Upcoming Events

November

1-2: 4-H Challenge Camp
(Regional Event for 7th-8th graders)
14: 4-H Culinary Arts Contest Submission Day
(Pecan, Sweet Potato, & Rice)
23-24: LSU AgCenter Office closed

December

3: 4-H Day of Service
4: 4-H Culinary Arts Contest Submission Day
(Egg & Sugar)
22-31: LSU AgCenter Office closed

January

1: LSU AgCenter Office closed
10: 4-H Culinary Arts Contest Submission Day
(Poultry & Wild Game)

*Read newsletter for other important dates and 4-H opportunities.

We would like to thank our continued partners of the St. Charles Parish 4-H Youth Development Program:

Message From Your 4-H Agent

A major part of our 4-H program is learning how to give back to your community by using your hands for larger service. During the upcoming months, we want you to make a special effort to help those around you. Some ways that you can engage in your community through service is by participating in the 4-H Toy and Food Drive and/or our 4-H Day of Service. Don’t forget to take pictures throughout the month too. Details regarding our photography contest and much more are listed in our newsletter. Everyone is encouraged to do their part to give back with 4-H – one hand at a time!

-Dr. Kali Zammit
St. Charles Parish 4-H Agent
*Pictured with her own little 4-H’ers at the LSU AgCenter Office

Thrive With the 4-H Youth Development Program

Throughout this month, 4-H’ers who registered in 4-H Online will receive a 4-H project book based on their selected interests. Cloverbuds, 4th, and 5th grade 4-H members will receive project books that have a variety of project areas to help them find and ignite their spark. By participating in 4-H projects, contests, and more, members can thrive to become the best versions of themselves. 4-H’ers are encouraged to participate in their 4-H project books and do activities that they can add to their 4-H portfolios throughout the year in order to enhance their engagement in the 4-H program. All project books and portfolios are due to your club leader by March 31, 2024.

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

Stay Updated with St. Charles Parish 4-H News

This year St. Charles Parish 4-H is providing several venues for 4-H members and families to stay updated with 4-H News.

St. Charles Parish
LSU AgCenter Website
www.lsuagcenter.com/stcharles
Visit this page and click on the 4-H tab for articles and updates including 4-H newsletters, contests, and upcoming opportunities.

St. Charles 4-H Facebook Page
www.facebook.com/scp4h
Like or Follow this page for daily posts, updates, and resources.

St. Charles 4-H Instagram @scp4h
Follow us on Instagram for highlights and announcements.

Google Classroom
Many school clubs will use Google Classroom to communicate with their 4-H’ers. See your 4-H club leader for information on how to access their communication tools.

St. Charles Parish 4-H News

Parish 4-H Project Club News
It is not too late to join one of our St. Charles Parish 4-H Project Clubs. Many of our clubs will begin meeting in November. For more information or to join any of the project clubs listed below, please contact the St. Charles Parish LSU AgCenter Office at 985-785-4473 or kzammit@agcenter.lsu.edu. Additional fees may apply.

Celebrate this holiday season by using your hands for larger service. One way to help your community is by participating in the annual 4-H Toy and Food Drive. During the months of November and December, your 4-H club is encouraged to conduct a Toy and/or Food Drive to help those in our community. Please feel free to donate items within your school or contact the 4-H Agent prior to December 1, 2023, for collection and donation options.

