ADA Accommodation

Should you need an ADA accommodation to participate in Caldwell 4-H, please contact 4-H agent Jana Bennett at 318-649-2663.

4-H Pledge

I pledge my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty, my Hands to larger service, my Health to better living, for my club, my community, my country , and my world.

December Clubs of the Month

• 1st place Union Central Elementary School Grade 5 Pod 2
• 2nd place Old Bethel Christian Academy grades 7 to 12
• 3rd place Old Bethel Christian Academy grades 4 to 6
• 4th place Union Central Elementary School Grade 5 Pod 1
• 5th place Union Central Elementary School Grade 4 Pod 1

Leaf Identification Contest

Fifty members submitted leaf collections for this year's Leaf ID Contest. Entries were judged on number of leaves in collection, correct identification of leaves, adherence to contest rules, and neatness.

In the Fourth Grade category, first place winner was Chase Thompson, second place was Jase Rollins, third place was Brylon White, fourth place Emma Merchant, and fifth place Makayla Owens. Blue ribbons were awarded to Colt Demoss, Elizabeth Hatten, Adelyn Jones, Freddie Jones, Ava May, Jersey May, Emma Poole, Drake Richmond, Nolan Rushing, Noah Sanders. Red ribbons were awarded to Emma Dilley, Brantley Fitzgerald, June Medlin, Patrick Smith, and Maylee Street.

In the Fifth Grade category, first place winner was Abby Binkley, second place was Mabry Meredith, third place Ella Tarver, fourth place Ezra Dalleo, and fifth place Ty Primm. Blue ribbons were awarded to Carson Andrews, Mason Dunn, Tanner Fuller, Jase Hillestad, Nevaeh Rodgers, Ellie Williamson, and Aubree Whitten. Red ribbons were awarded to Avery Barnette, Jared Butcher, Saige Duke, Landry Evans, EJ Howard, Reagan May, Brady McCann, Devin Michaud, and Rumour Thrasher.

In the Sixth to Eighth Grade category, first place winner was Paislee Dunn, second place was Myra Meredith, and third place Lauren Barnhill. A Blue Ribbon was awarded to Tucker Richmond.

In the Ninth to Twelfth Grade category, first place winner was AnnaBeth Strickland, second place was Avery Dumas, third place was Chase McBroom. Blue ribbons were awarded to Blake Adams, and Ryleigh May.

Beef Poster Contest

Entries for the 4-H Beef Poster Contest are due by 4:00 p.m., Friday, January 17. Participants will learn about the beef industry, meat science, and nutrition while developing communication, organizational, marketing, and research skills. The 2025 theme is Beef - Very healthful, very delicious.

• Entries must be on poster board that is 22-inches by 28-inches and must include the participant's name, address, age, grade, and parish on the back upper right corner of the poster.
• Posters should generate positive images and promotion of beef (not live cattle production) using the indicated theme and should promote beef without projecting any negative messages towards other agricultural commodities such as chicken, pork, etc.
• Do not use copyrighted pictures, clip art, logos, cartoon characters, advertisements, or other materials. You can pull ideas from magazines, parents, friends, nutrition bulletins, Beef Ambassador Fact Sheets and meat publications as well as the American Meat Institute and National Livestock and Meat Board but the end concept should be original and not copied material.

Communication and Career Contest

• Contest will be held at 9:00 a.m., on Monday, January 27 at Union Central Elementary School.
• Please pre-register for this contest by calling the 4-H office, 318-649-2663, by 4:00 p.m., January 22.
• This contest will consist of demonstrations and career preparation interviews.
• A demonstration can be presented by an individual or a team of two contestants.
• Contest divisions are grades 4 and 5, grades 6 to 8, and grades 9 to 12.
• Demonstrations will have a time limit of 5 to 7 minutes. It must be at least 5 minutes, but no longer than 7 minutes. Points will be deducted for every minute over 7 minutes. Points will be deducted for demonstrations that are shorter than 5 minutes.
• Demonstration must be a method demonstration and can be on any subject.
• A method demonstration is showing how to do something while telling how to do it.
• The Career Preparation Interview divisions are grades 4 and 5, grades 6 to 8, and grades 9 to 12.
• Dress appropriately for a short interview with judges that will last 5 minutes or less.

Lego Building Competition

• Photo entries for the 2025 Lego Building Contest are due by 4:00 p.m., Friday, February 7.
• You may create your own design or build a themed Lego set.
• A Lego Building Competition Label , available at the 4-H office, with your Name, Grade, School, and a Description of Design along with a 4-Inch by 6-inch photograph of your creation will be submitted on February 7.
• You must be able to carry the design yourself and it must fit on a desktop.
• Members placing first, second, third, and fourth will exhibit their design projects at the Caldwell Parish Library.

Life Skills: Phone Etiquette

Cell phones are a normal part of our everyday life. More children have cell phones, and at an earlier age, than ever before. According to statistics, 32% of all 9-year-olds in the United States have a cell phone. That number increases to 91% for 14-year-olds and 97% for 17-year-olds. Teaching proper cell phone etiquette to young people has become more important throughout the years.

Healthy Living: Reduce Screen Time

Too much screen time - television, video games, phone, tablet - is associated with poor sleep, weight gain, lower grades in school, and poor mental health. Reducing screen time can help free time for other activities and improve sleep. Cutting back on screen time also limits cues to eat unhealthy food.

Upcoming Events

• January 17 Beef Poster Contest
• January 22 Communication and Career preregistration deadline
• January 27 Communication and Career Contest
• January 29 Northeast District Livestock Show
• February 7 Lego Building Contest
• February 21 Dairy Billboard Contest

Club Meeting Schedule

• January 31 Union Central Elementary School
• February 4 Old Bethel Christian Academy
• February 5 Caldwell Parish High School
• February 5 Junior Leader Club meeting
• February 7 Caldwell Parish Junior High School
• February 13 Homeschool Club

Membership and participation in activities and events are open to all citizens without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, veterans status, or disability. Louisiana 4-H is an educational program of the LSU AgCenter. The LSU AgCenter is an equal opportunity provider and employer.