[Image: Happenings]Monthly newsletter for 4-H members and families that provides information about upcoming events and information regarding the Acadia Parish 4-H program.
September 2009
4-H IS FOR EVERYONE
4-H represents groups of young people in all parts of Acadia Parish having fun together and “Learning By Doing”. 4-H Clubs offer a world of opportunities for boys and girls to learn new things, go new places and meet new people. A 4-H club is an organized group of boys and girls; the members elect their own officers and operate as a democracy in action. Most 4-H Clubs hold monthly meetings in their local school.
WHO MAY JOIN?
Any boy or girl, who is 9 years old by January 1st of the current school year through the 12th grade, and is willing to follow the 4-H ideals and standards is eligible for membership.
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF 4-H?
4-H helps youth grow into: strong citizens through club and community activities; congenial neighbors through wholesome companionship in club and community; skilled and responsible adults through project work; well-trained individuals through wise guidance in varied experiences; and cooperative family members through 4-H family events.
WHAT IS A 4-H PROJECT
It is a unit of 4-H work which is the basis of “Learning By Doing” experiences which involves skills such as: planting shade trees, repairing a bicycle, collecting insects, planting flowers, making a shirt, making projects for your home, sewing a pillow, taking pictures, wiring a lamp, woodworking, fishing hunting., etc. The series of learning experiences built into every 4-H project are the tools used to help shape the character of 4-H youth. 4-H members may select one or two projects to work on and complete and are expected to submit their completed books in the records competition in the spring.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO JOIN?
You will pay $5.00 for the entire year to the Acadia Parish 4-H Office. This is collected in your club by the treasurer and your local leaders. Some clubs choose to collect extra money for their own treasury. The dues you pay to the Parish 4-H Office assist with programs and awards and expenses for both Parish and State 4-H Programs.
WHAT ARE SOME OTHER 4-H PROGRAMS?
Camping, dress revues, recreation, demonstrations, trips, fairs, parish contests, 4-H University, project workshops. Achievement Day and many other programs are offered through 4-H. Going places and doing things in 4-H helps to teach boys and girls to enjoy working together. These programs add interest to the 4-H project by offering additional fun-type educational opportunities that promote the ideals of 4-H.
JOIN THE JUNIOR LEADERSHIP CLUB!
This club is open to all 7th-12th grade 4-H members. Junior Leaders have fun helping younger 4-H’ers with their project work and assisting the less fortunate in their communities. This club also participates in numerous activities where members meet and make friends with other teenagers throughout the state. This month’s meeting is scheduled for 6:00 pm on Monday, September 14 at the 4-H Office. Dues are $15.00 to become a Junior Leader!
AMBASSADORS NEEDED TO PROMOTE ACADIA PARISH 4-H
We are looking for dedicated 4-H members in grades 8th-12th to promote 4-H in Acadia Parish. The Ambassadors will be expected to promote 4-H through attending civic organization meetings, presenting radio spots, encouraging others to join 4-H and completing community service activities. To apply, you will need to fill out an application and complete an interview. Applications are available at the 4-H Office or online. Applications are due on September 17– NO EXCEPTIONS!
Interviews will be held at the 4-H office on September 28, each applicant will be scheduled an appointed time for their interview. If you have any questions, please contact the 4-H Office.
“CIRCLE OF 4-H”
The Circle of 4-H will be held during National 4-H week. This event is open to all youth. Some of the activities that will be going on will be Exploring 4-H, a Pet Show, and a Bicycle Rodeo and much more. This event will be held at Redemptorist Catholic located in South Crowley on Saturday, October 10, 2009 beginning at 8:30 a.m. For more information and to receive a pet show entry form, please see your 4-H club leader.
PET SHOW
Open to all 4-H Members. Contest Description: Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the show starts at 9:00 a.m. with an educational lesson regarding pet care. There will be three divisions: dogs, cats, and any other pets! No large farm animals, rabbits or wild animals are allowed to enter. All pets must be owned by the 4-H’er entering the animal. All animals must remain on a leash or in a cage during at all times. You may enter one pet in no more than two categories.
