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CORVALLIS, Ore. - Two Oregon 4-H members have returned home from the nation's capital after participating in a special community youth action training conference.

Katie Ousouzian of Bay City, and Alyssa Fortune, Coquille, attended training workshops at the National 4-H Conference Center in Washington D.C. as part of their involvement in a new Oregon 4-H program called "Coastal Futures: Engaging Youth in the Future of the Oregon Coast."

Both teens were selected for the training based on their leadership skills and contributions to their communities, according to Mary Arnold, Oregon State University Extension 4-H youth development specialist. The teens were accompanied on their trip by their advisers - OSU Extension 4-H youth program faculty member Tracy Baune of Myrtle Point and Arnold.

"The training will prepare the teens to plan and implement community forums that involve local teens in identifying issues that impact youth and the future of their communities," said Arnold.

Ousouzian and Fortune will coordinate a state training conference for youth from five coastal Oregon counties and share their knowledge.

"The youths participating in the state conference will then go on to plan forums in their own communities and develop community action plans to carry out over the next year," Arnold said.

The Oregon 4-H Coastal Futures Program is part of a national project sponsored by the National 4-H Council to address the needs and concerns of rural youth across the United States. Funding for this activity is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the National 4-H Council.