National 4-H Geospatial Leadership Team

The National 4-H Geospatial Leadership Team is a youth-led initiative that combines civic purpose with cutting-edge geospatial technology. As part of the broader 4-H mission to develop future-ready leaders, we focus on using GIS (Geographic Information Systems), AI, and data storytelling to explore real-world issues that affect our communities — from agriculture and environmental justice to infrastructure, equity, and public memory. Our members come from across the country and represent a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, but we’re united by a shared belief: geography is more than maps — it’s a way of seeing systems, asking better questions, and solving problems with empathy and evidence. Every project we take on is rooted in community engagement, youth voice, and spatial thinking. We design and lead hands-on workshops for schools and libraries, develop digital tools and story maps that bring data to life, and partner with educators, Extension offices, and local governments to build a stronger pipeline for youth in STEM. Our work is as interdisciplinary as it is practical — blending coding, environmental science, history, and design to make learning real and relevant.