4-H Project Books and Portfolios
All 4-H members registered in 4-H Online will receive a 4-H Project Book and/or 4-H Portfolio. Cloverbuds (K-3rd graders) are encouraged to complete their 4-H Cloverbud Project book and 4-H members (4th-12th grade members) are encouraged to complete their 4-H Project Books and 4-H Portfolios for prizes. Download a Digital Version of the 4-H Portfolio to begin working. Add your participation to your 4-H Portfolio in these sections:

• 4-H Jr. Leader Club Meeting
• 4-H Officers
• Leading pledges at club meetings
• 4-H Regional Challenge Camp

• 4-H Day of Service
• 4-H Toy and Food Drive

• 4-H Photography Contest
• 4-H Culinary Arts Contests
• 4-H Senior Honor Cord & Senior Jacket
• 4-H All-Around Style Contest
• 4-H Talent Show Contest
• 4-H Pet Show Contest

4-H Contest Results
Pumpkin Decorating Contest

K-3rd Grade: (Participation)
Charlee Badgerow (LES)
Annalise Ward (LES)
Maverick Ward (LES)

4th - 6th Grade:
1st place: Brynlee Perez (NES)
2nd place: Eve Petit (LWE)
3rd place: Oliver Henry (ESE)

Blue Ribbon:
John Badgerow (LES)
Dalton Zammit (MaL)
Kaley Yates (LWE)

Green Ribbon:
Kaz Hart (ACM)

7th - 8th Grade:
1st place: Brysen Henry – (HMS)
2nd place: MacKenzie Bellanger (JBM)
3rd place: Claire Oehldrich (JBM)

Blue Ribbon:
Isabella LeBlanc (RKS)
Yarely Quinonez (RKS)
Javier Melendez Morales (RKS)

Green Ribbon:
Penelope Washington (RKS)
*Emily Schwab (JBM)
*Emily Rodas-Merida (RKS)
*Aleya Whitney (RKS)
*Jahnia Parquet (RKS)
*Ta’Niyah Glenn (RKS)
*Ka’den Clark (RKS)
*Jaraun Geofrey (RKS)
*Dillon Friloux (RKS)
*Jorden Scott (RKS)
*Trivoine Edmond (RKS)

9th - 12th Grade:
1st place: Brian Childs, Jr. (DHS)
2nd place: Ethan Bellanger (HHS)
*Nathan Jourdain (MaL)

Overall Winners:
Most Original: Eve Petit (LWE)
Most Creative: Brysen Henry (HMS)

4-H Online Enrollment Prize Winners:
Serinity Young (RJV)
Connor Hammett (RJV)
Emmett Gomez (MAL)
Ryder Dwyer (NES)
Javier Melendez Morales (RKS)

*denotes award after completed and approved 4-H Online enrollment

4-H FAQ

How do I get information about 4-H Project clubs?
You can do the following: (1) When completing 4-H Online enrollment, select the project clubs that you are interested in receiving information as your secondary clubs; or (2) Email the 4-H member’s name, grade, school, and interested project clubs to stcharles@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Getting to Know: FCS

Rinalda Rocquin
Family and Consumer Sciences Assistant Extension Agent

Did you know…

• FCS (Family and Consumer Sciences) is an educational program of the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana’s Cooperative Extension Service.
• Ms. Rocquin currently works as the Area Nutrition Agent through the Flavors of Health program. Flavors of Health is a nutrition and health program with a community focus that provides classes and workshops on a variety of topics that empower individuals and families to make healthy food and fitness choices and to live healthful lives.
• In addition to conducting specialized nutrition education programs throughout the community, Ms. Rocquin also offers the following signature programs: Smart Portions; Small Changes, Healthy Habits; Dining with Diabetes; and Break Up with Salt.
• Ms. Rocquin works as the Area Nutrition Agent for St. Charles and St. John Parishes. She also has a love for 4-H, in which her daughters were active members.
• To learn more, visit www.lsuagcenter.com/stcharles

Upcoming St. Charles Parish 4-H Events

*Note: To receive an award or recognition for any parish 4-H contest, the 4-H member must be registered and approved through 4-H Online.

