[Image: 4-H News]Iberville Parish 4-H agent Ashly Pitre along with 4-H program assistant Kathy Jones are busy planning an array of exciting events for 4-H'ers of all ages. Stay updated on upcoming activities for the 2009-10 school year by downloading your copy of the monthly Clover Patch Newsletter.
September 2009
Welcome
We have an exciting year in store for you! We're very happy that you have decided to join the largest youth organization in the world. Are you ready for the fun? It's great to have all of you new members as well as returning members. Plan to take part in all of the workshops, camps, contests and other activities to really get the most out of your membership. Being involved is the key to enjoyment. Be part of the 4-H action!
4-H CLUB OFFICERS
All 4-H Clubs should elect a President, Secretary, Reporter, Treasurer and Community Service Chairman. If you are interested in serving as an officer, please contact your local club leader. All club officers should be selected by your October club meeting. Once officers have been selected, trainings will be held in late September. Check with your club leader for more information.
“CATCH PHRASE FOR CAMP” CONTEST
What’s a good theme for 4-H summer camp? Send in your most creative ideas for a slogan in 7 words or less. The winner will receive a $50 cash award. The deadline is Wednesday, October 24, 2009. You must submit your slogan with your name, age, parish, mailing address, and phone number to the 4-H office. Along with the phrase, a drawing needs to be submitted reflecting your slogan.
4-H JUNIOR LEADERS
4-H Jr. Leadership is available to those who are in grades 7-12 and who are enrolled, paid members of a school or large club. Becoming a 4-H Jr. Leader is a fun way to meet other teen 4-H’ers from across the parish while improving your leadership and citizenship skills. You might even find yourself on your way to our next trip destination. So come join the fun!
We have planned a Jr. Leader Social for Saturday, August 15, 2009 at the 4-H office. Our regular club meetings will kick off on September 8. Meetings are tentatively scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month. Please stay tuned for details.
4-H LIVESTOCK & PET PROJECT
Do you love animals? Do you have a little extra space in your yard or home? Are you looking for a project which is fun-filled, family oriented, and will give you the opportunity to meet other 4-H’ers from across the parish? If so, please consider the 4-H Livestock or Pet Project. You may choose to show rabbits, dogs, cats, poultry, goats, sheep, swine, or beef cattle. The 4-H agent can help you find an animal that is right for you and your family.
For more information about the 4-H Livestock Program, you may contact Ashly Pitre at the Iberville 4-H Office, (225) 687-5155.
4-H LIVESTOCK POSSESSION DEADLINES
The possession and validation deadline for purchasing steers, commercial heifers, market lambs, market goats, commercial ewes, and commercial goats is November 7, 2009. The possession and validation deadline for purchasing breeding and market swine (hogs) is December 5, 2009.
NATIONAL 4-H WEEK
October 4-10
SCHOOL DECORATING CONTEST
The theme is “Iberville 4-H – Keeping an Eye Out for Ag” (Ag Awareness). Schools have to register by calling the 4-H Office by Friday, September 25, 2009. School exhibits should be complete for judging by Monday, September 28, 2009, for judging on the next day. Three winners will be selected from all schools competing to receive a prize of $30.00 for their club treasury. The more creative the better!
4-H WEEK POSTER CONTEST
National 4-H Week Poster Contest theme: “Iberville 4-H – Keeping an Eye Out for Ag” (Ag Awareness). Posters are due to the 4-H office by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2009. Use regular size white poster.
CHECK OUT THESE 4-H WEBSITES
Click here for local 4-H and LSU AgCenter information. This website is updated frequently and will always have information on upcoming parish 4-H contests and activities. You might also want to check out our new state 4-H website on the LSU AgCenter website. It offers several links to other areas of 4-H that are great to check out! Our new calendar makes it easy for you to see parish and state wide events.
4-H INVITES PARENTS TO VOLUNTEER AS LEADERS
4-H is an organization that relies on individuals and parents who have free time to donate. We will hold a parish volunteer leader training on September 3, 2009, at the 4-H office. Anyone is welcome to attend and teachers are encouraged to attend. If your parent or grandparent or anyone you know is interested in volunteering their time at your 4-H meeting or helping 4-H agents with other activities, please have them contact the 4-H office at (225) 687-5155 or your local school club and speak to your leader.
