The 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association will hold its annual conference March 11-13 at the Marriott Baton Rouge. The conference will focus on teaching participants to work more confidently with youth and increase the service roles of 4-H volunteers.

Sessions scheduled to be held include ethical decision making, robotics and environmental education. Registration for the event is $150 and will close March 7. Participants can reserve a room for the conference by calling the Marriott Baton Rouge at 800-228-9290.

Community volunteers, teachers and parents have preregistered for the conference, according to Todd Tarifa, state volunteer and leadership development leader for the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H program. “This conference will showcase new ways volunteers can connect and motivate young people to help improve their communities through service projects,” Tarifa said.

Sessions can be applied toward earning a Louisiana 4-H Master Volunteer certificate, he said.

Louisiana’s 4-H program depends on volunteer leaders to help sustain 4-H clubs across the state. Volunteers help conduct events, organize club meetings and provide logistical support for 4-H members. More than 7,500 adult volunteers from all 64 parishes in the state have participated in 4-H programs and activities.

The Louisiana program is overseen by the LSU AgCenter, with more than 50,000 students enrolled in local 4-H clubs.