[Image: Leaders Newsletters]The Jeff Davis 4-H Leader Letters are published monthly throughout the school year. Each issue contains information about upcoming contests and activities as well as other educational materials.
Highlights from September Issue:
- Upcoming Activities and Dates - See attached file
- September Club Meeting Schedule - See attached file
- Selection of 4-H Officers
- How Does the 4-H Program Work?
- What is 4-H?
- Raffle Fundraiser
- Officer Training
- 4-H Enrollment News
- LSU Football Tickets
- 4-H Trivia
What is 4-H?
4-H is a dynamic nonformal educational program primarily for youth between the ages of nine and 19. While 4-H is co-curricular (which means clubs can meet during the school day), it is also an out-of-school program. In Louisiana, 4-H programs are administered through the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center and Southern University. On the national level, 4-H is administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program receives funding through federal, state and local
tax dollars.
Volunteers who serve as 4-H leaders are considered lay faculty of the LSU AgCenter and Southern University. Through the parish extension office, these volunteers have access to research and resulting curriculum developed to have the greatest positive impact on youth.
How Does the 4-H Program Work?
It’s often said, “It is better to develop a child than to mend an adult.” This, in a nutshell, is the main objective of the 4-H program.
In 4-H, volunteer leaders encourage youth to gain knowledge and learn through their project work and club activities. Members learn life skills like planning, decision making and resource management through their project work. Club meetings are learning laboratories where members develop social skills. Through clubs, members learn how to communicate and work with others, practice their leadership skills and develop strong character. Through community service activities, members learn how to be responsible citizens who contribute to their communities. Research tells us that youth involved in volunteer activities remain involved as adults. Members improve their communication skills through club interaction, 4-H recordkeeping and presentations. They also develop positive attitudes about themselves and others learn basic health and safety practices and acquire educational and vocational experiences. Each year members are challenged to set higher goals, to become more knowledgeable about their projects and assume greater leadership responsibility with the club and the parish 4-H program. All of this does not happen at once but develops gradually as members continue their involvement in 4-H with the guidance of volunteers like you!!
Raffle Fundraiser
The 2009 Jeff Davis raffle fundraiser will begin this year on September 23, 2009, at the 4-H Officer Training. 4-H clubs may pick up raffle tickets at the officer training, which will be held at Welsh Elementary School. If you need tickets delivered to you before this time, please don’t hesitate to call.
The prizes for this year’s raffle are:
1st place - $400
2nd place - $100
3rd place - $50
Remember to keep a record of students who sell 35 or more tickets. These students will be invited to a skate party at the end of the year. Sen[Image: Explore 4-H at www.4-HClubhouse.com.]ior 4-H members who sell 35 or more raffle tickets may attend 4-H University at a reduced rate. Please note unsold raffle tickets and all money from the sale of raffle ticket are due November 2, 2009, and must be returned to the 4-H office by that date.
Officer Training
Parliamentary procedures, what’s that! After a long and busy summer it’s time to brush up and hone in on our parliamentary procedures to help run your 4-H Club meetings. The training will help new and past club officers and leaders. The 4-H staff and junior leaders will be hosting this workshop. Leaders will be able to obtain useful materials to help plan a successful club year. In addition, leaders will learn what leaders do, how to recruit parents to aid you and tips about planning your club year.
Club leaders and their officers are welcome to attend officer training on September 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Welsh Elementary.
4-H Trivia
- A four-leaf clover with each leaf bearing the letter “H” was first used as a label for products canned by members of the clubs.
- The National 4-H Pledge and the National 4-H Motto were approved by state leaders in 1927.
- In 1908 the state fair gave first prize to a corn club member who produced 27.5 bushels of corn from ½ acre of land.
- The State Fair of Louisiana presented the products of the first pig club in America in 1916.
- In 1944 4-H members raised more than $3 million dollars in one week to “Buy a Liberty Ship” for the war.
- In 1940 the Louisiana Legislature appropriated $10,000 to finance five district and one state livestock show. The first one called the Spring Livestock Show was held in 1948. There were 546 animals at the show.
- The first beef calf club was organized in 1922 in Terrebonne Parish with Hereford calves.
- 84 countries have an organized 4-H program.
LSU Football Tickets
Annual 4-H Day with the Tigers game will be November 14 against Louisiana Tech. Game will be at 7 p.m. Since this is the LSU homecoming game, there should be lots of excitement for the 4-H participants. The tickets will be $25 this year. There will be 2,000 tickets available to 4-H across the state. There will be a tailgate program to enhance the 4-H and LSU AgCenter experience. You can order tickets beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, September 21. Please contact the 4-H Office at 337-824-1773 for ordering information.
Club Lessons
Do you know how to launch a rocket or about how technology and science work together.? This school year our lesson for elementary school 4-H'ers will focus on science, engineering and technology. Do you know how to balance a checkbook or how to properly manage your money? Our junior high and senior high lessons will focus on financial management.