In this issue:

• Upcoming Events
• Think 4-H Might be for You
• Service-learning Focus
• Join the Junior Leader Club
• LSU College of Ag Opportunities
• Holiday Card Contest
• Holiday Livestock Photo Contest
• Fashion & Beyond on Tour
• Farm Bureau Scholarship
• Spark Action Change Summit
• Food & Fitness Day Camp
• Valentine's Day Card Contest
• 4-H Senior Honor Cords
• Mardi Gras Mask Contest
• Mardi Gras Bead Contest
• LEAD-V
• 4-H Record Book Contest
• 4-H Highlights

Upcoming Events

• Holiday Card Contest - due December 13th
• Holiday Livestock Photo Contest - due December 13th
• Fashion & Beyond on Tour - register by December 20th
• Spark Action Change Summit - register by January 3rd
• Food & Fitness Day Camp - register by January 7th
• Farm Bureau Scholarship - deadline February 3rd
• Valentine's Day Card Contest - due February 10th
• 4-H Senior Honor Cords - deadline February 14th
• Mardi Gras Mask Contest - due February 28th
• Mardi Gras Bead Contest - due February 28th
• LEAD-V - deadline February 28th
• 4-H Record Book Contest - deadline April 4th

Think 4-H Might be for You?

Here's how to Join the Club:

• Attend the 4-H club meeting in your school.
• Review the 4-H materials given to you.
• Return the enrollment form to your club leader.
• Select a 4-H project book.
• Pay your $5 dues at your school.

Service-learning Focus

Combating Hunger & Poverty in Louisiana is our state and parish service-learning focus for the 2024-2025 year. Opportunities will be offered for you to participate in our statewide focus. Let’s all make a difference in our community and state.

"We know that a peaceful world cannot exist one-third rich and two-thirds hungry." – Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States of America

Join the Junior Leader Club

The 4-H junior leader experience is designed to provide members with the opportunity to learn about the qualities and competencies needed to be a leader. Junior leaders provide assistance with 4-H events and assume more challenging leadership roles. Our Junior Leader program is a great place to experience new things, complete service-learning projects, meet new friends, travel, and learn the leadership skills necessary in the world. Contact the office for more information.

LSU College of Ag Opportunities

The LSU College of Agriculture offers personalized visits for high school students to learn more about LSU and the College of Agriculture. Students can schedule a visit to campus by visiting: https://admissions.lsu.edu/portal/campus-tours

Holiday Card Contest

Get in the holiday spirit by using your creativity to design a card for nursing home residents in East Carroll Parish. This is a 4-H contest, and a service project combined. Contest entries will be forwarded to Cypress at Lake Providence. Due December 13th.

• Entries must be the member’s original design on an 8.5 x 5.5-inch (or 5.5 x 8.5-inch) paper.
• Members are encouraged to incorporate a “holiday” theme and may include the 4-H name or emblem. A greeting/message should be included in the design.
• Include the student’s name, grade, and school on the back of the card.

Holiday Livestock Photo Contest

Fashion & Beyond on Tour

The State 4-H Fashion Board is excited to announce Fashion & Beyond on Tour for 2025 – Wednesday, January 15th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Winnsboro. Tour ticket price is $35 per person. Open to 5th-12th grade 4-H members. The deadline to register and pay is Friday, December 20th. See your 4-H leader or Ms. Lucas for more details.

Spark Action Change Summit

7th and 8th grade 4-H members can experience firsthand how government works, engage in impactful service-learning projects, and develop essential skills for personal growth. This event will be held in Baton Rouge from February 20-22, 2025.

Highlights include:

• Exclusive tour of the Louisiana State Capitol
• Inspiring talks from local change-makers
• Interactive workshops and activities

The cost is $125 per participant which includes lodging, meals, educational experiences and conference swag. Deadline to register is Friday, January 3rd.

Food & Fitness Day Camp

Who: 4th-6th Grade 4-H members

When: Tuesday, January 14th

Where: 4-H Mini Barn – LSU Campus – Baton Rouge

Cost: $35/person (includes lunch)

Register by: January 7th through 4-H Online: https://v2.4honline.com/

Farm Bureau Scholarship

• Up to five scholarships will be awarded based on academic achievement, ACT scores, individual leadership, and financial need.
• Winners will be eligible to receive up to $3,000 during the 2025-2026 academic year.
• Winners who maintain academic and curriculum eligibility may continue their scholarship for a total of four consecutive years.
• Applicants or their parents must be current members of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation.
• Applicants must pursue a career in agriculture by choosing a curriculum in agriculture, agribusiness, agriscience, or other curriculum directly benefiting the agricultural sector of Louisiana’s economy.
• The deadline to apply is February 3rd.
• A complete list of requirements and application are available at www.lafarmbureau.org/foundation

Valentine's Day Card Contest

Create a card to be given to residents at Cypress at Lake Providence nursing home. The residents deserve to know that their local 4-H’ers care about them during Valentine’s Day. Cards are due Monday, February 10th.

4-H Senior Honor Cords

To receive the 4-H Honor Cord, 4-H members must meet the following requirements:

• Be a currently enrolled 4-H member and in good standing.
• Be a graduating senior.
• Must have been enrolled in 4-H for at least three years of their high school career.
• Must have participated in at least one state sponsored 4-H program in the past three years or demonstrated exemplary parish-level program involvement.
• Complete the application form by February 14th.

Click here for the new application.

Contact your 4-H Leader or Ms. Lucas for more information. This award is sponsored by the Louisiana 4-H Foundation.

Mardi Gras Mask Contest

The mask must be made by the 4-H’er. It must be made using the paper template provided by Ms. Lucas. Divisions will be 4th-5th grades and 6th-12th grades. Awards in each division will be 1st Place ($15), 2nd Place ($10), and 3rd Place ($5). Masks are due Friday, February 28th.

Mardi Gras Bead Contest

Create artwork using Mardi Gras beads. Divisions will be 4th-5th grades and 6th-12th grades. Awards in each division will be 1st Place ($15), 2nd Place ($10), and 3rd Place ($5). Bead artwork due Friday, February 28th.

LEAD-V (LSU Early Admissions in Developing Veterinarians)

Are you interested in becoming a veterinarian? Check this out!

• High school seniors who have been active in 4-H and/or FFA.
• Louisiana resident from an area identified as rural.
• Firm minimum 3.5 GPA at the time of graduation.
• Firm minimum 23 on the ACT.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience and involvement with food animals, veterinary medicine, and/or production medicine.
• Identified interest in rural animal medicine/food animal production medicine.
• Demonstrated leadership and community engagement.
• Completed application including three letters of reference. One reference letter must be from a 4-H agent or FFA advisor. Letters should speak to the applicant’s qualities/characteristics.
• Application must be submitted by January of the applicant’s senior year in high school.
• Apply online
• Deadline: February 28th

4-H Record Book Contest

The Louisiana 4-H Record Book Contest is a traditional event where members choose a project area, develop skills, and document their growth. East Carroll Parish 4-H will host its annual competition with top entries advancing to the state level. The deadline is April 4th. All entries will be recognized at Awards Day. Please contact Ms. Lucas for more information.

4-H Highlights