Clover Events Calendar

September 23, 2015 Enrollment Dues & Card due to school club leader October 4-10, 2015 National 4-H Week October 7, 2015 SET Project Club (4-H Office-$5.00 to attend) October 20, 2015 Art Club Meeting (Parks Middle School-$5.00 to attend) November 7, 2015 Fall Fest Contest Day (4-H Office) November 24, 2015 4-H Fun Day (St. Bernard School Gym)

The Bayou Gazette is a monthly publication about the St. Martin Parish 4-H Program.

September 2015 ~ 4th-6th Edition

The 4-H Bayou Gazette

Welcome to 4-H! Do you want to have a chance to meet new friends, go to camp, attend fun workshops, or learn new things? 4-H offers many opportunities for young people to do all those things. 4-H members don’t just learn about things; they get to do them. If you become a 4-H member, you become an LSU tiger as well. Louisiana 4-H is a program offered through the LSU AgCenter. You can have lots of fun in 4-H if you participate. There are club meetings, workshops, contests, events, family activities, and more for you to do! Join 4-H-you won’t regret it!

Join the Amazing Race………… 4-H Grows a Healthier Louisiana Healthy Living will be the focus at your club meetings & workshops this year. You will learn what crops are grown in Louisiana and how they fit into a healthy lifestyle. Want to know where wheat is grown? Join 4-H Ever wanted to visit a dairy? Join 4-H Wanted to taste a fresh fruit or veggie? Join 4-H At your club meetings, you will complete different challenges to learn where our food comes from and how they fit into a healthy lifestyle. You’ll even take time to do health breaks during your club meeting. But wait…there’s MORE! You have things to do in 4-H other than the club meeting workshops. Join a project club, join shooting sports, compete in a contest, do an activity with your family….Read the newsletter each month to know the awesome things in store for you each month.

What Can You Expect As a 4-H Member? Being a 4-H member is going to be a lot of fun this year. You get what you put into your 4-H experience. So what does it mean when you sign up to be a 4-H member? How do you have a positive experience as a 4-H member? Expectations of 4-H Members in order to have a great 4-H experience: • Have FUN • Participate/Take Part in Events, Activities, and Workshops • Make Friends • Participate in Meetings • Volunteer to do Community Service • Have a good attitude during 4-H events • Complete your 4-H portfolio • DO YOUR OWN 4-H WORK!!!!! • Attend 4-H Achievement Day • Ask Questions if you are Confused!

What is 4-H? The 4-H Emblem is: A green four-leaf clover with the letter "H" on each leaf.

The H’s Stand For: Parts of the pledge -

Head,

Heart,

Hands,

Health

The 4-H Colors Are: Green and White.

Green symbolizes nature's most common color.

White symbolizes purity.

The 4-H Motto is: "To Make The Best Better"

This motto challenges everyone involved in 4-H to do the

very best job they can.

The 4-H Pledge is: “I Pledge:

My Head to clearer thinking

My Heart to Greater loyalty

My Hands to larger service, and

My Health to better living for my club,

My community, my country, and my world.”

How To Stay Connected? St. Martin Parish 4-H offers lots of opportunities throughout the year. How can you keep up with all of the events? Stay connected! We publish a monthly newsletter that will be given to the 4-H member at their monthly club meetings. (If you are absent on the day of the 4-H club meeting-ask your school club leader for a newsletter when you return to school.) We also have a St. Martin Parish 4-H website where we post newsletters, calendars, contest rules and much more! Check it often. The parish program is also connected through social media. We are on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Join our pages today to stay connected and be active in 4-H this year! The 4-H agents are also available at the office on Monday-Friday from 8:00 am-4:30 pm at 337-332-2181 or by email at: lbrumbaugh@agcenter.lsu.edu (Ms. Laura) & hguidry@agcenter.lsu.edu (Mrs. Hope).

Attention PARENTS of 4-H Members: Whether you are a seasoned 4-H parent or this is your first year in 4-H with your child, there is a special role a parent plays in their child’s 4-H experience. Your child needs your encouragement to get them started in 4-H and to keep them involved in the program through their teen years. You can help if you: • Share: Take interest, look, listen and offer suggestions, but avoid the

temptation to “take over” and do things yourself.

• Prepare: Help your child value having their projects, duties, and presentations done right and on time.

