January | February | March | April | May | Summer Camps |
4- Jr. Leader Meeting | 1-Jr. Leader Meeting | 1-Jr. Leader Meeting | TBA-Virtual AgMagic Cenla | TBA-Sewing Workshop | As soon as we have confirmation about 4-H Camp, Lost Camp , & 4-H University, we will share the details with you |
22-Rapides Parish Livestock Show (Ville Platte) | 3-6 Central District Livestock Show (Vernon Parish Fair Barn) | TBA-Rapides 4-H Ag Day | |||
6- Rabbit & Poultry District Show | TBA-Spring Baking Workshop | ||||
13-20 State Livestock Show (Gonzales) |
Being responsible means that we make good choices, even when no one is looking. We make good choices just because it is right and not because we will get credit or praise. Responsible people do their part. They show self-control. They think before they act or speak. They work hard and don’t take credit for another person’s work. Responsible people do their best and admit their own mistakes. Work to make responsible choices this month.
Apply for a 4-H Honor Cord https://www.lsuagcenter.com/topics/kids_teens/events/awards/honor-cord
Jr. Leadership Club will meet monthly via Microsoft Teams. Jr. Leaders is open to all 4-H members 7th-12th grade. Please notify your 4-H agent if you would like to join. Teens communicate with each other and the agent to plan events, service projects, vote on activities through GroupMe. Jr. Leaders develop leadership skills by mentoring younger 4-H members and helping with Workshops. Their service to the parish is invaluable. Please consider being a Jr. Leader. This years’ service project will center on showing appreciation for medical staff for their tireless efforts through the Covid-19 pandemic. Stay connected with your peers and lead by example!
Seed of the Month Club encourages youth to develop a passion for gardening and learn by doing! January’s seed is a pine seedling. Parents must pick up @ the 4-H office. Only 50 participants accepted. Don’t miss out!
Get Fit with 4-H Club exposes youth to new physical fitness activities and healthy snack options. Learn to have fun and be fit. There will be 3 two-hour learning sessions; dates to be announced. We will end the year with a Color Run. Fee to join $10
Livestock Club—Participants will meet periodically to learn about different species of animals that they show. They will have a chance to join the livestock judging team that competes at 4-H University on the main campus of LSU in Baton Rouge.
Shooting Sports—Practice schedule is listed in Upcoming Events. Questions? Contact our Shooting Sports volunteer, Liz Petrus Pace 318-452-8651 and follow @ Facebook: Rapides Parish 4-H Shooting Sports. Disciplines: Archery, Shotgun, Rifle
To sign up: visit our office or website www.lsuagcenter.com/rapides. There you will find two ways to enroll. Download & Mail: You may download the enrollment form and mail it along with your $7 fee to the office or submit the form via email and mail in the fee. Enroll online & Mail the fee: There is also a digital form under: Another Fun Way to Join 4-H. If you have any questions, contact the 4-H office or call (318) 767-3968 or email your agents aelnaggar@agcenter.lsu.edu or sdugas@agcenter.lsu.edu. There is no deadline to enroll this year! We are meeting at several schools in person. As soon as regular program is allowed at your school, we will be there.
February 15th – Find your creativity at the Arts & Crafts workshop. 8:30-11:30 at the Alexandria Evacuation Mega Shelter, 8125 Hwy 71 South Alexandria, LA 71302 Social distancing guidelines will be strictly followed. Masks are required to participate in all workshops. Call our office to sign up. Flyers will be posted on Facebook, our website, and brought to the schools.
For information concerning Livestock, contact Sallye Dugas Fontenot @ 4-H office or call (318) 767-3968, or email sdugas@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Please note: Given the health concerns with COVID-19 there is no guarantee that the Central District Livestock Show will occur as advertised. With that in mind all livestock show participants and families should note that purchase and/or validation of animals is at their own risk and financial investment.
Due to concerns with COVID-19, schedules are subject to be changed by Show Management !
