[Image: 4-H Is Awesome]The LSU AgCenter's 4-H program in Concordia Parish is kicking off its membership drive in all parish schools beginning the first week of September. Youth can enroll in 4-H at any time during the year at the Concordia Parish 4-H office.
LSU AgCenter extension agents Joe P. Bairnsfather and Ada Palermo will provide the leadership for the Concordia Parish 4-H program with the support of numerous volunteers from throughout the parish.
The parish 4-H program consists of 19 clubs including elementary, junior high and high school clubs. 4-H agents meet with each club on a monthly basis. At each of the 4-H Club meetings, agents present educational programs that provide hands-on opportunities for the youth to “learn by doing.” The 4-H program focus area for this year is “Geaux Green.” Agents will be introducing 4-H'ers to various ways of doing so at club meetings, workshops and contest.
Each 4-H Club will have an elected slate of officers that will work closely with their 4-H Club leader to provide opportunities for all youth to be involved. Parents can keep updated on the parish 4-H program through reading their child’s monthly newsletter, “4-H Clover Blog," that each 4-H'er receives at the monthly club meeting. Parents/youth can also go to the Concordia parish Web site; http://www.cpsbla.us/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp and click on the 4-H Clover to secure parish 4-H information. In addition, the 4-H agents include a section in the newsletter on “LACharacter Lifestyles” which stresses good character through teaching our youth ethical and moral values that will help them to successfully meet life’s challenges.
4-H offers youth a variety of projects and activities in which young people can become involved. Project opportunities range from photography, computers, food and nutrition to forestry, insects and livestock. 4-H agents and leaders also work with youth to involve them in community service and service-learning projects to teach them to have a greater appreciation for their communities. Also, there are out-of-parish, overnight opportunities that include 4-H camp (for fourth- through sixth-graders), TEAM Camp (seventh/eighth), LOST Camp (seventh/eighth) and 4-H University (eighth-12th).
Want to get involved? Contact the parish 4-H office at 318-336-7084. The Concordia Parish 4-H Club program is open to all youth in the fourth through 12th grades.