ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Renee Main, APG South (Edgewood) Youth Center Director, and attendees Samantha Devorak and Brianna Lloyd, both 11, were nominated to represent 4-H Military Clubs during the "4-H and Future Farmers of America Day at the White House" event Oct. 9.

Devorak and Lloyd were nominated for their efforts in the APG South (Edgewood) youth center's greenhouse project. The greenhouse, built last winter, allowed children to grow herbs like thyme, sage and oregano and vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon, cabbage, and celery.

"Brianna and Samantha are leaders and have been involved in 4-H for years," Main said. "Last year they served as club officers."

"I like growing plants and I enjoy doing community projects," Lloyd said. "We helped organize the carnival for the kids next door (the Child Development Center) and helped plan the Family Olympic night (at the youth center). We also made gift bags to give to firefighters and police men and women."

Main added that 4-H Military Clubs provide much needed consistency for military children, who deal with frequent moves and deployed parents.

"4-H Military Clubs are similar at every installation," she said.

During the conference Main, Devorak, and Lloyd met with other 4-H Club and Future Farmers of America members and mentors from around the country. Youth, educators and mentors selected for the Champions of Change panel told attendees about their community projects. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture moderated the discussions.

"The conference was a way for these girls to see what people are doing for the community," Main said. "You don't have to have a big name, or have a lot of money to help the community. It also showed that anyone can help."

After lunch break out sessions were led by representatives from the Corporation for National and Community Service; Office of Science and Technology Policy; and United States Department of Agriculture.

About one hundred youth and mentors from across the country attended the conference.