December

7 - Demonstration Day

12 - Jr. Leader Meeting - All 8th - 12th Graders invited

January

3 - Livestock Judging Contest (open to all members)

• Premier Exhibitor Contests (open to livestock exhibitors)

10-11 - Parish Livestock Show and Sale

16 - Jr. Leader Meeting (open to all 8th - 12th grade members)

22-25 - District Livestock Show, Lafayette

You MUST complete both paper enrollment card (turned in at school) AND the 4-H Online enrollment to be a 4-H member in good standing this year. If you have not completed the Online enrollment, please click on this link and follow the steps on the screen (or refer to your paper enrollment packet for step-by-step instructions): Sign In (4honline.com)

The Internet is a wonderful tool which puts the world and all its information at our fingertips. However, this ease of access is paving the way for massive growth in Internet-based crime such as identity theft and predators. All students need digital citizenship skills to participate fully in their communities and make smart choices online and in life. It’s also important to be aware of and recognize cyberbullying activity so it can be stopped.

Hard copies of the Demonstration Day Rules packets were handed out at the November 4-H Club Meetings. Find the digital copy of the rules here: 2024-2025 Demonstration Day Rules.pdf

COOKERY CONTEST INFORMATION:

All members entering the Sugar, Seafood, and Bento contest must also turn in a copy of their recipe on THIS FORM: Seafood & Sugar RECIPE FORM.pdf

[Note: For the Seafood Cookery contest - Cerviche and/or sushimi dishes are considered RAW and are not allowed as the rules state there should be no raw seafood in the final dish.]

4-H Challenge Camp is a very special experience for 7th grade 4-H members. The camp focuses on Teamwork and Communication skills and gives members a chance to make new friends while building self-confidence. It will be held overnight on March 7-8 at the Acadian Baptist Center in Eunice. Cost to participate will be $60.

Please complete this form by December 19 if you are interested in attending. You will receive more information including a health card and payment options after that deadline. https://forms.office.com/r/AKZ6pJHuVx

The Annual 4-H Livestock and Poultry Judging Contest is open to all 4-H members and will be held on Friday, January 3 at 1:30 pm at the Cecil McCrory Exhibit Building (4-H Barn). Members will get to judge live animals as they compete in this parish competition. For members who show livestock and want to compete in the Premier Exhibitor Contests, this is one of the components of that event.

The 51st Annual Vermilion Parish 4-H Junior Livestock Show will be held on January 10-11, 2025 at the Cecil McCrory Exhibit Building located at 1105 W. Port Street in Abbeville. Swine, poultry, sheep, and goats will be judged on Friday and beef will be judged on Saturday morning. The sale of livestock animals will take place on Saturday, January 11 at 1:00 pm. The animals that qualify will go to the Acadiana District Livestock Show in Lafayette on January 22-25, 2025. The State Livestock Show will be held in Gonzales at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center on February 11-18, 2025.

2025 4-H Honor Cord qualification information and application link: Senior Honor Cords (lsuagcenter.com)

The 4-H honor cord is a recognition item that high school 4-H Members can earn. The 4-H honor cord symbolizes 4-H Members’ accomplishments throughout their high school years. The honor cords are earned by students who demonstrate dedication and mastery in the areas of science, engineering, technology, leadership, service, and healthy living.

To qualify, a member must have been in 4-H for 3 of their 4 high school years and must have participated in at least one state level event.

The state deadline for submission is Friday, February 14th.

On November 14th, 2024, the Vermillion 4-H Junior Leader Club had their 3rd monthly meeting. At the meeting they collected canned food donations for their annual food drive. Mrs. Shannon Waits discussed upcoming events such as the personal development contest and demonstration day. The members played a dog breed quiz, a true and false quiz about small animals, and made dog and cat toys to donate.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 4-H Personal Development Contest! We had 330 members compete, which was an all-time record! The top 12 high school contestants are pictured below.

Contest results can be found here:

2024 Personal Development Contest - Results by Category.pdf

Check items off your holiday shopping list and pick up a Paper Clover at @TractorSupplyCo before 12/15! Visit a @TractorSupply store near you and donate $1 at checkout for #4HPaperClover to help send kids in Vermilion Parish to #4HCamp or other 4-H leadership programs. While you're there, don’t forget to pick up a 4-H Holiday Ornament and decorate your tree with a piece of 4-H! 🎄

Keep track of everything you do in 4-H throughout the year easily on our annual 4-H Award Application found here: 2024-2025 Award Application.pdf

These are due in the 4-H Office on April 14, 2025 and will be used to identify Outstanding Club Members (NOTE - you must submit your 4-H project book to be considered for Outstanding Club Member. And 6th - 12th grade members must also turn in a 4-H portfolio with their project book for it to be a complete entry) and also for invitations to 4-H Summer Camp for 4th - 6th graders and 4-H LOST Camp for 7th -8th graders.

All members in the 6th - 12th grades will be asked to submit a 4-H portfolio along with their completed project books. This year's deadline is Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Because it's easier to keep up with this throughout the year, we are posting a link to the portfolio document here: BLANK Portfolio.pdf

You can download this typeable document and save it on your computer so you can update it each time you do an activity.

Find our 2024-2025 Vermilion 4-H Calendar, complete with club meeting schedule here: 2024-2025 Vermilion 4-H Calendar.pdf

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 is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 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