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The eighth annual 4-H Day at the Capitol brought together more than 2,500 4-H youth, parents and community volunteers with Louisiana legislators on the steps of the state Capitol to celebrate 4-H in Louisiana. The steps and grounds were blanketed in a sea of green and white for the traditional first Wednesday in June event.
This year Madison 4-H'ers experienced the legislature at work, sitting in the balcony of the Senate during a sessions and hearing their legislators take the floor to debate the hot topics of the day. Many legislators commented on the positive impact that 4-H youth development programs have in Louisiana. This event offers an opportunity for the 4-H program to receive convincing support from our legislative body.
The annual event also provides an opportunity to keep legislators informed of local 4-H program highlights and accomplishments through tokens of appreciation. This year Madison 4-H members presented their legislators with a green stuffed frog, a symbol for the “4-H – the Original Green” slogan, a classic novel promoting our Reading to the Heart literacy enrichment program, and assorted reading materials and talking points reflecting local program efforts. In addition, each 4-H member received a free 4-H commemorative T-shirt provided by the Louisiana 4-H Foundation, the Capitol Day event sponsor.
Following the rally on the Capitol steps, meetings with legislators and a peek at the Capitol building, the youth headed for the mall for lunch and an afternoon of shopping fun.
4-H is the youth development and outreach program of the nation’s Land-Grant University System, and it is operated in Louisiana through the LSU AgCenter. The 4-H program provides learning experiences and involvement in activities that teach young people the life skills and values they need to be better citizens and future leaders. For more information about the Louisiana 4-H youth development program, call 318-574-2465 or visit our Web site at: www.lsuagcenter.com.