2025 Louisiana 4-H Annual Report

2023-2024 Louisiana 4-H Impact Report

Louisiana 4-H operates in 2,120 schools and community locations, promoting agricultural literacy with its flagship event, AgMagic. Engaging tens of thousands annually, the 4-H Beyond Ready initiative focuses on personal growth, adaptability and confidence to prepare members for success.

In the heart of Louisiana's coastal wetlands, a unique overnight camp is thriving. Marsh Dawgs Camp offers high school 4-H members from St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes an immersive coastal environmental experience. Over four days and three nights, participants dive into educational activities that connect them with the fragile marsh ecosystems defining southeast Louisiana.

Louisiana youth celebrated their performances at the 4-H National Championships. See details and numbers related to the popular program.

Dr. Jennifer Windham, DVM, a proud 4-H alumna from West Baton Rouge Parish, earned her bachelor's degree in animal science and her doctorate from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. Now practicing at Full Circle Equine Services, she credits her 4-H experience with profoundly influencing her professional path.

For the 2024-2025 program year, Bossier Parish 4-H Junior Leaders in eighth through 12th grade are exploring a course entitled Adulting 101. These monthly lessons utilize businesses, volunteers and community partnerships to ensure that the youth are Beyond Ready for adulthood.

Youth-Driven Policy Change: Teens lead park cleanup initiative

At a police jury meeting in the fall, 4-H Junior Leader President Ulaila Martin and Healthy Young People Empowerment Club Vice President Dylan Lyons presented a proposal on behalf of their clubs. The goal? To adopt and maintain Kofi’s Park and Kendall’s Park through cleanup days, ensuring these community spaces stay clean, safe and welcoming for everyone.

Quilting for a Cause: 4-H combines service, STEM, creativity

Youth who participated in the Central Region Challenge Camp were encouraged to take part in a service-learning challenge connected to a quilt project. The goal of the project was to honor six veterans in the region through the Quilts of Valor program.

Right on the Money: Money and Mentorship Through LYFE-Sized PartnershipsThrough LYFE-Sized Partnerships

In the fall of 2024, Louisiana 4-H partnered with the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants (LCPA) and St. Tammany Parish Public Schools to teach the Living Your Financial Experience — or LYFE — Program to 300 agricultural students at Covington High School. The experiential learning series introduces foundational financial principles, including identifying needs versus wants, setting goals, banking essentials, cyber security practices, insurance options, budgeting, saving strategies and credit decisions.

Nurturing Their Roots: Gardening and Growth at Camp Grant Walker

Camping has been a fixture of the 4-H Youth Development Program since its beginning. In 1915, the first 4-H camp was organized in Virginia. Camping has been shown to improve decision-making skills, develop problem-solving abilities, increase respect for others, build confidence and self-esteem, and foster interpersonal communication and social skills.

Being a 4-H member shapes your identity, fostering lifelong friendships, resilience and invaluable skills and memories. Graduating high school doesn’t mean the end of 4-H involvement. For many members attending Louisiana State University, Collegiate 4-H offers an exciting opportunity to stay engaged. Collegiate 4-H is an extension of the traditional 4-H program, designed for young adults who want to continue their 4-H journey during college. It provides a platform to develop leadership, community service and professional skills while connecting with like-minded peers who share a passion for making a positive impact.

4-H Scholarships Propel Students Toward Success

In June, the Louisiana 4-H Foundation hosted its annual Scholarship Banquet at the Lod Cook Alumni Center. This cherished event is a time-honored tradition where senior 4-H members come together to celebrate their years of dedication and hard work. During the banquet, scholarships are awarded to students, enabling them to pursue higher education at universities, colleges and trade schools.

Leaning and Leading Through STEM Board

The Louisiana 4-H STEM Board, a leadership group for high schoolers within Louisiana 4-H, is dedicated to expanding STEM access and education. Through workshops, outreach programs and community partnerships, these young leaders bring hands-on STEM learning to students and communities that might otherwise lack access. Participating in STEM through 4-H nurtures critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills — abilities essential for addressing both local and global challenges.

4-H Wildlife Habitat Educational Program

The National 4-H Wildlife Habitat Educational Program (WHEP) is a dynamic initiative aimed at teaching youth the essentials of wildlife and fisheries science and management. This program emphasizes the importance of managing land, water and populations to support wildlife. The primary goal of Jr. WHEP is to establish a middle school program that engages young people with a keen interest in wildlife, wildlife habitats and conservation efforts.

Sewing Enthusiasm: Volunteers spark interest in fashion skills

4-H volunteers are the heart and soul of the organization, bringing their skills, passion and enthusiasm to inspire 4-H members. Through project clubs, dedicated individuals channel their passions into hands-on learning experiences. Whether it's gardening, robotics, animal care or public speaking, volunteers create environments where curiosity thrives and skills are developed. Both adult and teen volunteers mentor, guide and cheer on participants, transforming interests into lifelong skills. Dedicated 4-H volunteers cultivate a community where learning is fun, accessible and impactful for everyone involved.

Corteva and 4-H Empower the Next Generation of Pollinator Advocates

Louisiana 4-H is preparing the next generation of pollinator experts through the 4-H Pollinator Habitat Program, funded by a grant from Corteva Agriscience and supported by the National 4-H Council. Through national and grantee-driven learning experiences, teen leaders were taught how to plan, install and work together to sustain pollinator habitats. Youth learned about their community and the resources it takes to plan and launch a project, as well as biodiversity loss, the importance of pollinators for food security and how to become catalysts for change.