01. 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” for 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.

Regional Contest Date & Location:

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 – 4-H Mini Farm (LSU Campus – Baton Rouge)

Age Divisions:

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

Contest Eligibility:

• Each team must consist of 3-4 members.

Last day to sign up is January 30, 2026

02. 4-H Trivia

Answer the trivia question by January 31, 2026, for a chance to win a prize.

Which of these is a benefit of setting 4-H project goals?

Visit January 4-H Trivia.

Answer the trivia question by February 28, 2026, for a chance to win a prize.

What leadership role might a 4-H member hold in their club?

Visit February 4-H Trivia.

03. Junior Leadership Conference

Calling all 4-H members 14 and older, represent St. John Parish at this year's Louisiana 4-H Junior Leadership Conference (JLC)! Youth voice is a significant component of the 4-H program, where youth can express themselves openly to become actively involved in their growth.

This state-wide leadership conference is planned and executed by the Louisiana 4-H Executive Board and allows you to enhance your leadership skills while meeting other 4-H’ers from across the state.

The cost to attend is $60, and the deadline to register is February 4, 2026. To access an order form, visit https://www.lsuagcenter.com/portals/our_offices/pa...

04. 4-H Snap & Share Contest

The 4-H Snap & Share Contest, formally called Get the Picture Contest is a photography contest for all St. John Parish 4-H members. This contest aims to:

• Encourage creative expression
• Develop communication skills
• Promote artistic growth
• Celebrate youth perspectives, and
• Build confidence.

Each month will feature a different theme. The February theme is Building Connections. Capture the essence of relationships and connections between people, animals, or event objects. This could be friendships, family bonds, or community ties. All pictures are due by February 13, 2026.

The March theme is Inspiring Change Documents efforts to create positive change in the community or the environment. This could include volunteer work, environmental conservation or social justice initiatives. All pictures are due by March 13, 2026.

05. Beef Poster Contest

Louisiana 4-H is hosting the 2026 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 graders. Only “22x28” poster boards or digital submissions will be accepted for this contest. All posters must use the theme Raising the Steaks and must be the 4-H members' original work using resources wisely.

Posters 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

The deadline to submit all posters is February 13, 2025

06. Senior Success Hub

Graduating seniors, we have made it easier for you to access everything you need in one please! The 4-H Senior Success Hub is your go-to spot for the 4-H scholarship information, honor cord application, and senior spotlight form. 4-H Scholarships and Honor Cord applications are due February 13, 2026, and the Senior Spotlight form is due March 1, 2026.

To access the hub, visit https://www.lsuagcenter.com/articles/page167293779...

07. Dairy Billboard Contest

Louisiana 4-H is hosting the 2026 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 13, 2026

For more contest rules visit https://www.lsuagcenter.com/articles/page167030005...

08. Community Service Award

In 4-H, we pledge our hands to larger service. 4-H members make contributions to their communities in many ways. This year, St. John 4-H will award one (1) 4-H member with the 4-H Community Service Award. To be considered for this award, youth must complete the award application and submit it by Feb. 13, 2026. To access the application, visit https://lsuagcenter.com/portals/our_offices/parish...

09. Golden Clover Award

Are you 14 years old or younger as of January 1, 2026? 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. 13, 2026

10. Emerald Achievement Award

Are you 15 years old or older as of January 1, 2026? 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 February 13, 2026

11. Outstanding Club Leader Award

4-H Club Leaders are the backbone of a 4-H Program! They serve as liaisons between the Parish 4-H office and their respective schools and contribute countless hours to making a child’s 4-H experience memorable. The St. John 4-H Program is grateful to have the dedicated educators that serve in this capacity. This year, we are introducing the Outstanding 4-H Club Leader Award and asking the public – 4-H members, 4-H Alumni, Parent/Guardians, Volunteers/Support, etc., to nominate a school 4-H Club Leader for this award that will be given out during 4-H Achievement Day. All nominations must be submitted online by Friday, February 13, 2026.

