January 2024 - 4-H Youth Development Newsletter

January 24 Newsletter banner.

Upcoming Events

January

1: LSU AgCenter Office closed
9: State 4-H Fashion Day Camp
10: 4-H Culinary Arts Contest
Submission Day
15: LSU AgCenter Office closed

February

13: LSU AgCenter Office closed
21: 4-H Culinary Arts Contest Submission Day

March

2: 4-H Healthy Living Event
20: 4-H Culinary Arts Contest
Submission Day
29: LSU AgCenter Office closed

April

20: 4-H STEM Event
30: 4-H Achievement Day

May

14: 4-H Regional Culinary Arts
Contest

*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:

Start Your New Year with 4-H!

Kali and Dalton

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. Remember to mark those important dates and deadlines on your new 2024 calendars at home!

-Dr. Kali Zammit
St. Charles Parish 4-H Agent

*Pictured for 4-H Day of Service by 4-H Helping Hands display at the St. Charles Parish Library (Norco Branch)


Save the Dates – Summer 4-H Activities

4-H Summer Camp Group Picture4-H Summer Camp
at Camp Grant Walker
for 4th-6th graders
of the 2023-2024 school year
July 7-13, 2024

4-H University Participants4-H University
at LSU
for 8th – 12th graders of the 2023-2024 school year
June 18-21, 2024


*More information on both events coming soon!

Visit us at: www.lsuagcenter.com/stcharleswww.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.

LSU AgCenter Logo

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.

Facebook Logo

St. Charles 4-H Facebook Page

www.facebook.com/scp4h

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

Instagram Logo

St. Charles 4-H Instagram

@scp4h

Follow us on Instagram for highlights and announcements.

Google Classroom Logo

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.

  • 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 Jr. Leader Club – for all 7th–12th grade students
  • 4-H Fashion Club - for all 4th-12th grade students
  • 4-H Shooting Sports Club – for students 10 years old through 12th grade
    (Registration is closed for 4-H Shooting Sports for this year.)

4-H Contest Results

St. Charles Parish 4-H Contest results will be posted to your school club’s Google Classroom and/or our 4-H Facebook page at www.facebook.com/scp4h. Awards will be distributed at 4-H club meetings. Congratulations to all who participate!

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 Leadership Section:

  • 4-H Jr. Leader Club Meeting
  • 4-H Officers
  • Leading pledges at club meetings
  • 4-H Jr. Leadership Conference

4-H Citizenship/Community Service Section:

  • 4-H School or community club service projects

4-H Awards and Recognition Section:

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

Livestock and Horse Show Seasons

Livestock Show Exhibitors

The livestock season is well on its way! Good luck to all livestock exhibitors who will be participating in the District and State 4-H Livestock Shows. As we prepare for the upcoming Horse Show season, if you have horses and are interested in participating in this year’s LSU AgCenter Horse Shows, please contact 4-H Agent Dr. Kali Zammit at kzammit@agcenter.lsu.edu to receive information, rules, and regulations for participation.

Upcoming Livestock Show Dates:

Southeast District 4-H Livestock Show
February 1-3, 2024
LSU AgCenter State 4-H Livestock Show
February 10-17, 2024


4-H FAQ

How do I qualify to go to 4-H Achievement Day?
You receive points for every parish 4-H contest and event listed in the newsletter that you attend or participate in. You receive 5 points for major parish events and 1 point for every other event or contest. See point sheet in the newsletter for specifics.

When will we hear more about registering for 4-H Camp and 4-H University?
Soon! Applications will be posted in your 4-H club’s Google Classroom and in the monthly newsletter and on our LSU AgCenter website. Please be on the lookout.

Getting to Know: ANR - Agronomy


Dr. Renee Naquin


Dr. Renee Naquin
Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR)
Extension Agent & ANR Southeast Regional Coordinator


Did you know…

  • ANR (Agriculture and Natural Resources) is an educational program of the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana’s Cooperative Extension Service. Agronomy (the science of soil management and crop production) is one of the many areas of ANR.
  • Dr. Naquin currently works as the Area Agronomy Agent. Her job consists of getting information out to growers on the latest research when it comes to sugarcane and soybean production. She accomplishes this through field days, grower meetings, core block trials, farm visits, media, and more.
  • Dr. Naquin serves as the Southeast Region ANR Coordinator, where she mentors and supervises ANR Extension Agents in our region.
  • Dr. Naquin was a former 4-H Agent, 4-H Regional Coordinator, and 4-H member. She also continues to support the 4-H Program as a 4-H District Livestock Show Manager and works with the 4-H ATV Safety Program.
  • 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:Culinary Arts QR Code
Wednesday, January 10, 2024: Poultry and Wild Game
Wednesday, February 21, 2024: Beef
*New Date Change Wednesday, March 20, 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.Photography Contest QR Code

4-H Photography Contest Categories:
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 ContestAll Around Style Contest QR Code
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 ContestVirtual Talent Show Contest QR Code
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 ContestVirtual Pet Show Contest QR Code
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.

4-H Beef Poster Contest

Beef Poster Contest QR CodeThe theme for this year’s beef poster contest is: Bite Into Beef. This contest is open to K-12th grade 4-H members. Only 4th – 12th grade students are eligible to move on to the state level. Entries will be collected by the 4-H Agent at February club meetings. All entries are due by March 1 to the St. Charles Parish LSU AgCenter Office. Visit the Louisiana 4-H Beef Poster Contest web article for all contest rules.


