Program Highlights

Family, Nutrition, and Health

Over 800 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 decreased risk for chronic diseases and decreased level of obesity. The LSU/SU Ag Center provides a direct and proven pathway of success and more conscious awareness of the interaction between parent and child by conducting parenting classes for 872 families.

4-H Youth Development

Over 1,550 youth gained knowledge and skills in Louisiana citizenship through six monthly 4-H Club meetings. 2,157 youth learned skills in heath and nutrition during the Smart Bodies program and Body Walk and were nationally recognized at Barbe Elementary by the Healthier U.S. School Challenge. Organized school gardens at a local intercity school give youth hands-on experience in gardening and nutrition. Over 5,500 youth participated in the Youth Wetlands Education Program. 78 youth gained leadership and citizenships skills by participating in a service-learning project with special needs youth.

Agriculture & Natural Resources/ Horticulture

Over 4,000 garden and landscape participants attended the annual Southwest Louisiana Garden Festival, with 846 attending 11 horticulture lectures during the two-day event. 32 gardeners gained skills in pest management during an intense 10-week course. 110 Local farmers attended production and management meetings for rice and soybeans. A demonstration farm plot was conducted on the new Mexican rice borer insect for management techniques in rice, sugarcane and corn. 11 cattle producers became Master Cattlemen by attending weekly courses on beef cattle management and environmental sustainability. A homeowner association was assisted in management of blue-green algae bloom in a local subdivision’s pond. After chemical treatment, water quality and aesthetics returned and fishing improved.

Who we reach:

43,446 – Youth (includes 1583 4-Hers & 57 school 4-H clubs)
28,516 – Adults (15,963 Ag, Hort. & Natural Resource; 12,553 Family Consumer Sciences)

How we reach them:

4-H Clubs, Class series, School enrichment, Demonstrations, Field days, Workshops, Newsletters, Web sites, Publications, Social media, Project clubs, Camps, Television Radio.

Expanding our efforts:

367 Volunteers – 4-H (231), Master Gardeners (96), Master Horsemen, other programs

Parish Facts

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife and animal enterprises to Calcasieu Parish clientele. The 2012 total dollar amount from these commodities were:

• Plant enterprises – $30,044,537
• Aquaculture and wildlife – $8,713,341
• Animal enterprises – $51,235,868

Data from the Louisiana Ag Summary Website: LSUAgCenter.com/agsummary

Population – 194,493
Land area (square miles) – 1,063.66
Persons under 18 years old – 25.4%
Persons 65 years old and over – 12.6%
Median household income – $43,758
Persons below poverty – 16.2%

Local issues & plans for this year.

1. Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture.

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

2. Promote the wise use of natural resources and protection of the environment.

• Conduct saltwater level tests on rice to support local farmers continuing to face problems.
Conduct Master Farmer and Master Cattlemen programs to increase producers’ sustainability.

3. Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H youth development.

• Develop and implement service learning projects.
• Implement Jr. Master Gardener club; camping club
• Continue to develop leadership opportunities for youth
• Junior Leaders will focus monthly on service-related organizations to learn about and volunteer service.

4. Strengthen families and communities

• Market family nutrition and health programs in the primary focus areas of Family Development and Nutrition, Diet and Health.
• Conduct monthly nutrition education programs for families and youth and family nutrition nights.
• Conduct Positive Parenting workshops for young families.