Calcasieu 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

Over 850 families and school youth participate in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) which helps participants to make healthier food choices, manage food dollars and increase physical activities, which leads to decrease risk for chronic diseases and decrease level of obesity. LSU/SU Ag Center conducts nutrition education programs that provide research-based information to help adults, youth, and families live healthier lifestyles through informed food choices and physical activity.

4-H Youth Development

Over 1300 youth gained knowledge & skills in SET Educational programs through six monthly 4-H club meetings. Over 6,500 middle school youth participated in “Health Rocks” school enrichment program across Calcasieu parish. Seventy-eight youth gained leadership & citizenships skills by participating in a service-learning project focused on agricultural careers and food security in our community. Over 150 youth participated in Gun Safety and marksmanship training with the 4-H shooting sports program.

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Over 4,500 garden and landscape participants attended the annual Southwest Louisiana Garden Festival with 1156 attending 11 horticulture lectures during the two-day event. Seventy-five local farmers attended production and management meetings for rice and soybeans. Conducted Calcasieu-Cameron Cattlemen educational meeting for 67 area cattle producers to gain new knowledge in grazing and health management areas from industry professionals.

Whom we reach:

• 21,714 - Youth (includes 1,206 4-H members & 59 school 4-H clubs)
• 15,240 - Adults (8,687 Ag & Natural Resources & 6,553 Family Consumer Sciences)

How we reach them:

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

Expanding our efforts:

372 volunteers from 4-H (231), Master Gardeners & ANR (96), Family and Consumer Science (45).

Parish Facts

LSU AgCenter County Agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife and animal enterprises to Calcasieu Parish clientele. The 2023 total dollar amount from these commodities were:

• Plant enterprises: $38,079,901
• Aquaculture and wildlife $8,641,422
• Animal enterprises: $52,818,582
• Land area (square miles) - 1,063.66
• Population – 203,782
• Persons 65 years old and over -16.0%
• Persons under 18 years old – 24.8%
• Persons below poverty – 17.2%
• Median household income - $61,209
• Obesity rate - 39%

Local Issues & Plans for this year

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana Agriculture

• Conduct commodity producer meetings and field days
• Use mail, email distributions, web page, newsletters and news media to disseminate timely information
• Conduct farm and home educational visits
• Conduct on-farm demonstrations
• Work closely with commodity and farm organizations

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

• Conduct Master Farmer and Cattleman programs to increase producer’s sustainability in agriculture
• Continue to assist pond owners with good management techniques to increase water quality

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Develop and implement service-learning projects throughout the parish
• Continue to develop leadership opportunities for youth
• Junior Leaders will focus monthly on service related
• Organizations to learn about and volunteer service
• Re-establish parish Achievement Day with educational workshops as the focus

Strengthen families and communities

• Market Family Nutrition and Health programs in the primary focus areas – Nutrition, Diet and Health
• Conduct monthly nutrition education programs for families and youth
• Collaborate with local agencies to promote healthy communities with focusing on health behaviors

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