1. Calendar of Events

September

• Club Meetings Start (Sep. 1)
• Virtual Fishing Contest Deadline (Sep. 7)
• Southeast Region Volunteer Training (Sep. 18)

October

• Virtual Pumpkin Decorating Contest (All month)
• National 4-H Week (Oct. 6–10)
• Livestock Town Hall (Oct. 7)
• State Forestry Contest (Oct. 16)
• Greater Baton Rouge State Fair (Oct. 23–Nov. 2)

November

• Validation/Possession Date for Livestock (Nov. 10)
• Challenge Camp (Nov. 11–12)
• Bash on the Bayou (Nov. 15)
• Possession date for Mini Cattle (Nov. 17)
• Thanksgiving – Office Closed (Nov. 27–28)

2. Enrolling in 4-H

The new 4-H year has begun, and it’s time to get your child enrolled!

Steps to Enroll:

1. Go to 4-H Online
2. Select: East Baton Rouge Parish
3. Complete the enrollment for each child
4. Pay your club dues ($20 yearly dues)

Use a current parent/guardian email for all important updates.

Only enrolled members can participate in:

• 4-H Camp
• 4-H University
• Challenge Camp
• Junior Leader Club
• Parish/State Contests

Volunteers must enroll each year.

Join early in the fall to avoid missing opportunities.

More Information on How to Join 4-H.

3. National 4-H Week: Beyond Ready – EBR 4-H is Unlimited

October 5–11, 2025

Monday, October 6 – Go Green Day!
Wear all things green to show your 4-H spirit!
Use hashtags: #4HBeyondReady & #National4HWeek

Display Contest:
Decorate a space using the “Beyond Ready” theme.
Submit photos by Oct. 7.
Judging: Oct. 8–12
Enter Contest

Displace Contest Information:

Celebrate National 4-H Week by decorating a bulletin board, wall, or lobby area that reflects this year’s theme: Beyond Ready - EBR 4-H is Unlimited! Submit a photo of your display by the deadline. Judges will evaluate entries, and the public can vote for the People’s Choice Award on our Facebook page. Photos must be uploaded or emailed by Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. Judging will be from Oct. 8-12.

4. EBR 4-H/FFA Livestock Town Hall

The East Baton Rouge Parish 4-H and FFA livestock community is invited to attend the upcoming Livestock Town Hall on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Zachary Library, Meeting Room 2 (1900 Church St., Zachary, LA 70791).

This meeting will provide an open forum for families to share input and help guide the future of the parish livestock program. All exhibitors and parents are encouraged to attend in person. Participants enrolled in 4-H Online who attend will be entered into a drawing for one of five free YQCA coupon codes.

Key Updates and Reminders

• DNA Validation Kits are available at the 4-H office. Kits will also be distributed at the Town Hall.
• Rabbit Rules have been updated and are posted on the LSU AgCenter website Families should review the latest version carefully.
• Enrollment Required: All exhibitors must be enrolled in 4-H Online for the 2025–2026 year. Parish FFA exhibitors will not be charged a fee.
• Stay Connected: Join the EBR Livestock GroupMe for quick reminders and updates.

2026 Livestock Show Dates

• EBR Parish Show – Saturday, January 24, 2026 (Location TBA)
• South Central District Show – January 28–31, 2026, Covington
• LSU AgCenter State Livestock Show – February 14–21, 2026, Lamar Dixon Expo Center

5. Livestock Program (2025–2026 Season)

Interested in EBR 4-H/FFA Livestock? Contact Ms. Olivia!

Important Dates:

• Nov. 10, 2025:
  • Validation due for: Commercial Beef, Dairy, Ewe & Doe, Market Lamb & Goat
  • Possession Date for: Beef, Dairy, Goat, Sheep, Exhibition Poultry
• Nov. 17, 2025: Mini Cattle Possession Date
• Dec. 1, 2025:
  • Validation due for: Commercial & Market Hogs
  • Possession Date for Breeding Swine
• Jan 2026: Broiler Chick Pick-Up

6. Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Deadline to Enter: Oct. 23, 2025

Winners Announced: Oct. 31 @ 6PM on EBR 4-H Facebook

Open to: All enrolled youth & adult volunteers

Age Divisions: Cloverbud (8 & under), Junior (9–11), Intermediate (12–14), Senior (15–HS), Adult

Categories: 4-H Spirit, Character, Halloween, Any Other Theme

Rules:

1. One entry per person per category
2. Must be original work
3. Keep it family-friendly (paint, decorate, or carve)
4. Submit photos by Oct. 23
   Submit Entry

7. Bash on the Bayou

GAME DAY UPDATE!

