01. Emotional Wellness Quote

"This is the year you will be stronger, braver, kinder, unstoppable. This year you will be Fierce"!

02. Dream Big Art Contest

Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed that one day Black and White people could live, work, and play together peacefully. He dreamed of a world where people wouldn't be judged, hurt, or treated unfairly because of the color of their skin. He wanted to see the world change in big ways - and he made sure the world knew about it through the words he said and the things he did!

Contest Rules:

• All art submissions must be submitted on any size of paper (8.5x11 or larger, including poster size)
• Art should be the original work of the 4-H members. Parents are encouraged to assist Cloverbud members.
• Be creative
• Art can include clip art, newspaper clippings, magazine clippings, or photos from the internet that would help convey the dream.
• Use the following questions to help guide you as you put your idea into the art form

Think, Talk and Dream Together:

• What would you like to see change in your community, country, or world?
• Is there a problem that needs to be fixed?
• Are there people who should be treated better?
• Who or what is important to you?
• What is your dream for the world?
• What can YOU do to make a difference, fix a problem, or help someone?
• What would it look like if everyone were kind to one another?
• What would it feel like if everyone had what they needed?
• What would be different if everyone was treated fairly and loved for who they are?

The deadline to submit all artwork to the 4-H Office is Friday, January. 13, 2023

Contest Rules and Regulations

03. National 4-H Conference Delegate

National 4-H Conference (April 14-19, 2023) is an opportunity for youth to have a voice in the future of Louisiana 4-H and learn how to advocate for community causes that they care about. It is the pinnacle experience in 4-H civic engagement, providing 4-H members the opportunity to connect with others and develop ideas to lead change that impacts communities across our nation and our world.

Program Rules and Requirements:

• Delegates must be either 10th or 11th graders in high school when they apply
• Delegates selected can only serve one (1) time for a one (1) year period.

Program Timeline

• Dec. 2022 - Online Application Opens -
• Jan. 13, 2023 - Deadline for Applications to be Submitted
• Feb. 2023 - Announcement of 2023 National 4-H Conference Delegates
• March-April 2023 - Planning and Orientation for National 4-H Conference
• April 14-19, 2023 - National 4-H Conference (Arlington, VA)
• May - Dec. 2023 - Conducting various educational and leadership programs

The deadline to submit your online application is Friday, January. 13, 2023.

National 4-H Conference Delegate Application

04. Celebrating Louisiana 4-H Food Commodities - 2023 4-H Commodity Ambassador Contest

4-H'ers consider participating in the Louisiana 4-H Commodity Ambassador Contest that will be held March 1, 2023, at the EVAC Megashelter in Alexandria, LA. This is a wonderful opportunity for youth to develop and demonstrate their leadership and communication skills; use sound nutritional knowledge when planning meals; acquire scientific knowledge, and improve their understanding of the economy, versatility, and nutritional value of Louisiana agriculture commodities and its relationship to human nutrition and health; and help youth develop skills in the preparation and use of Louisiana agriculture commodities and to acquire the ability to express

their ideas proficiently and efficiently through participation in projects, talks, discussions, demonstrations, and exhibits. The deadline to register for this event is Monday, January 30, 2023.

4-H Food Challenge Information

Interest Form

05. Beef Poster

Louisiana 4-H is hosting the 2022 Louisiana Beef Industry Council Beef Poster Contest. This contest encourages youth to learn more about the beef industry while promoting the beef industry, products, and nutrition.

This contest is open to all 4-H’ers, 4^th-12^th grades. Only “22x28” poster boards or digital submissions will be accepted for this contest. All posters must use the theme Beef: A Sustainable Choice and must be the 4-H members' original work using resources wisely.

Posters and digital designs should generate positive images and promotion of beef (not live cattle production) using the indicated theme. Posters should promote beef without projecting negative messages toward other agricultural commodities (chicken, pork, etc.).

Divisions:

• Division I: 4^th – 6^th grade
• Division II: 7^th – 9^th grade
• Division III: 10^th – 12^th grade
• Division Digital – Open division. All grades will compete together

The deadline to submit all posters is February 10, 2023

Official Rules

06. Draw-A-Dairy Billboard Contest

Louisiana 4-H is hosting the 2023 Draw-A-Dairy Billboard Contest. This contest encourages youth to learn more about milk and milk products and their importance to healthy bodies. Through creative and original thinking, participants will develop a visual form of marketing communication to convey thoughts and ideas.

