Start your new year with 4-H!

Happy New Year, 4-H’ers! We hope that all of you are ready to start your new year by participating in the many opportunities that 4-H has to offer. Now is the time to try something new—a new contest, activity, or maybe even a new project club! Check out the newsletter for more details and remember to mark those important dates and deadlines on your new calendars at home!

Stay Connected with 4-H

As we embrace the use of technology during this time, we are asking all 4-H members to stay connected with the St. Charles Parish 4-H Program by requesting access to our St. Charles Parish 4-H General Information Google Classroom and/or Microsoft Team by completing the St. Charles Parish 4-H General Information Virtual Access Form. Once members are granted access to these formats, they will be provided with additional 4-H updates, resources, and opportunities. (Click on the bolded links to access the form. If you have questions, contact the 4-H office at 985-785-4473 or the 4-H Agent at kzammit@agcenter.lsu.edu.) For additional resources, check out our websites.

Visit us at: www.lsuagcenter.com/stcharles•www.facebook.com/scp... @scp4h

Rockin’ 4-H Records Workshop

Join the 4-H Agent for a Live Virtual Workshop to learn how to Rock Your 4-H Records! This workshop is geared toward St. Charles Parish 4-H members in 4th-12th grade. The workshop will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. If you have a 4-H project book and/or portfolio, please bring it so you can look through it to follow along. The workshop will be held on the following date:

• Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Live Virtual workshop will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. Check your 4-H General Information Google Classroom or Microsoft Team on the day of the event for a link to the meeting. If you do not currently have a 4-H General Information Google Classroom or Microsoft Team, complete the St. Charles Parish 4-H General Information Virtual Access Form for access.

Stay Updated with St. Charles Parish 4-H News

As many 4-H opportunities have gone virtual, communication is key to keeping up-to-date. This year St. Charles Parish 4-H is providing several venues for 4-H members and families to stay updated with 4-H News. Click on the link for each to access our different methods of communication.

St. Charles Parish 4-H General Information Google Classroom or Microsoft Team

For 4-H updates information, complete the form for access by clicking the link above. We highly recommend for all 4-H members to complete this form to have access to 4-H resources through one or both of these formats.

St. Charles 4-H Facebook Page

Like or Follow this page for daily posts, updates, and resources.

St. Charles Parish LSU AgCenter Website

Visit website for all LSU AgCenter Program Resources.

St. Charles 4-H Instagram @scp4h

Follow us on Instagram for highlights and announcements.

MLK Geaux Green Service Project

During the week of January 18-22, 2021, we will be celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.’s National Day of Service. This year we encourage our 4-H’ers to Geaux Green during Quarantine! Consider helping your community and environment during this week by participating in at least 1 service project. Some ideas include planting your own garden or tree, making something useful out of recycled material, using reusable bags, shopping at the local Farmer’s Market to support local farmers, reusing scrap paper, collecting rainwater to use to water your plants, or maybe one of your own ideas! Take a photo or video of you participating in the service project and complete the 4-H MLK Geaux Green Service Project Form for a chance to win a door prize.

4-H Portfolios

Throughout this year 4th – 12th grade 4-H members are encouraged to complete a 4-H Portfolio, which focuses on record-keeping skills and is helpful when completing award, scholarship, and future job applications. Prizes or opportunities will be awarded to top members who complete the 4-H Portfolio. In addition to completing your 4-H Story and the other sections of the 4-H Portfolio, read the newsletter for opportunities to list in your 4-H Portfolio this year. Download a Digital Version of the 4-H Portfolio to begin working.

4-H Leadership Opportunities

St. Charles Parish 4-H is offering the following leadership opportunities this month. List your participation in these activities in the 4-H Leadership (Section 2) of your 4-H Portfolio.

Live 4-H Update Podcast

4-H Records Workshop

LA 4-H JLC (Jr. Leader Conference)

Getting to Know St. Charles Parish Field Study

4-H Jr. Leader Club

4-H Citizenship/Community Service Projects

Use your hands to larger service by participating in 4-H Service Projects. List your participation in the 4-H Citizenship/Community Service (Section 3) of your 4-H Portfolio.

4-H MLK Geaux Green Service Project

Read the newsletter for more details on each of these projects. If you need verification of service hours for another organization, contact the 4-H Agent.

4-H Awards and Recognition

There are several award opportunities this month for 4-H members. List your participation in the 4-H Awards and Recognition (Section 3) of your 4-H Portfolio.

