4-H Calendar

October

State Fair deadline 1
National 4-H Week 4-10
Jr. Leader Meeting, 1:30 p.m. 5
Water Rocket reg. due 12
Pumpkin Workshop due 12
Water Rocket Workshop 19
Pumpkin Workshop 26
Pecan Orders due 28
State Fair of LA Oct. 28-Nov. 7

November

Jr. Leader Meeting, 1:30 p.m. 2
Sweet Potato Orders due 3
Market and Commercial Animals-possession deadline 9
Fall Cookery Contest 9
Mission: Zoo Quest 10
Sweet Potato order delivery, 3-5:30 p.m. 12
Cenla AgMagic 18-19

December

Fashion Camp reg. opens 1
Swine Possession deadline 1
Geaux Sew Clinic 7
Jr. Leader Meeting, 1:30 p.m. 7

Camp Catch Phrase Contest

Due by November 30, 2026

Unleash your creativity for a snappy 7-word slogan, complete with a dazzling illustration for the Camp Catch Phrase Contest and snag a $50 prize! What’s a good theme for 4-H Camp 2026?- Your masterpiece could be the shining star of our camp’s publicity.

Send in your most creative ideas for a slogan -- in (7) words or less. Illustrations must accompany the phrase and will be part of the contest. No AI-generate or digitally created images. The winning slogan will be one that is brief and “catchy,” capturing the spirit of 4-H
Camp Grant Walker. The artwork and slogan be used in its entirety or used as the concept for the final artwork. Mail entries to: Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center 3000 Hwy. 8 Pollock, LA 71467

Email entries to: [email protected]
Include the following: Full name & age of person submitting the slogan, Parish/4-H Club, complete mailing address, and phone number.

Fall Cookery Contest & Kitchen Skills Workshop

Fall Cookery Contest & Kitchen Skills Workshop is scheduled for November 9, 2026.

4-H’ers do you enjoy helping prepare meals at home? If so, you need to get those cookbooks out and prepare your special recipes to enter in the Fall 4-H Cookery on November 9. Check-In 5:15 p.m. at the back of Courthouse in the room joining the 4-H Meeting Room (23) Judging at 5:30 p.m. Call the 4-H Office at 992-2205 by 10/30/26 with entry details.

Divisions:

Rice Cookery Dish must contain 1 cup of cooked brown or white rice not wild rice. Rice should be the focal point of the dish

Egg Cookery Two categories 4-H’ers may enter: Egg Dessert or Egg Other. Dish must contain 4 Whole Eggs, 4 yolks, or 4 whites that makes
one standard dish. No raw eggs in the final product.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Challenge**Only category that may be prepared day of contest**Entry must be sandwich style. Must contain peanut butter - smooth or crunchy. Jelly is optional. All other toppings are fair game. Focus on complimentary ingredients to balance your creation: Sweet countered with Spice /Salt, Smooth & Crunchy textures, etc.
Rules:

•Dishes are prepared by 4-H’er the night before the cookery at home, chilled (40 Degrees F or Lower), and transported to the contest on ice, in an ice chest. Prepare whole recipe and bring only half of the dish to exhibit in the contest. Leave other half at home to enjoy with your family! Food may be exhibited in disposable containers. All final garnishes and entry placement for the dish should be done by contestant. Dishes cannot be split between divisions. ** 1st & 2nd Place in the Rice, Egg-Dessert, and Egg-Other qualify for Regional Cookery in March.**

Cookery Contest Day: Youth will display their prepared dishes on judging table along with recipe (do not put your name on recipe). Next, contestants will participate in a fun Kitchen Skills activity led by 4-H Agent, while dishes are being judged. Awards announcement will follow immediately after judging.

Jr. Leader Pecan Fundraiser

Support your LaSalle Parish 4-H Jr. Leadership Members in their projects and activities. Now through October 28 members are selling 16oz bags ofLouisiana pecans. Orders available for pick up November 12 from 3:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Available selection includes Milk Chocolate Pecans $15, Roasted & Lightly Salted Pecans $15, Shelled Pecan Halves $12, and Praline Crunch Topping Pecans $10.

Orders and money must be turned into the 4-H office by October 28, 2026. Find a 4-H member to place an order or stop by the 4-H office today.

Livestock News

2027 Market and Commercial Animal Validation

The 2027 LSU Market and Commercial Animal Validation is just around the corner. All show animals must be entered in your 4-H Online account before your respected Possession Date. Market and Commercial animals are required to be entered in your 4-H Online account, DNA collected , Ear Tagged before the possession / validation date. Any animals not validated by the validation deadline will not be exhibited at the District or State Livestock Show. Cost of validation is $7.00 per head.

Market Sheep & Goat: Commercial Heifers, Dairy, Ewe and Does; Beef, Sheep, Goat , Dairy, & Breeding Animals: Validation / Possession Date: November 9, 2026

Miniature Cattle: District / State Breeding Rabbits:

Validation / Possession Date: November 16, 2026Validation / Possession Date: December 18, 2026

Breeding, Market, & Commercial Hogs:District / State Meat Rabbit Pens:

Validation / Possession Date: December 1, 2026Validation / Possession Date: January 7 / January 17, 2027

Any animal no validated or in possession by date stated will be ineligible to show at the 2027 LSU AgCenter Livestock Shows.

