Parish Chair, 4-H/ANR County Agent

Gary A. Stockton has been a part of the LSU AgCenter's Lincoln Parish extension staff since 1994. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture education and Master of Science in biology from Louisiana Tech University. Prior to coming to Lincoln Parish, Gary worked with the extension staff in Union Parish for four years and prior to that he spent four years as a vocational agriculture teacher at Marion High School in Marion, La.

Gary believes that in order to have a successful 4-H youth development program, you must first have a successful adult volunteer leadership program. Gary assists adult volunteers in Lincoln Parish with project clubs, workshops and clinics that these volunteers conduct.

Gary is the parish chair and facilitator for the Lincoln Parish Extension Office.

Cathy Judd recieved her Bachelor of Science in home economics education and Master of Science in early childhood education from Louisiana Tech University. Cathy started her career with the LSU AgCenter in Jackson and Union parishes with the 4-H youth development program. In 1995, she was selected for the family and consumer sciences extension agent position in Lincoln Parish. Cathy conducts programs in Lincoln, Jackson and Union parishes in the area of family and child development.

Cathy received her bachelor's degree in 1985 and master's in 1995. She has been recognized for her work through the 4-H Outstanding Young 4-H Agent Award, the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service Program Excellence Award and the Florence Hall Award. She also has received personal awards from organizations, groups and agencies. Cathy is married to Byron Judd, a forester with Smurfit-Stone. They have two children, Ansley and Rachel.  

Amanda J. Simmons started her employment with the LSU AgCenter in the Lincoln Parish Extension Office in August 2002. She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in home economics from Louisiana Tech University. Amanda is responsible for the 4-H youth development program in Lincoln Parish. Prior to her employment with the AgCenter, Amanda spent four years as a home economics teacher in Jackson and Lincoln parishes.

Amanda received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award from Louisiana Tech University’s College of Human Ecology in 1991 and was also chosen Teacher of the Year at Chatham High School in 1991.  She also was the recipient of the LAE4-HA Achievement in Service Award for 2007. Amanda has two daughters - Aubrey and Abby. 

Rafash E. Brew has worked for the LSU AgCenter for eighteen years. He received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Plant Science) at Southern University and a Master of Science in Biology from Louisiana Tech University. Since then, Rafash has completed a horticulture specialization by taking horticulture class at Louisiana State University to keep up with the latest trends in horticulture. He conducts horticulture programs to educate commercial fruit and vegetable growers, landscape contractors, high school coaches and orchardist, as well as home gardeners. Rafash has had some success with school gardens and finds this work to be a very rewarding experience. Rafash serves as the coordinator of the North Central Louisiana Master Gardener program, graduating Master Gardeners from many of the North Central Louisiana parishes.

Prior to working for the LSU AgCenter, Rafash completed an internship with USDA in the state of Iowa as well as work in some retail and wholesale nurseries in Baton Rouge, La., allowing him the opportunity to gain some valuable experience. Rafash has been working closely with many individuals in this region for many years. Rafash is a member of many horticulture associations.

Ashley Roach started working with the LSU AgCenter as an Americorps volunteer through America's Wetland Conservation Corps. She received her Bachelor of Science in science from Louisiana Tech University. Ashley spent two years in that position promoting outreach and education about Louisiana's wetlands through numerous 4-H youth development activities, as well as worked with Lincoln Parish schools on different projects. She also received an award at the America's Wetland Conservation Corps first annual conference speaking about nonpoint runoff pollution.

Ashley started teaching Parent's Preparing for Success -- a grant-sponsored program to encourage parents to delve further into the development and nurturing of their children -- in January of 2009. This class also includes better ways to budget your finances and working on improving your credit. Ashley facilitates classes in Lincoln, Jackson, Bienville and Claiborne parishes and is housed in Lincoln Parish Extension Office.