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

Nutrition and Community Health

The LSU AgCenter is committed to improving Bienville Parish adult and youth health by conducting nutrition educational programs. Flavors of Health offers programs to combat unhealthy lifestyle: Break up with Salt, Dining with Diabetes, Small Changes Healthy Habits, Smart Portions, Family Nutrition Night, and parish identified nutrition program requested. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP) helps limited resource audience on eating healthy on a budget to lessen the risk of chronic disease and obesity. The audience learn tips on shopping, stretching the budget, making healthy food choices, and keeping food safe.

4-H Youth Development

4-H in Bienville Parish thrives with over 500 actively involved youth, offering an extensive array of opportunities for growth and development. This robust program encompasses 13 clubs tailored to 4th - 12th graders, providing a wide range of educational and hands-on experiences. In addition, there are 3 Cloverbud clubs, specially designed to nurture the interests and skills of our youngest members. Beyond club activities, 4-H in Bienville Parish offers enrichment camps, engaging after-school programs, and various community events that not only foster personal development but also instill a strong sense of community involvement. The program also boasts specialized clubs, including shooting sports, where members can learn essential firearm safety and marksmanship skills, junior leaders, which focus on leadership development, and the exciting bike club, allowing young enthusiasts to explore their passion for cycling while building valuable life skills.

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Bienville Parish is in northwest central Louisiana, consisting of 822 square miles and is home to Louisiana’s highest natural point, Driskill Mountain. It was created in 1848 from the lower part of Claiborne Parish and is named after the explorer and “Father of New Orleans,” Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. Geographically dominated with mixed hardwoods and pines, forestry is the major economic engine of Bienville Parish agriculture, followed by poultry, hunting, home gardens, forages/beef cattle, and horses, with a yearly combined value of over $95 million.

Whom we reach:

• 1,200 youth (includes 500 4-H members and 16 4-H Clubs)
• 205 adults (80 through agriculture and natural resources and 125 through family consumer sciences)

How we reach them:

4-H Clubs, school enrichment, field days, publications, newsletters, class series, website, social media, Facebook, workshops, community events, activities, stenciling activities

Expanding our efforts:

110 volunteers from 4-H, 40 volunteers assist with ANR programs, 60 volunteers assist with FCS programs, 290 volunteers from 4-H, Family Consumer Sciences and Healthy Communities, and Agriculture and Natural Resources

Parish Facts:

Bienville Parish is in northwest central Louisiana, consisting of 822 square miles. Bienville Parish has an estimated population of 12,641 residents with 21.4% being 65 and over, and 22.7% being 18 and under. The median income is $32,328. One of the most prominent geographical features in the parish is Mt. Driskill. Mt. Driskill is the highest natural point in Louisiana, located within Bienville Parish. It stands at an elevation of approximately 535 feet (163 meters) above sea level. The economy of Bienville Parish is diverse and includes sectors such as agriculture, forestry, and manufacturing. Timber production is a significant contributor to the local economy, given the extensive forests in the region.

Local issues and plans for this year:

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Develop and implement service-learning projects throughout the parish.
• Teach teens workforce preparedness and financial literacy at schools and through the JET program (Jurors Empowering Teens)
• Teach life skills through various camping opportunities.
• Host parish wide Achievement Day

Promote the wide use of natural resources and protection of the environment

• Conduct farm and home educational visits and consultations
• Conduct series of Master Gardener classes, Master Cattlemen, and Master Farmer
• Conduct seminars on agriculture practices, private pesticide applicator training and re-certification, livestock, and forage management recommendations

Strengthen families and communities

• SNAP-Ed clients receive training on feeding their families nutritionally on a budget
• Teach lessons to increase knowledge and help create positive behavior changes, through research-based nutrition education
• For youth, ages 16-19 to increase knowledge in financial literacy and workforce preparedness, and to engage these youth in exploring career opportunities to make positive lifestyle changes and choices like those faced by adults daily

How is Extension Funded?

• Federal funding from the USDA/ NIFA
• State general funds from the Louisiana Legislature
• Local support from parish government, including police juries and school boards
• Self-generated funds

What Role Do You Play?

Our stakeholders at the parish level are the local supporters and beneficiaries of the LSU AgCenter cooperative extension programs. Their support keeps these critical programs in their communities.

Each Parish Offers Programming In:

• 4-H and Youth Development
• Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Nutrition and Community Health

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