4-H Photography Contest

4-H Pet Show Contest

4-H Beef Poster Contest

4-H Senior Honor Cord

4-H Senior Jacket

LA 4-H Scholarship

Live 4-H Update Podcast

Join the 4-H Agent and other 4-H’ers throughout St. Charles Parish in a Live Virtual Meeting Update Podcast through Microsoft Teams. The Live 4-H Update Podcast will be held on St. Charles Parish Public Schools early dismissal days. A link to join the meeting will be posted in the St. Charles Parish General Information Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams, so be sure to complete the form to have access. A recording of the meetings will be uploaded to these formats. The Live 4-H Update Podcast Dates are as follows:

• Friday, January 15, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. (For Elementary & Middle School students)
• Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. (For High School Students)

Getting to Know St. Charles Parish Field Study

The Getting to Know St. Charles Parish Field Study will include virtual tours of various aspects of St. Charles Parish, which will be posted on the St. Charles Parish General Information Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams. Take a quiz for each tour for a chance to win prizes. Enjoy learning more about our beautiful community!

How do I join the St. Charles Parish 4-H Program?

All students K-12th grade have an opportunity to join a 4-H Club. You may join your school club and/or a community club. Yes, you can be a member of more than one 4-H club. These are a few tips on how to join a 4-H club.

Complete and submit a 4-H Enrollment Form See 4-H Club Leader for Form.

See 4-H Club Leader for club dues amount and payment methods.

Submit Any Other Forms See 4-H Club Leader for any additional forms needed to join

FAQ

This section is dedicated to frequently asked questions. If you have any 4-H questions, please contact 4-H Agent Kali Zammit at kzammit@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Why is there more than one Google Classroom?

If you are in a school club that has a Google Classroom, you will participate in that school club through that Google Classroom. To learn about parish, regional, state, and extra 4-H opportunities, we want people to join the 4-H General Information Google Classroom too to receive updates and links to Live Meetings conducted by the parish 4-H Agent.

Join a 4-H Project Club!

For more information or to join any of the project clubs listed below, please contact the St. Charles Parish LSU AgCenter (4-H) Office at 985-785-4473 or stcharles@agcenter.lsu.edu. Many of our 4-H project clubs are being conducted virtually until further notice. To sign up for a project club or to gain access for more information, please click on the club name link to access the online form.

• 4-H Cloverbud Community Club - for all K-3rd grade students
• 4-H CHEF (Cooking, Healthy Eating, & Fitness) Club - for all 4th-6th grade students
• 4-H Shooting Sports Club – for students 10 years old through 12th grade
• 4-H Jr. Leader Club – for all 7th – 12th grade students
• 4-H Fashion Club - for all 4th-12th grade students

4-H Photography Contest

During the upcoming months, 4-H members are encouraged to explore the world of photography by participating in monthly 4-H Photography Contests. To participate in the photography contest, complete the form by clicking on the link that coordinates with the month and topic. All forms must be completed by the last day of the corresponding month. Photos may be submitted early. No late submissions will be accepted. Official rules are listed in the online form.

4-H Photography Contest Categories and Links to Submission Forms:

January – Animals - Photo of animal or group of animals that captures natural habitat

February – Still Life - Photo of inanimate object or group of objects

4-H Virtual Pet Show Contest

Do you have a pet that you take care of at home? Well, we would like to hear all about it! Consider participating in our 4-H Pet Show Contest by submitting a video of you and your pet while answering a few questions. Complete the 4-H Pet Show Contest Form by January 18, 2021. Entries will be featured in a Virtual Pet Show during the week of January 25-29, 2021 on our St. Charles Parish 4-H Facebook Page.

4-H Beef Poster Contest

Rules for the 4-H Beef Poster Contest are as follows: (Entries are due to 4-H School Leader or 4-H Office by February 26, 2021. If submitting to 4-H Office, call 985-785-4473 to schedule drop off. No late entries will be accepted.)

• Theme: Green Beef – The theme includes the concept that consumption of beef is safe and vital for the environment. The contest is about marketing and communicating the all-around (environmental, health, nutrition, economic, etc.) benefits of beef. Posters and digital designs should generate positive images and promotion of beef (not live cattle production) using the indicated theme. Posters should promote beef without projecting negative messages towards other ag commodities (chicken, pork, etc.).
• Posters must be on 22” x 28” board only. Place your name, address, age, grade in school, and parish on back upper right corer of poster.
• Digital entries must be designed using one of the following programs: Microsoft Publisher, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Canva. Digital designs should be formatted for 22” x 28” poster size prints. All digital entries must be saved in high-resolution 300 DPI in all of the following: original design file, .png file format, and .pdf file format. Digital designs should be saved to a blank jump drive placed in a 3 ½” x 6” blank envelope labeled with name, address, age, grade in school, and parish on front.
• Do not use copyrighted materials. You may develop ideas from magazines, parents, friends, nutrition bulletins, etc., but the end concept should be original and not copied material. Copyrighted pictures, clipart, and materials may not be used. Computer generated clipart may be used if it is not copyrighted. No templates used in digital division. All design work must be original.

