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4-H Is For Everyone
4-H represents groups of young people in all parts of Ascension Parish having fun together and “Learning by Doing.” 4-H is the largest youth organization in the United States!
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 schools.
Who May Join?
Any boy or girl, who is 9 years old by January 1, 2010 in 3rd through 12th grade, and is willing to follow the 4-H ideals and standards is eligible for membership. There will also be an Ascension Parish Cloverbuds Club for young people in third grade. See below for more information.
What Does It Cost?
You will pay $4.00 for the entire year to the Ascension Parish 4-H Office. This is collected in your club by the treasurer and your school 4-H leaders. Any members who would like to receive more than one project book will pay a $2.00 additional fee per book. Most schools choose to collect additional money for their own treasury. The dues you pay to the Parish 4-H Office assist with programs, awards and expenses for Parish and State 4-H programs.
4-H Goals
4-H helps youth participants gain knowledge and life skills enabling them to become positive, productive, capable and passionate members of their communities.
What is a 4-H Project?
Every member selects at least one 4-H project. This project is a unit of work and the basis of “Learning By Doing.” Completing a project means doing everything the activity book suggests and submitting it for the Parish records competition. The series of learning experiences built into every project book are the tools used to help shape the character of 4-H youth. To help you select a project view the 4th-6th grade project guide or 7th-12th grade project guide.
Other 4-H Programs
Camping, dress revues, recreation, demonstrations, trips, cooking contests, fairs, parish contests, 4-H University, project workshops, SET Club, Shooting Sports, Jr. Leadership Club, livestock, pet show, Achievement Day, 4-H Day with the Tigers, 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 help add to the 4-H project by offering additional fun-type educational opportunities that promote the ideals of 4-H.
Dates to Remember
Deadlines to Remember:
September
1 - State Fair Livestock entries due to 4-H Office
11 - Deadline to reply for Area Leader Training
30 - Area Leader Training Lamar Dixon
October - Pumpkin Contest
4-10 - National 4-H Week
15 - Enrollment Cards due to 4-H Office
Additional events for Ascension Parish 4-H can be found on our calendar.
JR. LEADER OPEN HOUSE SOCIAL
Who? The Ascension Jr. Leader Club is open to all 4-H members in 7th-12th grades. One service point will be awarded to any member who brings a friend.
What? An opportunity to meet teens from every corner of the Parish and State while developing leadership skills, traveling, and participating in community service learning activities as well as many other fun and exciting events. This social will consist of many fun activities and an update on the coming year. Ice Cream Sundaes will be served.
When? Monday, September 14, 2009 6:30 p.m. at the 4-H Office (1st Floor of YMCA building at Lamar Dixon Expo Center)
SET Club
Want to EXPLODE a pumpkin? Enjoy FUN, hands-on club meetings? Try out CAREERS? The 4-H SET Club has fun for all ages 9-18. Join us Thursday, September 24th from 6:30-7:30 at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center’s YMCA Gym for our kick-off meeting.
Upcoming Meeting Themes:
September: Robotics, Lego Mindstorms, New! Ascension First Lego League Team. Join NOW! October: Spooky Science, Exploding Pumpkins Experiment, Pumpkin Carving Contest November: Kitchen Chemistry, Cabbage Juice Experiment, Cookie Contest Other planned monthly themes include: Animal Science, Corn Starch Suspension, “Walk on Water”, Rocketry and much more!!!
For more information, email Katina Hester at daisedkat@gmail.com.
Ascension 4-H First Lego League Team
Interested in joining a team to build and compete in the First Lego League? FLL is an international competition for children ages 9-14 and is an interactive robotics program with a sports like atmosphere using the Lego Mindstorms robotics invention system. If you are between the ages of 9-14 and would like to compete, please call Katina Hester at 225-362-0848.
4-H State Photo Contest
The 4-H State SET Board hosts a monthly photo contest. For information on how you can participate and to find out the monthly theme, check out their Flickr group at http://www.flickr.com/groups/la4hphotoclub/.
Fashion Forward
Join the Ascension 4-H Fashion Board
4-H'ers in the 7-12th grades!
What is the Fashion Board About?
