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The West Feliciana Parish 4-H program has been busy with a variety of exciting activities and accomplishments. April began with youth competing at the Louisiana 4-H State Shooting Sports Competition in archery and shotgun events. Our participants achieved several top ten finishes in the state and brought home multiple state championship titles. We are incredibly proud of their dedication and success.
In May, our 4-H members traveled to Amite to participate in the Regional Culinary Arts Contest. Youth competed in several categories and earned numerous top three placements for their outstanding dishes. Later in the month, participants showcased their creativity and skills during the Parish Fashion Show and Fashion Revue competitions, featuring projects completed through their sewing clubs. West Feliciana Parish 4-H also hosted its third annual Talent Show, providing youth with an opportunity to share their unique talents with family and friends. Building on the success of previous years, the popular Art and Literature Contest was once again included, highlighting the artistic and creative abilities of our 4-H members.
The third week of June, West Feliciana Parish 4-H youth attended 4-H Camp Grant Walker. A total of 27 campers, five camp counselors, and three adult volunteers participated in the week-long camp experience. While at camp, youth engaged in educational tracks, developed new friendships, and enjoyed a variety of recreational and team-building activities. The camp experience provided opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and lasting memories.
Later in June, twenty-three West Feliciana Parish 4-H members in grades 8-12 attended Louisiana 4-H University on the LSU campus. Participants competed in a variety of contests and educational events or attended Clover College sessions designed to help them explore career interests and develop new skills. Six West Feliciana 4-H members earned top honors by receiving blue medals in their respective competitions: Caden G. (Tiger Tank), Emma S. (Visual Arts), Peyton D. (Fashion), Evelyn P. (Fashion), Valarie P. (Fashion), and Taylor S. (Vet Set Geaux).
Also, during 4-H U, eight West Feliciana Parish 4-H members were elected to serve on state leadership boards for 2026-2027. Those elected were Peyton D. (Food and Fitness Board), Evelyn P. (Wetland Ambassadors), Valarie P. (Wetland Ambassadors), Mary Dean G. (Equine Ambassadors), Taylor T. (Equine Ambassadors), Brooklyn T. (Equine Ambassadors), Wyatt T. (STEM Board), and Emma S. (STEM Board). These leadership positions recognize outstanding youth and provide opportunities to represent Louisiana 4-H while developing valuable leadership skills. We are extremely proud of all of these young people for their accomplishments and for the positive manner in which they represented West Feliciana Parish 4-H.
In addition to these two events, eight West Feliciana Parish 4-H members attended the District Horse Show, where they competed in a variety of events including showmanship, performance classes, and speed events. Participants demonstrated the skills, dedication, and sportsmanship they have developed through their equine projects, representing our parish well throughout the competition.
As we move into July, our horse project members will continue their show season while the 4-H program begins preparations for the upcoming school year. We look forward to another exciting year of opportunities for youth to develop leadership, citizenship, and life skills through participation in West Feliciana Parish 4-H Program.
The Feliciana Forestry Association hosted a field day at Dennis Aucoin’s camp, with approximately 40 attendees participating in the educational event. Participants learned about timber genetics, forest management practices, and habitat management techniques to support wildlife populations. The field day provided valuable information for landowners and forestry enthusiasts interested in improving the health and productivity of their forests.
The 4-H Horticulture Club met and explored the art of floral design. Members learned basic floral arrangement techniques and had the opportunity to create both a hand-held bouquet and a vase arrangement using locally grown cut flowers. The hands-on activity allowed participants to develop creativity while learning about horticulture and the use of locally produced flowers.
The Feliciana Master Gardeners, in partnership with St. Francisville Beautiful, hosted their annual St. Francisville Garden Stroll fundraiser. Despite less-than-ideal weather conditions throughout the weekend, the event was successful and showcased the beauty of local gardens while supporting future gardening and beautification efforts within the community.
The Louisiana County Agricultural Agents Association (LCAAA) held its annual professional development conference at the W. A. Freyhan Conference Center in St. Francisville in late May and early June. LSU AgCenter county agents from across Louisiana gathered to learn about the diverse agricultural enterprises found in the Feliciana Parishes. These opportunities allowed agents from across Louisiana to learn more about local agricultural operations and management practices while highlighting the important role agriculture plays in the Felicianas.
As part of the conference, attendees enjoyed a Board Supper graciously hosted by John and Heather Thompson. Conference participants toured cattle operations such as Patrick’s Cattle led by Jamey Patrick, flower farms, community and research gardens, and other agricultural facilities while also benefiting from presentations by guest speakers.
