Search
St. Martin Parish 4-H Office 114 Courthouse Street Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 Phone 337-332-2181
Ashley Istre , 4-H Agent aistre@agcenter.lsu.edu Erica Poirier, 4-H Agent epoirier@agcenter.lsu.edu Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday
Website: www.louisiana4h.org/stmartin Facebook: St. Martin Parish 4-H Page (Hit “LIKE”)
The LSU Agricultural Center, a statewide campus of the LSU System, and Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, a statewide campus of the Southern University System, provide equal opportunities in programs and employment. Louisiana State University and A&M College, Southern University and A&M College, Louisiana parish governing bodies, and United States Department of Agriculture cooperating.
We are so excited to have you as a member of a very important group of 4-H’ers called Cloverbuds. As a Cloverbud, you are a real member of your 4-H Club. You get to meet new friends, go to new places, and participate in lots of 4-H activities with the rest of your group.
As a Cloverbud, you take the first step in learning about all the things there are to do in 4-H. Later, when you are in the fourth grade and 9 years old, you will be ready to step up to the next level and take on 4-H project work. In 4-H, the slogan is “Learn by Doing!” So, you will learn and do things every time you are with us. We’re
Sincerely,
Mrs. Ashley / Ashley Istre
4-H Agent
aistre@agcenter.lsu.edu
Mrs. Erica / Erica Poirier
4-H Agent
epoirier@agcenter.lsu.ed
Well…. a 4-H Agent makes 4-H happen in your parish. They plan events, come up with workshops for you to attend, make things fun, and visit you at club meetings. St. Martin Parish has two 4-H Agents. Meet the 4-H staff below.
The St. Martin Parish 4-H Office receives $10.00 from each 4-H member. This is collected by your 4-H Club Leader. Out of the $10.00 we collect from each 4-H’er, the State 4-H Office gets $5.00 to help pay for programs and awards. (The money that we keep from your dues helps us with the cost of our 4-H meeting supplies, contests, activities, and awards.) NOTE: Some clubs collect additional dues (up to $5.00) to help pay for 4-H club activities at their school. Your 4-H Leader will let you know what your 4-H dues are.
Being a 4-H member is going to be a lot of fun this year. You get what you put into your 4-H experience. So, what does it mean when you sign up to be a 4-H member? How do you have a positive experience as a 4-H member? Expectations of 4-H Members in order to have a great 4-H experience:
Have FUN Participate/Take Part in Events, Activities, and Workshops Make Friends Participate in Meetings Volunteer to Do Community Service Have a Good Attitude During 4-H Events Complete your 4-H Portfolio Do your own work Attend 4-H Achievement Day Ask Questions if You Are Confused!
Whether you are a seasoned 4-H parent, or this is your first year in 4-H with your child, there is a special role a parent plays in their child’s 4-H experience. Your child needs your encouragement to get them started in 4-H and to keep them involved in the program through their teen years. You can help if you:
Share: Take interest, look, listen, and offer suggestions, but avoid the temptation to “take over” and do things yourself. Prepare: Help your child value having their projects, duties, and presentations done right and on time. Be There: Parents are part of 4-H, too. You are welcome and very needed. Lend a hand where you can. Volunteer! Care: Support your child’s participation and abide by the policies set by the 4-H Youth Development Program. Remember - The St. Martin Parish 4-H program is run by trained youth development professionals who always have the best interest of your child and the program. Help us to make this a positive experience by helping your child and understanding your role as a 4-H parent. As always, if you have a question, concern or suggestion please do not hesitate to contact Erica or Ashley at 337-332-2181.
The 4-H Motto is: "To Make The Best Better"
This motto challenges everyone involved in 4-H to do the very best job they can.
The 4-H Colors Are: Green and White.
Green symbolizes nature's most common color. White symbolizes purity.
The 4-H Emblem is: A green four-leaf clover with the letter "H" on each leaf. The H’s stand for: Head, Heart, Hands, and Health
St. Martin Parish 4-H offers lots of opportunities throughout the year. How can you keep up with all of the events? Stay connected! We publish a monthly newsletter that will be given to the 4-H member at their monthly club meetings. (If you are absent on the day of the 4-H club meeting, ask your school club leader for a newsletter when you return to school.)
We also have a St. Martin Parish 4-H website where we post newsletters, calendars, contest rules, and much more! Check it often. The parish program is also connected through social media. We are on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Snapchat. Join our pages today to stay connected and be active in 4-H this year!