- The 4-H Fashion Board will promote the 4-H Clothing project and related programs
- Serve as an advisory group for the parish 4-H clothing program and educational activities
- Assist in workshops, guest speakers, demonstrations, fashion revues, video programs, field trips, etc.
- Coordinate community service activities that will be conducted as learning experiences for fashion board
The 4-H Agents and an adult 4-H clothing project leader(s) will serve as coordinators!
If you are interested contact Kayla Haydel, 4-H Agent by October 15th via email or phone at 225-621-5799.
Shooting Sports
The new year is beginning and so will our Parish Shooting Sports Club. This project club for beginning members meets on specific weekends at the new range each month. The meetings consist of training in shooting sports safety and in skills such as wildlife and conservation. New members are invited to join our project club at the enrollment meeting on Thursday, October 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lamar Dixon 4-H Office. Parents / guardians are required to attend this meeting to have a better understanding of club expectations. This meeting is required for all new participants.
Past members of the shooting sports project who have completed at least 8 hours of discipline training are invited to a meeting on Tuesday, September 1, at 6:30 p.m. at Lamar Dixon 4-H office. Plans are being made for an exciting year so come and find out what new things we will be doing this year.
Please note that all members who are 10 years old or older as of January 1, 2010 are required to complete the Hunter's Education Class that is offered through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. All members who participate in the .22 rifle, .22 pistol or shotgun disciplines are required to have their Hunter’s Safety Certification before beginning. To get more information on these classes please go to http://www.wlf.state.la.us/hunting/education/standardcourselisting/. This website shows a list of classes that have been scheduled in Ascension Parish.
Instructors are needed for the upcoming year. Parent volunteers are invited to attend a shooting sports instructor training. Please call the 4-H office for more information about training.
Farm Day at Mrs. Becky's Barn
Saturday, September 26
35486 Blaine Petite Rd. Prairieville, La
10-2pm
- Horse riding
- Petting zoo
- Farm
- Bring your POLE for fishing!
- Hayrides
- All ages welcome!
- Free Event
Come for a day full of Fun, Food & Fellowship! Call 225-673-3276 or email ashleybourgeois@eatel.net for more information.
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
WHEN: October 4-H Club Meeting
Decorate a Pumpkin and bring it to your October Club meeting to be judged!
4-H Egg Cookery
October 3, 2009
The Egg Cookery will be held in conjunction with the Chicken Que at Dutchtown Middle School. Registration: 9:00-9:30 a.m. Awards will be presented after judging is complete at approximately 1:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.
Egg Cookery Guidelines
CATEGORIES: Appetizer/Salad, Main Dish, Dessert
- Any 4-H member may participate. Participants may enter only one (1) egg dish.
- Prepare an egg dish that uses a minimum of four whole eggs and the recipe with four whole eggs must make only one standard size dish.
- The entire dish accompanied by a copy of the recipe must be entered in the contest.
- All dishes MUST COME ON ICE for food safety purposes. Indicate on your recipe if the dish must be warmed.
- Dishes are judged based on the Recipe(15 points), Taste(60 points), Appearance of Dish(15 points) and Dietary Guidelines(10 points).
- 4-H'ers are encouraged to prepare “healthy” egg dishes.
- Please do not put your name or school on the dishes or recipes. For more information on scoring, recipes and dietary guidelines visit our website at www.louisiana4h.org/ascension.
- 4-H members are encouraged to participate in the hands on educational program while their dishes are being judged.
4-H Chicken Que
Come BBQ with 4-H!
October 3, 2009 - Dutchtown Middle School Registration: 9:30-10:00 a.m. Contest Begins: 10:00a.m.
OpenTo All 4-H Members.
4-H members will have a chance to show off their barbecuing skills. The contestants barbecue ½ chicken from start to finish. The contest will be broken into junior (9-13); and senior (14 and up) divisions. General Rules
- 4-H members must furnish all of his/her equipment and chicken half to cook.
- Marinating may only begin after the judging starts.
- All pits must be open and 4-Her’s may not steam, inject or surround the cooking chicken in any way.
- The chicken half must include the breast and leg quarter still attached to each other.
- There will be a 2-hour time limit and all marinating, starting fires and cooking must be done in this time limit.
