October

2-8 - National 4-H Week

12 - 4-H Sewing Project Club Meeting 5:30 pm @ 4-H Office

13- Jr. Leader Meeting 6:30 pm @ 4-H Office

16 - 4-H Fall Fest

17 - Deadline to register for Pumpkin Workshop

19 - Deadline for 4-H Theme Contest Entries

20 - 4-H Officer Training 4:30 pm @ RRMS

21 - Rice Festival Cookery Contest in Crowley

24- 4-H Pumpkin Workshop - 9:00 am

November

10 - Jr. Leader Meeting 6:30 pm @ 4-H Office

12 - 4-H Fishing Clinic (7-8th Graders Only) - must register below

16 - 4-H Personal Development Contest 6:00 pm @ AHS

21 - 4-H Dog & Pet Show 9:00 am

21 - 4-H Rice & Beef Cookery Contest 9:30 am

21 - 4-H Bike Rodeo 1:00 pm

22 - 4-H Engineering Contests

22 - 4-H Ambassador Contests

Communication is listed as one of the skills necessary for success in the 21st Century Workplace. Additionally, it is an important life skill that will benefit children and teens as they grow into competent, caring adults.

Many people think of communication as just speaking, however it works best when it is a two-way street. Listening and asking questions are also important in the communication process.

At our club meetings this month, we will practice sending and receiving messages and learn the importance of cooperative communication.

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.

The Vermilion Parish Junior Leader club has officially kicked off the 2022-2023 school year with its first meeting on Thursday, September 15th. A total of 83 members in the 8th through 12th grade from around the parish attended. Members got a broad description of the club and its goals. This year’s service learning topic is focused on agriculture awareness, and the slogan is “Here we Grow Again.” The members played a game to figure out that all of the products we use in our lives are derived from the agriculture industry. The officers have planned out a festive nine month schedule. The club also is very excited to announce that the Junior Leader field trip during Spring break will be to Fort Worth, Texas. More details will be released as the trip gets closer.

The first major community event and club fundraiser will be the Fall Fest on Sunday, October 16th from 10 am to 3 pm. Hosted at the 4-H barn in Abbeville, a variety of activities will be available for the whole family including a pumpkin patch, food venders, a petting zoo, children’s games, rides, activities and more. Tickets can be purchased by contacting either the 4-H office or a Junior Leader club member. Tickets cost $10 on pre-purchase and are $15 at the gate (ages 2 and under get in free).

Any high school level 4-H member already enrolled in their school 4-H club is still eligible to join the Junior Leader Club. Every meeting will be hosted at the 4-H office in Abbeville on the second Thursday of each month.

Contest is open to all Vermilion Parish 4-H members.

· Design ONE slide with a 4-H Theme.

o (Think about catchy bulletin boards or posters you have seen.)

· Only ONE (1) entry per member is allowed.

· Should include a 4-H Clover somewhere on the slide.

· Do not use copyrighted graphics.

· Deadline is October 19, 2022

Theme entries will be judged, and the winning theme publicized in November. We will reference this theme throughout the year, but the big focus will be at our annual 4-H Achievement Day held at Kaplan High School on March 25. The winner’s 4-H club will be encouraged to decorate a backdrop for Achievement Day and the winning theme will be spotlighted at the event.

How to Submit:

If your school has a “4-H Google Classroom”:

· Create your slide in Google Slides

· Submit through your 4-H Google Classroom

All Other Students:

· Create your slide in Power Point, Google or other program

· Email as ATTACHMENT to swaits@agcenter.lsu.edu by the deadline.

· In the text of the email – list your name, school, and grade.

All members are invited to participate in the annual 4-H Officer Training which will be held on Thursday, October 20 at Rene Rost Middle School in Kaplan. The workshop will take place from 4:30-5:30 pm and will be very beneficial to members who are officers in their school clubs. A member does not have to be an officer to attend, everyone is welcome! This is a great opportunity to strengthen leadership skills and get to make new friends.

The International Rice Festival, held in Crowley, will host it's annual Rice Cookery Contest on October 21, 2022. Members are not excused from school for this event, but dishes may be delivered and entered by a parent or someone else on behalf of the member.

The full set of rules including categories, awards and entry form can be found here: https://lsuagctr-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/swaits_agcenter_lsu_edu/EfvFLnPOWqRJn8FhkElU8HsBN-tfZ67mnpE_YZMcyb-NXA?e=vESWUq

If you want to have the coolest Jack-O-Lantern in your neighborhood, come to the pumpkin carving workshop on Monday, Oct. 24, at 9:00 am [NOTE: Public schools are out this day for conferences. Attendance records will be sent to schools in session for educational excuses]

You have three options:

* If you want to carve your pumpkin, YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN PUMPKIN - ALREADY CLEANED OUT!! If you have a kit and it is still in good condition, please bring it with you, you will not need to buy another kit.

* A limited number of carving kits are available at $10.00 each if you need to purchase a carving kit. Register early! If you choose this option - your pumpkin MUST be cleaned out before you bring it to the clinic!

* You can choose to paint your pumpkin for $5.00. Paint will be provided. If you select this option, you do not have to clean out your pumpkin.

All participants will get to bring home their pumpkin. If you purchased a carving kit through the 4-H Office, it is yours to bring home also. Halloween goodies made from pumpkins will be provided as a snack for participants. We will accept up to 200 participants for the clinic. To participate, fill out the registration form by October 17th.

Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/7XLBG12ENq

The Vermilion 4-H Fishing clinic is scheduled for Saturday November 12, 2022, at the Broussard’s Beach in Henry. This year’s clinic is only open to 7-8th grade members. Please complete the registration form found here: https://forms.office.com/r/VqZEfqD0st

The Broussard Beach facility will allow us to offer several hands-on activities this year including:

· Actual Fishing experience

· Canoeing

· Casting

· 4-H University Fishing contest activities

· Cast netting from a pier

· Boating safety

If you have any questions regarding the clinic, please contact Mr. Hilton at 337-898-4335 or by email (hwaits@agcenter.lsu.edu )

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

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