Caddo 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 programs currently offered include Stay Independent, Nourish to Prevent, Smart Portions, Taste of Herbs and Spices, Let’s Eat for the Health of It, Healthy Communities, and Wellness Wednesday. Programming provided in 2025 reached the Shreve Memorial Library branches, City of Shreveport employee health fair, LSU Cancer Survivorship Group, We Grow Together Campus, St. Rest Baptist Church, Optimist Club, NWLA Master Gardeners, City of Shreveport employees, Paradise Baptist Church, Shreveport Public Assembly & Recreation (SPAR), Volunteers of America, and various schools throughout the parish. Articles are also written bi-monthly for “The Best of Times Magazine.” KTBS TV appearance was also completed to promote our successful Fall Health Festival in collaboration with the Food Bank of Northwest.

4-H Youth Development

The Caddo Parish 4-H Program provides dynamic opportunities for youth to learn, grow, and lead through a wide variety of activities. From school clubs and enrichment workshops to after-school programs, day camps, and overnight camps, 4-H offers experiences that inspire curiosity and build lifelong skills. Our projects include Junior Leadership, Shooting Sports, Arts and Crafts, Field and Forest, Robotics, Tabletop Gaming, Beekeeping, and Livestock. This year, programming highlights include hands-on learning about ecosystems, gardening and horticulture, healthy living, and community leadership. Youth also remain actively involved in the Caddo Parish Fair and the State Fair of Louisiana, showcasing their talents and achievements. Our Junior Leaders continue to shine through service-learning projects and participation in leadership conferences.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Caddo parish currently has cotton, corn, wheat and soybean test plots. This year, row crop production meetings and beef/forage production meetings were held for local producers in Caddo parish. Over 201 producers attended and learned about best management practices, new varieties, and current research on pest management. Over 100 Master Gardeners contribute to local horticulture education and outreach throughout Caddo parish. The 2026 class will welcome 42 new Master Gardeners from Caddo parish. Horticulture education will be provided monthly at the Shreve Memorial Library Broadmoor branch this year.

Whom We Reach:

• 3,500 youth (includes 1,000 4-H members and 49 school 4-H Clubs)
• 23,750 adults (3,450 through agriculture and natural resources and 20,300 through nutrition and community health)
• 119,869 individuals were reached through mass media contacts (including magazine articles)

How We Reach:

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

Expanding Our Efforts:

Over 200 volunteers from 4-H, Master Gardeners, Nutrition and Community Health programs, and Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Parish Facts:

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife and animal enterprises to Caddo Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $46,205,552; aquaculture and wildlife, $1,073,422; plant enterprises, $75,755,478.

Land area — 878.54 square miles; Population — 226,386; Population under 18 years old — 23.2%; Population 65 years old and over — 19.6%; Median household income — $50,067; Persons below poverty — 22.8%.

Local Issues and Plans for This Year:

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Conduct crop production meetings to educate local farmers on the latest research-based information and technology
• Conduct pesticide recertification meetings
• Conduct farm and home educational visits
• Continue to provide information to local farmers and homeowners on crops, animals, gardens, and wildlife

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

• Provide clientele with information regarding feral hog control options
• Conduct cotton, soybean, and corn variety trails with Caddo parish producers
• Conduct beef field day for local cattle producers that includes forage, market updates, and current management practices
• Provide horticulture education throughout Caddo parish

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Develop leadership skills in 4-H youth through educational programs conducted in school club meetings, service-learning projects, workshops, and after-school settings
• Youth will learn and apply key life and social skills for success through educational programming during 4-H club meetings
• Develop volunteers to lead youth through positive youth development activities on the parish, regional, and state level

Strengthen families and communities

• Continue to provide high quality education to clients with different class series offerings
• Continue to strengthen partnerships with Healthy Communities coalitions while implementing policy, systems, and environmental changes
• Conduct cooking workshops for Caddo Parish youth

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:

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