- You DO NOT need to turn in a recipe for this contest
- Awards will be presented immediately following judging in DMS gym (approximately 12:30)
The NEW 4-H Challenge Camp
2009 Tickfaw Challenge - Can YOU survive the 2009 Challenge?
This special camp is designed for 7th and 8th grade 4‑H'ers, to be held WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11th-FRIDAY the 13th at TICKFAW STATE PARK!
During this exciting 3-day camp, Ascension parish 4‑H'ers will participate in Challenge Camp with 4‑H members from surrounding parishes. They will be joined by 4-H agents and selected high school junior counselors. The goal of this camping experience is for 4‑H'ers to set high personal goals as a result of activities designed to develop: a positive self-concept, interpersonal relationship skills, and communication skills.
We are asking each MIDDLE school 4-H club to select one 7th or 8th grade boy or girl that has done outstanding work throughout their 4-H experience to represent their school this year at the “NEW 4-H Tickfaw Challenge Camp” (you may still attend even if you already went to Challenge Camp in the past). DEADLINE TO REGISTER: Friday October 9,, 2009. The cost of the camp is $40.00 (includes a T-Shirt). WE TAKE THE FIRST COME FIRST SERVE. If we exceed our limit that we can register, it will roll over to a lottery method of choice. To sign up for this amazing opportunity come by the 4-H office located on the 2nd floor of the YMCA at Lamar Dixon. The number to call is (225) 621-5799. Come FACE the new Tickfaw Challenge!
National 4-H Week October 4-10, 2009
National 4-H Week is October 4-10, 2009. This is a special time for everyone to show their 4-H Spirit!
Use this opportunity to promote 4-H and your school club during National 4-H Week. It is very easy to promote 4-H at school and at home: decorate a bulletin board, have 4-H members make posters to display, make clover tags that can be worn by members, teachers, etc, make a display in front of your school or house, pass out green treats to school staff promoting 4-H.
4-H School Display Contest - Show your 4-H Spirit
School Clubs work on 4-H displays to place in front of your school to promote National 4-H Week. Pictures of displays should be sent to the 4-H Office by Thursday, October 8, 2009. The winning school will receive an ice cream party at their next club meeting.
Ascension Parish National 4-H Week Calendar:
Monday, October 5th - Marquee Monday - Show your 4-H Pride by adding National 4-H Week to your school’s marquee sign.
Tuesday, October 6th - Make announcements over school’s PA system promoting 4-H. School officers attend Parish Officer Training Workshop at St. Amant Middle.
Wednesday, October 7th - 4-H National Youth Science Day - Complete National Youth 4-H Science Experiment on Biofuel. Visit http://www.4-h.org/NYSD/ for more information.
Thursday, October 8th - LA 4-H Pizza Day with Papa John’s –Support Louisiana 4-H by eating lunch or supper at Papa John’s. 20% of your check will benefit LA 4-H. Obtain your coupons from www.lsuagcenter.com/4HPizzaDay.
Friday, October 9th - Green Friday - Show your 4-H Pride by wearing green.
Officer Training Workshops
If you were elected an officer at your 4H club meeting, it’s very important that you come to this workshop Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at the St. Amant Middle School Cafeteria (next to St. Amant Primary). It will start at 5:30 p.m. and finish at 6:30 p.m.
The following 4-H officers and/or auxiliary teams should attend: President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer; Club Reporter; CRD Reporter, Tech-Team.
Parents please have your child there about 15 minutes early to register. You are welcome to stay for the meeting. It is important that 4-H’er be picked up on time.
Our participants will get to conduct the National 4-H Science Experiment in Celebration of National 4-H Week. Each officer needs to bring 1 16-24 oz plastic bottle with lid.
FASHION FIRST
Members in grades 4th -6th are invited to attend the annual Ascension Parish Fashion Camp!
When: Friday October 23rd and Saturday October 24th
Location: Meeting Room on 1st Floor of 4-H Offices at Lamar Dixon
Times: Friday October 23rd 5:00 PM-8:30PM (Snacks Provided) Saturday October 24th 9:00 AM-1:00PM (Bring a Bagged Lunch)
Fee: $5.00 and once registered you will receive a minor supply list.
