February

9 - Jr. Leader Meeting (8-12th Graders)

11-18 - State Livestock Show - Gonzales

21 - Happy Mardi Gras

28 - James Baudoin & Cecil McCrory Award Apps Due

March

1 - Record Books DUE in Parish 4-H Office

3-4 - 4-H Challenge Camp (7th Graders)

7 - Area Cookery Contest, Crowley (parish winners participate)

9 - Jr. Leader Meeting (8-12th Graders)

11-18 - Southern Regional Shooting Sports Match

17 - 4-H Achievement Day Exhibit Entry, KHS

18 - 4-H Achievement Day, KHS

30 - 4-H Advisory Committee Meeting

Cooperation is important because it allows people and groups to work together to achieve a common goal or derive mutual benefits. Cooperation exists at many levels and takes place between individuals and organizations as well as between states and countries. Cooperation allows participants to exchange valuable information that helps both sides improve their knowledge bases and work in a time- and resource-efficient manner.

Members will practice cooperation with their team this month as they navigate an activity that will only be successful through full cooperation.

After several years of working as a 4-H Program Assistant, Mrs. Natalie and her family are moving to Florida to be closer to her husband's family. We appreciate all she has done for our parish 4-H program and wish her the best in her future experiences. We will miss her!

Make plans to attend 4-H Achievement Day and earn awards for your amazing 4-H project experiences. Hard-copy rules will be given out at your March club meetings but for those who want to get started early, you can find the digital rules here: https://lsuagctr-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/swaits_agcenter_lsu_edu/EY8BjCFRSGJKgRjEyYIYlJkBfNXOTIFnmspUBvaamsxGlA?e=1zhJCy

All 4-H’ers are invited to take part in the 4-H Clothing Contest. Members must construct (sew) garments that fit their body - modeling the garment for the judge is part of the contest scoring. Contestants will model for the judge when they submit their entry to the 4-H office on March 15. You may arrive any time between 4:00 and 6:00 pm and will visit with the judge in the order that you arrive. Please come prepared with proper accessories and shoes for the complete outfit. Photos will be taken to create a video Fashion Show. You will leave your garment at the 4-H office this evening to be judged on construction. They will be returned to you at 4-H Achievement Day at Kaplan High on March 18.

RULES can be found here: 2023 Clothing Contest Rules.pdf

The Vermilion Parish 4-H Junior Leader club started off the new year full of fun. The 46 members who attended the meeting on Thursday, January 19th, learned about the Louisiana poultry industry. The meeting’s main activity involved three live chickens presented by the Parish Agent Mr. Hilton Waits. He explained that chickens are bred for the highest quality of either their eggs or meat. The color, size, and shape of an egg can also determine its quality so it can be placed in grade AA (the best), A, or B (usually used in other ways like animal feed). There is actually no difference in quality between brown or white eggs, but most people prefer white eggs because the color is more appealing to the eye.

In other news, the 4-H program would like to congratulate members who competed and placed at various livestock events, including Morgan Meaux, Everette Pourciau, and Nash Hebert, who placed 4th in the State Horse Judging contest. The winners of the Safe Driving Contest, which was during Demonstration Day in December, were awarded cash by Joshua Duhon, Vermilion Farm Bureau. Farm Bureau Insurance is a proud supporter of 4-H and is grateful that so many young people understand the dangers that people face when they’re driving. Many members from the club earned state award trips. Andrew Courville, Samantha Moreau, and Lane Frederick traveled to Orlando and visited Disney World, Universal Studios, and the Kennedy Space Center since their record books placed on the state level. Amelie Broussard and Molly Bordelon received the Louisiana educational trip also for their record books. Amelia Detraz and Bryce Trahan got hands-on experience in Louisiana’s marshland on the Advanced Marsh Maneuvers trip held at White Lake.

Several important events are coming up in February. The Friends of 4-H Steak Dinner will be held on February 25th. It is a vital fundraiser for the club, and includes a delicious steak dinner and an auction. Half of the proceeds will go to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Anyone submitting parish record books must do so by March 1, 2023. Placing at the parish level will allow members to compete on the state level to win fun trips. Anyone interested in attending the Junior Leadership Conference or being a camp counselor at the Vermilion Parish 4-H Challenge Camp must submit the required forms by the next club meeting, February 9th. Application forms can be picked up at the 4-H office. The State Livestock Show will also take place on February 11-18, so let’s cheer on the Vermilion Parish delegation for this important event.

Livestock Judging Contest Results:

https://lsuagctr-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/swaits_agcenter_lsu_edu/EftIoqjFkC9GgGPiwV_NTFEBWUVDeiYFlQVaGLTBmWTMOw?e=1H6E2v

Poultry Judging Results:

https://lsuagctr-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/swaits_agcenter_lsu_edu/EVBqrkbR7TBHux0eOayX61MBaxuo9JLT8t05Vz16wO-pgg?e=auxC6Q

Mrs. Michelle has been a volunteer leader for 4-H since 2005 but has been involved with the program since she was a member in elementary school. She has served as an organizational leader with local clubs and the parish Jr. Leader club, has organized workshops for members, prepared young people for parish and state contests, and chaperoned trips all over the country. She currently serves as Chairman of the Vermilion Parish 4-H Advisory Committee. Her support of the Vermilion Parish 4-H Program is recognized and greatly appreciated.

Mrs. Vickie has been involved with the Vermilion Parish 4-H Program since 1996 when she helped to organize the first homeschool 4-H club in the parish. She has served as an organizational leader for several clubs and supported members efforts in project work and competitions. She also served on the Vermilion Parish 4-H Foundation Board where her expertise as a CPA was very valuable. She has donated countless hours to help strengthen the program and it is very much appreciated!

