4-H is the biggest youth organization in the world.

Kids complete hand-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and citizenship in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on and practice leadership roles.

Kids can experience 4-H on the parish, district and state level through in-school and after-school programs and community clubs and 4-H camps.

4-H is for all 4th to 12th graders. There are a number of clubs to join in St. John Parish: Ascension of Our Lord, East St. John Elementary, East St. John High, Emily C Watkins Elementary, Fifth Ward Elementary, Garyville Magnet, John L. Ory, Lake Pontchartrain Elementary, LaPlace Elementary, St. John Alternative, Riverside Academy, St. Joan of Arc, St. Peter, West St. John Elementary, West St. John High and Member at Large.

Each club is unique in its own way, but St. John is one club when going onto the district and state level activities.

St. John Parish activities are offered to all members in the parish. St. John has the 4-H pumpkin decorating contest, food & fitness camp, cookery contest, sewing clinics and Achievement Day.

Achievement Day is when all members from the parish are invited to celebrate there accomplishments through-out the year.

It is a fun day during held on a school day in the month of April, where each club will have matching T-shirts, cheers, chants, and banners.

Every clubs shows off their 4-H pride as their club or member receive different awards. At the end, clubs can receive the “Better Club” award.

Members can attend activities around the United States by either winning or by signing up. Many events are in Louisiana: 4-H camp, 4-H University, Lost Camp, Livestock shows, Challenge Camp, Ag Magic, Jr. Leader Camp, Co-Op Camp and State board activities.

Do not miss out signing up your child to join 4-H. Enroll your child by Oct. 31. Contact the 4-H office at 985-497-3261 or Brittney Ivey at bivey@agcenter.lsu.edu or your school for more information about how to enroll in 4-H TODAY!

The LSU AgCenter is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

Anyone needing special accommodations for any of our programs should contact us at least two weeks prior to the event

Brittney Ivey is the assistant extension 4-H agent for St. John the Baptist Parish. She can be reached at 985-497-3409 or BIvey@agcenter.lsu.edu.