Important Dates

October

November

How do I join 4-H?

The way you join 4-H this year depends on a few factors. Are you in school or virtual? What grade are you in? See the information below to find your category:

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 to enter shows.

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

You will enroll through your school club with the 4‐H Leader – refer to list of school leaders for contact at your school. 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 can be emailed to you. To request an email copy, send an email to strahan@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Enrollment card and fee can be mailed to:

Vermilion 4-H

1105 W. Port Street

Abbeville, LA 70510

4-H Google Classrooms

All 4-H members should join the 4-H Google Classroom for your school/club. Check your email for invitation or ask your club leader if you have not received an invitation. Virtual Vermilion 4-H Google Classroom is being operated through the parish 4-H office. Each month your Vermilion 4-H Cracklins Newsletter will be delivered to your Google Classroom. Also, any workshop or contest information will be distributed in this manner throughout the year.

National 4-H Week

National 4-H Week is October 4-10, 2020! This is the time to tell others all about 4-H! Clubs are encouraged to put up poster and displays and publicize 4-H throughout their schools and communities. Make a special effort to thank sponsors and leaders in your area for supporting the 4-H club program. The state theme is “Clovers Come Through.” Share your 4-H success with the parish office so clubs and members can be featured throughout the year on our social media platforms!

4-H Jr. Leader Club – 8th – 12th Graders

The 4-H Jr. Leader Club is off to a great start! Attendance at the first meeting included 92 members and 16 parents! Club President, Mallory Meaux, outlined the group’s service-learning project for this year which is focusing on Mental Health Awareness. Her presentation featured activities that the club will be participating in throughout the year and revealed the destination of the educational trip – West Virginia!! To travel with the group, members must earn points throughout the year by participating in club meetings and activities. Top point earners will be invited on the trip. For more information contact the 4-H Agents. The next meeting will be on Thursday, October 15, 2020.

4-H Junior Leaders at first meeting.

4-H members playing stacking cup game.

Virtual 4-H Pumpkin Workshop – Deadline October 30

Watch your 4-H Google Classroom and/or your email during National 4-H Week for a video link to a virtual 4-H pumpkin workshop! You will have an opportunity to carve or paint your own pumpkin at home and submit a photo of you and your pumpkin to get credit for participating in this parish-level activity! Certificates of participation will be awarded, and you can count this activity on your point sheet for 4-H Camp and Outstanding Club Member at the end of the school year. Photos must include you and your carved OR painted pumpkin and must be submitted through your google classroom or emailed to 4h@vpsb.net . When submitting, be sure to include your name, school, and grade on your email.

4-H Engineering Contests – 8th-12th Graders

ATV, Compact Tractor, Tractor Driving

The 2020 Vermilion 4-H Engineering contest will be held Tuesday, November 3rd at 1:00 pm at the 4-H Barn in Abbeville. The contest is open to 8-12th grade members. The contest will offer Tractor Driving, Compact Tractor and ATV operation. To be eligible for a placing contestant must complete both the written test and driving portion of a contest. Contestants are not required to compete in all three events to participate. Course descriptions and diagrams are included below to help you prepare. Reminder all three of these contests are 4-H University qualifying – winners will have first choice to take part in the state contest. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Hilton at 898-4335 or email at hwaits@agcenter.lsu.edu

ATV Course

Compact Tractor Driving Course

Tractor Driving Course

Jr. High 4-H Fishing Clinic

Our annual 4-H Fishing Clinic is taking on a new twist this year. This event will be open to 4-H members in the 6th – 8th grades and will provide fun, hands-on fishing skills. Interested members must pre-register by completing this form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?i...

More specific details will be sent to those who register. Deadline for registration is November 2, 2020.

