01. Congratulations

Join us in congratulating Kori Williams (STEM), Courtlynn Washington (RA), and Andreanna Holland (WSJH) on being selected to represent St. John Parish at this summer’s True Leaders in Equity Institute in Washington, D.C.

02. 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 2, 2024.

Senior Honor Cord Application

03. St. John Parish 4-H Food Challenge

The St. John Parish 4-H Food Challenge competition is a preliminary qualifying event that will challenge 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.

PARISH CONTEST DATE & LOCATION:

Saturday, March 16, 2024 – East St. John Prep

AGE DIVISIONS:

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

CONTEST ELIGIBILITY:

• Schools are allowed to enter one (1) team per division.
• Must be an enrolled 4-H member.
• Each team must consist of 3-4 members.

ADVANCING TO THE STATE 4-H FOOD CHALLENGE CONTEST

Each parish is only allowed to enter two (2) teams per division for the state contest; therefore, the 1^st and 2^nd place teams in each division will be offered to compete at the state competition. An alternate list will be formed in case the mentioned teams do not wish to compete. The state competition will be on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at the State Evacuation Center, Alexandria, LA.

The deadline for club leaders to submit registration for this event is Friday, February 2, 2024

04. Beef Poster Contest

Louisiana 4-H is hosting the 2024 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 Bit into Beef and must be the 4-H members' original work using resources wisely.

Posters and digital designs should generate positive images and promote 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

Deadline to submit all poster is February 9, 2024

Beef Poster Contest Info

05. Draw-A-Dairy Billboard Contest

Louisiana 4-H is hosting the 2024 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, youth will be placed within their respective division based on their grade level. Posters must be on a 22” x 28” regular poster board ONLY, no digital submission allowed!

The deadline to submit your poster is February 10, 2023

Contest Info

06. 2024 4-H Scholarships

College can be expensive, and 4-H would like to assist youth involved in its program to continue their education. The 2024 4-H Scholarship application is now available for graduating seniors to complete. All scholarships are under ONE (1) application; make sure you indicate on the application which scholarships you would like to apply for (select all that apply).

The deadline to submit a scholarship application is Friday, February 23, 2024.

Scholarship Info

07. Golden Clover Award

Are you 14 years old or younger as of January 1, 2023? Consider applying for the 4-H Golden Clover Award! 4-H members who apply must have at least two (2) years of 4-H Club work, including this year, and score at least 250 points on the application scorecard. 4-H members can only win this award once.

The deadline to submit your application to the 4-H Office is Feb. 23, 2024

Award Information

08. Emerald Achievement Award

Are you 15 years old or older as of January 1, 2023? Consider applying for the 4-H Emerald Achievement Award! 4-H members who apply must have at least three (3) years of 4-H Club work, including this year, have completed one (1) year of active Jr. Leader work, excluded this year, and scored at least 360 points on the application scorecard. 4-H members can only win this award once.

The deadline to submit your application to the 4-H Office is Mar. 3, 2023

Award Information

09. 2024 4-H Summer Camp Registration

The time has come to begin registering for 4-H Summer Camp. The camp will be held June 3-6, 2024, and will take place at Camp Grant Walker in Pollock, LA. 4^th-6^th graders are eligible to attend. 4-H Camp is a ton of fun! Recreational activities include swimming, canoeing, volleyball, arts & crafts, and dancing. Also, campers will participate in one out of seven educational tracks that allow them to learn in a non-traditional environment. The cost for camp this summer is $150.00 per camper. This fee includes lodging, meals, transportation, a parish group picture, and a camp t-shirt. A payment schedule has been established to assist in paying for camp. Also, multiple opportunities are available for those who need financial assistance.

The deadline to submit your initial deposit of $75 and the camp registration form is March. 1, 2024.