Mission: Zoo Quest

Calling all 7th and 8th grade 4-H Members:
Are you ready for the challenge? Let’s go wild at the zoo on November 10th! Youth will embark on an exciting day adventure on November 10, 2026 featuring an Endangered Species Scavenger Hunt through the zoo, a hands-on “Service That Sticks” ecosystem challenge, an engaging Zookeeper Q&A, and interactive learning about Conservation and Wildlife Protection. Participants will also enjoy a train ride through the zoo for a unique view of the animals and exhibits. Best of all, lunch is included!

The Day Camp experience is for 7th and 8th grade members. The cost is $20 per participant, $20 Junior Counselors, and $7 Adults. Payment and registration must be completed in 4-H Online by October 21st. Don't monkey around and wait until the last minute, spots are sure to disappear faster than a cheetah on the chase! Register today for a roaring good time while learning how we can help protect wildlife and their habitats. 8:30 AM Registration at the Alexandria Zoo. Mission begins at 9:00 am and concludes at 3:00 pm. Transportation is on your own.

National 4-H Week Display Contest

National 4-H Celebration week is October 4-10, 2026

The 2026 theme is: “Beyond Ready”

Show your community or school what 4-H means to you. School clubs may setup displays inside or outside to promote National 4-H Week. Email photos of your 4-H displays, additional activities, and any descriptions of the events to Mr. Silas at [email protected] by 10/16. Clubs are invited to submit photos of their daily promotions to the 4-H Office anytime during the week. We'll spotlight participating clubs on our official Facebook page—let your creativity shine and show your 4-H pride!

Photo Contest-October

Youth 4-H’ers do you enjoy taking photos? If so, then you might be interested in earning some points for your club. For this contest you will take a picture focused on the monthly theme and attach to an email for your 4-H agent. Rename your photo file as Month_First Initial_Last Name. Include name, school club, grade, and theme in the email body. Submit entry to: [email protected]. Turn in only 1 picture each month. Deadline to enter is the last Wednesday of each month. Themes for October is Halloween Décor Photos.

Shooting Sports

2027 LaSalle 4-H Shooting Sports

The LaSalle Outdoor Skills - Shooting Sports program is running strong and membership continues to grow. The club focuses on firearm and archery equipment safety in addition to marksmanship, sportsmanship and character development. Practices are taught by Volunteer Level I 4-H Shooting Volunteer Instructors. The Outdoor Skills Club provides an opportunity for you to meet youth from across the parish, region and state through parish events, regional, and state competitions. To date the club offers the following disciplines: Archery, Shotgun, and 22 Rifle. If you missed the Safety/Registration meeting on 9/29 contact the 4-H Office to sign up.

4-H Level I Shooting Sports Instructor Trainings for Adults

Want to get your parents, grandparents, aunts, or uncles involved in the shooting sports program? Do they like to work with youth to improve 4-H’ers skill in firearm or archery safety and knowledge? Below are the remainder of this year’s training offerings.

Interested adults, please contact the 4-H office for additional information. Online 4-H Volunteer Enrollment is Required. Shooting Sports instructors are background checked. Register for trainings through 4-H Online.

• October 17, 2026 – Desoto Parish; Archery, Air Rifle/BB/ .22 Rifle, Hunting Skills, & Shotgun (Reg. Due Oct. 9)
• October 24, 2026 – Ouachita Parish; Archery, Air Rifle/BB/ .22 Rifle, Hunting Skills, & Shotgun (Reg. Due Oct. 16)
• October 31, 2026 – Acadia Parish; Archery & Shotgun (Reg. Due Oct. 31)

Sweet Potato Fundraiser

LaSalle 4-H Members are selling 20-pound boxes of Louisiana Sweet Potatoes for only $25 a box.

Orders and money must be turned in at the 4-H Office by November 3, 2026. Potatoes will be available for pick-up on November 12 between 3 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Proceeds from each box a 4-H’er sells helps offset their registration fees, transportation, 4-H supplies, service projects, and more.

Help a 4-H’er with their cost of Summer Camps, 4-H University and Competitions.
Find a member to place an order or stop the 4-H office to order and it will be greatly appreciated!

The Great Pumpkin Workshop

The Great Pumpkin Workshop is scheduled for October 26, 2026

Attention Club members - 4th-6th grades. This year we will be holding the Pumpkin Workshop on Monday, October 26 in the 4-H Office’s downstairs conference room from 9:00 a.m. - Noon. You Must provide your own cleaned-out pumpkin!

At the workshop you will be provided information on growing your own pumpkins, the nutritional value, and create Halloween snacks. Don’t forget Glow-in-the-Dark Slime! The highlight of the workshop will be “pumpkin carving”. You will be able to carve your own pumpkin to bring home and display for Halloween. You must bring a pumpkin that has been cleaned and is ready for carving. *Hint* Thick-walled pumpkins will need their insides scraped much more! Registration forms may be obtained at club meetings or by contacting the LaSalle 4-H Office. Return the registration form with $10.00 to the 4-H Office by October 12.

Water Rocket Workshop

4-H Water Rocket Workshop is scheduled for October 19, 2026

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math is a way for 4-H’ers to explore the mathematics and physics of the world around them and apply what you have been learning in math and science class in a fun and exciting way.

Member will need to supply three (3) emptied and washed out 2-Liter Coke bottles (Old Style Mountain Dew Type) for the event.

Workshop is slated for Monday, October 19, 2026. Rocket building will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end tentatively around 2:00 p.m. at the Jena Community Center. Don’t wait, this workshop is limited to 20 members in 4th – 6th grades! Registration for event is $10. Youth may obtain a registration flyer at club meetings or by contacting the LaSalle 4-H Office at 318-992-2205-located in Room 1-Courthouse.