The Clover Journal, April 2026

In This Issue:

  • Upcoming Events
  • Think 4-H Might be for You
  • Career Exploration
  • LSU College of Ag Opportunities
  • 4-H Highlights
  • 4-H Senior Recognition
  • Service-learning Focus
  • Paper Clover is Back
  • State Service-learning Workshop
  • Join the Junior Leader Club
  • 4-H Outdoor Explorers
  • LA 4-H Ambassadors & State Leadership Board Applications
  • 2026 State Fair Validation Dates
  • LOST Camp
  • Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center

Upcoming Events

  • Career Exploration - Sunshine Quality Solutions
  • 4-H Senior Recognition - submissions due April 10th
  • National 4-H Conference - April 10th-15th
  • Paper Clover - donate April 17th-May 3rd
  • State Service-learning Workshop - register by April 19th; Workshop May 18th
  • Louisiana 4-H Ambassador & State Leadership Board Applications - due by 11:30 p.m. on May 1st
  • State Fair Validation Dates
  • 4-H Summer Camp - June 8th-11th
  • 4-H University - June 23rd-25th
  • LOST Camp - pay in full by July 10th; Camp July 30th-August 2nd
  • Goat Educational Trip - July 26th-31st

Think 4-H Might be for You

Here's how to Join the Club:

  • Attend the 4-H club meeting in your school.
  • Review the 4-H materials given to you.
  • Return your fully completed enrollment form and your $5 dues to your club leader.

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. Visit Sunshine Career Academy for more information and details.

Steps to applying:

  1. 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.
  2. Contact your FFA Advisor or 4-H Extension Agent to request a letter of recommendation.
  3. Once you have received your letter of recommendation, complete the Sunshine 4-H and FFA Career Development Academy 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.
  4. 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.


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.


4-H Highlights


4-H Senior Recognition

We want to celebrate and recognize our graduating 4-H members both during 4-H University and on our social media pages. To do this, we invite all graduating 4-H seniors to participate in the Louisiana 4-H Senior Spotlight by completing the registration in 4-H Online. Participants will need to answer one question and submit a high-resolution senior picture (JPEG or PNG format). Please note that selfies and screenshots cannot be accepted to ensure the best quality for recognition. The deadline for submissions is April 10th. Unfortunately, we will not be able to accept entries after the system closes. In addition to their photo, seniors are encouraged to share their favorite 4-H experience or memory in 50 words or less.


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!

"Nature provides for us -- let's return the favor." – 4-H Environmental Motto


Paper Clover is Back

From April 17th through May 3rd, stop by any Tractor Supply store and purchase a Paper Clover to support local 4-H youth. Every donation helps open doors to learning, leadership, and life-changing opportunities for young people in your community.


State Service-learning Workshop

The State 4-H Office will be hosting a statewide Service-learning workshop this spring. The training is designed for agents, volunteers, and middle to high school youth to learn about the service-learning cycle and how it can be effectively implemented to significantly contribute to your local community and beyond. Service-learning approaches teaching and learning by using academic knowledge and skills to address genuine community needs. A team of up to four people from East Carroll Parish may attend. If this sounds like something you are interested in, contact Ms. Lucas. The workshop will be held May 18th with registration at 9:15 a.m. and conclusion by 3:30 p.m. There is no registration fee and lunch will be provided. Please register by April 29th.


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.


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

Louisiana 4-H Ambassador and State Leadership Board Applications

Applications for both Ambassadors and Leadership Board must be completed through 4-H Online and must be started by Ms. Lucas. Applications are due by 11:30 p.m. on May 1st. Late applications will not be accepted.

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must be enrolled in 9th to 12th grade during the 2026-2027 school year.
  • Each parish is allowed to have three applicants per Ambassador or Leadership Board.
  • Applicants are allowed to apply for two boards but may only serve on one State Leadership Board.
  • Youth selected for a State Leadership Board may also serve as an Equine or Livestock Ambassador but not as a Wetland Ambassador. Shooting Sports Ambassadors are considered part of the State Leadership Boards.

For more information, contact Ms. Lucas.


2026 State Fair Validation Dates

The State Fair of Louisiana’s Livestock Office DNA kit order deadlines and validation/possession dates for their 2026 State Fair Livestock Show.

Deadlines to Order DNA Kits Online:

  • Market Steers – June 1st
  • Goats: Dairy Does, Commercial Meat Does, Wether Dams, Market Goats – July 1st
  • Sheep: Commercial Ewes and Market Lambs – July 1st
  • Commercial Heifers – July 1st
  • Commercial Dairy Cattle – July 1st
  • Hogs: Commercial Gilts and Market Swine – August 1st

Note on DNA kits – you may pick them up in-person at the State Fair Office between the online order deadlines and possession dates for each species. However, no kits will be mailed after the online deadlines have closed.

Deadlines for Possession Dates:

  • Market Steers – June 10th
  • Goats: Dairy Does, Commercial Meat Does, Wether Dams, Market Goats – July 10th
  • Sheep: Commercial Ewes and Market Lambs – July 10th
  • Commercial Heifers – July 10th
  • Commercial Dairy – July 10th
  • All Registered Breeding Animals – August 1st
  • Hogs: Commercial Gilts and Market Swine – August 10th

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.

Educational Tracks offered at LOST Camp:

  • ATV Safety
  • Drones
  • Food & Fitness
  • Outdoor Adventures
  • Videography
  • Underwater Robotics with SeaPerch
  • Wetlands

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.

4/7/2026 1:25:13 PM
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