4-H Culinary Arts Contest (for 4th-12th graders)
All 4-H members are encouraged to participate in the culinary arts contest. These contests help our 4-H members grow in their cooking experience and skill level while enjoying quality time with families who assist them with the safety rules and sharing of traditional family recipes. The 4-H Culinary Arts contest will be split into different submission dates. Members will need to complete the 4-H Culinary Arts Registration Form by the submission date to be considered for judging. All rules are posted on the online registration form.
4-H Culinary Arts Contest Submission Dates:
Tuesday, November 14, 2023: Louisiana Commodities (Pecan, Sweet Potato, and Rice)
Monday, December 4, 2023: Egg and Sugar
Wednesday, January 10, 2024: Poultry and Wild Game
Wednesday, February 21, 2024: Beef
Wednesday, March 13, 2024: Seafood
4-H members are asked to bring 2 servings of their dish in a sealed, non-returnable container on the submission date for each contest between 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. at the St. Charles Parish LSU AgCenter Office, which is located at 453 Spruce Street in Norco, La.

4-H Photography Contest
Do you enjoy taking pictures? Consider entering the 4-H Photography Contest! Throughout the upcoming months, take pictures of the topic listed below. Official rules are listed in the online form. No late submissions will be accepted. Complete the 4-H Photography Contest Online Form by the last day of the month listed below for each category. Contest submissions may be submitted early. No late submissions will be accepted.
4-H Photography Contest Categories:
November - Landscape (Horizontal photo that captures nature or man-made feature)
December - People (Photo of person or group of people that captures their personality)
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 All-Around Style Contest
Learning how to use your resources is a great skill to learn through 4-H. For this contest, we do not want you to buy anything! We want for you to use 1 piece of clothing in your closet to be the feature article of clothing that you style for three different occasions: (1) casual, (2) dressy, and (3) job interview. Official rules are listed in the online form. No late submissions will be accepted. Complete the 4-H All-Around Style Contest Form by January 31, 2024. Contest submissions may be submitted early. No late submissions will be accepted.

4-H Virtual Talent Show Contest
Do you have a talent that you would like to share with our 4-H family? Consider participating in our Virtual Talent Show by submitting a video (60-90 seconds) of you performing your talent. Complete the 4-H Talent Show Contest Form by January 31, 2024. Contest submissions may be submitted early. No late submissions will be accepted.

4-H Virtual Pet Show Contest
Do you have a pet that you take care of at home? 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 questions. Complete the 4-H Pet Show Contest Form by January 31, 2024. Contest submissions may be submitted early. No late submissions will be accepted.

Things to Do for 4-H This Month

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 for all rules, applications, and more information.

4-H Senior Jacket & Honor Cord Awards

State 4-H Fashion and Beyond on Tour Day Camp
1-day adventure for current 5th – 12th grade members - $20.00 fee
This trip is held on January 9, 2024, at the Mini Farm on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge, La. Selected campers will learn basic sewing skills and enjoy creating various fashion projects. Space is limited. Complete the 4-H Fashion Camp Online Application for consideration to attend. Application deadline: November 10, 2023.

State 4-H Night with the New Orleans Pelicans
1-day adventure for all 4-H members and families - Pregame Tailgate Party included with 4-H Ticket purchases

4-H Online Enrollment
Requirement for all 4-H Members (K-12th grade)

All 4-H members (K-12th grade) are required to submit an enrollment form through the 4-H Online enrollment system. If you have not already done so, please complete your 4-H Online enrollment. Step-by-step instructions on how to complete your 4-H Online enrollment are included in the last page of each month’s newsletter. Throughout the year, we will be selecting door prize winners from members who have completed their online enrollment. Check out the 4-H Contest Results section in this month’s newsletter to see our most recent winners.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our LSU AgCenter Office at 985-785-4473 or email us at stcharles@agcenter.lsu.edu. Scan the QR code to access the 4-H Online enrollment website.

Note: 4-H members cannot attend any parish 4-H activities and beyond until their enrollment is completed and approved.

St. Charles Parish 4-H Day of Service

A Civic Engagement 4-H Youth Development Program of the LSU AgCenter

Sunday, December 3, 2023
12:00 noon - 3:30 p.m.

Norco Branch
590 Apple Street, Norco, La.

