Program Highlights

Family, Nutrition, and Health
Over 1,000 families and school youth participate in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) which helps participants to make healthier food choices, manage food dollars and increase physical activities, which leads to decrease risk for chronic diseases and decrease level of obesity. LSU/SU Ag Center provides a direct and proven pathway of success and more conscious awareness to the interaction between parent and child by conducting Parenting Classes for 872 families.

4-H Youth Development
Over 1550 youth gained knowledge & skills in Healthily livings through six monthly 4-H club meetings. 950 youth learned skills in heath and nutrition during Smart Bodies program & Body Walk. Organized school gardens at local inter-city school to give youth hands-on experience in gardening and nutrition. Over 1,500 youth participated in “Youth Wetlands Education Program”. 78 youth gained leadership & citizenship skills by participating in a service learning project focus of helping foster children. Over 300 youth participated in Gun Safety training with the 4-H shooting sports program.

Agriculture & Natural Resources/ Horticulture
Over 3750 garden and landscape participants attended the annual Southwest Louisiana Garden Festival with 846 attending 11 horticulture lectures during the two day event. 110 Local farmers attended production and management meetings for rice and soybeans. Conducted rice verification demonstration farm plot to assist local farmers with up-to-date management techniques. Conducted crawfish production training for 40 area producers to learn about new management practices and help new farmers getting started. Taught BQA (Beef Quality Assurance) training to 25 local cattle producers to become certified. Conducted insect management workshop for 45 home owners and individuals to be able to identify and control insects in lawns, gardens, and homes.

Local Issues & Plans for this year.

1. Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana Agriculture.

-Conduct commodity producer meetings and field days.

-Use mail, email distributions, web page, newsletters and news media to disseminate timely information.

-Conduct farm and home educational visits

-Conduct variety and related on-farm demonstrations.

-Work closely with commodity and farm organizations.

2. Promote the wise use of natural resources and protection of the environment.

- Conduct Master Farmer and Cattleman programs to increase producers sustainability in agriculture

- Continue to assist pond owners with good management techniques to increase water quality.

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

-Develop and implement service learning projects.

- Continue to develop leadership opportunities for youth

-Junior Leaders will focus monthly on service related

organizations to learn about and volunteer service.

- Re-establish parish Achievement day with educational workshops as the focus.

4. Strengthen families and communities

-.Market Family Nutrition and Health programs in the primary focus areas – Family Development and Nutrition, Diet and Health.

-Conduct monthly nutrition education programs for families and youth and Family Nutrition Nights

-Conduct Positive Parenting classes for young families

- Collaborate with local agencies to promote healthy communities with focusing on health behaviors.