September 2025 - 4-H Clover Talk

Kayla Manuel

This Year’s Dates and Events

September

(9/15) Junior Leader Bingo Bash
(9/25) Shooting Sports Parent Meeting

October

(10/1) Sweet Potato Sales Start
(10/5-11) National 4-H Week
(10/13) Slime Club & Junior Leader Meeting
(10/21) 4-H Fall Festival
(10/24) Pumpkin Decorating Contest
(10/26 – 11/12) State Fair
(10/28) Bulletin Board Contest
(10/31) Sweet Potato Forms Due to leaders

November

(11/7) Beef, Sheep, Goat, Exhibition Poultry, Dairy & Mini Beef Possession/Validation
(11/7) Pick up Sweet Potatoes
(11/10-11) Turn in Fair Craft Items
(11/12) Turn in Fair Food Items
(11/15) 4-H/FFA Bash on the bayou
(11/12-15) Allen Parish Fair
(11/17) Slime Club & Junior Leader Meeting
(11/19-20) AgMagic CENLA-Evac Shelter
(11/24) 4-H Cloverbuds Workshop

December

(12/1) Swine Possession/Validation
(12/1) Jr Leader Christmas party
(12/5-7) Shooting Sports Camp

January

(1/12) Slime Club and Junior Leader Meeting
(1/16-17) Allen Parish Livestock Show
(1/17) Allen Parish Market Sale
(1/27-31) Southwest District Livestock Show

February

(2/14 -21) State Livestock show
(2/13) Demonstration Day
(2-24) Slime Club & Jr. Leader meeting
(2/26-27) Career Camp

March

(3/10) Southern Regional Louisiana 4-H Food Challenge
(3/13-15) JLC
(3/16) Regional Cookery
(3/20-4/4) Southern Regional Shooting Sports
(3/23) Slime Club & Junior Leader Meeting

April

(4/2) Achievement Day
(4/20) Slime Club & Junior Leader meeting
(4/10-19) State Shootings Sports Match

May

(5/20) State Louisiana Food Challenge

June

(6/20-27) National Shooting Sports Match
(6/23-26) 4-H University

July

Crochet Day Camp: TBA

Exciting Camp Opportunities!

This year, we're offering an amazing chance to attend a 4-H camp for FREE! Register for 4-H by September 30th and you'll be entered into a drawing for a free camp experience tailored just for you.

4th to 6th Graders: Win a spot at 4-H Summer Camp—a fun-filled week of outdoor activities, new friendships, and unforgettable memories!
7th & 8th Graders: Enter to attend Career Camp—a weekend of team building, leadership skills, and exciting challenges that push you to be your best.
High School Students: Get a chance to go to 4-H University—where you can explore career paths, showcase your talents, and connect with peers from across the state.

Livestock

If you are planning to show livestock this year, please register by clicking on the link. This also includes showing horses. By registering you will receive information by email.Also please go like our livestock face book page: Allen Parish Livestock Information Page: Livestock Show Participants

4-H Livestock Program is a unique opportunity to use animals and educational projects to enhance youth development.

Livestock Show Dates!

Parish Show/Market Sale: January 16-17
District Show: January 27-31
State Livestock Show: February 14-21

4-H Club Bulletin Board Contest!

The Bulletin Board should promote Allen Parish 4-H. It should also provide a creative way to display events and information going on each month.
Leaders! If you are interested in working on your bulletin board during your October club meeting, please let your 4-H Agent know. Please Email or text a Picture of Bulletin Board by: Monday October 28, 2025, blafargue@agcenter.lsu.edu
Winning Club Will Receive an Ice Cream Party!

4-H Summer Camp

Calling all 4^th-6^th Grade Members!Camp Grant Walker is such an important part of being a 4-H Member.Our summer camp program continues to be a beloved tradition for the 4-H youth in Louisiana. We continue to offer every camper the opportunity to gain new experiences and independence, learn to appreciate the outdoors, friendships, and have a chance to participate in educational tracks and recreational activities. We will share camp dates as soon as we have them.

Attention Potential Camp Counselors! (9^th-12^th grades) If you are interested in attending camp as a counselor, This year you must request/complete an application

blafargue@agcenter.lsu.edu

Shooting Sports

If you enjoy the outdoors and hunting, you’ll love the shooting sports project! This project covers firearm safety and teaches responsible handling and use. Get ready because this project is hands on.This year we are offering Archery and shotgun.