The 4-H agents are also available at the office on Monday-Friday from 8:00 am-4:30 pm at 337-332-2181. You can also email Mrs. Erica at epoirier@agcenter.lsu.edu or Mrs. Ashley at aistre@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Youth who are 9 years old prior to January 1, 2026 are eligible to participate in the livestock program. 4-H members who plan to raise animals and take part in the livestock shows must select the appropriate project(s) on their enrollment card. Exhibitors must also take possession of their animals by the dates listed below if they wish to participate in the parish, district, and state livestock shows. Exhibitors of market and commercial animals must validate their animals by the deadline.
If you will be exhibiting a livestock animal for the 1st time this year, please contact the 4-H Office at 337- 332-2181 immediately so you can be placed on our mailing lists in order to receive important information. The 4-H Agent that works with livestock is Mrs. Ashley Istre. Please contact Mrs. Ashley at 337-332-2181 or by email at aistre@agcenter.lsu.edu with any questions.
In livestock projects, as well as any other 4-H project, it is important for you to act in good character every day. It is not following just one pillar of character - You should look at all six of them.
Be an Exhibitor who Shows Good Character!
Youth who are 9 years old prior to January 1, 2026, are eligible to participate in the shooting sports program. 4-H members who plan to participate in the shooting sports program must select the Louisiana Shooting Sports project in the outdoor skills/shooting sports area on their enrollment card. If you select the Louisiana Shooting Sports project, you will be contacted by mail or email about the registration process, fees, future workshops, trainings, practices, and safety clinics. Project books will not be distributed until the first shooting sports meeting, which will be announced later. The 4-H Agent that works with shooting sports is Mrs. Erica Poirier. Please contact Mrs. Erica at 337-332-2181 or by email at epoirier@agcenter.lsu.edu with any questions.
**Please note that there are extra fees and requirements for those involved in the Shooting Sports program. Adult support is required. An adult must attend all events with youth.
Sunday, September 21, 2025
Breaux Bridge High School Livestock Barn
1:00 - 2:00 pm
This year’s 4-H theme is Beyond Ready. We equip youth with skills for the future while meeting them where they are today. Through 4-H, we offer opportunities and experiences that shape youth into their full, authentic selves, enabling them to shine both now and in the future. We will work on building up our youth by using their Heads, Hands, and Hearts to “Make the Best, Better!”
National 4-H Week will be celebrated October 5-11, 2025. We challenge each of our members to share your 4-H stories and participate in community service throughout the week! Be sure to check out our parish social media and Louisiana 4-H social media pages for ideas and activities. As you build your communities through service, please share your pictures and stories with us on social media by using #4HBeyondReady on all of your posts.
Each month, we will have a trivia contest in the Cloverbud Gazette newsletter.
If you email the correct answer to us, along with your full name, school you attend, and your grade level, by the deadline, you will receive a prize at your next club meeting. Remember, your answer must be correct!
September 4-H Trivia Question: What do the 4 H's stand for?
Email us the answer along with your full name, the school you attend, and your grade level by 9/24/25 to: stmartin4h@yahoo.com or 4-H@saintmartinschools.org if using a school email.
Our dedicated 4-H Agents recently attended the LAE4-HYDP Convention, where they proudly presented a poster session highlighting the success of the Junior Leader Lemonade and Bake Sales. A special congratulations goes to Mrs. Ashley Istre, who was honored with the prestigious Distinguished Service Award during the event. Ashley’s outstanding contributions will also be recognized nationally at the upcoming NAE4-HYDP Convention this fall. We’re proud of our team’s hard work and achievements!
All 4-H members are invited to join us at the first contest day of the year, 2025 4-H Fall Fest! Fall Fest will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, location TBD. What do you do at Fall Fest? At Fall Fest, you can enter the Pet Show, Cookery Contest, Fall photography Contest, Pumpkin Decorating Contest, and Rock Decorating Contest. A complete booklet of Fall Fest contest rules will be distributed at the October 4-H club meetings. If you have questions, call 337-332-2181.
Reference: 4 -H CloverbudProject Activity Guide; LSU AgCenterPub. 3387
Mrs. Erica Mrs. Ashley
Erica Poirier Ashley Istre
4-H Agent 4-H Agent
It is the policy of the LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, or disability. If you have a disability which requires special assistance for your participation in any aforementioned activity, please contact the St. Martin 4-H office at 337-332-2181. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs or disability.
