4-H University

Note: This webpage is intended for St. John Parish 4-H members and families. If you are a 4-H member from a different parish, contact your Parish 4-H Agent, as some information may differ.

2026 4-H University will take place on June 23 - 26, 2026, at LSU

The information below is to be used as a reference as it was for the 2025 experience. Updated information will be posted in January/February 2026.


4-H University is a statewide event for 4-H members in grades 8-12 during the 2024-2025 school year. It is a culmination event where members are able to show off their hard work and dedication. 4-H members can compete in contests or go the noncompetitive route and participate in Clover College.

Objectives

  • Provide a positive environment for belonging and the opportunity for youth to meet other youth with similar goals
  • Expose youth to the career opportunities provided through the various experiences of 4-H University from contests, educational workshops, and Clover College
  • Provide an opportunity for youth to demonstrate their mastery in projects and leadership
  • Allow youth to showcase their skills, talents and knowledge
  • Provide an opportunity for life skill development

Cost of 4-H University:

  • $100.00 - includes registration, housing, transportation, and parish t-shirt.
  • If multiple youth within a household attend 4-H University, the registration cost is $50/per additional child. The child must be within the same family account in 4-H Online and most complete a registration form.

What will youth be responsible for while at this event:

  • Meals while at the event
  • Event t-shirt

Important Dates Associated with this Event:

  • April 4, 2025: Initial deposit of $50 due to 4-H Office
  • April 7, 2025: Preliminary Contest Selection Announcement
  • May 15, 2025: Remaining balances and health forms due to 4-H Office
  • May 15, 2025: Parent/Participant Meeting (Location TBA)

4-H University Contest

  • 4-H Has Talent
  • ATV Safety
  • Career Prep Interview
  • Child Development
  • Civic Engagement/Leadership Illustrated Talk
  • Civic Engagement/Leadership Method Demonstration
  • Consumer Decision Making
  • Consumer Food Evaluation
  • ESports
  • Fashion Review
  • Fishing Sports
  • Healthy Living Illustrated Talk
  • Healthy Living Method Demonstration
  • Horticulture Identification and Evaluation
  • Insect ID
  • Livestock Judging
  • Meat ID
  • Outdoor Skills
  • Personal Training
  • Photography
  • Poultry Judging
  • Promote 4-H Graphic Design
  • Public Speaking - Any
  • Public Speaking - Cooperatives
  • Robotics
  • Sports Broadcasting
  • STEM Illustrated Talk
  • STEM Method Demonstration
  • Teens Driving Teens
  • The Next 4-H Healthy Food Star
  • Tiger Tank Entrepreneurship Challenge
  • Tractor Operations
  • Vet Set Geaux
  • Visual Arts
  • Zero Turn Mower

Equine Ambassador Program

The Louisiana 4-H Equine Ambassador program provides an opportunity for 4-H youth in grades 9th to 12th to be empowered with knowledge of the Equine industry in order to serve as strong advocates for agriculture, mentors for the younger 4-H members with the horse project, and educators in the importance of the equine industry our state and country.

Applications for the 2025-2026 group are due TBA.

State Leadership Boards

Louisiana 4-H offers six (6) state leadership boards to provide a high-quality leadership opportunity for youth on the parish, region, and state levels. As state leadership board members, 4-H'ers serve as ambassadors to promote the Louisiana 4-H Program and assist in the planning and implementing, and conducting of educational opportunities throughout the state. The following boards are offered:

  • Citizenship Board
  • Executive Board
  • Fashion Board
  • Food & Fitness Board
  • SET Board
  • Shooting Sports Ambassadors

Applications for the 2025-2026 boards are due TBA.

Wetland Ambassadors

The objective of the Wetland Ambassadors is to inspire youth to become leaders for wetland-related issues in their community by promoting wetlands literacy through immersive field study, mentorship, service-learning, and public outreach activities.

Applications for the 2025-2026 group are due TBA.

Livestock Ambassador Program

The Louisiana 4-H Livestock Ambassador program provides an opportunity for 4-H youth in grades 9th to 12th to be empowered with knowledge of the livestock industry in order to serve as strong advocates for agriculture, mentors for the younger 4-H members with livestock projects, and consumer educators in the importance of agriculture across our state and country.

Applications for the 2025-2026 group are due TBA.

Innovate . Educate . Improve Lives

The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture

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