The kickoff time may have changed, but our 4-H & FFA spirit is still going strong!

No tailgating lunch this time—we’re switching it up with a Game Day Breakfast Bash!

• Sausage Biscuits
• Donuts
• Coffee, Milk, & Juice
• Plenty of game day spirit!

When: Saturday, Nov. 15

Time: Doors open at 8:00 AM and close one hour before kickoff.

Where: 4-H Mini Farm

Families interested in ordering game tickets will need a promo code. Please contact our office directly:

opicard@agcenter.lsu.edu | caderbes@agcenter.lsu.edu

Important Links

Bash on the Bayou Tailgate Tickets – $5/person (purchase by Nov. 7) https://fs8.formsite.com/laffa/oj9srzjojj/index

Tailgate Shirt Orders – $23 (order by Oct. 1) Louisiana State University College of Agriculture - Bash on the Bayou 2025

LSU vs. Arkansas Game Tickets – starting at $35 https://www.gofevo.com/event/4HFFA2025

8. Project Club: Fuel 4 Life – Healthy Living Club

Are you into fitness, curious about healthy cooking, or just looking to feel better every day? Fuel 4-Life is for you!

Ages 9–18, no experience needed

Learn about nutrition, get active, cook, and have fun!

Kick-Off Meeting:
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
5:00–7:00 PM
EBR Extension Office, 9050 Airline Hwy, Suite 120, Baton Rouge, LA

Contact: Eva Davis
edavis@agcenter.lsu.edu| 225-963-6340

9. 4-H Spotlight – Nominate Someone Amazing!

Nominate a youth or adult volunteer in East Baton Rouge Parish who has accomplished something awesome and deserves a shout-out for overcoming challenges or making a difference.

Recognized nominees will be featured in a Member/Volunteer Spotlight on social media and in the parish 4-H newsletter. You may submit more than one nomination, and self-nominations are welcome!

Nomination Form

NCH Corner – Nutrition Tips for Back-to-School

As we head back to school, it is important to focus not only on mental preparation, but also on physical wellness. Nutrition and physical activity both play major roles in keeping body and brain functioning at optimal levels. To give your body what it needs and to meet nutrient needs, include a variety of foods from each food group throughout the day. Be sure to include sources of whole grains, low fat dairy, lean protein, and colorful fruits and vegetables with meals and snacks. Some healthy grab-and-go options for snacks include:

• Cream cheese + whole wheat crackers
• Pretzels + nut butter
• Low fat Greek yogurt + berries
• Banana or orange + almonds
• Baby Carrots + sliced cucumber + hummus
• Sliced Apples + grapes + cheese
• Sliced Turkey + low-fat mozzarella
• Air-popped popcorn

This month, our Nutrition and Community Health (NCH) agents will be hosting educational and fun food demonstrations at select Rouses Supermarkets. These sessions will highlight transforming common ingredients into delicious, budget-friendly meals that can help promote health, reduce disease risk, and please your taste buds. For dates and times, contact your local Rouses Supermarket.

The LSU AgCenter offers a variety of resources to make your time in the kitchen easier and more enjoyable.

Find more at: LSU AgCenter Food Page

for Budget-friendly recipes Tips for building healthy meals Food Safety Step-by-step cooking videos Whether you're packing lunches or planning dinners, we’re here to help you nourish your lifestyle—and keep you within your budget!

Contact:
Vadel Shivers, PhD, RD, LDN, FAND
Assistant Extension Agent – Nutrition and Community Health (EFNEP)
Regional Coordinator – Southeast Region