• Be There: Parents are part of 4-H, too. You are welcome and very needed. Lend a hand where you can. Volunteer!

• Care: Support your child’s participation and abide by the policies set by the 4-H Youth Development Program.

Remember-the St. Martin Parish 4-H program is run by trained youth development professionals who always have the best interest of your child and the program. Help us to make this a positive experience by helping your child and understanding your role as a 4-H parent. As always, if you have a question, concern or suggestion please do not hesitate to contact Laura and Hope at 337-332-2181.

Meet St. Martin Parish 4-H Agents What is a 4-H agent? Well….a 4-H agent makes 4-H happen in your parish. They plan events, they come up with workshops for you to attend, they make things fun, and they visit you at club meetings. St. Martin Parish has 2 4-H agents. Meet your agents below:

Mrs. Hope Guidry Mrs. Hope is from Breaux Bridge, LA. She joined the LSU Agcenter in November 2006 after being a teacher for 13 years. Mrs. Hope is married to Kevin Guidry and has 2 children, Gabrielle and Jordan. She likes country music, the LSU tigers, and her favorite food is her granny’s bread pudding. Mrs. Hope’s mains areas are SET programs, livestock, and shooting sports.

Ms. Laura Brumbaugh Ms. Laura is from Port Vincent, LA. She has been a 4-H agent for 9 years, starting in August 2006. She loves working with the youth of St. Martin Parish, designing newsletters, and writing club meeting lessons, and having fun. She is a HUGE Saints fan, loves country music, and eats lots of fruits and vegetables. Ms. Laura’s main areas are healthy living, service-learning, and the Jr. Leader Club.

Livestock News Youth who are 9 years old prior to January 1, 2016 are able to participate in the livestock program. 4-H members who plan to raise animals and take part in the livestock shows must select the appropriate project(s) on their enrollment card. If you will be exhibiting a livestock animal for the 1st time this year, please contact the 4-H office at 332-2181 immediately so you can be placed on our mailing lists in order to receive important information. The 4-H agent that works with livestock is Mrs. Hope Guidry. Please contact Mrs. Hope at 332-2181 or hguidry@agcenter.lsu.edu directly with any questions.

Shooting Sports Project Club News Youth who are 9 years old prior to January 1, 2016 are able to participate in the shooting sports program. 4-H members who plan to participate in the shooting sports program must select the outdoor skills/shooting sports project on their enrollment card. If you sign up for shooting sports, you will be contacted by mail about the registration process, fees, future workshops, trainings, practices, and safety clinics. Project books will not distributed until the first shooting sports workshop, which will be announced at a later date. **Please note that there are extra fees and requirements for those involved in the Shooting Sports program. Adult support is required. An adult must attend all events with youth.

Project Clubs-Get MORE Involved There are three project clubs that any 4th, 5th, and 6th grader can join. What is a project club? It’s a group that meets after school once a month and focuses on a specific topic. We offer SET club, Art Club, and Fitness Foodies Club. What do we do at project club meetings? Well, you have FUN! You meet new people, make new things, and learn something new. You don’t just sit-you do things at project club meetings. Fee: There is a $5.00 fee for each meeting, paid at the meeting Registration: You MUST Pre-Register for each monthly club meeting so that we can have enough supplies for everyone that attends. You can register by calling 337-332-2181. More information will be sent to your home if you mark your interest in these clubs on the enrollment card. SET- The SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, & TECHNOLOGY CLUB will focus on science topics. You will get to do experiments with other kids that like science as much as you do. Are you wanting to make a better grade in Science? The SET club can help you by giving you some extra help in science. ART-The Art Club allows you to get creative while doing projects with your friends. Need help? There are cool art club mentors there to help you make an awesome project. You get to take all of your projects home with you. FITNESS FOODIE Club-Are you a foodie? (A person who likes to eat). Do you like to do fun exercises? Want to learn how to cook? At these meetings you will be able to cook, eat, and get moving in a fun way with your friends. October Meeting Schedule: SET CLUB-October 7th from 5:00 pm-6:15 pm at the 4-H Office ART CLUB- October 20th from 3:30 pm-4:45 pm at Parks Middle November Meeting Schedule: SET CLUB-November 11th from 5:00 pm-6:15 pm at the 4-H Office ART CLUB-November 10th from 3:30 pm-4:45 pm at Parks Middle FITNESS FOODIES CLUB- November 12th from 5:00 pm-6:30 pm at the 4-H office. For more info call 337-332-2181.

