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| Please click on the image above to view the PDF version of the 2012 Ascension Parish Profile. |
Program Highlights
Agriculture & Natural Resources
In 2010, the value of Agriculture and Natural Resources for Ascension Parish topped 44 million dollars. The parish has a very diverse agri-cultural base which includes sugarcane, soybean, horticulture, cattle, and many other ANR industries. Throughout the year agricultural pro-ducers are educated using a multifaceted approach through grower meetings, field days, and farm visits.
Master Gardener Program
Trained Master Gardeners serve as volunteers assisting LSU AgCenter agents with outreach efforts to help meet educational needs in con-sumer horticulture. Programs include environmental improvement ac-tivities, community and school garden programs, public horticultural events, etc. Some activities of the Ascension Parish Master Gardeners include tree plantings with school children at three elementary schools, a spring and fall Library Lecture Series, and vegetable garden activi-ties. Ascension Parish currently has 83 Master Gardeners, each pro-viding at least 20 hours of community service per year.
4-H Youth Development
Ascension Parish 4-H provides community youth with opportunities to develop life skills through experiential learning activities, programs, and school enrichment learning. During the 2010-2011 school year 1,215 youth gained knowledge in agriculture, citizenship, financial literacy, healthy living, service learning, workforce preparation, and science, engineering and technology programming. 4-H has given youth endless opportunities to work with caring adult volunteers to foster personal growth and become well rounded citizens through the Essential Elements of 4-H: Belonging, Independence, Generosity, and Mastery. Youth have gained knowledge through the following project clubs and activities: 4-H Camp, 4-H Day at the Capitol, 4-H Foundation, 4-H Hornet's Game, 4-H Scholarships, 4-H University, 4-H/LSU Football Game, Achievement Day, Advisory Committees, Ag Wonders, Ascension Parish 4-H Facebook/Twitter, Beef & Dairy Posters, Beef/Poultry/Seafood Cooker-ies, Challenge Camp, Character Counts Program, Cloverbuds, Club Meetings, Commodity Ambassador Illustrated Talk, Fashion Workshops, Food & Fitness Club, Home & Style Club, Horse Program, Jr. Leader Conference, Jr. Leader Club, LA 4-H Day of Service, LA Con-nections Camp, Livestock, LOST Camp ,Marsh Maneuvers, National 4-H Conference, National 4-H Week, Officer Training, Parish/State Fashion Camp, Parish/State Food & Fitness Camp, Pet Show, Portfo-lios, Project Books, Robotics Club, Rock Eagle, School Gardens, Sci-ence Workshops, Service Learning, Sew With Cotton Contest, Shoot-ing Sports, Smart Bodies, Talent Show, and Youth Wetlands Week.
Who we reach
37,350 Youth (includes 1,215 4-H members & 30 school 4-H clubs)
16,208 ADULTS: 1,800 Adults 4-H Youth Development, 9,814 Adults Ag & Natural Resources, and 4,594 Adults Family Consumer Science.
How we reach them:
4-H clubs, Class series, School Enrichment, Demonstrations, Field days, Workshops, Newsletters, Web sites, Publications, and Social media.
Expanding our efforts:
97 Volunteers— 4-H, Master Gardeners, FCS
Parish Facts
LSU AgCenter County Agents provide research-based information on plant, aqua-culture, wildlife and animal enterprises to Ascension Parish clientele. The 2009 total dollar amount from these commodities were:
- Plant enterprises - $26,158,778.00
- Aquaculture and wildlife - $348,733.00
- Animal enterprises - $13,306,052.00
Data from the Louisiana Ag Summary Web site: LSUAgCenter.com/agsummary
Population - 104,822
Land area (square miles) - 291.53
Persons under 18 years old - 29%
Persons 65 years old and over - 9%
Median household income - $61,573.00
Persons below poverty - 12%
Local Issues & Plans for this year (FY 2011)
Pet Neutering and Animal Shelter Volunteers: The majority of the council members were passionate about overcrowding of pets in the community. They are interested in a program that would begin in the schools to educate our youth on the pet problem. The younger generation needs to be made aware of the ever growing problem of over population of pets.
Communicate Needs to Community: Create a 4-H ―Sign-Up/Volunteer Parent Night‖ in the schools to get volunteers to assist with the 4-H Programs and events. Continue to make the community aware of exactly what is the role of the volunteers in the programs.
Awareness of Program Available: Need to get in the community and continue to advertise the many educational programs available by the LSU AgCenter.
Staffing and Volunteers to Help 4-H Agent: The council was very concerned with the transfer of one of the 4-H Agents. Hire a new agent/internal transfer to replace the vacancy. Utilize volunteers.
Financial Literacy for Teens and Youth: There is a great need to have our youth educated with the basic fundamentals of finances. Utilize the Real World program.
Resource List of Key Community Members:
Contacts for resource people to start programs and community outreach.
Plantation Region Master Gardeners
Mandy Delaune ; Joann Zerinque and Lacy Welch—4-H School Garden Leaders
Thad Bellow—4-H Shooting Sports Leader
Katina Hester—4-H SET Club Leader
Beth Bertrand – Ascension Parish Recreation Coordinator
Joey Templet – Local Business Manager (Sac’s Western Store)
Marty Sanchez – Local Business Owner (Old Time Feed and Seed Store)
Donna Gaignard – Bright Futures Supervisor
Muchie Spruill – Home Economics
Don Bourgeois – PRMG – local businessman
Mark Peters - Director – HOPE Project