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The Rovin’ Clover Louisiana 4-H Program State Newsletter

2012-2013, Issue 2

Board Profile: Food and Fitness Board

Michaela McBride

Florencia Scaglia

Kristen Shreeman

April Stelly

Victoria Stryker

Kayleigh Switzer

Karissa Trahan

Mackenzie Tulak

Members:

Britney Broussard

Marcus Broussard

Trent Broussard

Mikaela Carender

Clint Delaune

Rebecca Foster

Hayden Guidry

Alayna Hains

Lizzy Hall

Kara Hooper

Sidney Jackson

Kayleigh Jowers

Da'Jour Lee

Tabitha Leonards

Board Recap -

State 4-H Food and Fitness Board

The 2012-13 State 4-H Food & Fitness Board is selected in June through

an application and interview process. The 23 teens from through the

state supported by 4 faculty members and 5 adult volunteers. The board

participated in a summer board meeting and educational trip. A compo-

nent of the trip was the introduction of the UH Eat4-Health grant. A UH

rep attended the meeting and the youth were trained on the lessons and

received curriculum to support their ongoing efforts.

Pictures of board conducting an activity from the CHFFF curriculum and

UH rep, Ms. Pat, presenting to the group.

Written by: Lanette Hebert

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Regional Corner: Southwest Region

Of all of the regions in Louisiana 4-H, no region has a more diverse culture,

delicious cuisine, joi de vivre, or active 4-H membership than the Southwest

Region. Home to more 4-H'ers than any other region in the state we stretch

from the outback of Louisiana in Cameron Parish, to the shores of Terre-

bonne Bay in Lafourche Parish, to the banks of the mighty Mississippi in

West Baton Rouge Parish, all the way back to the lakeshore of Lake Charles

in Calcasieu Parish. The region passes through the rice fields of Jeff Davis

Parish, Crawfish ponds of St. Martin Parish, salt mines of Iberia Parish, cat-

tle pastures of Vermillion Parish, sugarcane fields of St. Mary Parish, and

bustling towns in between.

Not only is this region deeply steeped in Cajun, Creole, Native American,

African American, and other cultures. We also have deep roots in 4-H. Our

region boost numerous members of State Boards who take the skills they

are acquiring back home to help lead our vibrant and strong Junior Leader

Clubs in the region. The region is also home to strong Shooting Sports Pro-

grams, Food and Fitness Clubs, SET Clubs, Fashion Clubs, Marsh Maneuvers,

various cookeries, Volunteer Leader Training, and our newest event SWRLS.

The inaugural Southwest Regional Leadership Summit (SWRLS) will take

place on February 23rd 2012. This event, planned by youth, will attempt to

help introduce 4-H'ers from 7th-9th grade about statewide opportunities,

leadership skills, and other great topics.

By; Robert Lancon

If you have any questions, comments, or additional information, contact

greennewsletter1213@gmail.com.

Next edition we will be focusing on the Northeast Region, so if you have any suggestions

about Agent or Volunteer spotlight send them to greennewsletter1213@gmail.com.

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoy!

Louisiana 4-H Fun Fact

4-H has three primary program initia-

tives: citizenship; healthy living; and

science, engineering and technology.

4-H Mission

4-H empowers youth to reach their

full potential, working and learning in

partnership with caring adults.

4-H Statement

A world in which youth and adults

learn, grow and work together as cat-

alysts for positive change.

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Agent Spotlight: Ruby Miller

I became a 4-H Agent in 2007 after many years as a classroom teacher. As an

agent, I still teach...but a few differences are that my classroom can be anywhere I believe

it needs to be and I don't have to issue grades to my 4-H members (can you imagine get-

ting a grade in 4-H).

I would never deny there are many rewarding aspects of my job. I get incredible joy in

seeing the differences made as our 4-H youth gain new insights, find a possible career path

through a 4-H program, and become more confident while learning about themselves. Eve-

ry day, I have an opportunity to touch the future by developing programs that are relevant to

the 4-H members in my parish and state. I try very hard to foster creativity, develop charac-

ter, give youth lenses with which to view the world, especially when it comes to service

learning, because I know that kids want to make a clear real difference in the lives of oth-

ers.

There are also challenges in this career that take real courage to overcome. For ex-

ample, having a banana and a bottle of water during Challenge Camp snack time instead of

a coke and Krispy Kreme doughnuts, just because it is healthier and we want to be excel-

lent role models. Also, resisting the urge to cut doughnuts in the middle of the camp parade

grounds on the new 4-H golf cart while transporting adult volunteers between tracks, just

because....well you know. 4-H agent wake early, smile a lot, give praise and encourage-

ment, and seem to have an endless supply of energy. We do what we do because of

kids! I am proud to work for the LSU AgCenter as a 4-H Youth Development Agent.

Written by: Ruby Miller

Volunteer Spotlight:

Michelle Gaspard has been married for 20

years to Marshall Gaspard. They have 3 boys; Austin

age 16, Adam age 14 and Ashton age 11. Michelle

has a very strong connection to 4-H. 4-H has always

been a part of her life; she cannot remember life

without it. Both her parents were 4-H leaders and

she and her siblings were very active members.

Michelle’s 4-H years in school were very exciting.

She won numerous trips and awards but the most

rewarding part of 4-H for Michelle were the life long

friendships, the places she visited and all the many

different things she learned along the way. Michelle

states, “I love that 4-H has something for everyone. Through 4-H activities,

contest and projects you learn real life skills.” When Michelle joined 4-H in the

4th grade she was a very shy person. Through all the leadership opportunities

and activities 4-H offers she became a more confident leader.

Michelle is often asked why she decided to be a 4-H leader. Her answer;

“That’s easy, I have seen first hand how beneficial 4-H is to ones life. I enjoy

seeing my boys, and all the youth which I help grow into mature & responsible

adults through 4-H. It’s wonderful to see them learn leadership and manage-

ment skills that will benefit them every day of their lives. I believe 4-H truly

makes a difference and would like to encourage other adults to help get our

youth involved in 4-H.”

Written by: Austin Gaspard