What Is 4-H?
4-H is fun. It is learning. And it is making new friends and doing new things. Sometimes it's even going new places. The 4-H Club is the largest youth organization in the United States! Louisiana has more than 85,000 4-H members in more than 1,700 clubs. Beauregard Parish has more than 800 4-H’ers in 18 clubs. 4-H is conducted by the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service of the LSU AgCenter.
Who Can Join 4-H?
4-H is open to anyone. It's for rural and city boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 19. It's an educational program based on the principle of “learning by doing.”
Rather than merely reading about things, boys and girls actually do them. 4-H provides opportunities to develop such life skills as self-esteem, decision making, social interaction, practical knowledge, etc.
When Do You Join 4-H?
Complete a 4-H enrollment card each year. 4-H enrollment usually coincides with the beginning of school in Beauregard Parish through November club meetings.
Each club has an enrollment meeting in September that is open to everyone between the ages of 9 and 19. These enrollment meetings usually are announced in school. Each school club has a local 4-H leader who helps organize the club. Please contact this person in your school about 4-H.
If you do not go to a public or private school and you are home-schooled, you still may join 4-H. Just contact the 4-H office in Beauregard Parish at 337-463-7006. We can assist you in joining our Home Schooler Club.
What Is a 4-H Project?
Every 4-H member selects at least one 4-H project. “Completing a project” means doing everything the project book tells you to do. All new members in fourth and fifth grades choose a “Discovering 4-H” project book and may pick one more if they wish. Returning members may select one or two project books. If you have an animal, you can choose from the “Raising Animals” list. These special projects help you learn more about your pets or livestock.
What Do 4-H Members Do?
"Learning by Doing" is the 4-H Club slogan. 4-H members don't just read about things; they do them. They make things; they take part in club meetings. They learn interesting new things. They learn to follow, and they learn to lead. They do community service for their community and school. They learn to take responsibility in project work.
What Activities Can 4-H Members Do?
4-H members can choose the activities they do. Do you want to…visit interesting places, win awards, raise animals and plants, prepare food, use a computer, collect insects or learn to sew? 4-H members can choose to do these activities and many more. In Beauregard Parish you can do demonstrations, design posters, make exhibits and participate in animal shows. You may be interested in one of our clubs within 4-H. Below is a list of clubs you may want to join.
Beef Club: Learn how to select a potential show animal. Learn how to groom and show your animal at the Beauregard Fair and other shows; increase your beef handling and showmanship skills, as well as participate in fun learning activities.
Rabbit Club: Learn about various breeds of rabbits; how to show your rabbit at the Beauregard Fair and other shows; learn proper rabbit handling and grooming techniques; increase you knowledge on the rabbit industry; participate in fun learning activities.
Junior Master Gardener Club: NEW! This club is just starting, and it will be about gardening and helping others; increasing your knowledge on different varieties of plants and gardening techniques; learning about healthy living through growing the right variety of fruits and vegetables; participating in growing a garden and maintaining plants around the 4-H office and community garden.
Dramatic Arts Club (Puppets): Increase your knowledge on the art of acting and communications through acting, puppets and other performance arts. Learn skits and programs and perform with puppets at the Beauregard Fair, Beauregard Watermelon Festival and other events when the opportunity arises.
Shooting Sports Club: Learn the importance of proper firearm handling and safety; how to properly shoot shotguns, bb guns, and bows and arrows, black powder, hunting techniques and outdoor cookery. Participate in regular shooting sports activities and have the opportunity to represent Beauregard Parish at regional, state and possibly national competitions.