Draw a Dairy Billboard
This contest is for any Bonafide 4-H club member. There are three divisions: Division I (4th – 6th grades); Division II (7th – 8th grades); and Division III (9th – 12th grades). 4-H members are to draw a billboard that encourages or promotes the consumption of milk and milk products from dairy cattle only and their importance for health.
- Entries must be submitted to the 4-H Office by March 6th.
- Billboard design must be made on 22"x28" regular poster board size only.
- Do not attach anything to the poster that is more than ½” thick.
- Do not use the commercial brand names of products on the poster. Do not use jingles, slogans, signs, or pictures that are trademark or copyright protected on the poster.
- Be sure to print name, address, grade in school, and parish on the back of the poster in the upper, right-hand corner.
- A 4-H club member is allowed to win 1st place in each division only once.
LSU College of Ag Opportunities
The LSU College of Agriculture offers personalized visits for high school students to learn more about LSU and the College of Agriculture. Students can schedule a visit to campus HERE.
Service-learning Focus
The 2025-2026 Louisiana 4-H State Service-Learning Focus is Environmental Awareness and Stewardship. This year, Louisiana 4-H is taking action for our planet! Together, we can protect and preserve the natural resources that make Louisiana unique. Let’s be the change, learn, lead, and take action for a cleaner, greener future!
"Service starts with stewardship -- what will you protect today?"
Beef Poster Contest
Learn more about the beef industry while promoting beef production, products, and nutrition. This contest is open to 4-H and FFA members between 4th and 12th grades. There are four divisions: Division I (4th-6th grades); Division II (7th-9th grades); Division III (10th-12th grades); and Division DIGITAL (Open division – all ages compete together).
4-H and FFA divisions compete against each other and therefore participants may only enter as either a 4-H or FFA poster or design. Competitors must choose to compete in either the poster or digital competition, participants cannot participate in both divisions in the same year.
- Entries must be submitted to the 4-H Office by March 6th.
- The contest theme is: "Raising the Steaks."
- Posters must be on 22"x28" poster board only.
- Place your name, address, age, grade in school, and parish/chapter on the back, upper right corner of the poster.
- Digital entries must be designed using one of the following programs: Microsoft Publisher, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, or Canva. Digital designs should be formatted for 22”x28” poster size prints. All digital entries must be saved in high-resolution 300 DPI in all of the following: original design file, .png file format, and .pdf file format. Digital designs should be saved to a blank jump drive, placed in a 3 ½”x6” blank envelope labeled with name, address, age, grade in school, and parish/chapter on the front.
- Posters and digital designs should generate positive images and promotion of beef (not live cattle production) using the indicated theme. Posters should promote beef without projecting any negative messages towards other agricultural commodities (chicken, pork, etc.).
- Do not use copyright materials. You may develop ideas from magazines, parents, friends, nutrition bulletins, Beef Ambassador Fact Sheets, and meat publications but the end concept should be original and not copied material. The poster will be disqualified if copyrighted materials are used.
- No templates may be used in the digital division. All design work must be original and from scratch. Just as a poster would be designed.
- Computer generated clip-art may be used on the poster if it is not copyrighted material.
- Materials to pull ideas from are also available from your local supermarket, butcher, the American Meat Institute and National Livestock and Meat Board.
4-H Outdoor Explorers
Throughout the 2025-2026 school year, earn unique pins for each outdoor activity you complete – from kite flying and kayaking to tree identifying and star gazing. Collect five pins to become an “Outdoor Explorer,” and complete eight or more activities to earn the Trailblazer Medal. Top participants will also win a special outdoor gear prize!