Summer Camp Information

10. Want to be a Camp Counselor or Adult Volunteer at Camp?

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

If you want to serve as an adult volunteer, please complete the application using the button below

Camp Counselor & Adult Volunteer Registration

11. Set Sail - Presented by the Louisiana 4-H Citizenship Board

The Louisiana 4-H Citizenship Board invites 6th- 8^th grade 4-H’ers to sail through the troubled waters of hunger and poverty. Participants will work together to rebuild their boats as they journey across the sea and explore aspects of hunger and poverty and the impacts it can have on them and their peers. It will surely be an adventure, so join them on March 25, 2024, at the 4-H Mini Farm (LSU Campus). The cost to participate is $10, and participants will be responsible for their transportation to the event. The deadline to register is March 1, 2023. To register, email 4-H Agent at Xbell@agcenter.lsu.edu.

12. Project Books

All 4-H Project Books and Guides are due to the 4-H Office by your February club meeting date or March 4, 2024. Please note that this is not the 4 H Record Book. Those who complete the book or guide will be recognized at Achievement Day.

13. Pop Tab & Aluminum Can Drive

Help raise money for the Ronald McDonald House of South Louisiana in New Orleans by donating pop tabs and empty aluminum cans. The drive will help provide a home away from home for families of critically ill children. All tabs and cans will be picked up on Monday, March 11. Participating will count towards the Service Award presented during 4-H Achievement Day.

14. Spring Cookery Contest

Calling all inspired chefs! Participate in the Spring Cookery Contest. This contest will feature Beef, Egg, Louisiana Commodities, Seafood, and Wild Game. This contest will take place on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. All dishes can either be brought to the child's school for pickup by the 4‑H agent or dropped off at the St. John parish 4-H office (151 E. 3rd St., Edgard, LA).

This contest is open to both 4-H members and Cloverbud members. Members must follow the following rules, or they will be disqualified.

1. Members can only submit one dish per category.
2. Non-edible items are not to be presented as part of your dish or as garnish. Only edible items can be used as garnish.
3. Limit dishes submitted to three (3) serving sizes ONLY.

Commodities and Categories

• Beef – Ground Beef
• Beef – Any Other Beef Cuts
• Egg – Appetizer/Side Dish
• Egg – Main Dish/Salad
• Egg - Dessert
• Louisiana Commodities – Pecan
• Louisiana Commodities – Rice
• Louisiana Commodities – Sweet Potato
• Seafood – Crab
• Seafood – Crawfish
• Seafood – Shrimp
• Seafood – Other LA Seafood
• Wild Game – Deer
• Wild Game – Fowl
• Wild Game – Other Game

The deadline to submit your registration is Mar. 15, 2024.

Spring Cookery Contest Information

15. 4-H Gardening Contest

4-H’ers put your gardening tools to the test and participate in the 4-H Gardening Contest. This is a fun opportunity to grow your own produce and learn about the process.

Rules

1. Garden must be worked primarily by 4-H members. Adults may assist with spading, rototilling, and control for insects and disease problems.
2. Gardens may be individual plots or be connected to a family garden. If connected to a family plot, rows must be marked off (stakes, string, etc.) and maintained by the 4-H member.
3. Each garden MUST have the following four (4) vegetables planted in them: tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and beans
4. Gardens may be flat, raised, or container-grown. Gardens with rows should have at least 2 rows that are 4-8 feet long each.

Judging will take place in late May/early June. The deadline to register for this contest is Friday, Mar. 15, 2024.

Gardening Contest Information

16. Channel Your Leadership: 2024 4-H University

Consider being a part of the St. John 4-H delegation at this year’s 4-H University on LSU Campus! 8^th through 12^th grade 4-H members are eligible to attend. With 35 contests to compete in or participate in Clover College, there is something you for. It is now time to register to participate in this event. 4-H University will take place June 18 – 21, 2024.

The cost to participate is $100, which includes registration, housing, transportation, and an event t-shirt. Participants will be responsible for purchasing their meals. If multiple youth within a household attend camp, the registration cost is $50/per additional child. The child must be within the same family account in 4-H Online and must complete a registration form.

The deadline to submit your initial deposit of $50 and the registration form is April 12, 2024. All outstanding balances must be paid by May 31, 2024, to participate.

4-H University Information