**All dates are subject to change.**

Fall Fest Contest Day Save the Date: November 7, 2015! All 4-H members are invited to join us at the 1st contest day of the year, 2015 4-H Fall Fest! Fall Fest will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the 4-H Office in Breaux Bridge (114 Courthouse Street, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517). What do you do at Fall Fest? At Fall Fest, you can enter the Pet Show and the Pumpkin Decorating Contest. A complete booklet of Fall Fest contest rules will be distributed to those interested at the October club meetings.

Questions: Call 332-2181 or email hguidry@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Amazing Health Race…4-H Grows a Healthier Louisiana This year at club meetings, the 4-H agents will present hands-on workshops that will focus on learning where our food comes from and how local foods can lead to a healthy lifestyle. There will be food tastings and physical activity breaks as well. Challenges await you this year as we go on an amazing health race all over Louisiana.

“It is the policy of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service that no person be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability. “

4-H Grows a Healthier Louisiana Trivia Question Each month we will have a trivia question in the Bayou Gazette newsletter. If you email the correct answer to us, along with your full name, school you attend and your grade level, you will receive a prize at your next club meeting. Remember, your answer must be correct! September 4-H (4th-6th Grade) Trivia Question: Watch the video, “CELEBRATING NATIONAL FARMERS' MARKET WEEK” from Twila TV that aired in August 2015. Visit the link below to view the video: https://youtu.be/3TNhVdSUoiMtop_v_top

OR Scan the QR code to watch the video using a QR reader app that can be downloaded on any smartphone or tablet. There are free versions available. 4-H Trivia Question: How many farmers markets are there in the United States in 2015?

A. 1,750 B. 3,500 C. 8, 400 D. 9,120 Email the correct answer, along with your full name, the school you attend, and your grade level by Monday, September 28, 2015 to: stmartin4h@yahoo.com in the body of the email.

St. Martin Parish Cooperative Extension 114 Courthouse Street

Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 337-332-2181 Fax: 337-332-2870

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday Website: www.louisiana4h.org/stmartin

Social Media: Search “St. Martin Parish 4-H” On Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, & Pinterest

Farm to Cart Thanks to farmers and ranchers, we enjoy an abundance of food, clothing and shelter. But where does it come from? Before these items ever get to the grocery store, they are grown and raised by a caring farmer. Many of these items are grown in the soil, raised on land or grown on trees. Download the Farm to Cart game to play at home with your family to learn about where our food comes from. Players will become aware that farmers use land in different ways to grow crops. Download the game here: www.agfoundation.org/files/Farm_to_Cart_Final_Game.pdf

Try it at Home: Farmers Market Salsa Ingredients: 1/2 cup corn (fresh cooked or frozen) 1 can black beans (15 ounce, drained and rinsed) 1 cup tomatoes (fresh diced) 1/2 cup onion (diced) 1/2 cup green pepper (diced) 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped) 1/2 cup picante sauce Directions: (Get an adult to help you.) 1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Chill until serving time. 2. Drain before serving. 3. Serve with low-fat baked tortilla chips or fresh vegetables. From: www.whatscooking.fns.usda.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/farmers-market-salsa

How to eat local? Visit a farmers market near you. Can’t find one? Visit www.usdalocalfooddirectories.com/listings.html to find a complete listing of farmers markets in the state of Louisiana.

Why Eat Local? Locally grown fruits and vegetables are usually sold within 24 hours of being harvested. Produce picked and eaten at the height of ripeness has exceptional flavor and, when handled properly, is packed with nutrients. It is also good for the local economy. That means more money stays within our communities. It’s good for you. Fresh food offers vitamins and minerals that help us stay healthy.

Family Fitness Pit Stop- Watch Me Whip Physical Activity (exercise) does not have to be boring! Dancing is a form of cardiovascular exercise. Cardiovascular (cardio for short) is any type of exercise that gets your heart working foster. Try this at home: Whip Workout with the family. Visit the following website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b-2wEkhOnk. Scan the QR code to Whip! We want to see you Whip! Post your pics to our Facebook page with #SMP4H