference. I love to travel and to expand my network by meeting new people. I’m very excited about learning more about Ag policy in our country and appreciate this wonderful opportunity.”
          According to the conference website (nifa.usda.gov): The conference brings hundreds of 4-H students to the nation’s capital and is the flagship youth development opportunity of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), hosted by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The conference provides attendees the opportunity to share their voices with the federal government and gives them the chance to experience “unparalleled discovery, learning, professional development, and networking with 4-H’ers from around the world. During the conference, delegates will become familiar with the government and share their voice with federal agencies and congressional committees with the goal of impacting change in America.”
          “This is not the typical conference where attendees attend presentations and lectures,” Brosch said. “The participants are in roundtable groups with the chance to express their views, learn from others, and learn the latest in the industry.” According to the conference website: They choose the topic, research the issue, work with peers to develop a 45-minute briefing and formally present their recommendations to the federal partner. They can also apply to serve in various leadership roles at the conference, while they gain valuable skills and knowledge about citizenship, leadership, and agricultural prosperity by participating in novel learning activities.
            “4-H is the largest youth organization in the world, and it is just one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County,” said Paul Forestiere, CCEOC executive director. “ It teaches youth valuable life skills that help them grow up to be contributing members of society and serve their communities.” Those who participate in the National 4-H conference report increased leadership, civic engagement, agency, and social and cultural competence. For more information about Oswego County 4-H, visit its website at www.thatscooperativeextension.org, or call the office at 315-963-7286.

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“ I’ve selected the topic of “Preparing Youth For Artificial Intelligence” through the Department of Defense as the one I’ll be concentrating on at the conference. I love to travel and to expand my network by meeting new people. I’m very excited about learning more about Ag policy in our country and appreciate this wonderful opportunity.”

According to the conference website (nifa.usda.gov): The conference brings hundreds of 4-H students to the nation’s capital and is the flagship youth development opportunity of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), hosted by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The conference provides attendees the opportunity to share their voices with the federal government and gives them the chance to experience “unparalleled discovery, learning, professional development, and networking with 4-H’ers from around the world. During the conference, delegates will become familiar with the government and share their voice with federal agencies and congressional committees with the goal of impacting change in America.”

“This is not the typical conference where attendees attend presentations and lectures,” Brosch said. “The participants are in roundtable groups with the chance to express their views, learn from others, and learn the latest in the industry.” According to the conference website: They choose the topic, research the issue, work with peers to develop a 45-minute briefing and formally present their recommendations to the federal partner. They can also apply to serve in various leadership roles at the conference, while they gain valuable skills and knowledge about citizenship, leadership, and agricultural prosperity by participating in novel learning activities.

“4-H is the largest youth organization in the world, and it is just one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County,” said Paul Forestiere, CCEOC executive director. “ It teaches youth valuable life skills that help them grow up to be contributing members of society and serve their communities.” Those who participate in the National 4-H conference report increased leadership, civic engagement, agency, and social and cultural competence. For more information about Oswego County 4-H, visit its website at www.thatscooperativeextension.org, or call the office at 315-963-7286.