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

A soybean core block variety on-farm demonstration was planted on the Campbell farm and a cotton core block variety on-farm demonstration was planted on Kody Beavers farm. These on-farm demonstrations give producers the opportunity to evaluate varieties grown under local environments.

Presentations were given to the Winnsboro Lions Club and Winnsboro Rotary Club on the current progress of our row crops in Franklin Parish. Due to increased fertilizer costs especially for nitrogen, our crop mix includes more acres of cotton and soybeans. Soybeans are a legume and have the ability through nodulation to form their own nitrogen for the crops use. Cotton does not require as much nitrogen as corn to produce good yields. A general comparison of fertilizer costs from the same month in 2021 and 2022.In 2021 nitrogen was $340 per ton and in 2022 $807 per ton, phosphorus in 2021 $670 per ton and in 2022 $865 per ton and potassium in 2021 $418 per ton and in 2022 $842 per ton. Field Corn is progressing, and harvest will probably begin a little earlier this year due to our hot dry weather which will speed up the crop’s maturity. Cotton and Soybeans are looking good. Wheat acreage was up this year due to a more favorable price to the producer. Wheat was harvested in June.

Presentations on vegetable gardening were given to church members of the Crowville Baptist Church and the Winnsboro United Pentecostal Church.

4-H Youth and Family Development - Kelly Lafferty

Matthew Kramer is the 2022 recipient of the Scott Scholarship.He has been a member of the FP Homeschool group since 4^th grade where he has held many officer roles.He served on the NE regional leadership board for two years serving as photographer his first year.Kramer is a senior and will graduate this year.In the fall, he plans to attend University of Louisiana-Layfette where he will major in industrial design.He is the son of Blake and Kim Kramer of Winnsboro.

The state 4-H shooting sports competition was held the week of April 26^th in the Gonzales/Port Allen area.Franklin Parish sent 15 youth to this competition.Ayden Robinson got 7^th in the 2-handed air pistol event.The BB gun team consisting of Paul Kramer, Serenyti Scott, Jonathan Donnell, John McBroom, Kenadee Henry, and Sabian Crawford received 3rd place and will be advancing to the National BB competition in Arkansas this summer.The archery team did great.In the picture starting from the back row: Joshua Reeves received 3rd place in 3D and 4th place in FITA for 12–13-year-old, Dakota Parker participated in the state archery match, Levi Henry received 6th place in FITA for seniors, Paul Kramer received 1st place in field for Bare Bow/Genesis.In the front row: Kaitlyn Reeves received 4th in 3D and 8th in FITA for 9–11-year-old, Cole Ezell received 10th place in 3D for 9–11-year-old, and Levi Bryant received 4th place in 3D for Bare Bow/Genesis. Other participants were Galen Miller and Layton Weems.

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

It’s been a very busy summer for the FCS Nutrition Team in Franklin parish! For the first time ever, the Delta Healthcare American group met face to face with Area Nutrition Agent, Quincy Vidrine and Nutrition Educator, Krissten Medlin at the Scott Center on the Macon Ridge Research Center. The group has been meeting virtually since March 2021 for SNAP Ed Nutrition classes with Mrs. Quincy. They were finally able to meet Mrs. Quincy in person and experience a live food demonstration and lesson from Mrs. Krissten. They also got to have some fun in the sun with the Play Streets equipment. In-person lessons with this group will resume in September 2022.

Healthy Communities programming is really taking off in Crowville. The community has been working hard to make it easier for their residents to live healthier lifestyles. The LSU AgCenter and the Franklin Parish FCS Nutrition Team has been supporting these efforts by conducting a Walk Audit and facilitating conversations with local DOTD officials, conducting healthy cooking demonstrations at the weekly Farmer’s Market, and coordinating KidChef & TeenChef camps for youth. The Area Nutrition Agent has secured a grant that will provide a “Story Walk” for the town of Crowville on Football Field Road. The installation of this project is set for August 2022.

The Franklin Parish Healthy Communities Coalition will host a Health Resource Expo on September 28, 2022, at the Jack Hammond Community Center in Winnsboro. Community Partners, local officials, and Franklin Parish residents are invited to attend the event to discover all the services that are available in our community.

The Town of Wisner recently got a "Silly Walking Track" at the Bill "Putt" Linder Memorial Park. Mayor Marc McCarty was very helpful in getting the signs put out and looks forward to partnering with the LSU AgCenter to form a Healthy Communities Coalition in Wisner. Representatives from Senator Cassidy and Congresswoman Letlow's offices also assisted in getting the track set up, along with Kevin Carroll with the Rural Heart and Lung Study.