4-H members and their families are invited to use their hands for larger service by participating in this year's 4-H Day of Service. Our service-learning focus for this year is to address hunger and poverty. We are partnering with St. Charles Parish Library and the Matthew 25:35 Food Pantry to donate non-perishable food items to serve those within our community. Families are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items and participate in service projects at this event before and during the Norco Christmas Parade. This event is open to the public. 4-H members will need to sign in at the 4-H registration table to receive points for participating.

Service Activities:

• Bring non-perishable food items to donate
• Complete a coloring sheet and write a holiday message for a needy family
• Add your name and handprint to our 4-H Helping Hand Tree food pantry donation display at the library
• Participate in a 4-H scavenger hunt throughout the library
• Enjoy hot cocoa, cookies, and holiday pictures
• Have fun catching throws and watching community members during the Norco Christmas Parade, which starts at 1:00 p.m.

Learn by Doing
4-H Lessons

Tree of the Month:
Leyland Cypress

Fun Fact: The Leyland cypress is the most commercially grown Christmas tree on pick-and-cut farms in Louisiana.

*Provided by Mr. Gabriel LoCoco, LSU AgCenter Horticulture Extension Agent

Consumer Skills
The life skill we will be focusing on this month is Consumer Skills.
At your club meeting or at home, try the activities to learn more.

The definition of a “consumer” is someone who buys and uses products and services. By this definition, we are all consumers! It’s important that we learn about consumer rights and responsibilities. It’s also important to develop good consumer skills so we can spend our money wisely and get the most value for our purchases.

Lesson Activity: Consumer Decision Making
Individually or as a group, discuss how you would rank 4 choices from best to worst based on a given scenario. Consider price, quality, quantity, and other factors important to you when selecting. Feel free to come up with your own scenarios for the following types of items:

• Gaming system purchase
• Home cooked vs. Fast Food
• Dog Grooming selection
• Car wash selection
• Christmas/birthday gift options
• Grocery store shopping
• Department store shopping
• Phone purchase
• Afternoon snack selection
• Entertainment selection

Louisiana Harvest of the Month
Sweet Potato
4-H Healthy Living and STEM Educational Program

Lesson Activity: GMOs
Watch the video on The Life Cycle of GMO Seeds. Afterwards, match the 10 GMO crops below to the reason why agriculture scientists have used GMO technology to modify crops.

1. Corn
2. Soy
3. Cotton
4. Alfalfa
5. Sugar Beets
6. Canola
7. Papaya
8. Arctic Apple
9. Potato
10. Squash

A. Herbicide Tolerance

B. Non-browning
C. Drought Resistance
D. Insect Resistance
E. Disease Resistance
F. Virus Resistance
G. Resist Bruising

Visit the farm!
The LSU AgCenter and LSU provides equal opportunities in employment and programs. Should you need an ADA accommodation, please contact the St. Charles Parish LSU AgCenter Office at least two weeks prior to the event.

ST. CHARLES PARISH
4-H Achievement Program

1 point

• Quality work in 4-H Record Book submission
• Participation in each parish contest

• National 4-H Week (1 point / form)
• Culinary Arts (1 point / dish)
• Photo Contest (1 point / photo)
• Talent Show, Pet Show, Poster Contests, etc. (1 point / contest)

5 points

Members gain 5 points for active participation in the following:
Our 3 parish-wide events:
4-H Civic Engagement Event - December 3, 2023
4-H Healthy Living Event - March 2, 2024
4-H STEM Event - April 20, 2024

Field Trip

• Enrolled and approved through 4-H Online
• For 4th - 12th grade members
• 3 points by March 1, 2023

Achievement Day

Members must achieve the following in order to be invited to participate in the 4-H Achievement Day event:
•Enrolled and approved through 4-H Online
•For K - 12th grade members
•5 points by April 1, 2023
Note: To achieve points, 4-H members (K-12) must be enrolled and approved in 4-H Online at the time of the contest or activity.

