Donnie Moon, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Agent, spoke to the Kiwanis club, Tuesday, September
13th. 4H clubs started this month and registration is going on right now. Registration should be able to be done on-line but because of server issues they are also doing paper registration. It starts in 2nd and 3rd grade with Cloverbuds. The focus this year is Healthy Choices dealing with food. Karen Shirley works with him in 4H. He said he was blessed to have good staff that has worked together for a while.

There is a Shooting Sports Facility on Highway 34 that includes several different shooting ranges. There are also archery ranges and a pavilion. Three activities can be going on at the same time. Many of the kids are enrolled in shooting sport skills and there are always champions at the different matches they attend. All volunteers have to be certified.

Mr. Moon was leaving as soon as the meeting was over to get ready for STEM Camp at Caney Lake. Students from Winn, Jackson and Bienville were to be represented at the camp. There were going to be many hands on activities involving science, technology, engineering and math.

There are 19 4H clubs in Winn Parish including a homeschool club. Enrollment is 40% of the students which is the hightes in Northeast Louisiana.

Moon also spoke about the Winn Parish Fair which starts on September 26 and ends on October 1. He gave a schedule of events for the livestock shows. There will also be Ag Awareness educational programs for the students.

Questions were asked about deer plots, soil samples, pruning of shrubs, and garden fertilizing. Shrub pruning should be done in January and February and should not be severe. You put lime on the garden in fall and winter and fertilize in spring and summer. The Master Gardener program requires at least 15 participants now so they are combining with Jackson Parish to be able to offer that program.

We are fortunate to have Donnie Moon and his staff at the LSU Ag office in Winn Parish and all the work they do with our children.

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