The 4-H fashion camp experience will provide opportunities for 4-H members to:
- develop leadership skills and build character
- build self-confidence and poise
- develop skills and enhance knowledge in clothing and other related programs
- develop good posture and grooming habits
- explore clothing, textiles, marketing, and merchandising careers.
Enrollment is limited so think quickly! Call the 4-H Office to sign-up 621-5799. To sign up contact the 4-H office by Wednesday October 1st.
For more information email Mrs. Jo Ann Hullum at hullum@etigers.net phone the 4-H office at 225-621-5799 or meail Kayla Haydel.
4-H Day with the TIGERS!
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. There will be a special 4-H presentation at halftime. 4-H members, their families and volunteers can purchase tickets for $25. However, there are only a limited number of tickets available for 4-H.
There will also be a large tailgate party in Parker Coliseum for 4-H members who plan to attend the game. Food, entertainment and many door prizes will be provided. Mike the Tiger, LSU Cheerleaders and LSU Golden Girls are schedule to make a special appearance.
If you would like to order tickets, please contact Jamie Templet by September 18th to receive ordering information by email or call 621-5799. GEAUX TIGERS!
Ascension 4-H’ers Win Big at 4-H University
Thirty one Ascension Parish 4-H members ages 13 and older attended 4-H University held on the LSU campus from June 17-20, 2009. These youth competed in contests, educational programs, assemblies, officer elections and dances. Ascension Parish had four state winners and brought home nineteen blue ribbons.
4-H University also provides opportunities for youth to be elected to serve in leadership roles on the state level. Brittany Babineaux was elected to serve as the State 4-H Secretary-Treasurer, Arielle Sutton was also elected to serve on the State 4-H Executive Board, Whitney Bell and Brittany Babineaux will be representing Ascension on the State Food and Fitness Board, Katie deVeer will be representing Ascension on the State Citizenship Board and Joy Semien will be representing Ascension on the State SET Board.
Five members of Ascension 4-H also won an all expense paid trip to National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, GA. This is one of the highest honors a 4-H member can achieve. Scott Braud, Brittany Babineaux, Katie deVeer, Arielle Sutton and Elaina Vercher will be representing Ascension Parish in November at National Congress. Congratulations to these members.
Contest Results: Scott Braud, Katie deVeer, Elaina Vercher - Consumer Foods Judging - 1st place, Brittany Babineaux - Nutrition Illustrated Talk - 1st place, Bryan Broussard and Arielle Sutton - Sports Broadcasting - 3rd place, Cody Lowery and Frankie Sotile III - Automotive Driving - 4th place, Joseph Babineaux and Ryan McDonald - Computer Simulation - Blue Ribbon, Allie Braud, Alley Castrogovannie and Ashley Earls - Consumer Foods Judging - Blue Ribbon, Shawn Fox - Dog Care - Blue Ribbon, Megan McDonald - Fashion Revue - Blue Ribbon, Adam Barrilleaux - Livestock Judging - Blue Ribbon, Whitney Bell and Kayla Magee - Solutions Unlimited - Blue Ribbon.
Also participating were Amber Reaves, Destiny Bourgeois, Jason Burns, James Vercher, Tyler Braud, Nicholas Murphy, Ronald Bourgeois, Jessica James, Brett Brown, Taylor Gentile, Leslie Decoteau and Lindsey Fryoux.
Ascension 4-H Members Earn Trip to National 4-H Shooting Sports Competition
Jacie Kennison and Jake Stoehr, Ascension Parish 4-H Shooting Sports members earned the trip to compete in the National 4-H Shooting Sports Competition hosted by Grand Island, Nebraska in June. These members won this state funded trip through their outstanding performance at the State 4-H Shooting Sports Competition. They represented Louisiana 4-H along with 29 participants from 20 parishes.
Jacie and Jake both competed in the air rifle competition, which was three days worth of challenging practices and competition. While in Nebraska, the Louisiana 4-H group was able to attend a College World Series Baseball game and watch the LSU Tigers fight for their National Championship. Congratulations to these outstanding members for their great accomplishment!
4-H Volunteers Make a World of Difference
Please contact the Ascension 4-H Office if you are interested in becoming a 4-H Volunteer. 4-H offers a wide variety of programs and volunteers make a difference in the lives of youth by serving in various capacities. There is always a need for volunteer roles at the local and state levels.