Things to do for 4-H in January

Each month 4-H’ers will be provided with a list of upcoming opportunities on a parish, regional, state, and/or national level. Contact the 4-H Agent or visit the St. Charles Parish LSU AgCenter Website under “4-H Youth Development” for all rules, applications, and more information.

4-H Senior Honor Cord – Award for current 12th grade members

Current graduating senior 4-H members may apply to receive a 4-H honor cord to wear for graduation. 4-H Honor Cords will be awarded in spring. This is a Louisiana State 4-H Award. To apply, visit the Louisiana 4-H Honor Cord Application Website. Application deadline: January 29, 2021 (No late applications will be accepted.)

4-H Senior Jacket Award – Award for current 12th grade members

Current graduating senior 4-H members may apply to receive a 4-H senior jacket to wear to show off their 4-H accomplishments. Jackets will be awarded in the winter. To apply, visit theSt. Charles Parish 4-H Senior Jacket Online Application. Application deadline: January 31, 2021 (No late applications will be accepted.)

4-H Junior Leadership Conference (JLC) – One-day adventure for current 8th – 12th grade members

This is a conference hosted by youth leaders of the Louisiana 4-H Executive Board. This year, members will have the option to select one of three days to participate in this one-day conference. The event will be from 9:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. There is a limited number of youth who may attend. To receive more information on this opportunity, complete theSt. Charles Parish 4-H JLC Application. Application deadline: January 31, 2021 (No late applications will be accepted. Please submit applications as early as possible since this is a quick turn-around and space is limited.)

Louisiana 4-H Foundation Scholarships - Scholarship Applications for graduating senior 4-H members

Graduating senior members may apply for scholarships through the Louisiana 4-H Foundation toward continuing education. Contact the 4-H Agent at kzammit@agcenter.lsu.edu for an application. Application deadline: February 19, 2021.

St. Charles Parish 4-H Spotlight

4-H Awards

Photography Contest:

Landscape:

K-3rd grade:

1st – Rhyan Rodriguez (ESE)

4th-6th grade:

1st – Melia Clement (RJV)

2nd Ryder Maxie (ESE)

3rd Ethan Bellanger (JBM)

Blue Ribbon: MacKenzie Bellanger (LWE)

Ciaralyn Coleman (LWE)

Jordyn Lewis (RKS)

People:

1st Melia Clement (RJV)

2nd Ethan Bellanger (JBM)

3rd MacKenzie Bellanger (LWE)

Blue Ribbon: Ciaralyn Coleman (LWE)

All-Around Style Contest:

4th-6th grade:

1st MacKenzie Bellanger (LWE)

2nd Ethan Bellanger (JBM)

3rd Ciaralyn Coleman (LWE)

Talent Show Contest:

4th-6th grade:

1st Ethan Bellanger (JBM)

2nd MacKenzie Bellanger (LWE)

Door Prize Winners:

4-H Week of Service:

Leah Lacoste (ESE)

Ciaralyn Coleman (LWE)

Raven Hermann (LWE)

Sailor Davison (LWE)

Micaela Naquin (LWE)

Monthly Lesson: Rockin’ Your 4-H Records

This month we will focus on organization and communication by taking time to work on your 4-H portfolios this month.

Organization & Communication Activities

1. If you have a 4-H project book, work on the activities in your 4-H project book.
2. Complete Section 1 and Section 6 in your 4-H Portfolio. These sections are all about you, so I recommend completing these sections first.
3. Go through your previous newsletters for ideas to list in Sections 2-4 of your 4-H Portfolio. Ideas are listed on Page 2 of each monthly newsletter.

Live Rockin’ Your 4-H Records Workshop

Don’t forget to join your 4-H Agent for a Rockin’ Your 4-H Records Workshop

• Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
• A link to the virtual workshop will be posted on the 4-H General Information Google Classroom/Microsoft Team on the day of the event
• Optional: Bring your 4-H portfolio and project book if you have one.