WELCOME to 4-H!
Thank you for joining 4-H! We are so glad you are a part of the biggest youth club in the world.
You can have a lot of fun in 4-H if you put effort in it.
There are several ways for you to be active in 4-H. You can do things with your school club, in the parish, in the district and even at the state level. You can compete in contests, show livestock, do shooting sports, go to sporting events, be a club officer or on a club committee -- the sky is the limit to what you can do in 4-H.
Be sure to ask for help. Parents, guardians, grandparents and even brothers and sisters can help you a lot with 4-H activities. Also, be sure to ask your school club leader any questions you may have as well as your 4-H agents Ms. Laura or Ms. Hope.
We also have a Web site. It will help you to answer questions as well. Click here for the St. Marting parish Web site.
In 4-H you are able to choose a project book. You should work on the project book throughout the year and have it finished in March. If you finish the project book and finish a 4-H portfolio, you can attend 4-H Achievement Day in May, which is super fun!
Expectations from Ms. Laura and Ms. Hope of 4-H members
Participate/Take Part in Events, Activities and Contests
Make Friends
Help Plan Activities
Complete Project Book and Portfolio
Turn in completed Project Book and Portfolio at the end of the Year
Attend 4-H Achievement Day
Take part in service activities/projects
Have a good attitude during 4-H events!
Ask Questions if you are confused!
Ways to be involved in 4-H this year
- Attend Club Meetings
- Attend Parish Events such as Fall Fest, Fun Day, Cookery Contests, Chicken Queuing Contest, Achievement Day, 4-H Camp, etc.
- Run for an office
- Have FUN
- Learn new things
- Share with your friends and family what you are doing in 4-H
- Finish your project book/portfolio
- Collect Pop Tops for Ronald McDonald House
- Participate in Service Projects such as Toys For Tots, Food Drive, etc.
- Share your ideas with your club officers, club leader and 4-H agents
- Visit the 4-H Web site to play cool games
- Participate in livestock or the shooting sports program
- Never say "I Can’t," but always be willing to try new things in 4-H
Good luck this year!
Parents' Corner:
We NEED your help! Volunteer enrollment forms were attached to newsletters that were sent home at this month’s club meetings.
We are currently seeking volunteers in the following areas:
- Overnight Chaperones for camps
- Cooking Club Leader(s)
- Judges
- Cookery Coordinator
- Photography Club Leader(s)
- Shooting Sports Coaches
- Fishing Sports Coaches
- Office Helpers (answer phone, stuff envelopes, etc)
- Website Posting Specialist
To volunteer today contact Laura or Hope at 332-2181.
Name the Newsletter Contest
We are looking to re-name the monthly newsletter and we want YOUR help! Submit a 1- to 3-word name for the newsletter along with your name and club by September 30, 2009, to the 4-H office by mail or e-mail.
Name_________________________________________
Club/School____________________________________
Write the 1- to 3-word name in the space below:
Send form to:
114 Courthouse St., Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 or email information to: stmartin@agcenter.lsu.edu
4-H Day with the LSU Tigers-Football Game
November 14, 2009 @ LSU Tiger Stadium
Tickets: $25.00 each
Check with your leader for an order form or call the 4-H office at 332-2181.
Tickets will go on sale on September 22.
GEAUX LSU TIGERS!
COOKOFF -- Come Show Off Your Skills…..at the St. Martin Parish 4-H Livestock COOKOFF
WHEN: Saturday, September 26, 2009
WHERE: Henry Guidry Memorial Park in Henderson
ENTRY FEES: $25 per team (2-person team)
$10 per YOUTH team (2-person team)
Entry fee includes one door prize ticket for each member
Five Categories (Beef, Chicken, Pork, Rabbit or Goat/Sheep)
5 lb. minimum for adult teams 2½ lb. minimum for youth teams
Prepared however you choose
Cooking begins at 10 a.m. and judging begins at 3 p.m.
Event concludes at 6 p.m.
Live Auction, Disc Jockey & many door prizes!
Donna Latiolais @ 332-6080 or 257-6591
Damian LeBlanc @ 337-257-6256
4-H Office @ 332-2181
Livestock News
Students who are 9 years old prior to January 1, 2010, may participate in the livestock program. 4-H Members who plan to participate in the livestock program must select the appropriate project(s) on their enrollment card.
If you will be exhibiting a livestock animal for the first time this year, please contact the 4-H Office at 332-2181 immediately so you can be placed on our mailing lists in order to receive important information.
Exhibitors must also take possession of their animals by the dates listed below if they wish to participate in the parish, district and state livestock shows. Exhibitors of market and commercial animals must validate their animals according to the schedules listed below:
Validation Dates for Market & Commercial Sheep and Goats, Commercial Heifers and Commercial Dairy
Saturday, November 7, St. Martin Parish Livestock Barn @ BBHS (8 a.m. – Noon)
Validation Dates for Market Swine:
Friday, December 4, St. Martin Parish Livestock Barn @ BBHS (4 pm-8 pm)
Saturday, December 5, St. Martin Parish Livestock Barn @ BBHS (8 am—10 am)
Spring Livestock Show Possession Dates:
August 15, 2009 Market Steers
November 7, 2009 Beef, Dairy, Sheep and Goats
November 5, 2009 Exhibition birds
November 6, 2009 Deadline to order Broiler Chicks (possession takes place the 1st week of Jan.)
December 5, 2009 Swine
January 1, 2010 Rabbits (for parish show only)
April 1, 2010 Horses
Anyone not raising their animals on their property (home or farm) MUST contact the 4-H office
to request a possession hardship application.
Completed hardship forms must be completed and in the 4-H Office by the animal’s possession date. This rule is to insure that 4-H members are working with their projects.
