St. Martin 4-H Cloverbud Gazette – September 2026 3rd Grade Edition

CloverBud Events Calendar

  • September 7 - 4-H Office Closed - Labor Day
  • October 4-10 National 4-H Week
  • October 24 Fall Fest Contest Day
  • November 24 - 4-H Fund Day
  • November 24 - Commodity Sale Pickup (Livestock Barn at BBHS)

Contact Information:

St. Martin Parish 4-H Office 114 Courthouse Street Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 Phone 337-332-2181

Ashley Istre , 4-H Agent aistre@agcenter.lsu.edu

Erica Poirier, 4-H Agent epoirier@agcenter.lsu.edu

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Monday-Friday

Website: www.louisiana4h.org/stmartin

Facebook: St. Martin Parish 4-H Page (Hit “LIKE”)

Join 4-H Today by enrolling in 4-H Online

Re-enroll: 4-H Online Sign In

First time: 4-H Online Sign Up

We are so excited to have you as a member of a very important group of 4-H’ers called Cloverbuds. As a Cloverbud, you are a real member of your 4-H Club. You get to meet new friends, go to new places, and participate in lots of 4-H activities with the rest of your group.

As a Cloverbud, you take the first step in learning about all the things there are to do in 4-H. Later, when you are in the fourth grade and 9 years old, you will be ready to step up to the next level and take on 4-H project work. In 4-H, the slogan is “Learn by Doing!” So, you will learn and do things every time you are with us. We’re looking forward to a great year in 4-H!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Ashley

Ashley Istre
4-H Agent
aistre@agcenter.lsu.edu

Mrs. Erica

Erica Poirier
4-H Agent
epoirier@agcenter.lsu.edu


Meet the St. Martin Parish 4-H Agents

What is a 4-H Agent? Well…. a 4-H Agent makes 4-H happen in your parish. They plan events, come up with workshops for you to attend, make things fun, and visit you at club meetings. St. Martin Parish has two 4-H Agents. Meet the 4-H Agents below.

Mrs. Ashley Istre has worked with 4-H Youth for 10 years. She has an Animal Science Degree from McNeese State University and is pursuing a Master’s Degree from LSU. She is excited to continue to work with the youth of St. Martin Parish.

Mrs. Erica Poirier is from St. Martinville. She began her career with the LSU AgCenter as a 4-H Agent in October 2021, following over a decade of dedicated service as an adult volunteer with the St. Martin Parish 4-H program since 2003. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now UL Lafayette) and a master’s degree from Louisiana State University.


How Do You Join? & What Does it Cost?

Each 4-H member pays $10.00 in annual dues, which are collected by your 4-H Club Leader. Of that amount, $5.00 goes to the State 4-H Office to support statewide programs and awards. The remaining $5.00 stays in St. Martin Parish and helps cover the cost of meeting supplies, contests, activities, and awards. Some clubs may collect up to an additional $5.00 to help fund club activities at their school. Your 4-H Club Leader will let you know the total amount due for your club.


What Can You Expect as a 4-H Member?

Being a 4-H member is a great opportunity to learn, grow, and have fun. The more you participate, the more you will get out of your 4-H experience! Expectations of 4-H Members in order to have a great 4-H experience!

  • Have fun
  • Participate in 4-H events, activities, and workshops
  • Make new friends
  • Attend club meetings
  • Take part in community service projects
  • Show a positive attitude at 4-H events
  • Complete your 4-H Portfolio
  • Do your own work
  • Attend 4-H Achievement Day
  • Ask questions when you need help

Attention Parents of 4-H Members:

Parents play an important role in helping their child have a successful 4-H experience. You can support your child by: Showing interest and offering encouragement, helping them stay organized and meet deadlines, Volunteering and getting involved when possible, and Supporting 4-H policies and program expectations.

The St. Martin Parish 4-H Program is led by trained youth development professionals who are committed to providing positive experiences for all members. By working together, we can help your child have a fun, successful, and rewarding year in 4-H. As always, if you have a question, concern or suggestion please do not hesitate to contact Ashley or Erica 337-332-2181.


4-H Fun Facts

The 4-H Motto is: "To Make the Best Better"

This motto challenges everyone involved in 4-H to do the very best job they can.

The 4-H Colors Are: Green and White.

Green symbolizes nature's most common color. White symbolizes purity.

The 4-H Emblem is: A green four-leaf clover with the letter "H" on each leaf. The H’s stand for: Head, Heart, Hands, and Health


Stay Connected

St. Martin Parish 4-H offers many activities and opportunities throughout the year. To stay informed, be sure to read our monthly newsletter, which is distributed at club meetings. If you miss a meeting, ask your club leader for a copy when you return to school. You can also visit the St. Martin Parish 4-H website for newsletters, calendars, contest information, and more. Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Snapchat to receive updates and stay involved in all that 4-H has to offer. Join us online and stay connected all year long! The 4-H agents are also available at the office on Monday-Friday from 8:00 am-4:30 pm at 337-332-2181. You can also email Mrs. Erica at epoirier@agcenter.lsu.edu or Mrs. Ashley at aistre@agcenter.lsu.edu.