Pet Show Categories: DOGS-largest, longest tail, longest ears, best dressed, owner/pet look-a-like, shortest legs, best trick; CATS-largest, smallest, longest tail, best dressed, owner/pet look-alike; ANY OTHER PET-largest, smallest, best dressed, owner/pet look-a-like, most unusual. Please Note: Categories and characteristics to be judged in the pet show will vary. We may add or delete categories depending on the number of pets registered.
NATIONAL 4-H WEEK - OCTOBER 4-10
National 4-H Week is October 4-10! We would like to see all clubs participate in activities such as making treats for teachers, hanging signs or banners around school or have green and white dress up day, etc. Take the time to celebrate your wonderful club organization.
BACK TO SCHOOL DANCE
The Junior Leadership Club will be sponsoring a Dance at the 4-H Office, Saturday, September 26 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There will be a $5.00 entry fee. Keep in mind that only youth between the ages of 9 to 13 are able to attend.
OUTDOOR SKILLS MEETING
The 2nd annual sign up meeting for 4-Her’s interested in Outdoor Skills will be held at the 4-H office on September 21st at 5:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to compete in Shooting Sports this year must come to the sign up meeting for the safety training. All new and old Shooting Sports club members must attend the sign up meeting each year. At the sign up meeting 4-Her’s will receive a safety lesson, calendar of events, and required sign up forms. Bring a copy of your hunter safety card to the meeting.
RICE FESTIVAL TIME IS APPROACHING!
The International Rice Festival will be held October 15th –18th. Entry forms for the Creole Rice Cookery contest are available at the 4-H office. The Creole Cookery will be held Friday, October 16th at the Acadia Parish 4-H Office in Crowley.
4-H UNIVERSITY CONTESTANTS RUSH INTO 4-H
Acadia Parish 4-H Youth competed in 4-H University on June 23-25, 2009 at the Louisiana State University campus. More than 1,600 4-H members and volunteers from Louisiana's 64 parishes took part in this event. Fifty-four Acadia Parish 4-H’ers attended 4-H University. Listed below are those students from Acadia Parish that placed and the contest they participated in: Insect ID Steffan McBride-State Winner; Rhiannon Monceaux- Blue Ribbon; 4-H Has Talent Tiffany Thibodeaux-Blue Ribbon; Bicycle Michael Herpin-Fifth Place; Diesel Operations Clint Faul-Blue [Image: 4-H Kids Clubhouse]Ribbon; Entomology Demo Brittany Domingue & Hannah Miller- Third Place; Fashion Review – Creative Choice Alaina Duos-Blue Ribbon; FCS Demo Hailey Johnson & Hayley Fogleman-Fourth Place; Horticulture Demo General Alayna Hains & Michaela McBride-Blue Ribbon; Horticulture Judging Ind Elizabeth Coolman-Fourth Place; Horticulture Judging Team Claire Boudreaux, Elizabeth Coolman, Orwinnetta Williams-Fifth Place; Livestock Judging Adrienne Hebert, Gavin Guidry, Adrienne Comeaux-Fourth Place; Photography Evan Devillier- Blue Ribbon; Public Speaking Coop Robbin LeJeune-Blue Ribbon; Resource Management Matthew Guidry, Fourth Place; Soybean Illustrated Talk Elizabeth Dartez- Second Place; Lauren Amiot-Third Place Some Acadia 4-Her’s were also elected to state boards during the contest week. Fashion Board: Shakiyla Smith; Food and Fitness Board: Hannah Miller and Clair Boudreaux; Citizenship Board: Heather Richard, Austina Coolman and Orwinnetta Williams.
Others who participated in 4-H University are Dakota Thibodeaux, Drew Wingate, Nic Michael, Samantha Kirkpatrick, Sage Cart, Joe Quebodeaux, Amanda Guidry, Mikala McGee, Andrea Fontenot, Elizabeth Cormier, Seth Guillory, Tyler Floyd, Lauren Romero, Christine Savoie, Devani Credeur, Emily Istre, Heather Richard, Jake Vidrine, Chad Peloquin, Payton Istre, Samantha Ronkartz, Stephen Benoit, Kyler Ardoin, Lance Cashni, Nick Briscoe, Zach Henry and Kassie Richard.
