4-H celebrated 75 years this month

Recent findings from a Tufts University’s “4-H Study of Positive Youth Development” indicate that, when compared to their peers, young people in 4-H are: •2.3 times more likely to be physically active, •Nearly two times more likely to plan to go to college, and •3.4 times more likely to contribute to their communities when compared with youth who do not participate in 4-H. More than six million young people across the country celebrated National 4-H Week in October. St. Martin Parish 4-H uses National 4-H Week, always the first week in October, to celebrate the great things that the 4-H youth development program offers young people and highlights the young people who make a positive impact on their community. During the week St. Martin Parish 4-H celebrated 75 years of “making the best better,” starting with an alumni campaign. Former 4-H members in St. Martin Parish are asked to complete the survey to be added to their alumni database at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8Z7XH28. Also school clubs “painted” their schools green by showing 4-H spirit and pride with numerous decorations in front of their campuses. The week ended with the first contest day of the year, Fall Fest, where youth entered the pet show, cooked a rice or sugar dish, and decorated a pumpkin. The St. Martin Parish 4-H program offers a variety of experiences for many different interests. This year they will offer a new project club entitled, Hands 4 Art Club, which will focus on creating a welcoming environment to youth throughout the parish and teach to work in cooperation with others to create personal art projects. Also, a newly developed program being offered this year is a leadership program. The Discovering Leadership club will assist in the development of strong community leaders by focusing on communication, teamwork, and leadership. Both of these clubs are offered to any 4th through 6th grade 4-H members. More information can be found by calling the 4-H office at (337) 332-2181, in the monthly Bayou Gazette newsletter, and on the St. Martin Parish 4-H Facebook page. To learn more about St. Martin Parish 4-H, see www.lsuagcenter.com/stmartin, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/St.Martin4H and Twitter at https://twitter.com/stmartin4h.