St. Charles Parish 4-H
Youth Enrollment
4-H Online

New 4-H Member?
Step 1: Complete 4-H Online Enrollment

• To sign up, you can go to v2.4honline.com or scan the QR code below and select "Don't have an account?"
  **Note: Each family will only need to make one login for the whole family!

Creating your Family Profile

• Select your State: Louisiana
• Select your institution: Louisiana 4-H Youth Development
• Select your County/Parish: St. Charles
• Enter information in all required fields. Email and phone should be for a parent.
  **Note: The email address that you use at this point will be the email address used to receive communication for all 4-H members within your family. Please make sure this is a parent email address that is used frequently.
• Click "Create Account." Enter your mailing address and click "Verify."

Adding a Member

• Which program would you like to join? Click "Louisiana 4-H" then "Next."
• Enter personal and demographic information in all required fields. Information should be for the youth being enrolled. Click "Next" after each screen.
• How would you like to participate? Click "I want to join 4-H as a New or Returning Louisiana 4-H youth," then "Finish."

Choosing your club and project book
Select Units (Clubs):

• Primary Club: If you are a member of your School Club, select the School Club as your Primary Club. If not, select Member-at-Large as your Primary Club.
• Secondary Clubs: If you are a member or you are interested in joining a 4-H Project Club, your project club(s) should be added and listed as secondary club(s). After selecting club(s), click "Next."

Select Projects:

• Select your top 3 project area interests. Based on your grade level, one of your areas must include the following: 4-H Cloverbuds (for K-3rd grade); Discovering 4-H (for 4th grade); Exploring 4-H (for 5th grade); or any other topic (for 6th-12th grade). *Note: Selecting a project area does not register you for a project club. Contact the 4-H Office for more information on project clubs. Members who plan to participate in 4-H Horse Shows should select the Horse Project.

Years in project:

• Enter the number of years you have worked in the project area/book selected above.

Consents and Finishing up

• Questions: Enter information in all required fields. For the School heading, select "St. Charles Parish" and then select the school the 4-H member attends. Click "Next."
• Health Form: Answer health questions and read medical release. Click "Agree" and enter required information.
• Consents: Includes Hold Harmless, Media Release, and Code of Conduct. Read through each then click "Agree" and enter required information. Verify all information.
• Payment: Select "Pay by check," then "I understand." Type your name in the signature line. Select "Confirm." Click "Submit." (You are not finished enrollment until you select "Submit.")

Step 2: Pay 4-H Club Membership Fees

• If you are a member of your school club, dues are to be paid to your school club leader. If you are a member-at-large and/or a 4-H Project Club member, dues are to be paid to the 4-H office. Check with your 4-H Club Leader for the payment process for each club in which you are a member.

Returning 4-H Member?
Time to Re-Enroll!

• Log in to your 4-H Online Account.
• Go to Member List, find your Member Name, and Click "Enroll Now."
• Follow the directions to the right beginning with the "Choosing Your Club and Project Book" section.

Important Notes:

• If you have another member to enroll, click "New Member" and repeat the steps for adding a member.
• Members are not officially enrolled in 4-H until their 4-H Online enrollment is approved through the parish office.
• If you have questions or would like additional information about 4-H or our Project Clubs, contact the St. Charles Parish LSU AgCenter office.

For more information, contact your local Extension Office!

St. Charles Parish LSU AgCenter
Physical Address:
453 Spruce Street, Norco, La.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 557, Norco, LA 70079
Phone: 985-785-4473
Office Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Closed 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
4-H Agent: Dr. Kali Zammit
Email: kzammit@agcenter.lsu.edu
Website: www.lsuagcenter.com/stcharles

The LSU AgCenter and LSU provides equal opportunities in employment and programs. Should you need an ADA accommodation, please contact the St. Charles Parish LSU AgCenter Office at least two weeks prior to the event.