- Biking
- Bird Watching
- Camping
- Cloud Identifying
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Insect Identifying
- Kayaking
- Kite Flying
- Outdoor Cooking
- Star Gazing
- Swimming
- Tree Identifying
2026 Esports Regional Tournaments - Season 2
The second Louisiana 4-H Esports “season” is underway. This season once again consists of five regional tournaments and concludes with finals at 4-H University (4-H U). The age range in the Jr. Division has been extended to grades 4-7. The Sr. Division is still grades 8-12. There will be three titles offered at the regional tournament (Rocket League will be offered at 4-H U):
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Jr. Division only)
- Rocket League
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Please visit Louisiana 4-H Esports for rules and information on each title. Youth can compete in multiple titles at the same tournament. Sr. Division teams competing in Rocket League will also be qualifying for their invitation to compete in the finals at 4-H U. New for this year is that a total of 10 teams will be selected for invitations to 4-H U.
Dates and locations for 2026 Esports Regional Tournaments:
- SW Regional February 7, 2026. Lake Area Adventures, Lake Charles
- NE Regional February 28, 2026. Sterlington Middle School, Monroe
- Central Regional March 21, 2026. Avoyelles Parish 4-H Office, Mansura
- SE Regional April 18, 2026. 4-H Mini Barn, Baton Rouge
- NW Regional May 1, 2026. Northwest State University, Natchitoches
Join the Junior Leader Club
The 4-H junior leader experience is designed to provide members with the opportunity to learn about the qualities and competencies needed to be a leader. Junior leaders provide assistance with 4-H events and assume more challenging leadership roles. Our Junior Leader program is a great place to experience new things, complete service-learning projects, meet new friends, travel, and learn the leadership skills necessary in the world. Contact Ms. Lucas for more information.
Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center
The Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center offers a wide variety of additional youth programming opportunities throughout the year. To stay up to date with the events happening at Camp, we encourage you to “Like” and “Follow” the following social media pages associated with Camp Grant Walker. Note: LSU AgCenter policy requires all adults attending an overnight event with youth to complete our overnight chaperone training and screening process.
Career Exploration -- Sunshine Quality Solutions
11th and 12th grade 4-H and FFA members with aspirations in the agricultural equipment industry, have the opportunity to kickstart their careers even before completing their high school education.
Over six months, participants will delve into various departments within a Sunshine Quality Solutions Dealership, gaining valuable experience in areas ranging from sales and marketing to the repair shop. Interested youth can submit their applications through an online form, accompanied by a letter of recommendation. For more information and details, visit Sunshine Career Academy.
Steps to applying:
- Have a conversation with your parents/guardians, FFA advisor, and/or 4-H agent and express your desire to pursue a career in the agricultural equipment industry. Get their feedback, thoughts, and help to plan your pathway in this career.
- Contact your FFA Advisor or 4-H Extension Agent to request a letter of recommendation.
- Once you have received your letter of recommendation, complete the online application by the priority deadline of March 15th. The application will remain open, but priority consideration will be given to those applicants who apply by March 15th.
- After the priority deadline for applications has passed, a review committee will identify candidates they would like to interview. You will be notified throughout the process of the status of your application.
Following the priority deadline, a panel of Sunshine Quality Solutions’ leaders, 4-H, and FFA faculty members will review all applications and may conduct interviews. Chosen applicants will be invited to an orientation in the spring.
2026 Youth and Collegiate Soil Health Field Day
4-H members, FFA Chapter members, and collegiate agriculture students are invited to the Soil Health Field Day on March 17th at 8:30 a.m. at the Northeast Research Station in St. Joseph, Louisiana.
Participants will rotate through interactive stations led by conservation faculty and learn skills they can apply in school projects, livestock/plant production, and agronomic competitions.
Event highlights:
- Hands-on soil health demonstrations
- Water quality demonstrations
- Cover crop trials
- Lunch provided
Contact Ms. Lucas for more details.
Open Drawing Contest
All 4-H members are eligible to participate in the Open Drawing Contest. Drawings may be color or pencil. Deadline for submissions is Friday, March 20th.
4-H and FFA Together Like PB and J!
