01. MORE THAN

More Than a Competition

When you hear the word competition, it’s easy to think about trophies, ribbons, rankings, and who takes home first place. But in 4-H, competition is about so much more.

Every contest gives young people an opportunity to learn. They practice making decisions, communicating with others, solving problems, working as a team, and handling both success and disappointment. They spend hours preparing, step outside their comfort zones, meet other 4-H’ers, and discover skills they may not have known they had.

This month, our EBR 4-H Food Challenge team had the opportunity to take those skills beyond Louisiana as they represented our state at the National Food Challenge at the State Fair of Texas. Getting there took more than one winning day - it took months of teamwork, preparation, creativity, and commitment.

And that’s what 4-H competition is really about. The ribbon may recognize what happened that day, but the confidence, friendships, leadership, and skills built along the way last much longer.

In EBR 4-H, it’s More Than a Competition. It’s an opportunity to grow.

02. Calendar of Events

October

• Virtual Pumpkin Decorating Contest (All month)
• 4- 10 - National 4-H Week
• 4 - Shooting Sports Parent Meeting
• 8 - EBR 4-H Open House
• 8 - Junior Leaders (7th - 12th)
• Livestock Town Hall (TBA)
• 28 - Deadline to Register for shooting Sports
• 23 - Nov 2 - Greater Baton Rouge State Fair
• 31 - Halloween

November

• 3-4 - Challenge Camp (7th & 8th Grades)
• 9 - Validation/Possession date for Livestock
• 16 - Possession date for Mini Cattle
• 26 - 27 - Thanksgiving - 4-H Office Closed

December

• All Month - Holiday Wreath Decorating Contest
• 1 - Validation/Possession Date for Swine & Poultry
• 24 - Jan 1 - Holiday - 4-H Office Closed

Visit the Events Page for more information on other 4-H events!

03. 4-H Open House

As part of our National 4-H Week celebration, we invite you, your family, friends, and anyone interested in learning more about 4-H to attend our 4-H Open House!

Thursday, October 8

4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

9050 Airline Hwy, Suite 120, Baton Rouge, LA 70815

Whether you're a current member, a prospective member, or simply curious about what 4-H has to offer, this is a great opportunity to:

Learn about 4-H clubs and project opportunities

Meet 4-H members, volunteers, and staff

Discover leadership, STEM, livestock, cooking, and other program areas

Find out how to get involved in 4-H

Please help us spread the word by sharing this invitation with families, friends, and community members who may be interested in joining 4-H.

We look forward to celebrating National 4-H Week with you!

04. National 4-H Week

October 4-10, 2026

Monday, October 5 - Geaux Green Day!

Wear all things green to show your 4-H spirit!

Use hashtags: #4HBeyondReady & #National4HWeek

Display Contest: Decorate a space showcasing 4-H!

Submit photos by Oct. 8.

Judging: Oct. 9–12

Displace Contest Information:

Celebrate National 4-H Week by decorating a bulletin board, wall, or lobby area that reflects 4-H. Submit a photo of your display by the deadline. Judges will evaluate entries, and the public can vote for the People’s Choice Award on our Facebook page. Photos must be uploaded or emailed by Thursday, Oct. 8, 2025. Judging will be from Oct. 9-12.

Upload Entries HERE

05. Junior Leader Meeting

Celebrate National 4-H Week with East Baton Rouge 4-H Junior Leaders!

Youth in grades 7-12 are invited to join us for a fun-filled evening featuring our Cupcake Wars Challenge. Participants will work in teams to decorate cupcakes, meet current Junior Leaders, learn about 4-H opportunities, and enjoy games and prizes.

Thursday, October 8
6:30 - 7:15 PM
East Baton Rouge 4-H Office (9050 Airline Hwy, Suite 120)

Whether you're already a Junior Leader or interested in getting involved, this is a great opportunity to connect with other teens and learn how 4-H can help you develop leadership skills, serve your community, and make new friends.

Bring a friend! All youth in grades 7-12 are welcome.

Register in advance or sign up at the door.

Join "EBR Jr. Leaders" on BAND.

Invite Code: DAN-ZT7-41

https://band.us/n/aea5b2K680D6Z

06. Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Get creative and show off your pumpkin decorating skills in the 2026 East Baton Rouge 4-H Pumpkin Decorating Contest! The contest is open to both youth and adults in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Entry Deadline: Thursday, October 22, 2026

Who Can Enter?

• Cloverbud (8 years old & younger)
• Junior (9-11)
• Intermediate (12-14)
• Senior (15 through high school senior)
• Adult

Contest Categories

• 4-H Spirit
• Character
• Halloween
• Any Other Theme

Decorating Options Use a real pumpkin, a craft pumpkin, or even a pumpkin coloring page! Entries may be painted, decorated, or carved.