TEEN 4-H’ERS MAKE IBERVILLE PROUD AT 95TH ANNUAL 4-H UNIVERSITY
Nineteen 4-H members from throughout Iberville Parish recently participated in 4-H University, the 95th annual state 4-H competition formerly known as "Short Course." The event was conducted by the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service of the LSU AgCenter. Over 1,200 youth from across the state competed in various contests and educational activities and were given the opportunity to live the college life for one week on the LSU Campus. Blue ribbon winners from Iberville Parish included: Lynzi Vaughn and Jessica Granier - Child Development; Brittany Persick, Lacey Blanchard and Amber Mitchell - Consumer Foods Judging; Ben Ramagos - Diesel Equipment Operations; and Kerry Jones - Fashion Review (Casual Wear). The entire Iberville staff would like to thank all parents, leaders, volunteers, and 4-H’ers for helping make this year’s 4-H University a success. Congratulations to all who participated!
MEMORIES FOR A LIFETIME: 4-H CAMP 2009
Fifty Iberville 4-H’ers, leaders, and counselors attended 4-H Camp Grant Walker in Pollock, Louisiana (near Alexandria) the week of July 27-31. Campers attended educational classes throughout the week covering topics including food, fitness, dramatic arts, Louisiana wetlands, outdoor skills, science, engineering and technology. Campers enjoyed the week participating in activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, sports, archery, hunter/firearm safety, line dancing, canoeing, team building, bicycling, and indoor games. 4-H’ers also participated in skits, Vespers, and cleanest cabin contests. The camp, which is sponsored by the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service of the LSU Agricultural Service, was attended by West Baton Rouge, Iberville, St. Charles, West Carroll, Desoto, Avoyelles and Acadia parish 4-H’ers. The 2009 group of Iberville 4-H campers were well-behaved and many were rewarded for their achievements. Many elementary schools from across the parish sent 4-H’ers including: East Iberville, Dorseyville, North Iberville, Crescent, and St. John. Iberville parish Junior Leaders who attended camp as counselors were Brennan Vaughn, Lynzi Vaughn, Jessica Granier, and Londyn Kolder. Iberville AgCenter employees who attended were Ms. Ashly Pitre, 4-H agent; Mrs. Kathy Jones, 4-H program assistant; and Mr. Jay Marshall, summer intern.
The camp theme “Fun for a week, memories for a lifetime!” was a perfect caption for 4-H Camp! Camp is one of the most valuable experiences a child can have. It’s a learning experience that helps boys and girls appreciate the outdoors, live together as a group, get along with others and appreciate people with different interests and backgrounds. 4-H is available to 4th-12th graders (ages 9-20) in all schools in Iberville parish. 4-H’ers in grades 4-6 who complete a full active year are eligible to attend Camp Grant Walker. If you or someone you know is interested in joining 4-H and representing Iberville Parish during this fun and educational filled week, tell them the new 4-H year begins in the fall shortly after classes resume for the 2009-2010 school year.
General Ag Statistics
- Today's average farm is 417 acres compared to 147 acres in 1900.
- Today's farmer feeds about 129 people in the United States and abroad. In 1960 that number was 25.8.
-
Forty-two percent of U.S. total land area is farmland.
-
U.S. farmers account for 42.7% of the world's soybean production and 34.4% of the world's corn production.
-
Almost 90% of U.S. farms are operated by individuals or family corporations.
-
More than 15% of the U.S. population is employed in farm or farm related jobs.
-
U.S. consumers spend roughly 9% of their income on food compared with 11% in the United Kingdom, 17% in Japan, 27% in South Africa and 53% in India.
-
Farmers and ranchers provide food and habitat for 75% of the nation's wildlife.
New Uses for Ag Products
-
Ethanol accounts for the largest industrial use of any commodity crop.
-
Resins from corn and soybeans are used in production of, for example, John Deere equipment panels.
-
Some crops are being bred specifically for use in pharmaceutical production.
-
Soybeans are used in the five major markets currently dependent on petroleum products: plastics, coatings and ink, adhesives, lubricants and solvents.
-
Corn is also used in place of certain petroleum-based products in industrial applications.
4-H PLEDGE
My Head to clearer thinking
My Heart to greater loyalty,
My Hands to larger service, and
My Health to better living,
for my Club, my Community, my Country, and my World.
4-H MOTTO
“To make the best better”
4-H SLOGAN
“Learn by doing”
Iberville Extension 4-H Staff
Ashly Pitre
Kathy Jones