About the LSU AgCenter

The LSU AgCenter is dedicated to providing innovative research, information, and education to improve people’s lives. Working in a statewide network of parish extension offices, research stations and academic departments, the LSU AgCenter helps Louisiana citizens make the best use of natural resources, protect the environment, enhance agricultural enterprises, and develop human and community resources.

Agriculture and Natural Resources - Carol Pinnell-Alison

Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification meetings are held between January and March every year for applicators whose cards expire the end of March. Applicator cards are valid for three years and can be renewed by attending a recertification meeting before the card’s expiration date. If an applicator lets a card expire or if a new applicator, testing is required for certification. Presentations were given at the Franklin and Richland parish recertification meetings with 97 pesticide applicators renewing their card.

Two Worker Protection Standard (WPS) handler trainings were held with 44 agricultural employees attending. All employees who work on an agricultural establishment that produces an agricultural plant are required to attend annual training.

A Franklin Parish Ag Tour was coordinated for the Leadership Franklin program participants. Twenty members of the class heard a presentation by Greg Kincaid about his multigenerational farm, toured the Franklin Cotton Warehouse, Ted and Melissa Miller’s dairy, the LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station, Goldman Equipment and Anderson, Inc grain elevator.

A corn core block variety on-farm demonstration was planted on the Campbell farm. These on-farm demonstrations give producers the opportunity to evaluate varieties grown under local environments.

4-H Youth and Family Development - Kelly Lafferty

Franklin parish sent 35 youth to the northern regional shooting sports competition which was held March 15-21 in the Shreveport area. We had youth participate in BB gun, air pistol, air rifle, smallbore rifle, and archery. Of the 35 youth, there are 16 youth that will be advancing to the state shooting sports competition which will be held April 26-May 1. Those youth that participated in the northern regional event were: Levi Bryant, Zoey Campbell, John Aubrey Chisum, Jordan Clark, Sabian Crawford, Bailey Cunningham, Johnathan Dilly, Johnathan Donnell, Cole Ezell, Tripp Ezell, Alex Ferrington, Ben Haring, Kendadee Henry, Levi Henry, Elijah Hunt, Emma Kirksey, Gage Kirksey, Paul Kramer, Riley Lashley, Brayden Little, Bryce Little, Joshua Matthews, John McBroom, Galen Miller, Sarah Miller, Lilliana Morgan, Dakota Parker, Joshua Reeves, Kaitlynn Reeves, Ayden Robinson, Serenyti Scott, Colton Spence, Baylen Walley, Layton Weems and Kolby Wilcher.

Family and Consumer Science (FCS) - Quincy Vidrine, Area Nutrition Agent and Krissten Medlin - Nutrition Educator

Faculty & Staff at Franklin Head Start in Winnsboro received nutrition education and training which will be worked into their overall wellness policy to be provided on a quarterly basis by the Franklin Parish Extension FCS Area Nutrition Agent, Quincy Vidrine. Basic knife skills, food safety, and healthy meals for families’ trainings were provided to Head Start employees. Nutrition Education is also being provided to head start parents and youth weekly and monthly by SNAP Ed Nutrition Educator, Krissten Medlin.

The Franklin Parish Healthy Communities Coalition Forum and Advisory Leadership Committee met on February 23, 2022 and will meet bi-monthly to work on the critical needs identified in the forum by coalition members and community partners.

The Crowville Community has been awarded a “Story Walk Grant” which was obtained through a grant submission by Franklin Parish Extension Nutrition Team, Friends of Crowville, and the Poulos Brothers Foundation. Letters of support for this project were presented by Crowville Elementary School, Crowville Health Clinic, First Baptist Church of Crowville, Franklin Parish Tourism Commission, and Winnsboro Franklin Chamber of Commerce. Construction of this project will begin in May of 2022. A Healthy Communities Forum will be held in the Crowville community on April 14, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Crowville, followed by a Walk Audit with LSU AgCenter Specialists and DOTD Representatives on May 25, 2022. For more information on these events, please contact the Franklin Parish Area Nutrition Agent, Quincy L. Vidrine at 318-623-5217.

Area Assistant Horticultural Agent - Marcie Mathews
Serving: Franklin, Catahoula, Concordia, Tensas, Madison and East Carroll Parishes

Marcie Mathews presented at the Winnsboro Southern Home and Garden club meeting March 8, 2022 on Plant Propagation & Stem Cuttings. Marcie is the area Horticulture Agent for Franklin, Catahoula, Concordia, Tensas, Madison and East Carroll parishes. Franklin parish advisory committee members have also been contacted and established. Horticulture programming planned for Franklin include Master Gardener classes and programs, locally held presentations and workshops, and home and business visits for gardening related issues. Please contact Marcie at 318-766-3769 or mmathews@agcenter.lsu.edu if you have any questions or would like to be added to the Horticulture email list.