Welcome to the Wonderful World of 4-H! We are proud to be the largest positive youth development organization in the country. In 4-H, members complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture, and civic engagement in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult leaders and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.

This club is NOT just for kids who show livestock animals. Project areas range from environmental science to art and include everything in between. Livestock is just a fraction of what 4-H has to offer. Our broad range of projects can be found on the back of the enrollment card – check it out to see what project areas interest you!

How do I join 4-H?

If you attend school (4th & 5th Grade):

Basic 4-H Membership will be granted free of charge to all 4th & 5th graders who are attending school this year. That Basic Membership entitles students to a 4-H Project Book and monthly club activities which will be conducted during the school day.

Upgraded 4-H Membership is available through the 4-H office and will require a parent signature on enrollment card and any fees related to additional project books. Members who plan to show animals MUST contact the 4-H office and upgrade membership in order to enter shows.

If you attend school (6th – 12th Grade):

You will enroll through your school club with the 4-H Leader – list of school leaders below. Enrollment cards, along with club fees, should be turned in at school. Amount of club dues may vary between schools.

If you are in Virtual Vermilion (4th – 12th Grade):

Enrollment cards will be processed through the 4-H office in Abbeville. Parish dues are $7.00 per member and includes one project book. Additional books are $4.00 each. That can be done in person or the enrollment form and fee can be mailed to:

LSU AgCenter

1105 W. Port Street

Abbeville, LA 70510

4-H Adult Leaders

4-H Jr. Leader Club (8th – 12th Grades)

All 8th – 12th grade 4-H members are encouraged to join and participate in the Jr. Leader Club. This club is full of fun and friendship! We are working hard to conduct in person activities for this group – following all Covid-19 guidelines. It will work a little different than in the past, but we are committed to making it the best experience possible. Members will get to attend the fun-interactive monthly meetings and participate in the service activities the club works with each year. The Jr. Leader club also helps to run parish 4-H activities by serving as judges, registering contestants, and setting up for contests. We will rely on this group more than ever to help with our programming.

You will want to join us at our first meeting which will be held virtually through Microsoft Teams on September 24 at 6:00 pm. A link to join the meeting will be emailed to interested students. At that meeting, the officers will reveal the service-learning topic selected for this year and outline the plan for activities and trip destination!

This club has already accomplished a great service project. Soon after Hurricane Laura hit, they started collecting donations of personal care items to make individual blessing bags. Over 160 bags have been made and donated to families in need. Collections will continue and bags will be distributed weekly.

A Virtual 4-H Summer

Although the buses full of kids did not get to travel up to Camp Grant Walker for 4-H Summer Camp or to LSU for State 4-H University, Vermilion Parish 4-H did not stop! High school members competed in the first ever Virtual State 4-H University and did so very successfully. Eleven members earned spots on state 4-H Leadership Boards and 34 members earned ribbons for excellence in their contests. Additionally, many younger members took part in the state 4-H Virtual Camp and conducted fun, engaging activities from the comfort of their home.

Agents have worked hard throughout the summer learning new technology and teaching techniques to apply in the virtual world. Close relationships between the 4-H office and the school system have allowed for the creation of 4-H Google Classrooms in each school and for the Virtual Vermilion group as well. Plans were established to continue the monthly 4-H lessons in schools with the support of 4-H Leaders and school administrators.

National 4-H Week

October 4-10, 2020

We are looking forward to celebrating National 4-H Week October 4-10, 2020. Look for a special 4-H insert in the Sunday edition of the Abbeville Meridional at the beginning of that week. We encourage all clubs to plan some type of celebration in your school. Help spread the positive messages about our Vermilion Parish 4-H Youth Development Program.