Spouses attending the conference enjoyed a pickleball lesson led by Mrs. Pat Heurtin and a tour of The Myrtles. The success of the conference was made possible through the combined efforts of the Town of St. Francisville, local residents and businesses, LSU AgCenter faculty and staff, and the Feliciana Master Gardeners. Thank you to everyone whose hard work and hospitality helped make this event a tremendous success. A sincere thank you to John and Heather Thompson and Jamey Patrick for their hospitality and willingness to share their knowledge and experiences. Their support helped make the conference a valuable learning experience for agricultural professionals from across the state.
Spring has been a busy season for livestock and pasture producers throughout the area. Many producers have been focused on harvesting their first hay cutting while also managing pasture weeds through timely herbicide applications. These management practices are essential for maintaining productive pastures and ensuring adequate forage supplies for livestock.
Our Nutrition and Community Health (NCH) Agent continued providing nutrition education programs at Bains Lower Elementary (BLE). In April, Pre-K students learned about the importance of keeping their hearts healthy and enjoyed tasting radish pods harvested from the school garden. Kindergarten students concluded their MyPlate nutrition series with a lesson on the Protein Food Group. They learned about both plant and animal based protein sources through interactive activities, including an “I Spy Protein” game and a team relay where they sorted food cards into plant and animal protein categories. Kindergarten students sampled radish pods and also completed a post-program survey to help evaluate the impact of the nutrition and school garden program at BLE. In May, Play 60 Coach Lanya Mayer provided refreshing spa popsicles she made using mint harvested from the garden. The cool, flavorful treat was a perfect way to beat the heat and enjoy the garden’s fresh herbs on a warm May day.
Members of the 4-H Mission Nutrition Project Club wrapped up their project year with a visit to the West Feliciana High School ProStart Lab and Kitchen. Working in teams, the 4-H’ers created unique “dump” cakes using cake mixes and fruit fillings selected by a random spinner program. Each team prepared and presented their cake to the group, and participants scored the creations to determine the winning team. Special thanks to Mrs. Delanea Buffalo for allowing the club to use the ProStart Lab and Kitchen for this memorable end-of-year learning experience.
The NCH Agent hosted a nutrition education booth at the Family Service Center Recruitment Extravaganza. During the event, she provided families with a variety of nutrition education resources and offered samples of roasted chickpeas to encourage healthy snacking. The NCH Agent also shared information about the Pennington Generation Study, a research study focused on addressing childhood obesity and improving the health outcomes of children and families.
The West Feliciana Parks and Recreation Summer Camp welcomed the NCH Agent for a fun and engaging nutrition education session focused on MyPlate. Campers learned about the five food groups and the importance of building a balanced meal through interactive activities. During the “Tiger Café” activity, youth magically transformed into foods from the various food groups by wearing silly food-themed glasses, helping them better understand how different foods fit into MyPlate. To incorporate physical activity into the lesson, campers participated in a MyPlate Relay. Working in teams, they raced to correctly sort plastic food items into the appropriate food group buckets. The relay quickly became a camp favorite, with participants enthusiastically cheering on their teammates while reinforcing nutrition concepts through hands-on learning. To conclude the session, campers prepared trail mix and enjoyed cheddar cheese cubes as a healthy snack.
Clients at the West Feliciana Council on Aging participated in a Fats, Sugars, and Sodium nutrition education program led by the NCH Agent. During the session, participants learned practical strategies for reducing their intake of saturated fats, added sugars, and sodium to support overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. They also explored the variety of cooking oils available on the market and discussed healthier options for everyday home use.
To reinforce the lesson, participants sampled No-Bake Breakfast Cookies prepared during the program.
Our NCH Agent is serving as a mentor to William Covington, a participant in the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service Internship Program this summer. The internship provides college students with meaningful, hands-on learning experiences while introducing them to the mission and impact of the Cooperative Extension Service. Through shadowing, program participation, and community outreach activities, William is gaining valuable insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of an LSU AgCenter Agent, and the important role Extension plays in improving the lives of individuals, families, and communities.
The NCH Agent also continues to support local food access and nutrition education efforts throughout the parish. She provides monthly nutrition education resources for distribution in food boxes at the West Feliciana Food Pantry, helping families access reliable information on healthy eating and food preparation. In addition, she maintains A Taste of Herbs and Spices campaign at the West Feliciana Parish Library, where community members can sample featured herbs and spices and access fact sheets highlighting their culinary uses, nutritional benefits, and tips for incorporating them into everyday meals. These ongoing efforts help promote healthier food choices and increase access to practical nutrition information within the community.
