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| Haley Sawyer, Missy Hennigan, Haley LaCaze, Ronnie Anderson, Dr. Mike Strain, Cady White, Katherine Bowen, Laura Brumbaugh and Senator Gerald Long |
How important is Agriculture to Natchitoches parish? On February 16, 2008 its importance was quite evident as hundreds gathered at the Natchitoches Events Center to learn why agriculture is the number one industry in the parish. Several vendors, antique tractors, Natchitoches parish Farm Bureau and the LSU AgCenter were all present for the event.
The LSU AgCenter not only had a booth and it’s Master Gardener club present, but the Natchitoches parish 4-H program kicked off its Louisiana 100th Birthday celebration during Ag Day. Along with children’s Ag activities, birthday games and a petting zoo, there was also an oldest record book and oldest 4-H photo contests.
The Children’s Activity Zone included games coordinated by 4-H members and 4-H parent volunteers. Activities included a Laser Shot computer hunting game, making an edible wetland, Ag Career matching
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| 4-H’ers on antique tractors during Ag Day from back are: Katherine Bowen, Gabby McDaniel, Justin Solomon, Zech Hennigan, Julia McManus, Haley LaCaze and Missy Hennigan |
game, Ag Farm Charm Necklace, Summertime Water Safety, Matching Game of Mother and Child Animals, Wetlands Information, Backyard Barnyard 4-H Trivia, Clover Toss Game, Forestry Information and a general 4-H Information. Children also took home an Ag Activity Booklet that focused on both Louisiana and Natchitoches Parish agriculture.
Along with the Ag activities, Natchitoches Parish 4-H celebrated Louisiana 4-H’s centennial with several activities. Birthday cake slices were offered to the guests at Ag Day. Natchitoches parish Farm Bureau sponsored two centennial contests. An oldest 4-H record book and oldest 4-H photo contests were held. There were several entries in each division but the “oldest” entries were Cliff Krouse’s 1951 record book submitted by Gayle Krouse of Natchitoches and a 1935 photo submitted by Orin Foster of Natchitoches. Each winner received a cash prize from the Natchitoches Parish Farm Bureau.
A special thing that happened during Ag Day came for several Natchitoches parish Jr. Leaders when they pre
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| Susan Mertens and MicKayla Burns working the Edible Wetlands booth at Ag Day. Children could create and edible wetland out of brownies, peanut butter, fruit roll up, suckers, teddy grahams and goldfish. The activity was used to show children what makes up a wetland. |
sented Dr. Mike Strain, newly elected commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry and Ronnie Anderson, Louisiana Farm Bureau President, with Louisiana 4-H Centennial Lapel Pins to wear during the event. Natchitoches Parish 4-H Jr. Leader President, Cady White along with Haley LaCaze, Haley Sawyer, Missy Hennigan and Katherine Bowen welcomed both men to Natchitoches and thanked them by presenting the label pins to them.
The Children’s Activity Zone and Centennial Celebration was a huge success with the help of over 30 4-H volunteers, youth and adults. Natchitoches Parish 4-H Agent said, “This event is very important to us because not only do we get to celebrate Louisiana 4-H’s 100th Birthday with the community, but we get the opportunity to educate children about agriculture. We were proud to be a part of such an educational event.”