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St. Martin Parish Cooperative Extension
114 Courthouse Street
Breaux Bridge, LA 70517
Phone: 337-332-2181
Website: www.louisiana4h.org/stmartin
Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday
Social Media; Search “St. Martin Parish 4-H” on Facebook, & Instagram
Join 4-H Today by enrolling in 4-H ONLINE.
What is a 4-H Agent? Well…. 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 staff 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. She is thrilled to be working with 4-H youth and adults in this parish.
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.
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!
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 at 337-332-2181.
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
St. Martin Parish 4-H offers lots of opportunities throughout the year. How can you keep up with all of the events? Stay connected! We publish a monthly newsletter that will be given to the 4-H member at their monthly club meetings. (If you are absent on the day of the 4-H club meeting, ask your school club leader for a newsletter when you return to school.)
We also have a St. Martin Parish 4-H website where we post newsletters, calendars, contest rules, and much more! Check it often.
The parish program is also connected through social media. We are on Facebook, and Instagram. Join our pages today to stay connected and be active in 4-H this year!
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. Ashley at aistre@agcenter.lsu.edu or Mrs. Erica at epoirier@agcenter.lsu.edu
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.
In livestock projects, as well as any other 4-H project, it is important for you to act in good character every day. It is not following just one pillar of character - You should look at all six of them.
Be an Exhibitor who Shows Good Character!
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 worksheet. 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.
Shooting Sports Open House
Sunday, September 27, 2026
4-H Office Auditorium, 114 Courthouse St. Breaux Bridge
1:00 - 2:00 pm
Join us to learn more about the St. Martin Parish’s 4-H Shooting Sports program.
Turn in registration forms and fees early
Daisy BB Nationals 2026 Participants: Iyan Gaspard, Julia Babineaux, Corinthian Perro, Owen Blanchard, Emma Blanchard, Vitoria Buford, Alexious Stelly, and Cameron Landry. Coached by Rodney Perro, and Alina Perro.
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.
Each month, we will have a trivia contest in the Bayou 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.
This year’s 4-H theme is Beyond Ready. We equip youth with skills for the future while meeting them where they are today. Through 4-H, we offer opportunities and experiences that shape youth into their full, authentic selves, enabling them to shine both now and in the future. We will work on building up our youth by using their Heads, Hands, and Hearts to “Make the Best, Better!”
National 4-H Week will be celebrated October 4-10, 2026. We challenge each of our members to share your 4-H stories and participate in community service throughout the week! Be sure to check out our parish social media and Louisiana 4-H social media pages for ideas and activities. As you build your communities through service, please share your pictures and stories with us on social media by using #4HBeyondReady on all your posts.
Southwest Region 4-H
November 17-18, 2026
An overnight camp for 7th & 8th grade members.
Contact Parish 4-H Office for Information
Looking for a greater 4-H experience? Join the Jr. Leader Club to become more active in 4-H and in your community. Please join us for the annual Mess Fest Jr. Leader Club party! Come learn what the club is all about.
When: Monday, September 21, 2026, from 5:00 pm-6:15 pm
Where: Livestock Barn, BBHS
Jr. Leader Club Dues are $30.
7th-12thgraders who are interested in the Jr. Leader Club are welcome to attend. Come learn about the Jr. Leader Club, meet new people, and get MESSY as we play games!
Wear clothing & shoes that can get wet/dirty. Bring a towel.
The Jr. Leader Club is a group of St. Martin Parish 4-H members who gather once a month and do fun things. We also like to volunteer at different events, learn new things, and help the community. We hope to see you at Mess Fest!
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Participants include: Kenzli Breaux, Cecilia Cantu, Eva Cantu, McKlain Cortez, Anna David, Caroline Degatur, Lacey Frederick, Rylee Fuselier, Jessi Granger, Riley Hernandez, Annabelle Knott, Ally Patin, Madelyn Reed, Audrey Theriot, Alysa Thibodeaux, Marlee Trahan, Nixon Bulliard, Noah Champagne, Luke Degatur, Cooper Gauthier, Jean Hebert, Jagger Howard, Isaiah Knott, Joseph LaJack, Andre Olivier, Maddox Payton, Landon Periou, Corinthian Perro, Saul Romero, Sutton Romero, Alexious Stelly
Camp Counselors: James Gauthier, Benjamin Ellender, Hannah Ellender, Averi Wiltz and Alyssa Vidrine.
Camp Chaperones: Erica Poirier, Rebecca Clark, Isabelle Patin, Ashley Istre, Rodney Perro and Stuart Gauthier.
Participants include: Ava Gauthier, James Gauthier, Julia Babineaux, Isabelle Couvillion, Raelynn Comeaux, Khloe Mire, Aiden Devillier, Brookelynn Louis, Bria Nichols, Iyan Gaspard, Emilee Lasseigne, and Ella Nero
Congratulations!!!! Each of you did a fantastic job on your state records. St. Martin Parish was very well represented. The results for our Parish participants are listed below.
Aiden Edgar à Ignite Trip, Washington, D.C.
Devin Lanclos à Ignite Trip, Washington, D.C.
Hannah Ellender à National 4-H Congress Trip, Atlanta, GA
Other Participants in the State 4-H Records Contests:
Isaac Belaire, Cecilia Cantu, Eva Cantu, Isabelle Couvillion, Lacey Frederick, Jessi Granger, Anniston Guidry, Khloe Mire, Andre Olivier, Corinthian Perro, Calais Varnado, Ava Gauthier, Iyan Gaspard, Owen Blanchard, Averi Theriot and Benjamin Ellender.
James Gauthier à Dairy Conference Trip Alternate Winner
4-H University Participants 2026
Annalise Arnaud, Avari Vitto, Bria Nichols, Khloe Mire, Raelynn Comeaux, Ava Gauthier, Aiden Edgar,
Alyssa Vidrine, Brock Doucet, Kowen Van De Klundert,Kiera Gardemal, Soleil Gardemal, Devin Lanclos, Hollie Miller, Emilee Lasseigne, Averi Theriot, Benjamin Ellender, Cullen LeLeu, Lanie LeLeu, Aiden Devillier, Chase Landry, Hannah Ellender, and James Gauthier
Chaperones: Gesette Pourciaux, Stuart Gauthier, Rebecca Clark, Erica Poirier and Ashley Istre
Sincerely,
Mrs. Ashley Istre
Ashley Istre
4-H Agent
Mrs. Erica Poirier
Erica Poirier
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.