In honor of National Ag Month 4-H and FFA are teaming up to kick off the 4-H & FFA Together Like PB & J Campaign – March 1st-31st, 2026.
- Helping Others with Peanut Butter and Jelly! Did you know that many people in the U.S. have trouble getting enough healthy food? About 47 million Americans face this problem every day. But guess what? You can help!
- Peanut Butter Power! Peanut butter is a super snack that kids love. It’s packed with protein, lasts a long time, and is easy to store. That’s why food banks always need it. By organizing a peanut butter and jelly food drive, you can help make sure kids in your community have yummy and nutritious lunches.
- How Long Does Peanut Butter Last? – Regular Peanut Butter: If it has added sugar and preservatives, it can stay fresh for 6 to 24 months if unopened, and 2 to 3 months once opened. – Natural Peanut Butter: Without preservatives, it lasts several months unopened and up to a month once opened. Tip: Keep it in the fridge to make it last even longer!
- What if You’re Allergic to Peanuts? No worries! Peanut butter allergies are common, but you can also donate other yummy spreads like sunflower butter or almond butter.
- How Can You Help? Arrange collection drives at your local 4-H & FFA events. Coordinate delivery to a Food Bank, food pantry, local organization, or even schools. Track your efforts!
- Where Can You Donate? Donations will vary. Please contact your local food bank, food pantry, or other organizations in need.
- Resources: Feeding Louisiana; Move for Hunger; Peanut Butter and Jelly Brands to Donate
- Report your efforts.
Edible Book Contest
- The Edible Book Contest is open to youth in grades K-12 and will be held Wednesday, March 25th at 3:30 p.m. at the East Carroll Parish Library.
- Each food creation must be at least 95% edible.
- Each edible creation must depict a fiction or nonfiction book or character.
- Each edible book submission should be accompanied by a physical copy or an image of the book used for the creation to be displayed on the day of the contest.
- All entries must be family friendly. The East Carroll Parish Library reserves the right to reject any entries that are considered inappropriate.
4-H Summer Camp
- Who: 4th-6th grade 4-H’ers
- Dates: June 8th-11th
- Camp Fee: $95 (if eligible for both scholarships)
- Visit the Camp Store (prices $5 to $40)
- Pay in Full by: April 1st
- Stop by the office to pick up a 4-H Camp packet with more information.
4-H Summer Camp Counselor
If you are a member of the Junior Leader Club, you may be eligible to serve as a 4-H Summer Camp Counselor.
Requirements:
- Must have completed 9th grade
- Must have completed Camp Counselor Training
- Must be a member of the 4-H Junior Leader Club
- Must pay a $50 registration fee by April 1st
Must possess these qualities:
- Leadership skills
- Communication skills
- Be patient and understanding
- Be responsible and reliable
- Have the ability to work well with children
- Have a positive attitude and enthusiasm
- Teamwork skills
If you possess these attributes, sign up to serve our youth. Spaces are limited – first come, first served.
Ag Photography Contest
Submission deadline: April 1st
Text Photo to: (318) 418-5441
Categories:
- Farm Animals
- Horticulture (flowers and gardens), Plants, or Crops
- Any Other Agriculture (like farm machinery, barns, silos, hen house, etc.)
- Pets
4-H University
4-H members must be in the 8th (13 or 14 years of age) to 12th grade (19 years of age) for the 2025-2026 4-H year (as of August 1, 2025) to attend 4-H University. Participants must remain in the same grade for the entirety of the 4-H year.
4-H’ers can experience an exciting week on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. This event will give students the opportunity to compete in contests, explore the LSU campus, and visit academic departments. 4-H U will be held June 23rd-25th. The total cost is $95. The deadline to pay is April 1st.
LOST Camp
LOST Camp will be held at Camp Grant Walker July 30th – August 2nd. Campers must have completed grades 7th or 8th of the current camp year. The cost of this 4-day camp is $95. Deadline for payment of all fees is Friday, July 10th.