How to Enter Submit a photo of your decorated pumpkin by October 22, 2026. Submit Photo HERE

Winners will be announced on October 31 at 6:00 PM on the East Baton Rouge Parish 4-H Facebook page and recognized on social media.

Important Notes

• Open to enrolled East Baton Rouge 4-H members and volunteers.
• One entry per person per category.
• All work must be completed by the participant.
• Designs must be family-friendly.

Questions? Email [email protected] with the subject line "2026 Pumpkin Contest."

07. Shooting Sports

Focus: Archery, Shotgun, Rifle, and Pistol disciplines

Meetings: Locations depend on discipline.

Club Information: Members train and practice in their chosen shooting sports discipline and may compete at parish, regional, and state levels.

Registration: In 4-H Online under Events. Deadline to register is October 28.

1. After you enroll as a 4-H'er, Click the "View" button next to the member's name

2. On the left menu, click "Events" (You may need to turn your phone landscape)

3. Click the "Register for a new event" button

4. Select "2026-2027 Shooting Sports Club" in the list and then click Next

5. Choose either New Member or Returning Member, then click "Start Registration"

6. Answer the registration questions, upload your Hunter Safety Card, and complete the Certification of Health/Medical Record

8. Choose your payment method: pay by credit card online or select "Pay by Check" and submit cash/check to the EBR 4-H Office. If paying by card, fees apply

9. Confirm your payment option, click next, then click the green "Finish" button to complete registration

10. Once Registration and Payment are confirmed you will receive information to join the 2026-2027 Band.

08. Livestock

Visit ourEvents Page for more information on Livestock. Including the Band Link and 2027 Possession and Validation Deadlines.

09. SeaPerch - Adult Volunteer Training

Attendees will be able to request a free SeaPerch kit after attending the trainings. NOTE: Events hosted by LaSTEM may only be able to provide kits for educators serving in their respective regions. Louisiana 4-H will be able to fill requests regardless of region.

Trainings will last from 8:00am - 4:00pm unless otherwise noted.

September 19th^th

Registration: 2026 New Coaches Training - Northshore Region

Hosted By: LaSTEM Region 9

Location: Southeastern Louisiana University

Sims Memorial Library, 2^nd Floor @iHub

400 Mane Street, Hammond, LA 70401

September 26th^th

Registration: https://forms.gle/Tx1hicXBumAb4EWp7

Hosted By: LaSTEM Region 2

Location: WBR Career Academy

3665 Rosedale Rd.

Port Allen, LA

October 22^nd

Registration: https://forms.gle/bf9FFoVXbd1bEx6x5

Hosted By: LaSTEM Region 8

Location: Sterlington Middle School

230 Keystone Road

Monroe, LA

October 24^th

Registration: https://SeaPerchTraining26.4honline.com

Hosted By: Louisiana 4-H

Location: The WAG Center

1221 Maginnis St.

Donaldsonville, LA

10. NCH Corner

Fresh, Seasonal, and Less Processed

Fall brings many delicious fruits and vegetables that can help keep you healthy. Choosing more whole foods and fewer processed foods is a simple way to improve your diet and overall health.

Fall favorites like apples, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, figs, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds are full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Fiber helps you feel full longer and supports a healthy digestive system.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030, we all should be aiming to consume more whole and less processed foods.Whole foods often provide more nutrients, have less added salt and less added sugar.

Before reaching for a slice of apple pie, try enjoying fresh apples in a quick and easy salad. This tasty fall salad is a great way to enjoy the flavors of the season while nourishing your body.

🍂 Fall Waldorf Salad

Adapted from the USDA SNAP-Ed Connection Waldorf Salad recipe.

Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients

• ¼ cup chopped walnuts
• 2 apples, cored and diced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup nonfat plain yogurt
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Place walnuts on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted.
3. In a large bowl, combine apples, celery, walnuts, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds.
4. In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt, sugar, and lemon juice.
5. Pour the yogurt mixture over the apple mixture and toss lightly.
6. Serve immediately or chill before serving.

Healthy Tip

If you use Honeycrisp or Fuji apples, you may be able to leave out the ½ teaspoon of sugar. These apples are naturally sweet and add plenty of flavor without extra sugar.

Recipe Source

USDA SNAP-Ed Connection. Waldorf Salad. Available at:https://snaped.fna.usda.gov/resources/ nutrition-education-materials/recipes/fall-recipes#recipe-2541.

Accessed on September 24, 2026.

Vadel Shivers PhD, RD, LDN, FAND

Assistant Extension Agent - Nutrition and Community Health

(EFNEP)

Nutrition and Community Health Regional Coordinator - Southeast Region