Livestock News

Youth who are 9 years old prior to January 1, 2027 are eligible to participate in the livestock program. 4-H members who plan to raise animals and take part in the livestock shows must select the appropriate project(s) on their enrollment card. Exhibitors must also take possession of their animals by the dates listed below if they wish to participate in the parish, district, and state livestock shows. Exhibitors of market and commercial animals must validate their animals by the deadline.

If you will be exhibiting a livestock animal for the 1st time this year, please contact the 4-H Office at 337- 332-2181 immediately so you can be placed on our mailing lists in order to receive important information. The 4-H Agent that works with livestock is Mrs. Ashley Istre. Please contact Mrs. Ashley at 337-332-2181 or by email at aistre@agcenter.lsu.edu with any questions.

Possession Dates:

  • August 15, 2026 Market Steers
  • November 9, 2026 Beef, Dairy, Sheep, Goats, and Exhibition Poultry
  • November 16, 2026 Miniature Cattle
  • December 1, 2026 Swine
  • December 18, 2026 Exhibition Rabbits

Be a 4-H exhibitor who shows good character!


Showing Character in your Projects

As a 4-H member, it is important to show good character every day, whether you are involved in livestock projects or any other 4-H activity. The Six Pillars of Character are:

  • Trustworthiness – Be honest.
  • Respect – Treat others kindly.
  • Responsibility – Make good choices and do your part.
  • Fairness – Follow the rules and be fair to others.
  • Caring – Be helpful and compassionate.
  • Citizenship – Be a good neighbor and role model.

Shooting Sports

Youth who are 9 years old prior to January 1, 2027, are eligible to participate in the shooting sports program. 4-H members who plan to participate in the shooting sports program must select the Louisiana Shooting Sports project in the outdoor skills/shooting sports area on their enrollment card. If you select the Louisiana Shooting Sports project, you will be contacted by mail or email about the registration process, fees, future workshops, trainings, practices, and safety clinics. Project books will not be distributed until the first shooting sports meeting, which will be announced later. The 4-H Agent that works with shooting sports is Mrs. Erica Poirier. Please contact Mrs. Erica at 337-332-2181 or by email at epoirier@agcenter.lsu.edu with any questions.

**Please note that there are extra fees and requirements for those involved in the Shooting Sports program. Adult support is required. An adult must attend all events with youth.

Join us to learn more about the St. Martin Parish’s 4-H Shooting Sports program.

  • Meet certified instructors
  • Find out what equipment and supplies youth participants will need for each discipline
  • Ask Questions
  • Find out how to become a certified instructor
  • Turn in registration forms and fees early

Shooting Sports Open House

Sunday, September 27, 2026, 1:00 - 2:00 pm

4-H Office Auditorium, 114 Courthouse St. Breaux Bridge


National 4-H Week is October 4-10, 2026

The 2026 4-H theme is "Beyond Ready," focusing on preparing youth for the future while supporting them in the present. 4-H helps young people develop into their authentic selves through meaningful opportunities and experiences. The program emphasizes usingthe Head, Heart, Hands, and Health principles of 4-H to

“Make the Best Better!” National 4-H Week will be celebrated October 4-10, 2026

Ideas to Celebrate 4-H Week!

  • Do something nice for someone else!
  • Bake cookies/cupcakes for the teacher’s lounge. Frost them with 4-H green!
  • Display 4-H clovers at school or local businesses
  • Plan your own activities- one for every day of the week!

4-H Trivia

Each month, we will have a trivia contest in the Cloverbud Gazette newsletter. If you email the correct answer to us, along with your full name, school you attend, and your grade level, by the deadline, you will receive a prize at your next club meeting. Remember, your answer must be correct!

September 4-H Trivia Question: What do the 4 H's stand for?

Email us the answer along with your full name, the school you attend, and

your grade level by 9/25/26 to: stmartintrivia@agcenter.lsu.edu or 4-H@saintmartinschools.org if using a school email.


Save the Date: October 24, 2026, Fall Fest

All 4-H members are invited to join us at the first contest day of the year,

2026 4-H Fall Fest! Fall Fest will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Breaux Bridge High School. What do you do at Fall Fest? At Fall Fest, you can enter the Pet Show, Cookery Contest, Fall photography Contest, Pumpkin Decorating Contest, and Rock Decorating Contest. A complete booklet of Fall Fest contest rules will be distributed at the October 4-H club meetings. If you have questions, call 337-332-2181.

Mrs. Erica
Erica Poirier
4-H Agent

Mrs. Ashley
Ashley Istre
4-H Agent


It is the policy of the LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, or disability. If you have a disability which requires special assistance for your participation in any aforementioned activity, please contact the St. Martin 4-H office at 337-332-2181. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs or disability.

8/19/2026 4:59:45 PM
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