ACHIEVEMENT DAY THEMES
Do you enjoy drawing and expressing yourself artistically? If yes, then the Achievement Day Theme contest is for you! All you need to do is come up with a catchy slogan and a colorful picture. Draw your creation on regular 8 1/2" X 11" typing paper and turn it into your leader. Entries relating to the advertisement of cigarettes or alcohol will not be accepted.
All entries must be turned in to the 4-H Office by 4:00 p.m. on October 14. No computer generated themes will be accepted! If you have any questions, please call the office at 788-8821.
ALICE LANCON COOKING CONTEST-LOUISIANA CATTLE FESTIVAL
The Alice Lancon Memorial Cooking Contest will be held October 9, 2009 at the LSU AgCenter Extension Service Office in Abbeville. Exhibits must be entered between 8 - 9:30 a.m. Judging will begin at 10:00 a.m. Please arrive in enough time to enter dishes. Rules for the contest can be found at the Acadia Parish 4-H Office or call the office for more information.
4-H DAY AT THE LSU GAME
The Annual 4-H Day with the Tigers game will be November 14th against Louisiana Tech. At this time, the game will be at 7:00 p.m. Since this is the LSU Home-coming game, there should be lots of excitement for the 4-H participants. The tickets will be $25.00 this year. There will be 2000 tickets available to 4-H. Also, there will be a Tailgate program to enhance the 4-H and AgCenter experience. If interested in getting tickets to this game please contact the 4-H Office as soon as possible.
SHOW YOUR 4-H SPIRIT
Now that you are a 4-H member, don’t you think it is time to show your 4-H spirit. The Acadia Jr. Leadership Club is selling many items that carry the 4-H emblem. The club will have a booth set up at Circle of 4-H Day and many other 4-H events. If you would like to see what is for sale, please stop by the 4-H Office and check out the display.
Barn Talk
FIRST YEAR LIVESTOCK EXHIBITORS
If this is your first year to show livestock in Acadia Parish or you have not shown for a while, please contact the 4-H Office as soon as possible and let us know you are interested.
LIVESTOCK POSSESSION DATES
Steers: August 15, 2009
Beef and Dairy Commercial Heifers, Market lambs, Commercial Ewes, Market Goats, and Commercial Does
November 7, 2009
Market Hogs : December 5, 2009
Rabbits: December 1, 2009
Exhibition Poultry: November 1, 2009
GOAT AND BEEF EXHIBITORS
Would you like to learn more about your project and be a member of the goat or beef club? If yes, please contact the 4-H Office by October 15, 2009.
LIVESTOCK SHOWS
September 24-26-Sugarcane Festival Livestock Show, New Iberia
October 10-11-Louisiana Cattle Festival, Abbeville
ACADIA PARISH HORSE CLUB
Want to join an exciting club and learn about horses ? Then the Acadia Parish Horse Club is for you. The club meets once a month beginning in October. The first meeting is scheduled for October 20th at the 4-H office starting at 5:30 p.m. The 4-Her’s work closely with the Master Horsemen from the surrounding areas. The 4-H members get a chance to learn proper riding skills, ground work, knot tying and much more. Beginning in December the horse club members will be able to bring their horses to the Rice Arena in Crowley. At the end of the year the horse club members have a chance to compete at the state horse show in public speaking, quiz bowl, demonstrations, and premier exhibitor. If you are interested in joining please fill out the horse club sign up sheet in the attached file below and mail it to the 4-H office at 157 Cherokee Drive Crowley, LA 70525 by October 1st.
Extension Agents
Lou Ann McKeivier
Sheena Grote Cecil
Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, William B. Richardson, Chancellor Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, Paul Coreil, Vice Chancellor and Director. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.