LeBlanc Elementary School was accidentally left off the Food Drive list. They collected 2,064 pounds! That brings our parish total to 31,040 pounds!!!

A memorial fund was established in memory of the late James W. Baudoin who made significant contributions during his 34 years in Extension. Mr. Baudoin inaugurated the 4-H Handicraft project in the state, enlisting local support and facilities. He also developed an outstanding 4-H Safety project over the years.

Active 4-H members in 11th and 12th grade are encouraged to apply. Two members will be selected to receive this honor which comes with a plaque and a $100 cash award. Application can be found here: https://forms.office.com/r/nEsSL2wq0R

This award is given each year to a graduating senior who has excelled in agriculture related projects throughout their 4-H career. It is named in honor of Mr. Cecil McCrory who served Vermilion Parish as an Extension Agent from 1977 – 1993. During his tenure as an agent, he worked as a 4-H agent and county agent in charge of rice and livestock.

Mr. Cecil was always a strong supporter of the Vermilion 4-H Program and believed in it’s goals and mission. The award was created in 1994 after his death in a hunting accident.

This award is made possible through contributions made to the Cecil McCrory Award Memorial Fund which was started in 1994. One graduating senior will be recognized with this honor which comes with a plaque and a $100 cash award.

Graduating Seniors in any Agriculture related project can complete the application here: https://forms.office.com/r/einht7DKi6

In an effort to recognize graduating 4-H seniors, the Louisiana 4-H Foundation sponsors the 4-H Honor Cord Award. Please visit the following 4-H Honor Cord application link for award criteria and information: Senior Honor Cords (lsuagcenter.com)

The state deadline for submission is Friday, February 17th.

Make a plan to complete your project books and portfolios so the activities are not done at the last minute. It’s important to read the front section of your project book because all books have different requirements for being considered “complete.” Once you learn how many activities you must do, skim through the entire book to select the ones that seem most interesting to you for this year. Flag them with sticky notes or bookmarks and begin working on them…..consider doing one each weekend. Remember to record your complete activities in the chart which is usually found in the front of the book. Have your parent or project helper initial and date the activity as complete.

Remember that ANYTHING you do related to that project/subject can count and be listed in your project book—even if it is not a specific activity in the book. For example, if you are working on the photography project and you watch a TV show or read a magazine article on photography tips, THAT COUNTS and can be listed in your book!

Members in 4th and 5th grade simply turn in their completed books to club leaders at school before the parish deadline. However, 6th—12th graders have one more step—the 4-H Portfolio. The Portfolio can be found on-line or at this link: https://lsuagctr-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/swaits_agcenter_lsu_edu/EaaLS4jKsk1OkwSsxllDClIBPKk_8D_K0bxowprKgg2BMQ?e=fQvDCr and information typed directly into the document. Hard copies of the portfolio booklet will be handed out at February club meetings. The portfolio MUST be turned in along with your project book in order to be considered complete. This form gives you sections to list everything that you have done this year, both in 4-H and in other clubs and activities. It’s a great record of your achievements for the year and, if done thoroughly, can set you up to win top scholarships and honors as you grow in 4-H. The portfolio is also something you should work on throughout the year because information will be more accurate and complete.

4-H Agents are available to answer questions and assist with this important component of the 4-H Program. Learning how to complete and submit good project records is an excellent “life skill” which will help in many aspects of a member’s future.

2023 BLANK Portfolio - UPDATED.pdf

DESCRIPTION OF CONTEST OPTIONS: https://lsuagctr-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/swaits_agcenter_lsu_edu/Ed2C1fed9vVBpgEGVO8qJzYBgri3VGCLWxwUuJtiht-E8A?e=nbrwZR

4-H University is the premier 4-H event of the year for 4-H members in the 8th - 12th grades. If you are in 8th - 12th grade during the current school year—you are old enough to attend!

This year marks the 106th annual celebration and will be host to both new-and-improved contests as well as the traditional contests, plus Clover College tracks, educational programs and campus tours.

Formerly called 4-H Short Course, 4-H University has expanded to offer both competitive and non-competitive activities along a range of interests from theater arts to technology.

There are over 40 contests offered in the competitive track providing individual and team competitions in demonstrations, interviews and project related examinations. A member may only participate in one (1) event at 4-H University. All members are trained by Extension Service Staff to prepare for their event.

Parents are welcome to attend 4-H U as a chaperone. Overnight Chaperone Training Certification is required if you are planning to chaperone any overnight 4-H event. Please contact the 4-H office if you are interested in chaperoning and need to get certified.

Find our 2022-2023 Vermilion 4-H Calendar, complete with club meeting schedule here:

https://lsuagctr-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/swaits_agcenter_lsu_edu/EYYJOiPQodtBiVvfKYgvi8cBfiRWlgbqCs_6y_nxqH6psQ?e=mJKj2N

Keep track of everything you do in 4-H throughout the year easily on our annual 4-H Award Application found here: https://lsuagctr-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/swaits_agcenter_lsu_edu/EWQVIHVOIB5AkPogFpKNRq4BIADMxGKYWsJ0tL2-DiSG2g?e=zqINPY

These are due in the 4-H Office on April 6, 2023 and will be used to identify Outstanding Club Members and also for invitations to 4-H Summer Camp.

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

LSU AgCenter

1105 W. Port Street

Abbeville, LA 70510

337.898.4335