(07/01/25) BATON ROUGE, La. — Sixteen Baton Rouge-area students and educators recently completed the second annual Camp CRISP, a two-week experiential learning program hosted by the LSU AgCenter as part of the Climate Resilient Innovations for Sustainable Production of Rice (CRISP Rice) grant.

Held June 9 to 20, Camp CRISP brought 12 high school students and four teachers to LSU’s campus and AgCenter research stations across Louisiana for an in-depth exploration of career pathways in agricultural science and sustainability.

“The outreach and education component of the grant aims to engage more people in agriculture,” said Christine Gambino, an AgCenter extension associate who led Camp CRISP and is a member of the grant team. “As our farmer population ages, it’s critical to involve the younger generation in the diverse career opportunities within agriculture.”

The camp began with a campus tour and welcomes from AgCenter faculty, including presentations on the AgCenter Food Innovation Institute and agricultural business. Students then took a tour of the AgCenter meats lab facility, and the day concluded with group introductions and a pre-program survey.

Participants toured various labs and facilities at LSU as well as the nearby AgCenter Reproductive Biology Center. They also visited the AgCenter Bob R. Jones-Idlewild Research Station near Clinton to learn about deer, turkey and feral hog research and the AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station near Crowley, where they spent a day in the field with scientists collecting insects.

Throughout the two weeks, campers engaged in lessons and activities on plant physiology, plant pathology, animal science, entomology and artificial intelligence.

Gambino emphasized the value of including urban students and teachers, noting plans to expand the camp next year to include participants from other areas of Louisiana.

“People in urban areas like Baton Rouge are less likely to be exposed to Louisiana’s diverse agricultural landscape,” she said. “While rural residents may regularly see rice, sugarcane or soybean fields, urban students may not know the difference. We’re connecting students, especially those from urban schools, with researchers and professionals shaping the future of farming.”

Many participants gained new perspectives on their future careers.

“The camp showed me how artificial intelligence can improve our food systems and made it less intimidating,” said Breanna Presley, an incoming college freshman who recently graduated from Woodlawn High School.

William Schwind, a junior from Denham Springs High School, developed an interest in working with honeybees.

“Through this camp, I connected with entomology professors and hope to start working in a lab soon,” he said.

Plans are underway to expand Camp CRISP in future years to include participants from across Louisiana and introduce new topics related to climate-smart agriculture.

Camp CRISP participants collect insects in rice fields. Photo provided by Christine Gambino

Plant pathologists Young-Ki Jo and Jong Ham show students a disease sample on an agar plate. Photo provided by Christine Gambino

Twelve students and four teachers from Baton Rouge schools recently participated in Camp CRISP, where they had the chance to learn from LSU AgCenter scientists. Pictured, from left, are Raegan Ramage, Charlee Davis, Jorja Fitzhenry, Kara Roundtree, Xaiver Aguillard, Breanna Presley, Samantha Lee, Trenen Prater, Christine Gambino, Megan Hall, Amy Ceja, Damian Hester, Melanie Duncan, Daniel Watson, William Schwind, Dillon Harless and Alexis Bergeron. Photo provided by Christine Gambino