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.

Program Highlights

Family and Consumer Sciences

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, Avoyelles Parish has an obesity prevalence of 45.2% and 11.9% of the population has Diabetes, both higher than the national average. The FCS programs offered through the LSU AgCenter focus on teaching people in the community about healthy eating, the importance of physical activity, and how to create healthy habits. Break Up with Salt is a hypertension prevention and management program that concentrates on dietary and physical activity approaches to hypertension prevention and management. It is a 4-week program that teaches healthy eating using MyPlate food groups, proper portions sizes and understanding of diet and high blood pressure correla tion.

4-H Youth Development

The Avoyelles Parish 4-H Youth Development Program is focused on growing the youth of our parish. With 20 school clubs, a homeschool club, a strong shooting sports program, junior leader club and large livestock program, as well as a parish wide Clover Buds club, we are reaching youth in all parts of our parish. This year, our programming focuses on healthy social and emotional development in our youth, addressing topics such as bullying, inclusion, manners, good decision making, leadership and positive peer relations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Avoyelles Parish is home to one of the most diverse agriculture production areas in the Southern Region, with over 100 acres planted in 8 different commodities and includes animal and aquaculture enterprises. Farmers rely on research-based information to ensure successful operations. Therefore, the Avoyelles Parish LSU AgCenter hosts annual production meetings where scientist present information critical to increasing production while optimizing profitability. Crop demonstration trials are implemented to give farmers firsthand experiences in variety performance, pest management techniques, and cultural practices to enhance their profitability.

Avoyelles Parish Extension Office

Address:

8592 HWY 1, Suite 1
Mansura, LA 71350
Phone: 318-964-2245
Fax: 318-964-2259

Email:

Avoyelles@agcenter.lsu.edu

Website:

www.LSUAgCenter.com/Avoyelles

Office hours:

8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Parish Chair

Justin Dufour

Additional contact:

Suzanne Brouillette
Administrative Coordinator

Programs

Agriculture and Natural Resources

• Horticulture Workshops• Fungicide Trials• Master Gardener• Phone/Email Consultations• Variety Performance Strip Trials

4-H and Youth Development

• Club Meetings
• Clover Buds
• Livestock Programs
• Shooting Sports
• Junior Leadership
• Fashion Board
• Healthy Living Board

Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS)

• Dining with Diabetes
• Kids in the Kitchen
• FNP-Family Nutrition Program
• Break Up with Salts

Whom We Reach:

4,580 youth (includes 1,250 4-H members in 20 schools 4-H and Project Clubs) 3100 adults (includes agriculture and natural resources and program volunteers)

How we reach them:

4-H clubs, school enrichment, demonstrations, field days, workshops, newspaper articles, websites, publications, social media, email updates, radio programs, group meeting and text messaging.

Expanding our efforts:

120 volunteers from 4-H, Master Gardeners, Family and Community, Master Cattleman, and Master Farmer.

Parish Facts:

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife, and animal enterprises to Avoyelles Parish residents. The 2020 total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $21,098,436; Aquaculture and Wildlife, $8,139,711; Plant Enterprises, $102,453,689.

Land area — 832.43 square miles; Population — 40,462; Population under 18 years old — 23.6%; Population 65 years old and over — 16.9%; Median household income — $36,763; Persons below poverty — 24.6%

Local issues and plans for this year

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture.

• Host production meetings educating growers on the current best management practices being researched by the LSU AgCenter to increase profitability of their crop.
• Conduct variety demonstration trials in crops such as corn, cotton, wheat and soybeans which provides production data specific to growing conditions in Avoyelles Parish.
• Publish newspaper, social media and web page columns to inform growers.
• Arrange site visits to assist in the analysis and diagnosis of problems that are decreasing yields and implement proper solutions.
• Work with NRCS to promote conservation programs

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development.

• Provide a safe and inclusive environment for all youth engaged in 4-H programs. Club meeting focus will be on communication and belonging, where youth are given the opportunity to have the four basic human needs met.
• Increase the volunteer base of well-trained, screened, and supportive individuals in order to expand the capacity of the 4-H program.
• Prepare youth for the future by displaying positive life skills.
• Give youth the opportunity to gain leadership skills through club officer positions, Junior Leadership Club, parish specialty boards, contests and workshops.
• Develop and implement service-learning projects throughout the parish.

Extension Funding
FY 2022-2023

How we are funded:

You are the local supporters and beneficiaries of the LSU AgCenter extension programs. Your support keeps these programs in your communities.

Your parish extension office offers programs in:

• Sustaining Louisiana agriculture, forestry, and fisheries
• Building leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development
• Family, nutrition and health to enhance the quality of life for Louisiana’s citizens

LSU AgCenter State Appropriated Funds for FY 2022-2023:

• State General Direct: 78.01%
• Federal Funds: 12.06%
• Self-Generated: 6.31%
• Statutory Dedications: 3.62%

For the latest research-based information on just about anything, visit our website: LSUAgCenter.com