No special skills or talents are necessary to volunteer for 4-H, only a desire to work with youth. Start volunteering today and help with the positive development of Ascension Parish Youth! Check out the 4-H Volunteer Web site for volunteer resources and guides.
4-H CloverBuds
What are Cloverbuds? Cloverbuds is a program within 4-H that is uniquely designed for 3rd graders. It offers developmentally age appropriate, fun learning activities.
Who can join? Any 3rd grader in Ascension parish.
How much does it cost? Membership dues are $7.00 per member. This covers newsletters, notices, monthly project materials, and rewards.
When and where are the club meetings? Meetings will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Lamar-Dixon Center in Gonzales. Each meeting will last approximately 1 hour.
How do you join Cloverbuds? There will be an informational meeting at Lamar-Dixon on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 from 5:30 pm -6:30 pm. Come by and meet the Cloverbud leaders!
Livestock RoundUp
ATTENTION ALL POTENTIAL LIVESTOCK EXHIBITORS: If you are interested in showing livestock, contact Ms. Jamie at the 4-H Office ASAP! All market and commercial animals must be VALIDATED on the date below to be eligible to show in the 2010 Livestock Shows. The 4-H Office can assist you with locating and selecting 4-H projects.
ASCENSION LIVESTOCK CALENDAR:
October 25-November 6 - State Fair of Louisiana Livestock Show - Shreveport
November 5 - MANDATORY VALIDATION for Beef & Dairy Commercial Heifers, Market Lambs, Commercial Ewes, Market Goats & Commercial Does - 4:00-7:00 p.m. - Lamar Dixon Expo Center, Barn 7
November 7 - Possession date for Breeding Beef, Dairy, Goat & Sheep
November 9 - Ascension Jr. Livestock Assoc. Mandatory Membership Meeting - 6:30 p.m. Lamar Dixon Expo Center’s YMCA Gym
December 5 - MANDATORY VALIDATION for Market Swine 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Lamar Dixon Expo Center, Barn 7
December 5 - Possession date for Breeding Swine
December 11 - Livestock entry forms due to 4-H Office
January 8 - Poultry & Rabbit entry forms due to 4-H Office
January 21-23 - Parish Livestock Show - Lamar Dixon Expo Center
February 4-6 - District Livestock Show - Lamar Dixon Expo Center
February 13-20 - State Livestock Show - Lamar Dixon Expo Center
Louisiana 4-H Museum
The 4-H Museum is now open!!! Explore the rich history of Louisiana 4-H from a 1908 corn club for 300 rural boys to an informal educational program with a wide variety of projects, camp experiences and curriculum affecting more than 225,000 girls and boys in rural and metropolitan areas throughout Louisiana. For more information and museum hours visit the Museum Web site.
Fun Food & Fitness Facts
- Over half of tomato consumption in the US is in the form of ketchup and tomato sauce.
- Darker gteen lettuce leaves are more nutritious than lighter green leaves.
- The average American drinks 25 gallons of milk per year.
- Turkey is the country with the largest amount of chewing gum manufacturers with over 60 companies.
Exercise of the Month:
This month’s exercise is JUMP ROPING! Try jump roping 3 days per week for 15 minutes. This is a really fun exercise to try at home or at school.
Food & Fitness Trivia:
Find the answer to the monthly trivia question and email it to Trivia4H@yahoo.com by the end of September. The first five members from each school with the correct answer will receive a prize at the October club meeting.
What is the vitamin in carrots that give them their bright orange color and helps people to have good eyesight, especially at night?
Afterschool Snack of the Month:
Strawberry-Yogurt Smoothie
1/2 cup unsweetend pineapple juice
1(8 oz.) cup plain or strawberry low-fay yogurt
1(10 oz.) package frozen whole strawberries
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 banana
Chopped ice
Prep Time:
Pour juice in blender container. Add yogurt, frozen strawberries, sugar and banana. Ask an adult to break up the ice. Add about 3 cups chopped ice to the blender container.Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into glass.
*Special thanks to Whitney Bell, State Food & Fitness Board member for helping provide the above information!