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)

15 - Garments due for Clothing Contest

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

31 - Beef Poster Contest Deadline

April

1 - Possession Deadline for Horses

6 - Parish Award Application Due

10-13 - Jr. Leader Educational Trip to Fort Worth

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

22 - 4-H Engineering Contests

25 - 4-H Senior Night

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

At this month’s meeting, members will collaborate with each other to solve a problem. Groups that have better collaboration will be more efficient and more successful.

Anyone who has had any dealings with the 4-H office knows Mrs. Tweety and knows how knowledgeable and helpful she is. She is most deserving of this state award which recognizes outstanding contributions to an LSU department. She goes above and beyond in all that she does. Her passion for our 4-H program is obvious as she annually works with 4-H members to help prepare them for state contests including the Beef Ambassador and food demonstration events. Her skill set is vast and ranges from working with youth and parents to navigating spreadsheets and processing data. She is truly multi-talented.

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 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

On February 9th, the Vermilion Parish 4-H Junior Leader club held its monthly meeting with 30 members attending. The meeting had two main activities. First, members played Pictionary with products from the agriculture industry. For example, paintbrushes often use animal hair for the bristles, and crayons contain soybean oil. Then, everyone took an online personality and skills test to discover jobs in the agriculture industry that fit their skillset and passions. In other news, the Vermilion Parish Program assistant, Mrs. Natalie McElyea, has moved to Florida. The 4-H community in Vermilion Parish sincerely appreciates everything she has contributed to the program and hopes she continues to be involved in 4-H. Someone will be filling her position soon. The 4-H program congratulates Andrew Courville for being selected as one of four 4-H members in the state to attend National 4-H Conference, one of the best leadership and travel experiences 4-H offers. Andrew will travel to Washington D.C. in April to participate in numerous activities like meeting 4-Her’s from around the country, presenting solutions for national issues to federal agencies, touring the National Mall, and meeting congressional leaders.

The parish program has many upcoming events. For more details, one should visit the monthly online newsletter. Various scholarships are now available to high school-level club members. See the newsletter and watch your e-mail for opportunities. One of the largest parish events will be Achievement Day at Kaplan High School on March 18th. Club members can take project-based tests and enter exhibits in a variety of contests to earn ribbons and points. Certain events will also allow 8th to 12th grade members to compete at the state level at 4-H University. Although 4-H University isn’t until the summer, members should start thinking about their competitions now to prepare.

This contest encourages participants to learn more about the beef industry while promoting beef industry nutrition and products.

The contest is open to students in grades 4th through 12th and includes four divisions:

Division I (fourth to sixth grades); Division II (seventh to ninth grades); Division III Poster (10th to 12th grades); and Division III Digital (grades 4th-12th).

Participants are asked to have 4-H poster entries to the Vermilion Parish 4-H Office by March 31, 2023.

The contest theme is Beef: A Sustainable Choice. Posters must be on 22 inches by 28 inches poster board and must include the participant’s name, address, age, grade and parish on the back upper right corner of the poster.

Digital entries must be designed using one of the following programs: Microsoft Publisher, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Canva. Digital designs should be formatted for “22 x 28” poster size prints. All digital entries must be saved in high-resolution 300 DPI in ALL of the following: original design file, .png file format, and .pdf file format. Digital designs should be saved to a blank jump drive, placed in a 3 ½ x 6 blank envelope labeled with NAME, ADDRESS, AGE, GRADE IN SCHOOL, AND PARISH on the front.

Posters and digital designs should generate positive images and promotion of beef (not live cattle production) using the indicated theme. Posters should promote beef without projecting any negative messages towards other agricultural commodities (chicken, pork, etc.).

No templates may be used in the digital division and all design work must be original and from scratch. Participants cannot use copyrighted pictures, clip-art or other materials. The poster will be disqualified if copyrighted material is used.

The first-place poster in each division will be sent to the State Contest. State awards include $200 to first place winners, $100 to second place winners and $50 to third place winners in each division. Cash prizes are sponsored by the Louisiana Beef Industry Council.

The Vermilion 4-H Horse program kicks off this month. If you would like to join the program and participate in the 4-H horse shows this summer, please contact the 4-H office in Abbeville at 898-4335 by April 1st. April 1st is the possession date for exhibitors to have their horse(s). Once enrolled in the project you will be notified of upcoming horse clinics and other opportunities you can attend. Exhibitors can show registered and non-registered horses. Event divisions offered at our shows include:

· Western

· English

· Speed

· Ranch

The 2022-23 Vermilion 4-H Engineering Contest will be held Saturday, April 22 at 1:30 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.

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