January

9 - Livestock Judging Contest (all members invited)

9 - Premier Exhibitor Contest (for livestock exhibitors only)

13-14 - Parish Livestock Show & Sale

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

27 - Golden & Emerald Clover Award Apps Due

25-28 - District Livestock Show - Lafayette

February

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

11-18 - State Livestock Show - Gonzales

21 - Happy Mardi Gras

Many people believe what they say is all they are saying. In actuality, your body language can say more than the words that are being spoken. According to www.businessdictonary.com the definition of nonverbal behavior is, “Behavior and elements of speech aside from the words themselves that transmit meaning.” Non-verbal communication includes pitch, speed, tone and volume of voice, gestures, facial expressions, body posture, stance, and proximity to the listener, eye movement and contact, and dress and appearance. Research suggests that only 5 percent effect is produced by the spoken word, 45 percent by the tone, inflexion, and other elements of voice, and 50 percent by body language, movements, eye contact, etc.

At this month’s club meetings we will put this theory to the test as members will experiment with different nonverbal communication cues and reflect on the reactions they get.

The monthly meeting of the Vermilion Parish 4-H Jr. Leader Club was held on Thursday, December 8th, and was attended by 51 members. In this eventful meeting, members learned about Louisiana’s sugar industry by playing a kahoot game and gave a tribute for two profound contributors to the 4-H program: Laura Belle and Wilburt Hebert. They supported the Personal Development contest in Vermilion Parish, which was held this year in November. Their son Dane Hebert, now a Vermilion Parish Police Juror, and his daughter Laura Hebert, who are also avid supporters of the program, presented plaques to the first and second place winners of the contest that was held in November. Congratulations to Isaac Duhon and Morgan Meaux for being the top two winners in this year’s contest.

The Parish program was given a banner as a token of appreciation from the state 4-H Program for donating money to fund 4-H educational trips. The club also received details about the upcoming Vermilion Parish Demonstration Day at F.I.E.B. 4-H members of any age can compete in a wide range of demonstration and speech contests including food commodities, agriculture, and general topics. The Seafood and Sugar Cookery competition is also on the same day and place. Details can be found in the monthly newsletter.

The primary activity of the meeting was decorating Christmas cookies and a service activity that was promoted by the Louisiana 4-H State Citizenship Board for the 4-H Day of Service on December 3rd. Every year, the board promotes a service activity in accordance with the focus topic, this year being Mental Health Awareness. Members were invited to write words of affirmation on hot chocolate gifts to give to a friend.

Sugar and Seafood Cookery Contest Results: https://lsuagctr-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/swaits_agcenter_lsu_edu/EVAPJuYiFcdJtn3ekBhteJABivU1aNhpmjJzRNhBYWb-CA?e=a6lfR0

Demonstration Day Results: https://lsuagctr-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/swaits_agcenter_lsu_edu/EXEYMy_KdXtHpw13_GocT5kBvvkrIaP0KEs2Ozo803mFkw?e=f4XYCZ

Erath Middle School will be awarded a pizza party sponsored by the Jr. Leader club for donating the most pounds of food for our annual 4-H Food Drive. A donut party will be awarded to Cecil Picard Elementary for coming in 2nd place in this important community service effort. Congratulations to all clubs who participated. The impact is tremendous!

The basic requirements are as follows:

1. Must be 14 years or under by January 1 of the club year application is made.

2. Must have at least two (2) years of 4-H club work, including award year.

3. Must score at least 250 points on the application scorecard.

4. This award can only be won by the 4-H member one time.

Click link, print application, complete form, return to 4-H office by January 27, 2023.

Click here for Application: 4-H Golden Clover Award Application.docx

The basic requirements are as follows:

1. Must be 15 years of age (or older) by January 1 of the year application is made.

2. Must have three years of 4-H club work, including award year.

3. Must have completed one year of active Junior Leadership work excluding award year.

4. Must score at least 360 points on the application and scorecard.

5. A club member can only win this award one time.

Click link, print application, complete form, return to 4-H office by January 27, 2023.

Click here for Application: https://lsuagctr-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/swaits_agcenter_lsu_edu/EWZd1RWg90dJgwz_QPYt_rkB5FfwwuU9-rg8HyaVjyMSrg?e=3yBJE3

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.

There will be a Parish Livestock and Poultry Judging Contest on Monday, January 9 at 1:30 pm at the Cecil McCrory Exhibit Building (4-H Barn) in Abbeville. This parish contest is open to ALL members, regardless of project areas. Come learn how to judge beef, sheep, swine and poultry while learning valuable decision making and communication skills.

The 4-H Premier Exhibitor contests have several parts and serve to measure a member's overall skill set in their livestock project area. In addition to showing a livestock animal in the parish livestock show, members must turn in a project book and take a skills and identification test. Premier Exhibitor awards are presented right before the Livestock Sale at the Parish show in the main arena. Members are invited and encouraged to participate in this contest.

Please bring and turn in your project book when you arrive for the species tests at the following times:

9:00 am - Beef

10:00 am - Swine

10:30 am - Poultry

11:30 am - Sheep/Goats

The 49th Annual Vermilion Parish 4-H Junior Livestock Show will be held on January 13-14, 2023 at the Cecil McCrory Exhibit Building located at 1105 W. Port Street in Abbeville. Swine, poultry, sheep and goats will be judged Friday and beef will be judged on Saturday morning. The sale of livestock animals will take place on Saturday, January 14 at 1:00 pm. The animals that qualify will go to the Acadiana District Livestock Show in Lafayette on January 25-28, 2023. The State Livestock Show will be held in Gonzales at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center on February 11-18, 2023.

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

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