Please click on the image above to view the PDF version of the 2012 Natchitoches Parish Profile.

Program Highlights

Family, Nutrition & Health
Overweight and obese children are at risk for Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, depression, cardiovascular disease, and other serious health problems. Smart Bodies, a joint initiative of the LSU AgCenter and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation, integrates classroom activities with hands-on-learning to teach children how to build strong bodies and develop active minds. Reaching over 400 youth in the parish, Smart Bodies has been implemented at Marthaville Elemen-tary, NSU Elementary Lab School, Natchitoches Magnet and Goldonna Elementary. In Natchitoches 61.6% of adults are overweight or obese.* A total of 37.9% of adults report eating five or more servings of fruits and/or vegetables per day.* The LSU AgCenter has partnered with the Cane River Green Market to offer the Smart Portions educational programs targeting adults, as well as free nutrition education classes to business, churches and schools.

*2010 PRC Community Health Report, The Rapides Foundation

4-H, Youth & Family Development
Healthy Living; Citizenship-Leadership; & Science, Engineering and Technology Natchitoches 4-H has over 500 youth members; 15 traditional school clubs; and more than 75 adult volunteers. Youth are actively engaged in the Livestock, Shooting Sports, Photography and Horse club project, all which encompass the "learn by doing" approach. Jr. Leadership, a teen club for 7th-12th graders that teaches the importance of service and civic engagement has 40 active members. Each year over 130 youth take part in the regional and state overnight camping opportunities such as 4-H University, 4-H Summer Camp, Camp Roughin’ It, and Challenge Camp. Six high school teens serve on state leadership boards; two were National 4-H Congress delegates; eighteen won awards on the state level; and three were national trip winners.

Agriculture & Natural Resources
A major agriculture parish; farmers, ranchers, and home gardeners rely on the latest research based data to stay productive. More than 500 producers gained knowledge on worker protection, safety and pesticide application for agriculture use through the annual crop production meeting. The Natchitoches Parish Master Gardeners has over 30 active volunteers and continue to implement a variety of ornamental and gardening projects in the community as well as hosting their annual symposium. 

Who we reach:

3,000 - Youth 1,800 - Adults, 900 Ag & Natural Resources, 800 Family Consumer Sciences

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:

125 Volunteers - 4-H (adult and youth volunteers) Master Gardeners 

Parish Facts  

LSU AgCenter County Agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife and animal enterprises to Natchitoches Parish clientele. The 2010 total dollar amount from these commodities were:

• Plant enterprises - $56,798.724
• Aquaculture and wildlife - $87,208,546
• Animal enterprises - $3,825,681

Data from the Louisiana Ag Summary Web site: LSUAgCenter.com/agsummary

Population - 39,566
Land area (square miles) - 1252.25
Persons 65 years old and over - 13.5%
Median household income - $31,554
Persons below poverty - 26.9%
*US Census Bureau

Local Issues & Plans for this year:

1. In a safe and enriching environment, 4-H’ers will be taught everyday skills with hands-on learning and problem solving skills that can make a positive impact upon the community.  

• Increase appropriate responsible behavior when using technology.
• Establish effective, functioning project clubs for youth to gain project mastery skills.
• Teens will give back to the community through various service learning projects.
• Foster collaborations with local supporters and businesses which will enhance our 4-H program and volunteer base.

2. Empower individuals and families to identify and create alternative solutions to significant everyday challenges and take responsibility for the consequences of their actions.  

• Expand health and nutrition efforts in order to help fight childhood obesity.
• Promote the consumption and nutritional benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Provide the latest research based nutrition information to clientele of the parish through radio media, news articles, publications and programs.
• Conduct parenting classes to teach proper parenting skills, child development, nutrition, financial management and goal setting to parents with children under one years of age.

3. Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture.  

• Hold annual livestock and crop production meetings.
• Perform farm and home educational visits.

4. Promote the wise use of natural resources and environmental protection.  

• Conduct private pesticide applicator’s re-certification classes.
• Conduct worker protection standard classes to train agriculture employees.