01. EBR Parish Cookery Contest
East Baton Rouge Parish 4-H Cookery Contest
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Location: EBR Parish 4-H Office (9050 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA, 70815)
Registration begins 10:30 AM | Dish Drop-off closes 11:00 AM | Awards Ceremony at 1:00 PM
Youth will prepare their dish at home and bring one large serving to the 4-H Office for judging. Winners in each division will advance to the Regional Food Fest Contest in May.
Cloverbud Cookie Decorating Contest - Farm Fun Theme
For Cloverbuds (ages 8 and under)
Cloverbuds are invited to submit (up to 3) decorate cookies! Judging will be based on creativity and presentation only, no need to bake!
CREATE A COOKIE INSPIRED BY YOUR FAVORITE FARM ANIMAL OR FARM SCENE!
Cookery Contest Day Procedures
You can bring meals either cold on ice or hot. Please follow all food safety guidelines.
Contest Rules
All rules will be strictly enforced. If you have a question, call the 4-H Office before preparing a dish.
- The contestant must be a 4-H member, all division are open to any age.
- All dishes must be prepared following all food safety guidelines from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.
- A contestant may enter as many dishes as they wish but can only enter one dish per division.
- Winning recipes may not be repeated in subsequent years by the same contestant.
- Contestants may only use one recipe/category.
- Example: A contestant may not enter a jambalaya recipe in poultry and again in rice.
- The food should be exhibited in a normal-sized container.
- Items not directly related to the dish are NOT allowed (placemats, flower arrangements, trays etc.).
- Traditional garnishes are allowed.
- There are to be NO raw eggs in the final product.
- Entries must meet all division requirements.
- Recipes must accompany the dishes.
- Recipes will be scored according to the Recipe Evaluation below.
- 4-H’er must set up their dish for judging by themselves.
Recipe Format:
Be sure your recipe is written correctly. The recipe should include the following parts:
- Name of the recipe
- Ingredients listed in order used in instructions
- Clear instructions for combining ingredients
- NO abbreviations used for ingredient measures
- Size of pan stated
- Temperature and cooking time state
- Number of servings given
- Dish meets contest and division requirements
Contest Categories
Beef
4-H’ers must prepare a dish which contains a minimum of one pound of beef. The divisions are:
1. Ground Beef 2. Other Beef Cuts
Eggs
4-H’ers must prepare a dish which contains a minimum of four eggs. (4 egg whites, 4 yolks, or 4 whole eggs). NO RAW EGGS will be allowed in the final product. The divisions are:
1. Appetizer/Side Dish 2. Main Dish/Salad 3. Dessert
Louisiana Commodities
4-H’ers must prepare a dish that meet division requirements. The divisions are:
1. Pecan: must contain minimum 1 cup of pecans
2. Rice: must contain minimum 1 cup of rice (wild rice is not cultivated in Louisiana and does not meet the requirements)
3. Sweet Potato: must contain minimum 1 cup of fresh, frozen, or canned sweet potatoes
Poultry
4-H’ers must prepare a dish which contains a minimum of two pounds bone-in meat, one pound deboned meat, or 12 ounces of processed poultry. The divisions are:
1. Chicken 2. Turkey
Seafood
4-H’ers must prepare a dish which contains a minimum of one cup of seafood. Seafood must be listed on the Louisiana Seafood List (a copy can be obtained from the 4-H Office). Seafood must be fresh, frozen, pasteurized, or dried. Surimi, an artificial crab made from fish can NOT be used. NO RAW SEAFOOD will be allowed in the final product. You can have a second type of seafood but not more than ½ the amount of the primary seafood. The divisions are:
1. Crab 2. Crawfish 3. Shrimp 4. Other Louisiana Seafood
Sugar
4-H’ers must prepare a dish which contains a minimum ½ cup of sugar. The sugar used may be granulated sugar, brown (light or dark) sugar, powdered sugar, or any combination of the above. Mixes are permitted if ½ cup of additional sugar is added to the recipe. The divisions are:
1. Cakes 2. Candy/Other 3. Cookies 4. Pies
Wild Game
4-H’ers must prepare a dish which contains a minimum of one pound of meat. Contestants MUST identify the meat product used in the recipe. The divisions are:
1. Deer (Venison): includes ground or whole cuts
2. Fowl: includes duck, quail, geese, pheasant, dove, etc.
3. Other Game: includes rabbit, hog, squirrel, bison, elk, caribou, etc.
02. 2026 4-H Summer Camp
East Baton Rouge Parish 4-H will attend camp Monday, July 20 - Thursday, July 23, 2026.
Eligibility Requirements - Must be in Grades 4th, 5th, or 6th for the 2025-2026 school year.
We have availability for 22 Girls and 22 Boys to attend 4-H Camp this summer.
To join the wait list for camp, fill out this form.
Spots will be given on a first come first serve basis. We will put members who sign up after the available spots are filled on a wait list. Complete a new form for each child you are signing up.
Cost of camp is $200.00; if you have questions, please contact Ms. Candace (caderbes@agcenter.lsu.edu) or Ms. Olivia (opicard@agcenter.lsu.edu).If you are interested in attending camp as a junior counselor (9th - 12 grader), please fill out the application at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/z02gLjrTBS
03. 2026 4-H University
Dates: Tuesday, June 23 – Thursday, June 25, 2026
Theme: Krewe de 4-HU!
Location: LSU Campus
4-H University is the premier event for Louisiana 4-H members in grades 8–12 (as of August 1, 2025). This three-day experience offers exciting contests, leadership opportunities, and hands-on learning through Clover College. Whether you want to compete, learn new skills, or meet friends from across the state, 4-H U is the place to be!