Open to 4-H members in grades 4^th – 12^th; The youth will be placed within their respective divisions based on their grade level. Posters must be on a 22” x 28” regular poster board ONLY. No digital submission is allowed!

The deadline to submit your poster is February 10, 2023

Official Rules

07. Senior Honor Cords

Graduating seniors, apply to receive a 4-H Honor Cord that you can wear during your commencement! To receive an honor cord, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be an enrolled 4-H member and in good standing
• Must be a graduating senior
• Must have been enrolled in 4-H for at least 3 years of your high school career
• Must have participated in at least one state-sponsored 4-H program in the past 3 years or demonstrated exemplary parish-level program involvement.
• Must complete the online application by Friday, February 10, 2023.

Honor Cord Application

08. 2023 4-H Achievement Day

The 2023 St. John 4-H Achievement Day will take place Friday, March 17, 2023, at East St. John High School. All 4 H club members from across the parish will convene together for a fun-filled day of friendly competition and recognition. Only those 4-H members who have completed their enrollment in 4-H Online will be allowed to attend Achievement Day.

4-H Club Leaders must complete the Achievement Day Registration Form and submit it to the 4-H Office by Friday, February 24, 2023. Forms can be emailed, mailed, hand delivered to the 4-H Office or during your February club meeting.

09. Louisiana 4-H Mental Health Retreat

Calling all superheroes in training! Join the Louisiana 4-H Citizenship Board on a top-secret mission to conquer your inner villains. Journey through the valleys and mountains of feelings – the highs of joy, the lows of sadness, the raging rivers of anger, and much more.

This retreat is open to 4-H members in grades 6^th through 8^th and will take place Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in Port Allen, LA. The cost to attend is $10. If you are interested participating contact Mr. Xavier by February 24, 2023. Transportation will be provided but is limited and will be given on a first-come-first-serve basis.

10. 2023 4-H Related Scholarships

College can be expensive, and 4-H would like to assist youth involved in its program to continue their education. St. John 4-H has two (2) scholarships that can be awarded to a graduating senior, the Scott Truck & Tractor Scholarship and the Louisiana State 4-H Scholarship.

The Scott Foundation, over the past 32 years, has awarded scholarships in 75 parishes and counties in Louisiana and Arkansas. The Scott Truck & Tractor Scholarship can be awarded up to $500 depending on the number of applications submitted. 4-H offers a wide array of activities, and this scholarship can be awarded to any eligible 4-H member.

There are several scholarships within the Louisiana 4-H scholarship, but applicants need all signatures on the application, transcript of grades, copy of ACT/SAT scores and a letter of recommendation from the academic advisor on school letterhead.

The deadline to submit your applications to the 4-H Office is Friday, Feb. 24, 2023.

4-H Scholarships

11. Louisiana 4-H Food Challenge

The Louisiana 4-H Food Challenge competition which challenges teams of 4-H members to create a dish using only a key ingredient and access to a “grocery store” of other ingredients. From the ingredients, team members are challenged to create a healthy dish while practicing proper food safety, food preparation, and communication skills. Following the dish preparation, teams then present to a panel of judges who will further test their culinary and nutrition knowledge with a question-and-answer segment.

Stater Contest Date & Location:

Wednesday, April 25, 2023 – State Evacuation Shelter, Alexandria, LA

Age Divisions:

• Division 1: 4th-6th graders
• Division 2: 7th-8th graders
• Division 3: 9th-12th graders

Contest Eligibility:

• St. John Parish 4-H is permitted to enter TWO (2) TEAMS PER DIVISION
• Must be an enrolled 4-H member
• Each team must consist of 3-4 members

Official Rules

Interest Form

12. 4-H Camp Counselors & Adult Volunteers Interest

Camp Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center has seen thousands of individuals for over 100 years at 4-H Summer Camp. As we begin the recruiting process for camp this summer, we need individuals to attend camp as Camp Counselors and Adult Volunteers.

Camp Counselors are those who are in grades 9^th-12^th, and serve a role models and assist with camp activities while at 4-H Camp. Adult Volunteers are those who are 18 years of age and older (NOT currently enrolled as a 4‑H member) and serve as chaperones and assist with camp activities while at camp.

If you are interested in serving as either a camp counselor or adult volunteer, please complete the interest form.