To participate you must have your own equipment. The Deadline to sign up for this program is September 25, 2025
If you are interested in signing up for shootings sports, It is mandatory that you attend our meeting on September 25th at the 4-H Office.You may come by the office anytime from 3:00pm-5:00pm.This is a time for you to pay, Register, ask questions, and receive additional information. If you are unable to attend, we are happy to make arrangements prior to this meeting.

Join the 4-H Pumpkin Decorating Contest!

Celebrate the fall season with some creative fun! All 4-H members are invited to participate in our Pumpkin Decorating Contest.

Details:

When to Submit: Bring your decorated pumpkin to school by October 24, 2025.
Judging Day: Your 4-H Agent will visit your school on October 27th to judge the pumpkins.
Display Area: Leaders, please ensure there's a designated area at your school to display the pumpkins.
Categories:Spookiest Pumpkin, Funniest Pumpkin, 4-H Spirit Pumpkin, Cutest Pumpkin, Animal Themed Pumpkin, Carved Pumpkin, Book Character Pumpkin,Mini Pumpkins
Please make sure your name and category are on the bottom of your pumpkin.You may write it with a permanent marker or attach a sheet of paper with the information.

Let's make this fall season colorful and creative! We can't wait to see your amazing pumpkins!

Celebrate National 4-H Week!

October 5–11, 2025

Join us as we celebrate the power of youth during National 4-H Week! This year’s theme, “Grow with 4-H,” highlights how 4-H empowers young people with the skills they need to lead for a lifetime.

Weekly Activity Ideas:

Monday – Kickoff
Wear green and show your 4-H pride! Share your 4-H story on social media using #4HGrowsHere.
Tuesday – Community Service Day
Clubs will participate in local service projects. Help us make a difference in our school
Wednesday – 4-H Spirit Day
Decorate your school lockers, classrooms, or community centers in green and white.
Thursday – 4-H Posters
Submit a 4-H Poster to your Club Leader
Friday – Appreciation Day
Thank your 4-H leaders, volunteers, and supporters with cards, treats, or shout-outs.

Join Us for the 4-H Fall Fest!
Date: October 21, 2025, at the 4-H Office

Get ready for a day full of fun, friends, and fall festivities!

The 4-H Fall Fest is filled with exciting activities for all ages.

Cookery Contest: Please look at our cookery rule sheet.You MUST Pre-Register and submit your recipe prior to this contest.Check-in under the Office carport 10:00am-10:30am.Bring half of your dish in a disposable container (you will not get the container back).All dishes must arrive in an ice chest with ice, as required by food safety guidelines.Once you check in and turn in your dish, you may either leave or stay to participate in the other fun activities we have planned!
Pet Show:Bring your furry, feathered, or scaled friends! Whether you're a member or a non-member, everyone is welcome to participate. $3.00 per animal to participate. Sign up 11:00am-11:30am. The show will begin at 11:30am We encourage you and your pet to be dressed in costume.Dogs must be on leashes.
Trunk or Treat:Stop by and get candy!Make sure you bring a bag or bucket for your treats.
Support Our Junior Leaders!
The Allen Parish 4-H Junior Leaders are selling Soft Serve Ice Cream as a fundraiser!
These sweet treats are loaded with a variety to toppings. Don’t miss your chance to grab a delicious snack and support a great cause!
Limited quantities available — get yours before they’re gone!

Allen Parish 4-H Cookery Contest!

Showcase your culinary skills and join us for the 4-H Cookery Contest on October 21, 2025, at the 4-H office. This is a fantastic opportunity for members to develop life skills, explore their cooking talents, and share their love of food!

We follow the same rules as the Central Region Cookery that is held on March 16, 2026.

The top two winners from each category will move onto Regional Cookery.

Important Information:

Mandatory Pre-Registration: Help us prepare for the event by registering in advance. If you choose to use your phone to upload the recipe you need to download Microsoft Onedrive. If you have any issues uploading, please contact the 4-H office. allen@agcenter.lsu.edu
Please click on the link to Register/Submit Recipe by October 17, 2025: Allen Parish 4-H Cookery Contest
Check-in: Car Port at the 4-H office, 10:00-10:30

Contest Categories:

Egg: Any dish, Dessert

(The egg dish must utilize a minimum of four (4) eggs.This can be four (4) whites, four (4) yolks, or four (4) whole eggs.NO RAW EGGS WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE FINAL PRODUCT.