Livestock Show | Jr. Leaders | Workshops/Contests | Shooting Sports |
Jan. 22 Rapides Parish Location: Chauncey Pitre Barn, Ville Platte | Meetings: 1st Monday 5-6 via Teams | Feb. 15 Arts & Crafts | Practice Shedule @ Woodworth: January 10, 17, & 21, March 14 |
Feb. 3-6 Central District Livestock Show Location: Vernon Parish | Feb. 1st, March 1st, APril 12th, May 3rd | March 26 Beef Poster Contest | Archer 2PM Rifle: 2PM Seniors Rifle: 4PM Juniors Shotgun: 4PM |
Feb. 6 Poultry/Rabbits Location: Evacuation Shelter | Monitor your GroupMe for meeting details and invite ! | April 5-Spring Baking | |
April 6- Sewing |
Louisiana Beef Industry Council—Beef Poster Contest. The posters are due to the Rapides Parish 4-H Office by March 26th at 4:30. The posters will be sent to Baton Rouge where judging will take place in April. The theme for the 2021 LBIC Beef Poster Contest is: GREEN BEEF. Posters must be on “22 x 28” poster board only! Place your Name, Address, Age, Grade in School, and Parish/Chapter on the back, upper right corner of the poster. For more information call the 4-H office 318-767-3968 or email your agents aelnaggar@agcenter.lsu.edu or sdugas@agcenter.lsu.edu
20-21 Commodity Ambassador Contest--The Commodity Ambassador Contest is a unique state-level opportunity that prepares our younger 4-H members to public speaking. The BBQ Chicken, BBQ Turkey, and Egg Demonstration contests are events with advancement to the National 4-H contest held in Louisville, KY. Monetary prizes for winners, except for those contests with national advancement opportunities. Registration is due February 22nd, 2021 for more information contact your agents aelnaggar@agcenter.lsu.edu or sdugas@agcenter.lsu.edu
Louisiana 4-H Draw-a-Dairy Billboard contest—4-H Club members are to draw a billboard that encourages or promotes the consumption of milk and mild products and their importance for health. Awards: Parish—Rosette robbon to 1st place winners and advancement to state. State-- $100 for first place, $75 for second place, & $50 for third place. Billboards are due to the parish office on April 29th at 4:30. For contest rules and regulations, contact your 4-H agents aelnaggar@agcenter.lsu.edu or sdugas@agcenter.lsu.edu
2021 Rapides Parish Livestock Show
Chauncey Pitre Road, Ville Platte La. 70586
Friday, January 22,2021
6:30 am Barn opens Goats and Lambs may arrive
8-8:30 am Weigh market goats and market lambs, Mouth commercial ewe and does
9:00 am Goat showmanship followed by breeding goats, Commercial does, and market goats, Sheep showmanship followed by breeding sheep, Commercial ewes, and market lambs.
**At the conclusion of the sheep show all goats and sheep must leave the barn**
1:00 pm Beef and swine can enter the barn
2 – 2:30 pm Weigh Market hogs
3:00 pm Swine showmanship followed by breeding swine, Commercial gilts, and market swine
4:00pmWeigh commercial heifers, commercial dairy, and steers
**Beef show will start at the conclusion of the swine show. Dairy show will start at the conclusion of the Beef show.
Central District Livestock Show
Tentative Schedule:
Vernon Parish Fair Grounds- 276 H M Stevens Blvd. Leesville February 3-6, 2021
Due to tornado damage to the Dewitt Livestock Facility, the 2021 Central District Livestock Show will be held at the Vernon Parish Fairgrounds and Rapides Fair Grounds.The Sale of Champions and the parish sales will be held at the State Evacuation Shelter.
Wednesday, Feb 3, 2021
8:00 A.M. All sheep may start arriving
1:00 P.M. Scale open to weigh market lambs
2:00 P.M. All Sheep must be in place. Breeding sheep must be checked in and market lambs must be weighed
4:00 P.M. Judge breeding sheep show followed by market lambs and sheep showmanship
**All sheep released at conclusion of showmanship. No overnight accommodations for sheep**
Thursday, Feb 4, 2021
7:00 A.M. All goats and dairy cattle may start arriving
10:00 A.M. All breeding goats must be checked in and in place
11:00 A.M. Judge breeding goats followed by market goats and showmanship
All Dairy cattle must be in place and checked in. Scales open to weigh market goats and commercial dairy
12:00 P.M. Judge Dairy cattle followed by showmanship
**All market goats must be weighed in (judging will begin after breeding goat show) All goats and dairy cattle released at conclusion of respective specie showmanship. No overnight accommodations for goats or dairy cattle**
Friday, Feb 5, 2021
7:00 A.M. All Beef Cattle and all swine may start arriving
10:00 A.M. Scales open for weighing market swine
11:00 A.M. All Beef Cattle and Swine must be in place and breeding animals checked in
11:30 A.M. Market swine must be weighed
Scales open for weighing steers and commercial heifers
12:00 Judge Beef cattle showmanship followed by Steers, Breeding cattle and commercial heifers
Judge Swine showmanship followed by market swine and breeding swine
Steers and commercial heifers must be weighed
**All Beef and swine released at conclusion of each specie show.**
***As mentioned, pen space is limited. Overnight housing will not be allowed unless previous arrangements have been made with show manager.Those exhibiting multiple species will be considered for overnight housing if space is available
Rapides Fair Grounds, Highway 71 South Alexandria La (old LSUA rodeo team barn, located just south of the Mega Shelter)
Saturday, February 6, 2021
7:00 A.M. All Rabbits and Poultry May Start arriving
9:30 A.M. All Rabbits and Poultry must be in place and checked in
10:00 A.M. Judge Rabbits and Poultry
Times for all Premier exhibitor contest will be announced at later time. Because of a complete change of location and facilities, times may vary slightly
State Evacuation Shelter8125 Hwy 71 South Alexandria La
5:00 P.MBUYER’S Reception
6:00 P.MAWARD’S PROGRAM
6:30 P.M.SALE OF CHAMPIONS
7:00 P.M. Parish Sales
For more information, contact your Rapides Parish Extension Office LSU AgCenter Office
Rapides Parish 4-H Office | 300 Grady Britt Dr.| Alexandria, LA 71302 | Phone: 318-767-3968 | Fax: 318-767-3971
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The LSU AgCenter and LSU provides equal opportunities in employment and programs.
For more information, visit our website lsuagcenter.com/Rapides.
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture