01. Happy National 4-H Week

National 4-H Week, October 6 – 12, 2024, is a week where 4-H Clubs across the country can showcase the incredible experiences that 4-H offers young people and highlight the remarkable 4-H youth in our community who work each day to impact those around them positively. We all love 4-H for various reasons; during the week, let us know why we love 4-H.

Wear Green Day will be celebrated on Friday, Oct. 11. We encourage everyone to wear green to show their love and support for 4-H.

02. Southeast Region Challenge Camp

What can you do next after attending 4-H Summer Camp? Well, the answer is to attend the Southeast Region Challenge Camp! This overnight camping opportunity is open to 7^th and 8^th-grade 4-H members. Participants will complete various challenges during this camp, enhancing their critical thinking and communication skills.

The 2024 Southeast Region 4-H Challenge Camp will be held Monday, October 28 – Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at the Lion King Retreat Center in Amite, LA. The participation cost is $40, which covers lodging, meals, shirts, and transportation. Space is limited; therefore, spots will be given on a first-come-first-serve basis. The deadline to register for this event is Friday, October 4, 2024.

Challenge Camp Registration

03. Bare Necessities Youth Series

Bare Necessities is an introductory workshop series open to youth in St. John Parish in grades 3 - 6 conducted by both the St. John Parish 4-H Program and the St. John Parish Library. This program has been designed to allow youth to learn basic important life skills.

What are the Dates?

• October 10 - Introduction to Sewing
• November 7 – Cooking 101
• January 9
• February 13
• April 10

Topics will be added once presenters have been secured.

Where and What Time are Sessions Taking Place?

All sessions will take place at the Leroy D. Williams Memorial Library - Reserve Branch from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

How Much does it Cost & Where to Sign Up?

This program is FREE! Families will have to sign up for each session.

Registration Information

04. Sister 2 Sister: Mentoring Program

St. John Parish 4-H is pleased to introduce a new program called Sister 2 Sister! The program's goal is to guide young ladies in navigating life through social events, mentor/mentee gatherings, life skills and person development lessons and networking opportunities.

The program will pair mentees (youth in grades 6th-9th) with mentors (youth in grades 10th-12th) and provide workshops and events throughout the program year for both to grow. This program is FREE and open to all females in the above grade levels. If you would like to be a mentor, mentee, or adult volunteer complete the online application using the button below by October 1, 2024

05. Fall Cookery Contest & Pumpkin Paint Workshop

Calling all inspired chefs! Participate in the Fall Cookery Contest. This contest will feature Louisiana Commodities, Poultry & Sugar. The Cookery Contest will take place at the Leroy D. Williams Memorial Library – Reserve Branch. Dishes can be dropped off between 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 15, as judging will begin at 5:30 p.m.

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

• Members can only submit one dish per category.
• Dishes must be transported on ice and in an ice chest to the contest.
• Non-edible items are not to be presented as part of the dishes or as a garnish. Only edible items can be used as a garnish.

Commodities and Categories

• Louisiana Commodities – Pecan
• Louisiana Commodities – Rice
• Louisiana Commodities – Sweet Potato
• Poultry – Chicken
• Poultry - Turkey
• Sugar – Cakes
• Sugar – Candy/Others
• Sugar – Cookies
• Sugar – Pies

The deadline to register for this contest to ensure prizes have been ordered is Friday, October 4, 2024.

Registration Information

06. Pumpkin Decorating Contest

4-H’ers gather your paintbrushes and participate in the St. John 4-H Pumpkin Decorating Contest. This contest is open to all registered 4-H and Cloverbud members. Members can only submit one (1) pumpkin. NO CARVED PUMPKINS ALLOWED!

Each school/4-H Club will have a 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place winner. All pumpkins will be judged during their October Club Meeting.

Contest Information

07. Spark Action Change Summit

Louisiana 4-H is excited to announce the inaugural Spark ▪ Action ▪ Change |Summit, an immersive 3-day event designed to engage and inspire 7th and 8th-grade 4-H youth interested in government relations, volunteering/service, and personal development.

This summit aims to provide a dynamic and interactive learning environment where participants can deepen their understanding of civic engagement, refine their leadership skills, and develop a strong sense of social responsibility. Through hands-on educational workshops, engaging tours, and collaborative service projects, youth can explore critical aspects of civic education, public service, and personal growth.

Eligible Participants: 7th and 8th Graders

When: February 20-22, 2025

Where: Lod Cook Conference Center, LSU Baton Rouge

Cost: $75 (includes lodging, meals, educational experiences & conference swag).

Deadline to Register: October 23, 2024

Registration Information

08. Fall Commodity Sale

We are now accepting orders for our Fall Commodity Sale. All pecans and sweet potatoes sold are Louisiana-grown and can be great gifts during the holiday season or a great addition to your holiday meals. Your support during this fundraiser is much appreciated, as it provides support for the 4-H Jr. Leadership Club.