The recipe with 4 eggs must make only one standard size dish.For example, a recipe with 4 eggs that makes two pies of standard size will not qualify.

Sweet Potato: Dessert, Any dish

Pecan: Dessert, Any dish

(Dish must contain at least one (1) cup of pecans)

Rice: Any dish

(1Dish must contain at least one (1) cup of cooked rice.Wild rice is not cultivated rice in Louisiana and does not meet the requirement of (1) cup of cooked rice.Dishes containing rice products such as rice cereal, rice flour, etc. must also contain cooked rice.Example: Traditional rice Krispie treats do not meet the contest requirements.)

Beef: Any dish

(Dish must contain at least one (1) pound of beef meat)

Rules:

The food should be exhibited in a disposable container, not to exceed 18” to allow adequate space for all entries.Food and containers will be discarded at the conclusion of the contest. Contestants, parents/guardians, and leaders will not be allowed back into contest area after judging has concluded.Items not directly related to the dish such as placemats, flower arrangements, figurines, trays, large soup tureens, etc. are not allowed.

Only half of the dish / quantity of the recipe will be exhibited.The contestant may keep the other half of the dish at home for his/her family to enjoy.This saves money and reinforces safe food practices to prevent food borne illness.

After the dish has been checked-in and temperature checked, only the contestant will be allowed into the judging area before the contest. Contestants must be prepared to display their dish(es) on their own. Agents will be available to assist contestants if needed. Non-edible items are not to be used as garnish. Only traditional garnishes i.e. … parsley, peppers, lemons and tomatoes are allowed. No raw eggs allowed in any category. FOOD SAFETY - After preparation, the dish must be chilled to refrigerator temperature, 40 DEGREES F or LOWER. Dishes must be transported on ice/icepacks and in an ice chest to the contest. DISHES NOT CHILLED AND TRANSPORTED IN THIS MANNER WILL BE DISQUALIFIED BY CONTEST OFFICIALS. Any insulated container not designed to transport food for human consumption will be disqualified. If you have any concerns or questions, please reach out to your agent before the contest day.

Each contestant needs to email or bring a copy of their recipe with them to the contest with only the contestant number and dish division on it.Recipes must be printed on an 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper.Please follow the rules below for the recipe to be submitted.

Recipe Evaluation The recipe should include the following parts:

Name of recipe given
Ingredients listed in order used
Include size and weight of cans, packages, etc.Example:10 ¾ ounce can of cream of mushroom soup
No abbreviations…tablespoon, teaspoon, cup, etc.must be used
No ingredient brands listed on recipe.Example:Campbell’s, Karo, Kraft, etc.
Clear instructions for combining ingredients given
Size of pan stated
Temperature and cooking time stated
Number of servings given
Dish meets contest and division requirements

Junior Leader Bingo Bash!

Attention Members Age 13 by Jan 1, 2026

Allen Parish Junior Leaders are gearing up for a great year. Junior Leader members learn leadership skills, work on service-learning projects, serve as camp counselors and are offered many other leadership opportunities. Our first meeting is a BINGO BASH! We will have prizes and a costume contest!

How do I become a member?

This year we are having members get sponsors.This will help cover membership fees, T-shirt, and will serve as fundraiser. Members must get a donation of $50.00 or more from a business or family member. Once you have a sponsor please request a coupon code allen@agcenter.lsu.edu

Enroll in 4-H at v2.4honline.com
Log into your 4-H Online account
Click View next to your name
Go to the Events tab
Select Register for New Event
Choose Allen Parish Jr. Leadership Club
Complete the registration process
Come to our next meeting & get involved!

Allen Parish 4-H Slime Club

Get ready to mix, stretch, squish, and create!
The Allen Parish 4-H Slime Club is open to all members who want to explore the science (and FUN!) of slime.Junior Leaders please let me know if you would like to help.

Learn how to make different types of slime
Experiment with colors, textures, and add-ins
Discover the science behind polymers and chemical reactions
Take home your own slime creations!
Bring your own Crawfish Tray to the meeting.The tray will stay at the 4-H Office.

Who can join? All 4-H members
When? First Meeting is October 13th 4:00pm-5:00Pm
Where? 4-H Office
Cost? $10.00 to join