Click on the image above for the PDF version of the 2011 Vernon Parish Profile.

Program Highlights

Family & Consumer Sciences

Family & Consumer Science programs focus on Senior Adults in Vernon parish. Programs are conducted on a bi-monthly basis for Byrd Regional Hospital’s “Senior Circle” group, the Leesville Council on Aging, and Sunshine Center Elderly Living Apartment residents. Topics covered include: healthy eating, safe and effective physical activity for senior adults, chronic disease prevention, diabetes awareness, thrifty food shopping & eating on the go. Family & Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, Quincy Cheek also presents food demonstrations on quick & easy meals senior adults can make at home that are low cost and packed with nutrients.

4-H Youth Development

The Vernon Parish 4-H program has 31 traditional clubs for 9-19 year olds with an enrollment of 2222. 4-H is a traditional  agriculture and family and consumer science based program that teaches youth necessary life skills in the areas of personal development, decision making and communication. 4-H has also expanded to include economic development, citizenship/service learning and leadership. These life skills are taught through a variety of methods: club meeting programs, camp, workshops, contests, tours, social activities and more.

Youth are also provided with the opportunity to gain knowledge and develop leadership skills beyond the local and parish levels through events such as State 4-H University, 4-H Marsh Maneuvers, Wild Woods Wonderings, Livestock and Horse Shows, Junior Leadership Conference and La. Co-op Leadership Conference. In addition to the traditional organized clubs, 4-H is offered on the Fort Polk Installation. Members can also join the 4-H Livestock Club and the 4-H Teen Leader Club.

Vernon Parish also continues to have the largest 4-H Enrollment in the state. Research has shown that youth who feel they belong to a group have a greater sense of independence, are more motivated and have fewer behavioral problems in school. 4-H uses the four elements of Positive Youth Development: Belonging, Mastery, Independence and Generosity to provide the youth of Vernon Parish with quality programs to engage the youth of Vernon Parish.

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Vernon Parish Beef Alliance has ten producers that joined together to form an alliance. They developed a feeder calve program that ships about five loads of calves which amounts to about $500,000.00 to Vernon Parish.

The Horse Industry in Vernon Parish has seen an increase in the number of race horses. This is generalized economic development for Vernon Parish through the purchase of feeds, fertilizer, equipment and pharmaceutical supplies.

Who we reach:

6192 

• Youth (includes 2317 4-H members, 31 school 4-H clubs) & 13 Fort Polk clubs, Character Counts.
• Adults.

2000

• Ag & Natural Resources.
• Family Consumer Sciences.

How we reach them:

• Class series
• School Enrichment
• Demonstrations
• Field days
• Workshops
• Newsletters
• Web sites
• Publications
• Face Book

Expanding our efforts:

• 300 4-H Volunteers
• 165 Youth Volunteers

Parish Facts

• Plant enterprises - $73,829,712.00
• Aquaculture and wildlife - $2,101,860.00
• Animal enterprises—$27,444,656.00

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

• Population - 45,639
• Land area (square miles) - 1,328.41
• Persons under 18 years old - 31.5%
• Persons 65 years old and over - 10.5%
• Median household income - $41,605
• Persons below poverty - 16.6%

Local Issues & Plans for this year

1. Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana Agriculture.

• Conduct farm and home educational visits.
• Increase Agriculture Awareness parish-wide.
• Assist with the Vernon Beef Alliance group.
• Assist with the La. Stock Horse Association.
• Write news columns, web page content, and attend seminars on agriculture practices.

• Before and after hurricane information.
• Conduct private pesticide re-certification classes.

3. Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H youth development.

• The youth/adult partnerships of Vernon Parish will gain the knowledge and skills required to plan and conduct service learning/community service programs to meet the needs of their communities.
• 4-H program will focus on involving youth and adults in activities which will encourage belonging, mastery, independence and generosity as they achieve necessary life skills.
• Will engage youth, teens, and adults in Development, as monthly lessons are taught on the Six Pillars of Character: Respect, Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.
• Enhance both the Adult & youth volunteer program through recruiting, one-on-one and group trainings, mentoring and recognition.
• Youth are encouraged to develop and express a “youth voice” by participating in the advisory process, community programs, and numerous other leadership-driven activities and, programs.