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
Awards for current 12th grade members - Award Recipients receive 4-H jacket and/or honor cord to wear for graduationSenior Jacket

Senior Jacket

Current graduating senior 4-H members may apply to receive a 4-H honor cord to wear for graduation and a 4-H senior jacket to wear to show off their 4-H accomplishments. Jackets will be awarded in the winter. 4-H Honor Cords will be awarded in spring. There are two separate applications for these awards. Contact your 4-H Agent at kzammit@agcenter.lsu.edu for an application. Application deadline: January 31, 2024.

State 4-H Jr. Leadership Conference
3-day, 2-night adventure for current 8th – 12th grade members at least 14 years old - $75.00 fee

Kali & Lee

This 3-day, 2-night youth leadership conference is held at Camp Grant Walker in Pollock, La. The conference is hosted by youth leaders of the Louisiana 4-H Executive Board. Transportation to and from this event will be on your own. Space is limited. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis with preference given toward 4-H youth who have not already attended the conference. Contact your 4-H Agent at kzammit@agcenter.lsu.edu for an application. Application deadline: February 1, 2024.

State 4-H Scholarships
Awards for graduating seniors attending higher education institutions - Scholarships

Scholarship

Graduating senior 4-H members may apply for scholarships toward continuing education. Contact your 4-H Agent at kzammit@agcenter.lsu.edu to receive an application for this and future 4-H scholarships. Parish application deadline: February 15, 2024.

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 notalready 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

4-H Online Enrollment QR Code

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.

4-H Online Logo


4-H LogoMaking your BEST BETTER Bike Rodeo & Safety DayLSU AgCenter Logo

A Healthy Living 4-H Youth Development Program of the LSU AgCenter
March 2, 2024

St. Charles Parish LSU AgCenter Office
453 Spruce Street, Norco, LA

Schedule
8:00 a.m. - 3:30 a.m.
Orientation for 4-H Jr. Leaders, High School Members, & Volunteers

8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Sign-in for general 4-H members (K-8th grade) and families

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Healthy Living Safety Activities

ActivitiesBicycle Rider

  • Hop on a bike to try your best at the bicycle rodeo courses
  • Enjoy a fun snack while learning about kitchen food safety
  • Participate in fun hands-on demonstrations and activities focused on various aspects of safety
  • Enter a chance to win door prizes and make take-home items

Important Information

  • This event will be open to all St. Charles Parish 4-H members who are registered and approved in the 4-H Online system. Families are encouraged to join.
  • All participants must pre-register for the event by completing the 4-H Healthy Living Event Online Registration Form
  • Wear tennis shoes for the event.
  • Registered members should check their email prior to attending for any reminders or changes.

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

Register Here by February 15, 2024.Bike Rodeo QR Code


Learn by Doing 4-H Lessons
The Tree of Life Skills

4-H Civic Engagement Educational Program

Tree of the Month:
Live Oak

Live Oak Tree

Fun Fact: They get the name "live" oak because unlike any other oaks, these oaks do not lose their leaves in the winter. Louisiana celebrates arbor day this month (January 20, 2024), which is before the rest of the country because our planting season begins about three months earlier than other places.

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

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

Money is an important resource for everyone. Money is what we use to get the things we need and want. Learning how to manage money is a very important life skill. Financial goals can help you get the things that are important to you. Understanding different types of accounts and how to set up a budget are skills young people should learn early on to be successful in reaching goals in their future.

Lesson Activity: Spending the Beans

Individually or as a group, start out with 20 beans (example: red beans). Using the categories below, spend the beans how you see fit. Discuss how you decided to spend your beans. Now, pretend that you experienced a pay cut at your job. You now need to take away 7 beans. What do you take away? Why? See spending categories below:

  • Housing with Utilities
  • Communications
  • Savings
  • Insurance
  • Gifts
  • Furnishings
  • Recreation
  • Food
  • Personal Care
  • Transportation
  • Clothing & Laundry

Note: The bold categories are required purchases. The cost of each category ranges from no beans (borrowing), 1 bean (low quality), 2 beans (medium quality), to 3 beans (high quality).

Louisiana Harvest of the Month

Lettuce
4-H Healthy Living and STEM Educational Program

Harvest of the Month

Visit the farm!

Visit the Farm QR Code

Lettuce

Check out more information and recipes using our Louisiana Harvest of the Month!

Harvest of the Month QR Code

Lesson Activity: Lettuce Create Dressing
This month, lettuce (let us) use our creativity to create your very own salad dressing to go along with your personally selected lettuce mix. Choose your best use of lettuce mixture and create your own dressing using your variation of the ingredients below:

Lettuce Choices:
Iceberg Lettuce
Romain Lettuce
Spinach
Kale
Arugula

Dressing Ingredient Choices:
Olive oil
salt
pepper
vinegar
apple juice
lemon juice

For more information, contact your local Extension Office!

LSU AgCenter Logo

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.


ST. CHARLES PARISH
4-H Achievement Program

1 point
Members gain 1 point for active participation in the following:4-H Logo

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

Examples of Contests:

  • 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

Members must achieve the following in order to be invited to participate in the 4-H Educational Awards Field Trip:

  • Enrolled and approved through 4-H Online
  • For 4th - 12th grade members
  • 3 points by March 1, 2024

Note: The field trip is usually scheduled during Easter Break for St. Charles Parish Public Schools.

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 OnlineAchievement Day Participants
  • For K - 12th grade members
  • 5 points by April 1, 2024

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

RETURNING 4-H MEMBER?4-H Logo
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.

New 4-H Member?
Step 1: Complete 4-H Online Enrollment
Getting to the website4-H Online Enrollment QR Code

  • 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.

For more information, contact your local Extension Office!

LSU AgCenter Logo

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.

3/28/2024 5:36:44 PM
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