The deadline to place orders is November 11, 2024, with a pickup date of November 15, 2024.

Order Forms

09. November Club Challenge

Join us in collecting items that will be donated to the St. Joan Ministry of Care as part of their Thanksgiving Food Drive. They have asked for specific non-perishable items that you can find below. All items will be picked up on November 8.

ITEMS TO COLLECT

Participation will count towards the Service Award presented during 4-H Achievement Day.

10. Veteran Cards

On November 11 of each year, the nation honors all living military veterans. Veterans are men and women who have served in any branch of the United States Military, such as the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force.

To honor the brave men and women who have fought for this country, the St. John Parish 4-H Program will ask 4-H members to write thank you cards to be delivered to the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home in Reserve. See below guidelines for cards:

• Open to all 4-H members and Cloverbud members
• No glitter can be used
• Cannot use larger than an 8.5x11 in. sheet of paper

All cards will be picked up at each school on Friday, Nov. 8

11. Bash on the Bayou

Bash on the Bayou, formally called 4-H Night with the Tigers, will be held Saturday, November 23, 2024. Join Louisiana 4‑H’ers, FFA members, and the LSU College of Agriculture as LSU takes on SEC opponent Vanderbilt Commodores. Kick off time is between 5pm-7pm.

Tickets for the game are $25 and can be purchased at the https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/LSU4H.

The tailgate party is $5 and will take place at the 4-H Mini Farm on LSU Campus. Registration will include a meal, ice cream, and plenty of opportunities to network with 4-H and FFA members from across the state. T-shirt sizes are limited and can be ordered through the registration site. Youth sizes are $12, adult sizes (S-XL) are $14, and sizes 2X and 3X are $16. To register visit https://fs8.formsite.com/laffa/oj9srzjojj/index

12. Get the Picture Contest

The Get the Picture Contest is a photography contest for all St. John Parish 4-H members. This contest aims to encourage 4-H members to use photography as a meaningful and expressive communication tool, develop life skills in communication and expressive arts, and provide 4-H members a platform to display their skills and passion for photography. Each month will feature a different theme. This month’s theme is Democracy/Patriotism. All pictures are due by November 8, 2024.

Contest Information

13. 4-H Monthly Trivia

Answer the trivia question by November 8, 2024, for a chance to win a prize.

What is the 4-H Slogan?

Visit https://forms.office.com/r/VQTpHJqQ1A

14. 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.

STATE CONTEST DATE & LOCATION:

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 – 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

Spots will be given on a first-come first-serve basis.

Registration Information

15. Holiday Wreath Decorating Contest

Spread holiday cheer and participate in the St. John the Baptist 4-H Holiday Wreath Decorating Contest.

RULES:

• Can be by an individual 4-H member or a group of 4-H members
• Wreaths must be made by 4-H members. BE CREATIVE
• Wreath size should be 12 to 20 inches
• Foam, garland rings, or wire frames may be used as foundations for the wreath. All other decorations must be natural, reused, recycled, or homemade
• NO pre-made wreaths are allowed. You may use pre-made base
• Fresh flowers, real berries, food, candy, glass or dangerous decorations should not be used on the wreath. Wreaths with these types of decorations will not be judged and will not be donated.
• Fresh green plant materials MAY be used. If these materials are not fresh and leaves are falling off stems, the wreath will not be judged.
• “4-H” and the four-leaf clover should be located on the front of the wreath. Wreaths will be judged on creativity, neatness in construction, and above guidelines.
• Include your name(s), school, & grade level on a card attached to the back of the wreath.

All wreaths will be donated to the following locations based on the theme of the wreath:

• Patriotism - Veterans Home
• All others - Local nursing homes

The deadline to submit your wreath is Friday, December 8, 2024

16. St. John the Baptist 4-H/FFA Livestock

The 2024-2025 show season is upon us! Are you interested in participating in the 2024-25 St. John 4-H and FFA Livestock Program? Check the important dates below, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr. Xavier.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

Nov. 11, 2024 – Validation for Commercial Beef, Dairy, Ewe & Doe, and Market Lamb & Goat due to 4-H Office

Nov. 11, 2024 – Possession date for Beef, Dairy, Goat, Sheep, & Exhibition Poultry

Nov. 18, 2024 – Possession date for Mini Cattle

Dec 2, 2024 – Validation for Commercial & Market Hogs due to 4-H Office

Dec 2, 2024 – Possession Dates for Breeding Swine

Jan 2025 – Broiler Chick Pick Up

Complete the interest form online today and stay updated with information by visiting our Livestock website.