(Distributed 11/06/09) SHREVEPORT, La. – AgMagic, a new exhibit at the State Fair of Louisiana, can be likened to opening a fun encyclopedia. Only all of the five senses are involved while learning takes place.

(Distributed 10/16/09) Students at Warren Easton High School in New Orleans along with 10 other schools around the state really know what it means to get down and dirty, thanks to a $25,000 grant secured by the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H Youth Development office.

Clover Connections is a newsletter with information from the State 4-H Staff. New editions will be available each quarter.

(Distributed 10/16/09) FARMERVILLE, La. – A youth wetland camp in Union Parish on Oct. 10-11 included a variety of activities to let 4-H’ers know the importance of clean water in an area affected by the gradually diminishing Sparta Aquifer.

(Distributed 10/08/09) FRANKLINTON, La. – LSU AgCenter 4-H agents, parents and volunteers celebrated National Hunting and Fishing Day Sept. 26 at the LSU AgCenter’s Southeast Research Station here.

(Distributed 10/09/09) The Venice Port Complex has donated $7,500 to Plaquemines Parish 4-H, according to Jan Morgan, LSU AgCenter 4-H agent.

The annual 4-H Day with the Tigers football game and tailgate party will be held on November 14th against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at 7:00 p.m. in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. This is also the LSU Homecoming game so this will be a very exciting experience for 4-H members.

Operation: Military Kids (OMK) brings military families together. OMK, through the LSU AgCenter 4-H Youth Development office, hosted a weekend of activities designed to support military children and families. This camping experience is just one of many activities supported by the OMK grant program throughout Louisiana.

Five 4-H’ers are among Louisiana’s most outstanding students. They’re among the 21 members of the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council who will work together over the next year to influence the legislative process and make the state a better place for young people.

Gov. Bobby Jindal visited the Louisiana 4-H Museum in Mansura in Avoyelles Parish on Aug. 20, 2009.

(Distributed 09/22/09) The LSU AgCenter’s Youth Wetlands Education and Outreach Program has received an additional three years of funding for $1.5 million from the Louisiana Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration. The program will receive $500,000 each year beginning in January 2010 and ending December 2012, according to Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter vice chancellor for extension.

(Distributed 09/18/09) To help celebrate National 4-H Week, which is Oct. 4-10, Louisiana 4-H members will join millions of other 4-H’ers across the nation in participating in a science and technology project. They will make ethanol, one of the most common biofuels in the country. “Every parish will receive at least one Biofuel Blast experimental kit,” said David Boldt, state 4-H science and technology coordinator.

National 4-H Council has received a $1.5 million award from the Monsanto Company to drive the expansion of the National 4-H Volunteer Initiative. This new grant will fuel the expansion of vital volunteer training programs and fund the development of new volunteer recruitment and retention strategies. This announcement also launches a new national call for 4-H volunteers to lend their time in order to further positive youth development nationwide.

The Louisiana Pelican Parle is the quarterly newsletter for the Louisiana Association of Extension 4-H Agents (LAE 4-HA). The newsletter is the responsibility of the Association Reporter and is distributed to all association members and 4-H Agents across the state of Louisiana.

(Distributed 08/26/09) LAFAYETTE, La. – The Louisiana 4-H Foundation has announced a gift of $30,000 from the LHC Group, a Lafayette-based health care company.

SW Region 4-H host Volunteer & Leadership Training

(Distributedf 08/17/09) The 2010 LSU AgCenter Livestock Show will be held at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, LSU AgCenter officials announced.

(Distributed 08/10/09) AVERY ISLAND, La. – Zachary Cecil, a 4-H’er from Vernon Parish, rode on the side of a boat one morning during a recent session at the LSU AgCenter’s Marsh Maneuvers program. It was his first time in the marsh, and he was enjoying the experience, even though he was soaking wet from wading in muddy marsh water.

(Distributed 08/11/09) Louisiana had first, second and third place winners in the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships, which was July 28-Aug. 2 in Little Rock, Ark. In saddle-type geldings (trotting), Robbin LeJuene of Acadia Parish placed first and Allison Newman of Jackson Parish placed third. Dani Anderson of West Carroll Parish placed second in barrel racing.

(Distributed 08/04/09) A Louisiana 4-H team placed third among 14 state teams that participated in the National 4-H Forestry Invitational July 26-30 at West Virginia University’s Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp and Conference Center near Weston, W.Va.

The LSU AgCenter's Louisiana State 4-H Fashion Board survives a project runway of their own.

Directions to LSU Campus AgCenter 4-H Facilities. Map included for reference. Directions for eastbound and westbound travelers on I-10 are provided. Directions for 4-H Camp Grant Walker are also listed.