You can access the nomination at Junior Leadership Conference.

12. St. John 4-H Alumni Award

The 4-H Alumni Award is designed to honor individuals who were 4-H members as youth for their outstanding career accomplishments and leadership in civic, community, and professional activities. All nominations must be completed using this online form by Friday, February 13, 2026. A committee will review all nominations, and up to two (2) recipients will be selected. Award winners will be notified of their selection, and winners will be recognized during 4-H Achievement Day, which will be held on March 20, 2026, at West St. John High. An individual can only receive this award once. You can access the nomination at https://lsuagcenter.com/portals/our_offices/parish...

13. Esports Sign Up Open

Do you love gaming? Join the 4-H ESports crew and turn your skills into something amazing! Compete, make friends, and learn teamwork, strategy, and leadership—all while having a blast. Sign up today and get ready to play, learn, and win!

Esports is for all 4^th – 12^th grade 4-H members and offers up to three (3) game titles to play. The Regional Tournament will be held April 18, 2026, at the 4-H Mini Farm on LSU Campus in Baton Rouge.

14. Marsh Maneuvers

Do you have an interest in being immersed in the Louisiana marsh where you will learn about coastal ecology, take an airboat ride, go crabbing, and more? Consider participating in one of the best 4-H experiences Louisiana has to offer, Marsh Maneuvers! This five-day overnight camping experience is open to youth who are in grades 9-12 during the 2025-26 school year There are four (4) weeks to choose from. Complete the online form to select your week of choice by March 2, 2026. The cost of the camp is $75 For more information visit https://www.lsuagcenter.com/articles/page176770925...

15. Edible Book Contest

Get ready to mix creativity with delicious fun! In celebration of National Library Week, St. John Parish 4-H and St. John Parish Libraries are hosting the 2026 Edible Book Contest. All youth in grades K-12 are invited to create an edible masterpiece inspired by their favorite book, anything from a decorated cake that looks like a book cover to a funny food-based scene from a story.

Entries must be dropped off Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Leroy D. Williams Memorial Library (Reserve Branch) between 5:00 p.m. -5:30 p.m.

Awards include Best in Show, Funniest/Punniest, People’s Choice and one special theme award: Find Your Joy Award

16. 2026 4-H Summer Camp Registration

The time has come to begin registering for 4-H Summer Camp. The camp will be held May 23 – 28, 2026, 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 31, 2026.

For more information, visit https://lsuagcenter.com/portals/our_offices/parish...

17. Camp Counselor & Adult Volunteers Needed for 4-H Summer 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.

18. 2026 4-H LOST Camp Registration

Are you looking for a way to experience summer camp at Camp Grant Walker but aren’t in grades 4th–6th? L.O.S.T. (Louisiana Outdoor Science & Technology) Camp is for you!

This specialty camp is open to 4‑H members in 7th and 8th grade during the 2025–2026 school year and will take place Thursday, July 30, 2026, through Sunday, August 2, 2026. During L.O.S.T. Camp, campers will participate in two hands‑on educational tracks. Options include SeaPerch, Drones, Video Production, Outdoor Skills, Healthy Living and more—offering youth an exciting opportunity to explore STEM topics, build leadership skills, and enjoy outdoor learning in a fun camp environment.

The cost to attend camp this summer is $150.00 per camper. This fee includes lodging, meals, transportation, and a camp T‑shirt.

The deadline for submitting your initial deposit of $75 and the camp registration form is April 1, 2026.

For more information, visit https://www.lsuagcenter.com/portals/our_offices/pa...

19. 2026 4-H University: Krewe De 4-H U

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 23 – 25, 2026.

The cost to participate is $100, which includes registration, housing, transportation, and parish t-shirt. Participants will be responsible for purchasing their meals and event shirt. 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 10, 2026. All outstanding balances must be paid by May 15, 2026, to participate.

For more information regarding contest rules and registration, visit https://lsuagcenter.com/portals/our_offices/parish...