Catahoula 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 in Catahoula Parish face significant health challenges, including high rates of obesity, diabetes, and chronic disease, compounded by limited access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity. To address these issues, the LSU AgCenter’s Nutrition and Community Health programs provide education and outreach through classes, workshops, and community initiatives that promote balanced eating, food safety, and active lifestyles.

4-H Youth Development

The Stand Strong: Creating a Culture of Caring initiative equips 4-H members to recognize and address bullying, including cyberbullying, and understand roles and coping strategies. Youth participate in diverse activities such as pet shows, cookery contests, food challenges, shooting sports, service-learning projects, summer and challenge camps, and 4-H University. Hands-on experiences include livestock shows, Ag Adventures, and leadership development through club officer roles, Junior Leadership Club, parish contests, and the Regional Leadership Board.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Catahoula Parish is a major agricultural parish, producing cotton, corn, soybeans, wheat, grain sorghum, and rice. To help farmers address seasonal challenges and sustain profitability, the LSU AgCenter offers vital resources such as on-farm core block variety and fertility demonstrations, which provide performance data for informed planting and management decisions. Each year, a private pesticide training is conducted for producers and agricultural workers, along with educational programs tailored to local needs. This year’s Wildlife and Invasive Species Workshop and Haymakers Conference delivered practical strategies for pest control and forage management. In addition, Delta Master Gardener members actively engage with the community, sharing their expertise through hands-on projects and outreach.

Whom we reach:

• Youth: 1,250 (includes 262 4-H members in 7 school clubs, Cloverbuds, and shooting sports)
• Adults: 1252 (750 in agriculture and natural resources; 502 in 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:

250 volunteers support 4-H, nutrition and community health programs, producer demonstrations, multi-parish/state initiatives, and Ag Adventures.

Parish Facts:

LSU AgCenter agents deliver research-based information on plants, aquaculture, wildlife and animal enterprises. Commodity values: animal enterprises, $6,584,066; aquaculture and wildlife, $1,615,142; plant enterprises, $91,028,985.

Demographics: Land area — 709.3 square miles; Population —8,906; Under 19 years old — 24.03%; Age 65 + —18.2%; Median household income — $47,753; Poverty rate — 28.1%

Local issues and plans for this year

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Offer parish pesticide recertification and worker protection training
• Continue sharing up-to-date educational content on the parish website and social media
• Conduct on farm demonstrations and continue to conduct farm and home educational visits.
• Present to local libraries giving talks about gardening and other plant issues
• Continue providing producers with up-to-date educational resources on crop and livestock production

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

• Promote regional forestry seminars educating forest landowners on best management practices, sustainability, economics of forest management
• Promote regional wildlife and habitat management workshops applicable to Catahoula parish
• Continue providing education to parish clientele on effective management strategies for wildlife and invasive species pests

Build youth leaders and healthy citizens with 4-H Youth Development

• Develop youth leadership skills
• Implement service-learning projects
• Promote communication, healthy living, and safety
• Increase participation in parish, regional and state events

Strengthen families and communities

• Hold youth cooking seminars and physical activity promotion.
• Conduct food tastings and demonstrations focused on healthy eating at the Harrisonburg Farmer’s Market.
• Encourage healthier choices and help families build sustainable habits for improved health and well-being

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: www.LSUAgCenter.com