4 H’ers plant irises and pitcher plants in low-lying areas of the LSU AgCenter’s Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center near Pollock, La. as a project for Youth Wetlands Week, March 31-April 4.

(Distributed 07/24/09) ZWOLLE, La. – A Louisiana 4-H team placed fifth overall in the national 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program held July 20-22 at the Wildwood Resort.

Are you ready to experience one of the most exciting college campuses in the country and possibly win scholarships or trips to Orlando and Atlanta? If your ready to meet new friends and learn more about 4-H projects and programs, then 4-H University June 23 – 26 is the place for you this summer.

Washington Parish 4-H and FFA members presented Gov. Bobby Jindal a custom-made wood duck box and a bat box at his visit to the parish on July 14.

4-H members from St. James Parish assisted at a community forum on July 20 in Reserve, La., attended by four U.S. cabinet members, including Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack.

(Distributed 07/17/09) Results from the 40th annual Louisiana 4-H and FFA State Horse Show held July 6-11 have been released. Coordinated by the LSU AgCenter, the event was held at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center in West Monroe.

(Distributed 07/10/09) GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – Two Louisiana teams finished first, and seven others finished in the top five at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational meet June 24-28. In addition, three Louisiana teams placed in the top five teams overall, and eight Louisiana 4-H’ers were in the top 10 in individual events.

(Distributed 07/09/09) BATON ROUGE, La. – Students attending the robotics class at the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H University squared off in fierce combat with robots they built and programmed. The robots fought in a circle, and the object was to push an opponent out of a 2-foot ring.

(Distributed 07/10/09) LSU AgCenter’s 4-H camp near Pollock, La., increased its size to 82 acres as the Louisiana 4-H Foundation donated a vacant piece of property for camp expansion. The 30-acre addition was Camp Windywood, a former Girl Scout camp and adjacent to the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center.

The Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame was established in 2008 as part of the 4-H Centennial Celebration. The first 100 inductees are volunteers, supporters, staff and pioneers who made lasting contributions to Louisiana 4-H. Their dedication and support have inspired countless youth.

(Distributed 07/01/09) GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – Thirty LSU AgCenter 4-H’ers gave it their best shot at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational, placing in the top five in three competitions and having eight individuals in the top 10.

(Distributed 06/26/09) BATON ROUGE – Louisiana youth took home honors as state contest winners and alternates as the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H University concluded Thursday night (June 25) on the LSU campus.

(Distributed 06/25/09) Winners of 2009 4-H scholarships were among those honored during ceremonies at the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H University June 23-25 in Baton Rouge. The young adults from across Louisiana were honored at an awards banquet June 23 and at an assembly June 24 on the LSU campus.

(Distributed 06/24/09) Organizers expect 600 youth from across Louisiana to compete in the 40th annual Louisiana 4-H and FFA State Horse Show July 6-11 in West Monroe.

(Distributed 06/25/09) Nearly 100 youth from across the country will converge at the Wildwood Resort on Toledo Bend in Zwolle July 19-23 for the 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program. Sixteen teams of six are expected from as far as Maryland, Wisconsin and Utah, according to Paul Morris, LSU AgCenter county agent in Sabine Parish and co-chair of the event.

(Distributed 06/24/09) The LSU AgCenter honored 12 adults Tuesday evening (June 24) for their service to the Louisiana 4-H youth development program. Among those honored were four 4-H alumni, two school system administrators, two LSU AgCenter faculty members, two secretaries from AgCenter offices and two volunteer leaders who were honored for their outstanding service to 4-H.

“Camp Grant Walker – It'll Grow on You!” That’s the theme of the summer 2009 4-H camping experience at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center near Pollock, La. The fun starts with the first of 10 weeklong camps, May 25-29. But the preparations and sign-ups are going on now.

Do you have a special 4-H story you’d like to share? An editorial team is collecting stories for a book from the entire 4-H family including members, volunteers, agents, state staff, donors, family members and others.

Twelve new members of the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame will be inducted at the grand opening of the Louisiana 4-H Museum in Mansura on Saturday, July 18, 2009, from 2 to 4 p.m.

(Distributed 06/04/09) HAYNESVILLE, La. – Jannah Loyd has found that things she learned in 4-H have helped her with the life skills she needs to face Down syndrome.

(Distributed 05/30/09) LSU AgCenter 4-H will seek for the first time this year a school in Louisiana with outstanding character education practices to submit for national recognition through the Character Education Partnership, a youth advocacy group based in Washington, D.C.

