Bossier Parish Profile

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

Nutrition and Community Health program efforts focus on improving the overall health and nutrition of residents in Bossier Parish. Audiences in Bossier Parish that have been reached through general nutrition programming and/or healthy communities’ initiatives from January 2024-January 2025 include East 80 Library, Plain Dealing Library, Tooke Library, Ark-La-Tex Herb Society, Families Helping Families, Sun City Elementary School, Bellaire Elementary School, NWLA Human Services District, By Faith Living Word Ministries, and Benton Council on Aging. Articles are written for each bi-monthly issue in “The Best of Times Magazine”, with a readership of 61,000. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education (EFNEP) program serves limited resource audiences in Bossier parish. Sites reached through these programming efforts include Central Park Elementary School, Centerwell, CADA, Bossier Lighthouse, Rusheon Middle School, BPSTIL, Plant a Seed in Our Youth Foundation, and Cumberland Farms.

4-H Youth Development

A series of leadership lessons were presented at monthly club meetings which focused on Agricultural commodities in Louisiana, showcasing the impact of the commodity and teaching youth where their food comes from. Junior Leaders took part in a separate lesson series of life skills, to prepare them for adulthood. Bossier Parish has 33 organized 4-H clubs, with 1,265 members of which there are 20 livestock exhibitors, 62 Cloverbuds and 170 youth in the shooting sports program.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Forestry is the largest grossing commodity in the state of Louisiana. In Bossier Parish, forestry, had a total economic contribution amounting to approximately 393 jobs and $21,593,375 in income and generated an output of $61,826,730 in goods and services in 2021. The largest stakeholder event in the region is the Ark-La-Tex Forestry Forum held annually each February. Bossier Parish is a significant producer of row crops, cattle, horses, and poultry in the state.

Whom We Reach:

  • 1,278 (includes 1,220 4-H members and 30 school 4-H Clubs, two afterschool clubs, Shooting Sports (170), Livestock Club (20), Cooking Club (13), Jr. Leadership Club and two Cloverbud groups)
  • 151 youth (environmental programming); 29,764 adults (28,814 through agriculture and natural resources, and 950 through nutrition and community health)

How We Reach Them:

4-H Clubs, school enrichment, field days, publications, newsletters, class series, website, social media and workshops

Expanding Our Efforts:

150 volunteers from 4-H, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Master Gardeners, and Nutrition and Community Health

Parish Facts:

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife and animal enterprises to Bossier Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $41,294,160; aquaculture and wildlife, $3,736,306; plant enterprises, $50,708,936.

Land area — 867 square miles; Population —128,746; Population under 18 years old — 24.0%; Population 65 years old and over — 15.7%; Median household income — $71,365; Persons below poverty — 14.2%

Local Issues and Plans for This Year:

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

  • NW Louisiana Master Gardner Plant Sale
  • Conduct annual pesticide applicator workshops
  • Write news column, webpage content and seminars on agriculture practices
  • Conduct farm and home educational visits

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

  • Conduct regional forestry forum and prescribed burn management certification workshops
  • Partnerships with the Louisiana Master Naturalist Program and civic organizations dedicated to environmental awareness
  • Educator workshops and programming, Louisiana Master Gardeners program, Project Learning Tree, Project WET, and Project WILD
  • Collaborate with the Louisiana Forestry Association, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, and other industry partners to deliver educational material and opportunities to area landowners, forestry professionals, and the public
  • Conduct educational visits on all agricultural topics to landowners, farmers and homeowners alike

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

  • Develop and implement service-learning projects throughout the parish
  • Donate items for the Pack-a-Sack program which feeds under-resourced youth on the weekends during the school year
  • Leadership opportunities include: parish officer training, Regional Leadership Summit, Challenge Camp, State Junior Leadership Conference, 4-H University, camp counselor trainings, NW Ag Ambassador program, State Fashion Board members, State Shooting Sports Ambassadors, State Livestock Ambassador

Strengthen families and communities

  • Conduct educational workshops on health and nutrition, food safety, MyPlate, meal preparation, and incorporating physical activity into family lifestyles
  • Write publications for local magazines and strengthen social media presence
  • Impact built environments in the parish with Healthy Communities initiatives to make the healthy choice the easy choice

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

Innovate . Educate . Improve Lives

The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture

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