Tentative Spring Livestock Show Dates:
St. Martin Parish Livestock Show (January 22-23, 2010)
Acadiana District Livestock Show (February 3-6, 2010)
LSU State Livestock Show in Gonzales (Feb. 13-20, 2010)
Shooting Sports News
Want to participate in Shooting Sports?
Students who are 9 years old prior to January 1, 2010, may participate in the shooting sports program. 4-H Members who plan to participate in the shooting sports program must select the outdoor skills/shooting sports project on their enrollment card. However, these project books will not be distributed until the first shooting sports workshop, which will be announced at a later date.
If you sign up for shooting sports, you will be contacted by mail about future workshops, trainings, practices and safety clinics.
Be Safe on the Net!
Most people who go online have mainly positive experiences. But, like anything there are some risks and annoyances.
You can get a lot of benefits from being online, but you can also be targets of crime and harassment in this as in any other environment. Respect other people's online rights. People on the Internet have rights just as they do in everyday life.
Visit www.netsmartzkids.org for some really cool games and activities on the Web!
Don’t Forget: Start collecting Pop Tops for the annual collection at your school!
Please start collecting the pull tabs for the annual pull tab collection contest.
Just to refresh, all of the proceeds of the recycled pull tabs go to the Ronald McDonald House in Memphis, Tenn. The program was started in the parish because a local St. Martin Parish child was receiving treatment at St. Jude, and the family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House during his treatment.
The mission of the Ronald McDonald House in Memphis is as follows: Ronald McDonald House is a “home-away-from-home” for families who are in Memphis while their child is receiving treatment for cancer or another catastrophic illness at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. All families stay completely free of charge.
For more information about Ronald McDonald charities you can visit their website at www.rmhmephis.org
This is a perfect opportunity to promote generosity amongst your club members by offering their hands to larger service. Make the collection more than a competition but a meaningful service experience by educating your club members about the mission of St. Jude and the Ronald McDonald House. The pull tabs are due March 29. The Jr. Leaders will weigh them in April.
Calendar of Events
For a complete list of all parish and 4-H events, visit our online calendar.
September:
7 Labor Day Holiday (4-H Office Closed)
13 Horse Workshop (Barn)
24-27 Sugarcane Festival (New Iberia)
26 Livestock Cook Off (Henderson Park)
27 Pooches in the Park (near St. Bernard School)
28 Enrollment Cards & Dues (due to 4-H Leader)
October:
4-10 National 4-H Week
6-7 Paint the School Green Spirit Days
7 National Youth Science Day
8 LA 4-H Pizza Night-Papa Johns - Click here for coupons.
9-10 Cattle Festival (Abbeville)
November:
5 Possession Date for exhibition birds
6 Broiler Orders due
7 Possession Date for all beef, sheep, goat, dairy
7 Livestock Validations (beef, sheep, goat, dairy)
14 Fall Fest Contest Day-more info to come!
21 Acadiana Area Rabbit Show (livestock barn)
26-27 Thanksgiving Holiday (4-H Office Closed)
December:
** Christmas Cookie & Ornament Contest (optional)
5 Possession date for swine
4-5 Swine Validation (Parish Barn @ BBHS)
24-1/1 Christmas Holiday (4-H Office Closed)
JR LEADER CLUB
The St. Martin Parish Jr. Leader Club is open to all St. Martin Parish 4-H members in the 7th-12th grade. To become a member you must turn in a membership form and a $12.00 membership fee which includes a t-shirt. The club is youth-driven with an emphasis on service, fellowship and leadership. They provide support at the parish level at all 4-H events and even plan a 4-H Fun Day each year.
The 1st meeting of the Jr. Leader Club will be on September 23, 2009, at the 4-H Office from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm. The MESS FEST will include teambuilding water and messy games along with ice breakers and orientations. Please wear clothing that can get dirty and bring a set of clothes to change into and a towel. Food will be provided. Bring your friends and come as we get to know one another and have fun!
2009-2010 Officer Team:
Kelli Cantu, Trey Thibodeaux, Zac Dupuis, Megan Conques, Robert Burkhardt, Jordan Guidry, Adele Richard, Taylor Serrette, Garrett Richard, Derriniqua Calais, Lyle Gallet and Kelsey Mason
4-H U Wrap-up
Thanks for all those who attended!
Jacob Albert*; Hayli Allemond; Ila Arcenaueax; Matthew Ashley; Jordan Belote; Chase Bijeaux*; Catherine Blanchard*;Matthew Blanchard; J Ryan Broussard; Robert Burkhardt*; Anissa Champagne*; Megan Conques; Jake Delahoussaye; Zac Dupuis; Andre Goodyear; Tobi Granger; Delaina Guidry; Jordan Guidry*; Jules N. Guidry; Rachael Guidry; Alicia Guttry; Joshua Latiolais; Zachary Latiolais; Lamar Louis*; Hannah Martin; Jessica McNabb; Cody Melancon*; Michelle Melancon**; Keiondra Mouton; Tevin Mouton*; Haley Newsome; Linda Nguyen; Kevin Noel; Courtney Poirier; Kobie Renard; Adele Richard; Megan Roberts*; Taylor Serrette; Megan Simon*; Linsey Stelly; Briea Sylvester; Kaleb Theriot; Chloe Thibodeaux*; Hannah Thibodeaux**; Morgan Thibodeaux; Sidny Thibodeaux; Trey Thibodeaux**
*Denotes Blue Ribbon Winner
**Denotes 1st Place Winner
National 4-H Week
October 4-10, 2009
Celebrate 4-H! Get ready to show your 4-H Spirit as we ask you to paint your school Green!