Eligibility
- Must be enrolled in 4-H
- Must be in grades 8–12 as of August 1, 2025
Registration Details
- Early Bird: Now – April 28, 2026 | $175
- Regular: April 29 – May 18, 2026 | $200
- Late: May 19 – May 24, 2026 | $300
Deposit: $50 due ASAP, no later than May 11, 2026
Payment deadlines:
- Preferred: May 22, 2026
- Final: May 29, 2026
- Last call: June 5, 2026
Payment Options:
Sign Up Today!
Complete the registration survey
For more details, visit:
4-H University Information
Not a member yet?
Join East Baton Rouge 4-H here
Ways to Participate
- Compete in one contest
- Compete in multiple contests (one per day)
- Attend Clover College for non-competitive learning
Already competed in Dairy Cattle Judging, Forestry, Horse Judging, or Visual Arts? You can still enter another contest or attend Clover College during 4-H U!
Questions?
Contact:
- Olivia Picard – opicard@agcenter.lsu.edu
- Candace Derbes – caderbes@agcenter.lsu.edu
04. 4-H & FFA Day at the Capitol
EBR 4‑H Now Accepting Names for 4‑H & FFA Day at the Capitol
East Baton Rouge Parish is preparing its delegation for 4‑H & FFA Day at the Capitol, scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, 2026. This event provides students with an opportunity to learn about Louisiana government, participate in leadership activities, and engage with legislators.
Event Highlights Include:
- Committee presentations by state 4‑H & FFA officers
- Legislative visits
- Capitol scavenger hunt
- Armory, State Museum, and Old State Capitol tours
- Lunch and program at the Pentagon Barracks
Cost: Youth – $20 | Adults – $10 (lunch included)
Who Can Attend: Enrolled 4‑H members in grades 4–12
Spots Available: Limited — first‑come, first‑served
To reserve a spot for your child, please contact Candace to be added to the EBR list:
📧 candace@agcenter.lsu.edu
Once your spot is confirmed, you will receive instructions for completing the official registration in 4‑H Online.
4-H Night with the Pelicans
January 30, 2026Get ready for an unforgettable night of basketball, fun, and 4-H pride! Join us as we cheer on the New Orleans Pelicans during their matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies for our annual 4-H Night with the Pelicans.
Date: Friday, January 30, 2026
Tip-Off: 6:30 PM
Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
This is the only Friday night game in January on the Pelicans’ schedule, and seats are reserved just for 4-H. Tickets are first come, first served, so be sure to order early.
Tickets and Parking
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Tickets: $30 plus fees (total $32.96)
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Purchase by: Tickets are still available as of 1/6/2026
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Link to Order: pels.group/4H
- Parking: $20 per car (advance purchase only); Bus parking available by contacting Sophie Lazear at sophie.lazear@pelicans.com or 504-539-4761.
Fan Experiences
4-H ticket holders will have access to special opportunities, including:
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Pregame Tailgate Party (3:30–4:30 PM) with music, food, and giveaways
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Pelicans T-shirt (sizes based on availability)
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Pelicans Bucket Hat (first 800 participants at the Tailgate Party)
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Pregame Warm-Ups (4:45–5:30 PM) – courtside viewing of the Pelicans in action
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Court of Dreams, Fan Tunnel, Anthem Buddies, and Game Ball Presentation – limited spots available; contact Olivia Picard at opicard@agcenter.lsu.edu by January 6, 2026, to enter your names into the drawings or for more information!
Why Attend?
Not only will you get to experience a fun night of basketball and 4-H camaraderie, but a portion of ticket proceeds benefits the Louisiana 4-H Foundation.
Do not wait—tickets are limited. Order today through the link and be part of this exciting 4-H tradition.
For questions about tickets or parking, contact Pelicans Group Service Coordinator Sophie Lazear at sophie.lazear@pelicans.com or 504-539-4761.
4-H/FFA Livestock Shows
East Baton Rouge Parish: Saturday, January 24, 2026 - The East Baton Rouge Parish Livestock Show will be held at the West Feliciana Barn. Schedule TBA
South Central District Poultry & Rabbit Show: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 - St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds, Covington, LA.
South Central District Show: Thursday, January 29 - Saturday, January 31, 2026 - St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds, Covington LA.
LSU AgCenter State Livestock Show (includes Rabbits): Saturday, February 14 - Saturday, February 21 - Lamar Dixon Expo Center. Schedule and Catalog available on the LSU AgCenter website.
All Species Premier Exhibitor Forms are due by January 31, 2026. Keep in mind this is a Saturday, therefore late entries will be accepted through Monday, February 2, 2026 without penalty.
Species Premier Exhibitor forms
Bash on the Bayou
“Bash on the Bayou” is the annual LSU 4-H/FFA Game Day tailgate tradition. It’s a family-friendly event held on LSU’s campus (near the Mini Farm) that brings together Louisiana 4-H and FFA members, families, and alumni for food, fellowship, and Tiger spirit before an LSU home football game.
2025 Bash on the Bayou Final Score Arkansas 22 - LSU 23.
Shooting Sports Invitational
EBR Invitational - Saturday, February 28th Bridgeview Gun Club. EBR Invitational Shoot! The shoot will occur on February 28, 2026, at the Bridgeview Gun Club in Port Allen, LA (1365 Northwest Dr, Port Allen, LA). Deadline to register is February 16th.
Email Ms. Olivia or Contact Mrs. Amy Schulze for more information!
