Claiborne 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 & Community Health (NCH) programs offer youth and adult nutrition education and community outreach in Claiborne Parish. We provide three major programs: SNAP-Ed, CDC High Obesity Program and Flavors of Health. The SNAP-Ed program offers free nutrition lessons and information to SNAP recipients. The LSU AgCenter CDC- HOP program is an initiative that makes Louisiana towns healthier places to live, work, learn, and play. We help communities identify local food and physical activity needs. Then, local coalitions work together to make healthy food and physical activity safe, accessible, and affordable for the whole community. The Flavors of Health program focuses on general nutrition and health, offering classes and workshops on a variety of topics that empower individuals and families to make healthy food and fitness choices.

4-H Youth Development

The Claiborne Parish 4-H Youth Development program provides youth ages 9-19 with opportunities to build a sense of belonging in their communities. Participants develop life skills through workshops, trips, club meetings, and social activities. About 16% of the 1,383 students in grades 2-12 are enrolled, including those from local schools. The program focuses on leadership, character development, and service, with yearly educational themes shaped by input from both adults and youth. Activities include Outdoor Skills Shooting Sports, Livestock Club, and Junior Leadership. The Shooting Sports program emphasizes firearm safety, environmental responsibility, and civic engagement. The Water Fest program educated over 300 youth on water conservation in 2024, and the Clover Buds program serves 2nd and 3rd grade students.

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Our parish provides citizens with a variety of services. These included soil sampling through LSU AgCenter Soil Lab., forage and hay sampling and water sampling through LSU AgCenter Chemistry Department. Staff of our office work closely with local commodity groups such as the Claiborne Parish Cattlemen’s Association and governmental organizations such as USDA, NRCS, SUDA Farn Service Agency and the Claiborne Parish Farm Bureau Federation to increase knowledge and assist area stockholders through a wide variety of educational opportunities.

Whom We Reach:

  • 42,785 youth (includes 1,250 4-H members and 36 school 4-H Clubs)
  • 24,901 adults (3,548 through agriculture and natural resources and 21,353 through family consumer sciences)

How We Reach Them:

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

Expanding our efforts:

150 volunteers from 4-H, Cattlemen, Claiborne Fair Association, Claiborne Master Gardeners, Masters, family, and community.

Parish Facts

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife, and animal enterprises to Claiborne Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $101,242; wildlife and fisheries, $1,379,838; plant enterprises, $70,063,411. Land area — 767 square miles; Population —15,670; Population under 18 years old — 23.5%; Population 65 years old and over -21.8%; Female – 46.3%. Median household income — $29,574; Persons below poverty – 28.8%

Local Issues & Plans for this year

Strengthen families and communities

  • Businesses will receive support and special programming from the AgCenter nutrition agent and educator
  • SNAP-Ed audiences have access to educational lessons and materials on the following topics: nutrition and wellness, diet and health, food purchasing, food dollar management, food safety, and gardening
  • CDC-HOP audiences will help to identify local food and physical activity needs
  • Flavors of Health clientele will also receive information and nutrition classes on cooking skills, grocery shopping strategies, small goal setting, healthy habit development, exercise and physical activity guidance, weight management, and diet-disease

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

  • Before and after hurricane tree care seminars
  • Develop a comprehensive tree management plant and tree best management practices plan for guidelines of trees on public property
  • Organize and present four storm surge modeling programs in the parish

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

  • Water Fest for water conservation
  • Annual Food Drive (collecting 3000 pounds of canned goods)
  • Educational Camps
  • Monthly club meetings with lessons (e.g., Life Skills, Growing Louisiana)

Youth Achievements:

  • Service on State 4-H Boards
  • One Louisiana 4-H Executive Board Regional Representative
  • One regional Ag Ambassador
  • One youth earned a Disney World trip and a trip to Atlanta, Georgia
  • One youth served as an Ag Ambassador for the NW Region

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

Innovate . Educate . Improve Lives

The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture

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