(Distributed 06/02/09) Twelve new members of the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame will be inducted at the grand opening of the Louisiana 4-H Museum in Mansura from 2-4 p.m. on July 18.

(Distributed 06/01/09) BATON ROUGE – Participants in 4-H are known for their prize-winning animals and giving back to their communities through ambitious service projects. But at 4-H University, these students will compete in contests ranging from computer simulation to sports broadcasting.

4-H Day at the Capitol Video

(Distributed 04/29/09) SHREVEPORT, La. – About 600 4-H’ers from 18 elementary schools learned how to stay safe at the 2009 Caddo 4-H Extravaganza April 24 at the Bill Cockrell Community Center.

(Distributed 04/13/09) Fourteen of 16 students in DeSoto and Red River parishes who received the Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders awards, a program sponsored by Chesapeake Energy, are members of 4-H. Each honoree's school received a computer. Winners were recognized at a banquet on April 7 in DeSoto and April 9 in Red River, where two from each parish received a laptop computer from a random drawing, also all 4-H’ers.

Students from throughout the state attended the annual Co-op Youth Camp sponsored by the LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Council of Farmer Cooperatives, at Camp Grant Walker Educational Center on April 3-5.

Information on 2009 Louisiana 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association Annual Conference.

(Distributed 03/12/09) Louisiana’s wetlands face a crisis, and the youth of the state need to understand this so they can do something about it. That’s the philosophy behind the third annual Youth Wetlands Week, April 20-24, sponsored by the LSU AgCenter, with funding help from the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.

4-H Night with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs hockey team on March 7 provided fun and support of the youth development program. The game was played at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City. More than 700 tickets for 4-H’ers were sold, with $3 per ticket supporting 4-H camp and service learning projects, said Karen Martin, 4-H regional coordinator.

(Distributed 02/23/09) GONZALES, La. – Hundreds of young people from across Louisiana were named state champions during the 74th Annual LSU AgCenter 4-H and FFA Livestock Show Presented by Price LeBlanc Feb. 14-21 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center here.

(Distributed 02/25/09) GONZALES, La. – Six exceptional Louisiana youths were recognized Saturday (Feb. 21) for their knowledge, skills and communication abilities as they were named winners of the Gerry Lane Premier Exhibitor Awards at the 74th annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show Presented by Price LeBlanc at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center here.

(Distributed 03/06/09) NEW ORLEANS – The Metropolitan Human Services District has approved a $26,000 grant to the Orleans Parish 4-H Foundation to help pay various expenses of low-income 4-H members in the parish.

(Distributed 03/03/09) The LSU AgCenter’s AgMagic, an event focused on helping young people have fun while also learning about the role of agriculture in their daily lives, will be presented April 20-26 at Parker Coliseum in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 02/25/09) LAFAYETTE, La. – The 4-H Junior Leader Club in Lafayette Parish has been chosen for the Governor’s Conservation Award by Louisiana Wildlife Federation for helping Cameron Parish after hurricanes Rita and Ike.

The Spring Florida Parishes 4-H Outdoor Skills Field Day will be held Saturday, March 7th at the Southeast Research Station. The station is located on Hwy. 16 just west of Franklinton.

The America's Wetland Foundation is hosting an art, photo and poetry contest. Entries are due no later than May 15, 2009.

(Distributed 02/16/09) DELHI, La. – Elementary school students from seven parishes had their questions answered about everything from horses to germs at the LSU AgCenter’s Ag Adventures Feb. 10-11.

Information and ticket order form for the upcoming 4-H Night at the Mudbugs scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2009 at the Century Tel Arena in Bossier City.

(Distributed 02/04/09) LAKE CHARLES, La. – The first Ag Adventure held during the LSU AgCenter Regional Livestock Show here was a perfect fit for kindergarten teacher Gloria Watson of Brentwood Elementary School. “Some of the stories we read in class are about animals. We thought it would be a good thing to see some real animals. Most of them have not seen any animals.”

(Distributed 1/23/09) More than 1,800 first- and fourth-graders attended special showings of the LSU AgCenter’s Ag Alley Jan. 14-15 to learn about farm commodities grown in Louisiana.

(Distributed 1/22/09) Youth from across Louisiana are preparing to compete in the 74th annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show next month at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

Check out the feature article on 4-H's science, engineering and technology programs from this month’s Mechanical Engineering magazine written by Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Kathleen Jamison.

(Distributed 01/12/09) Ag Adventures, an educational experience in agriculture for third- through fifth-graders, will be held Feb. 10-11 at the Northeast District Livestock Show Barn and Civic Center, both in Delhi.

