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)-Carol Pinnell-Alison

A presentation was given to the Franklin Parish Rotary Club on the agriculture outlook for the parish.Franklin Parish producers shifted their choice of crops to plant based on the price they could receive at harvest and the cost of inputs like seed, fertilizer, pesticides and fuel.Certified crop acres from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) showed 66,560 acres of corn planted this year compared to 115,417 acres last year.Soybean acres increased to 85,591 from 51,550 last year.Cotton acres were also up with 13,875 planted compared to 5,528 last year.

A presentation was given to the new Master Gardener Class participants in Winnsboro on the considerations for controlling pests. If using a pesticide to control a pest the participants were given some pointers on how to identify the pest correctly, how to read a pesticide label, where to find what personal protective equipment to ware while applying, the correct rate to apply, the harvest interval after an application, the re-entry interval into an area that has been sprayed and how to store and dispose of pesticides and their empty containers.

The corn and soybean on-farm variety demonstrations were harvested.Yields were good for both demonstrations.Producers use the data from these on-farm demonstrations to make planting decisions for the next year.

4-H Youth and Family Development – Hannah Craddock

The Northeast Region 4-H Youth Development Agents hosted the “Soaring to the Top” 4-H State Association Convention in West Monroe, LA, August 20-23. This is an annual professional development meeting that rotates around the state.4-H agents attend workshops and presentations providing them educational material they can use in their parish 4-H programs.

On September 8-10, we had three 4-H youth attend Challenge Camp at Seeker Springs in Eros, LA. Tucker Woodruff, Dakota Moore, and Jackson Martinez all went and had a blast! Challenge Camp is an event for 6-8th graders to do various activities such as rope courses, swimming, drones and wetlands education to help with team building skills.

We have three Franklin Parish 4-H’ers that are members of the Regional Leadership Board: Reghan Rushing, Paul Kramer, and Eli Rogers.

4-H School Clubs are rolling on! Baskin School 6-8th grade club are working together to learn more about agriculture and how it affects them daily.

Nutrition and Community Health (NCH) – Quincy Vidrine

Franklin parish Nutrition & Community Health hosted 2 KidChef events – Crowville KidChef July 16, and Baskin KidChef July 25.Over 40 youth participated in the workshops. They learned tips for being safe in the kitchen, using various types of kitchen equipment, knife skills, nutrition, and food safety. TeenChefs ages 13-17 served as instructors for parts of the workshops – they taught the knife skills session, safety with blenders and the Purple Power Smoothie recipe, and the healthier seasoning blends recipes. Overall, the TeenChefs contributed over 30 volunteer hours toward these workshops and service in the Crowville School and Community Garden this summer!

TeenChefs On Set! Jonathan Donnell and Sara McCarthy have participated in the TeenChef program for the past three years. Each of these Franklin parish teens, also Franklin parish 4-Hers were featured in videos demonstrating recipes of their own. Jonathan demonstrated his pecan brown rice recipe – the big winner at the last 4-H regional cookery. Sara demonstrated a recipe that she and her family have been making different versions of for years – Taco Empanadas. The videos have gone out statewide and will also be featured in the Louisiana State Capitol for visitors and guest to enjoy while they tour the building. The dedication and the work that these teens put into the TeenChef program, KidChef workshops and making the videos is very much appreciated by the NCH Agent for Franklin parish, Quincy Vidrine.