In Jennifer Duhon’s line of work, no two days are the same.

As a nutrition agent and program coordinator for the LSU AgCenter’s Central Region, Duhon might spend one day teaching adults how to safely preserve foods. The next day could include a media appearance to promote an event or share tips about healthful eating habits. Or it might take her to a local school, library, healthcare facility or even the Alexandria Zoo — all places that Duhon and her fellow Nutrition and Community Health agents regularly visit to talk to people about the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

“Through Nutrition and Community Health and through extension, we do a lot of things and we wear many hats,” Duhon said.

Their work isn’t limited to teaching clientele about good eating habits, safe food preparation methods, managing health conditions such as diabetes and the benefits of exercise. They also advocate for increased walkability and access to nutritious foods in their communities. Some days they work with adults; children are in the audience other days.

This wide range of responsibilities and opportunities for connecting with people is one of Duhon’s favorite parts of her job. She’s been in her current position since 2021 and had a previous stint as an AgCenter agent from 2012 to 2015.

Duhon, a registered dietitian, has always had an interest in nutrition in health. Growing up in St. Landry Parish, she participated in 4-H and found she was drawn to activities and contests that involved cooking.

But the biggest influence on her career choice was her grandmother, who was a nutrition educator for the Women, Infants and Children program for 40 years. After studying dietetics and nutrition at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Duhon followed in her grandmother’s footsteps, taking a job with WIC. She later worked at the Acadian Medical Center and the National Dairy Council.

In her role at the AgCenter, Duhon enjoys collaborating with other agents and community partners to educate the people of central Louisiana, including those in her home parish.

“I’ve worked in many capacities when it comes to nutrition and dietetics, but community health has really brought me back into my passion, which is connecting people with nutrition and agriculture,” she said. “We’re really focusing on the community nutrition aspect as well as just having people understand where their food comes from and what does it mean to be healthy.”

The AgCenter’s NCH initiatives play a critical role in improving the lives of Louisiana residents, she said.

“Here in Louisiana, we do have a very high healthcare disparity rate,” she said. “We know that our communities are suffering with diseases such as diabetes or hypertension, and we know that they often don’t have access to healthy, nutritious foods or even education.”

As Duhon and her colleagues traverse central Louisiana, they are continuing the AgCenter’s longstanding legacy of bringing science-backed information to the people — and constantly looking for innovative ways to do so.

“Extension is truly extending the university to the public,” Duhon said, “and through our programs within Nutrition and Community Health, we really do that.”

Olivia McClure is a writer, photographer and videographer in AgCenter Communications.

Video by Olivia McClure

Jennifer Duhon, an NCH agent and program coordinator for the LSU AgCenter’s Central Region, teaches a class on canning fruits and vegetables. Photo by Olivia McClure

Jennifer Duhon, a Nutrition and Community Health agent and program coordinator for the LSU AgCenter’s Central Region, on the right, teaches a class on canning fruits and vegetables. Agent Breanna Staab looks on. Photo by Olivia McClure