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Caldwell 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

Families face health and wellness challenges such as high food insecurity rates, limited opportunities for regular physical activity, and connectivity gaps that make it harder for families to access health resources and community programs. Nutrition and Community Health programs work to address these needs through nutrition and health programs for youth and adults. These efforts promote healthier eating, active lifestyles, and community engagement through classes, demonstrations, and coalition-led projects that improve access to healthy foods and create supportive environments for physical activity and social connection.

4-H Youth Development

Youth enrolled in 4-H meet monthly and have opportunities to learn and practice parliamentary procedure, gain information about club contests, events and camps, and learn from demonstrations presented by their peers and 4-H staff. Club programs include leadership, science, technology, work force preparation, fitness and health, and agriculture. Junior Leader Club members learn skills by engaging in their community through community service and service-learning experiences.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Caldwell Parish is a rural parish that has row crops and timber for the bulk of its income with many producers also raising cattle to subsidize their income. Producers are provided research-based information gathered from variety test plots planted in the parish to prepare them for the growing season. Producers learn about pasture management and pesticides which enables better care of their pastures producing higher quality hay and animals for the marketplace.

Who We Reach

  • 1,235 youth reached through 4-H programs.
  • 1,800 adults reached through agriculture and natural resources, and nutrition and community health.

How We Reach Them

  • 4-H clubs and school enrichment
  • Field days and site visits
  • Publications and newsletters
  • Newspaper articles
  • Website and social media
  • Workshops
  • Community events

Caldwell Parish Facts

  • Land area - 529.8 square miles
  • Population - 9,384
  • Persons under 18 years old - 20.1%
  • Persons 65 years old and over - 18.1%
  • Median household income - $44,957
  • Persons in poverty - 25.4%

LSU AgCenter County agents provide research-based information on plant, wildlife, and animal enterprises to Caldwell Parish residents. The 2025 total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal Enterprises $10,056,274; Wildlife $3,607,245; Plant Enterprises $35,383,294.

Local Issues and Plans for this Year

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture.

  • The LSU AgCenter will continue to educate the public on the benefits of producer agriculture.
  • Continue to educate cattlemen on all aspects of beef cattle production.
  • Conduct farm and home educational visits.
  • Continue research on small grains grown in our parish with on-site farm variety demonstration test plots.

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

  • The LSU AgCenter will continue educating Caldwell Parish producers on alternatives to glyphosate and other farm chemicals.
  • Provide the latest information on forestry, the primary source of agriculture income for Caldwell Parish.

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development.

  • The Caldwell 4-H program will develop and implement service-learning projects throughout the parish.
  • Youth will learn and develop skills that are crucial for success in life such as self-confidence, compassion, and how to make valuable connections with others.
  • Members will gain life skills in communication, citizenship, decision-making, leadership, interpersonal relations and community and global awareness.
  • Project club members will have the opportunity for more in-depth study of specific projects and to become involved in community affairs.

Strengthen families and communities.

  • The Nutrition and Community Health program will conduct Farmer's Market food demonstrations.
  • Support the Read and Ride program at the Caldwell Parish Library.
  • Present nutrition and health programs at the Caldwell Council on Aging and Head Start.
  • Food safety and basic cooking skills workshops with Special Education students at Caldwell Parish High School.
  • Knife skills and Pressure Cooker Gumbo Learning Lab workshops at Caldwell Parish Library.
  • Nutrition and food safety education for Blessings Box and Free Little Library in Clarks.

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

The LSU AgCenter and LSU provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.

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