Digital Poster/Slide Contest – Topic: Food Science

The November 4-H Science Lab lesson relates to Food Science! Check your Google Classroom at the beginning of November for this optional parish 4-H contest. Create a Google Slide featuring any scientific principle related to Food Science. Submit your entry by November 19 to be judged. This will count as a parish-level contest and can be included on your scoresheet for 4-H Camp and Outstanding Club Member at the end of the year.Slides will be judged in three (3) grade divisions:

• 4th – 5th (all entries will receive either Gold, Silver or Bronze ribbons based upon scores)
• 6th – 8th (1st – 5th place ribbons will be awarded to top five then remainder will receive Gold, Silver or Bronze depending on scorecard)
• 9th – 12th (1st – 5th place ribbons will be awarded to top five and 6th – 10th place will receive Gold ribbons)

Slides will be judged on the following criteria:

• Coverage of topic
• Use of graphics
• Organization
• Layout and design
• Mechanics (spelling, grammar, punctuation)

Fall Livestock Show

Livestock exhibitors will have a chance to show their animals (beef, swine, sheep, goats) at a fall livestock show on November 20-21, 2020. It will be held at the Cecil McCrory Exhibit Building and is open to Vermilion 4-H exhibitors only. More information and entry details will be sent directly to livestock exhibitors. If you are interested, please contact hwaits@agcenter.lsu.edu.

4-H Clothing Contest

Turn in and model garments at the 4-H office between 4:30 & 6:00 pm on the following dates:4th – 5th Grade - November 30 /6th – 12th Grade - December 1

All 4-H’ers are invited to take part in the 4-H Clothing Contest. Members must construct (sew) garments that fit their body because modeling the garment for the judge is part of the contest scoring. A virtual fashion show will also be created this year in lieu of an in-person event. Contestants will model for the judge when they submit their entry to the 4-H office and should come prepared with proper accessories and shoes for the complete outfit. Pictures for the virtual fashion show will be taken at this time. This contest is a 4-H University qualifying event for 8th – 12th grade members. Winners in those grades will be offered the opportunity to compete at the state event next summer. Please read the following category list carefully.

4th-5th Grade Categories:

Tops: Includes any shirt or blouse that fits the member. Does NOT include vests, aprons or another item that must be worn with something underneath to be complete.

Bottoms: Includes pants, shorts, skirts, or capris

Simple Nightgown: One-piece garment appropriate for sleepwear

Any other garment: Any garment that does not fit one of the categories listed above. Must be a garment that the member can wear and model for appearance judging.

6th – 12th Grade Categories

[NOTE: All entries MUST be a complete outfit at this grade level]:

Casual Wear: Includes any complete outfit appropriate for a casual occasion. Does NOT include floor length skirts or very dressy outfits.

Special Occasion: Includes any complete outfit appropriate for special wear including prom, wedding, interview, etc.

Creative Choice: Includes any complete outfit for any occasion but with emphasis on challenging construction components. Outfit must feature five (5) or more of the following: bound buttonholes; collar or neckline treatment; creative stitchery; cuffs; design that must be matched; gathers; ruffles; flounces; handmade accessories; lining; pleats; tucks; pockets; sleeves; special seams; tailored collar; trim or decorative detail; underlining; use of unusual fabrics; waistband; use of two (2) or more fabrics of different weight or textures; yoke; or zipper.

Appearance judging criteria includes: Design, Fit, Accessories, and Presentation. Members can earn up to ten (10) points in each category for a total possible score of 40 points. The construction judging is valued at 60 points for a combined possible of 100 points for the entry. Members will leave garments at the 4-H office for construction judging.

Membership and participation in activities and events are open to all citizens without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, veteran status or disability. Should you need an ADA accommodation, please contact our office at (337) 898-4335 no later than 2 weeks prior to the event. The LSU AgCenter provides equal opportunities and employment. Cooperating agencies: LSU AgCenter, Louisiana parish governing bodies, and United States Department of Agriculture.

For more information about the Vermilion Parish 4-H Program contact:

Vermilion 4-H

1105 W. Port Street

Abbeville, LA 70510

337.898.4335