(Distributed 12/05/08) BOSSIER CITY – Eleven 4-H members were among 16 students in Caddo and Bossier parishes who received Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders awards, a new program sponsored by Chesapeake Energy.

Ben Legendre, head of the Audubon Sugar Institute, who won the $10,000 prize in the 2008 4-H Centennial Raffle, said he has been an ardent supporter of Louisiana 4-H since the early 1950s when he joined the local 4-H Club in grade school in Lafourche Parish.

(Distributed 12/02/08) C.J. Naquin of Baton Rouge, a retired Louisiana 4-H state program leader, was one of 17 people named to the 2008 National 4-H Hall of Fame. “This is the highest honor that can bestowed upon someone in 4-H,” said Dr. Paul Coreil, vice chancellor for the LSU AgCenter and director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service. “He dedicated his career to 4-H and was one of our most innovative leaders.”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Brandon Guillory, Calcasieu Parish 4-H’er, took first place in the National 4-H Chicken Barbecue Demonstration contest held here Nov. 19-20.

Twenty-six teens represented Louisiana at the 86th annual National 4-H Congress, along with more than 1,000 other delegates from throughout the United States and its territories, in Atlanta during the Thanksgiving weekend.

(Distributed 11/26/08) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Brandon Guillory, Calcasieu Parish 4-H’er, took first place in the National 4-H Chicken Barbecue Demonstration contest held here Nov. 19-20.

Are you ready to rumble with the New Orleans Hornets? Come out and watch the Hornets take on the Milwaukee Bucks on February 27, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the New Orleans Arena.

(Distributed 08/20/08) Students attending the camp at the LSU AgCenter’s Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center had the chance to take classes in science – learning about rockets, robots and other high-tech subjects.

(Distributed 08/26/08) 4–H and FFA goat exhibitors from across Louisiana took part in the second 4-H goat educational trip in Louisiana and Mississippi Aug. 3-8.

LSU AgCenter Master Gardeners and Kids Hope volunteers have helped transform a once dull courtyard at University Terrace Elementary school into a flowering oasis.

(Distributed 08/14/08) Participating in Marsh Maneuvers was like “boot camp” for 16-year-old Austin Mouton, a 4-H student from Erath High School, who said the activities meshed with his career plans in wildlife management.

(Distributed 7/9/08) WEST MONROE – Results from the first day of competition at the 39th annual Louisiana 4-H and FFA State Horse Show have been released.

(Distributed 06/19/08) Louisiana youth took home honors as state contest winners and alternates as the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H U concluded Thursday night (June 19) on the LSU campus.

(Distributed 06/19/08) Ten adults were recognized for their contributions to the Louisiana 4-H program during an awards banquet and other ceremonies this week as part of the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H University program on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. The honorees included four 4-H alumni who continue to show active support of the youth development program, two school superintendents, two professors on the LSU AgCenter faculty and two secretaries from LSU AgCenter offices.

(Distributed 06/19/08) The Louisiana 4-H Museum is seeking items for its collection to show the history of 4-H – the state’s largest and long-running youth development program. The museum is calling for photos, ribbons, certificates, trophies, documents, handcrafted projects, demonstration materials, record books and more to be used in exhibits, traveling displays, presentations and archives.

(Distributed 06/19/08) Winners of 4-H scholarships were among those honored during ceremonies at the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H University July 17-20. The young adults from across Louisiana were credited with excelling in project work and recordkeeping, serving as club officers or otherwise distinguishing themselves during their years in 4-H.

4-H’ers from 22 parishes attended the LSU AgCenter 4-H Food and Fitness Camp January 24-25 at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center near Pollock. This year’s theme was "The Wonderful World of 4-H," borrowing from Walt Disney movies and characters, according to LSU AgCenter nutrition expert Catrinel Stanciu, advisor to the 4-H State Food and Fitness Board.

LSU AgCenter coastal resources agent Mark Shirley had hoped to bring a group of students back to a plot near Holly Beach where they had planted marsh grass during the 4-H Marsh Maneuvers program in July. But, after driving for several miles on La. 82 between Holly Beach and Johnson’s Bayou last weekend, Shirley gave up on his hope to find the transplanted grass, which apparently fell victim to Hurricane Rita’s wrath.

(Distributed 02/10/06) Two members of the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H program will show America they can be "Iron Chefs” when a show featuring the teens cooking alligator dishes airs on the Food Network Feb. 28. Claiborne Parish 4-H'ers Christopher Burch and Shelby Harper, students at Haynesville High School, were taped Saturday (Feb. 4) and said they enjoy everything about being in 4-H, including learning beneficial life skills.