About the LSU AgCenter

The LSU AgCenter provides innovative research, information, and education to improve people’s lives. Working in a unique 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 (ANR) - Nate Jennings

We have finished up our meetings to renew Private Pesticide Applicator’s Cards. Private Applicators must be renewed every three years. The LSU AgCenter holds meetings within each parish with correspondence of the LDAF. The two meetings held in Richland Parish saw a total of 109 cards renewed.

There was also a Northeast Regional Rice Production Meeting held at the Delhi Civic Center with the LSU AgCenter. The meeting covered topics such as a Regional Rice Review, General Rice Production, Rice Breeding and Variety Update, Rice Weed Management, Rice Disease Update, and Rice Market Outlook.

Corn Demonstration Plots have already been planted in the parish with the help of producers. Also, there will be an upcoming Soybean Demonstration Plot within the Parish. Programs that are to be focused on for Agriculture and Natural Resources will be working with the FSA to promote programs to assist producers, Planting Date Information on each commodity grown within the parish, as well as soil fertility updates.

4-H Youth and Family Development - Morgan Whitehead

Royal Court – 31 youth participated in the Royal Court this January. These students got to raise money for their local 4-H program to help promote opportunities in the parish for the youth. These youth also got to ride in the Delhi Livestock Show Parade.

Food Challenge – We had 14 youth, with over 4 teams, participate in the Food Challenge in Alexandria, LA. These students got to show off their knowledge about healthy food, safe cooking skills, their MyPlate knowledge, and their presentation skills all within this intense 40-minute challenge.

Shooting Sports – Out of 50 youth that practice for Regionals, 25 attended Regionals in Shotgun, Archery and Rifle competitions in Shreveport, LA. Out of the 25 youth, 4 made it to the State Competition that will take place in Port Allen in April. These youth have practiced all year for their competition and worked with their coaches to be able to attend this event.

Nutrition and Community Health (NCH) - Brittney Newsome

Richland Parents on the Move 4-Health is designed to provide nutrition and physical activity education sessions, workshops, and activities to parents and the children of those parents in order to help each family prioritize their health and wellness goals without the challenges of being overwhelmed by trying to accomplish their goals alone. For the month of March, R.P.M 4-Health kicked off its first workshop inside of Start and Rayville Elementary Schools where the 4-H club members learned about how food connects us and shared experiences about favorite foods and family traditions. The students completed a word search and enjoyed a Berry Yogurt Crunch snack.