ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / September 1, 1999

EDGARD-If you are a city slicker like this reporter, the first thing that pops into your head when “4-H” is mentioned is usually a bunch of kids taking care of cows and pigs.

But that is a stereotype that Melanie Burl, director of the 4-H program in St. John Parish, would like to dispel.”Anyone can join 4-H.” she says with a smile.”There is even a 4-H club inNew Orleans.”Even though 4-H (which stands for heart, head, health and hands), is usually found in rural areas, and it does teach kids about livestock and plants, what it tries to instill in the youth of America is very universal.

The club has a program called Character Counts, and 4-H members are taught the six pillars of good character, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

“Yes, we have old fashioned values and virtues,” says Burl, “but we have modernized with the times, too. We offer courses in computers,photography, leadership and community services.”In St. John Parish, 4-H clubs boasts a yearly membership of around 800.One of the reasons for its popularity is that 4-H clubs can be found at all the schools in the parish. Children can join 4-H in fourth grade andcontinue all the way to high school graduation. Each school has two 4-Hleaders who are usually teachers.

“I don’t like to think of 4-H as an extracurricular activity,” says Burl, “because what is taught in 4-H can be integrated into the lessons at school. We help teachers with subjects like animals, plant science andfarming.”St. John Parish 4-H members are pretty good at what they do. In statecompetitions last school year, St. John had five winners in homeeconomics, cooking, tractor maintenance, auto care and sewing. There arealso kids who have raised prize-winning livestock, such as cows, rabbits and chickens, not to mention ribbon winners in horseback riding.

The Louisiana 4-H Clubs are operated by the LSU Agricultural Center and the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service. LSU funds most of theprogram, but it also gets funds from the United Way and St. John Parish.Members of 4-H are encouraged to do community service. Twice a yearthey hold Toy and Coat drives to help underprivileged children. The 4-HClub at East St. John High School has adopted Airline Highway andmembers keep it clean. There is a yearly Penny Drive, and members collectpennies for their favorite charities.

They also have a mentoring program where older members help the younger kids in their various 4-H projects.

Starting this summer, 4-H has teamed up with Project Headstart, and older 4-H members give guidance to pre-schoolers.

“I think we will be great partners,” says Burl of the project. “We found outthat the young kids learn a lot more from the older children than the do from the adults. They respect older kids, I guess,” she says with a laugh.All is not work for members though. There is the annual Summer Camp inPollack, a week-long trip for grades four to six. Kids learn archery,swimming, water safety, hunting safety, volleyball and dancing. Of coursethere is some learning like character building, environmental education and fitness training.

For older members (seventh and eighth grades) there is Challenge Camp.

For high-schoolers there is the 4-H Short Course, where members attend classes at LSU.

On the environmental side members go on Marsh Maneuvers to learn about marsh ecosystems and Wildwood Wonders to find out about Louisiana forests.

There are always workshops on photography, computers, cooking, sewing and leadership training where members learn parliamentary procedure and the ways of running meetings.

The 4-H clubs in St. John can always use volunteers. They usually help runmeetings and teach members about all the projects they are assigned.

Burl says, “We are always looking for volunteers. I would like to stressthat they don’t have to be long-term, and they can pick the projects they want to participate in.”If you would like to be a volunteer, just call Burl at the St. JohnAgricultural Center at 497-3261.

If you are in fourth grade or older and would like to join, send your name, address and phone number to: the Agricultural Service Center c/o Melanie Burl, P.O. Box 250, Edgard, LA 70049-0250. Or you can apply at your localschool.

Just remember, 4-H is a lot more than cows and pigs.

A whole lot more.

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