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

Concordia Parish falls above the Louisiana state average in health data including stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. We are at a critical point in educating our youth and adult population on the risks of unhealthy lifestyles. Nutrition education is provided through NCH agents in the forms of classes, workshops, social media, and local outreach through promoting physical activity. Education focuses on eating a balanced diet, exercise, budgeting, and food safety. The Local Area Nutrition Agent has works with a Vidalia Safe Streets Coalition to create a safer, more equitable walking and biking environment for all to enjoy around the community!

4-H Youth Development

Concordia Parish focuses on enriching the lives of young people through interactive hands-on learning. This programming year focuses on Life Skills and Career Readiness. Project clubs include Growing Minds, Jr. Leaders, and Livestock. School enrichment is offered in sequence of learning experiences for youth in the classroom during school hours supporting the school curriculum. Program areas for school enrichment focus on Health Rocks, a program that focuses on life skills and decision-making development to reduce youth substance abuse. Opportunities for all youth and adult volunteers are provided throughout the year, including summer and specialty camps, virtual programming, contests, scholarships, and community service. Volunteer development efforts involve recruitment, training, and support of adult and teen volunteers to increase involvement and ownership of parish programming.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Concordia Parish is a key agricultural area, known for its production of cotton, corn, soybeans, wheat, grain sorghum, and rice. To assist local farmers in making informed planting decisions, we conduct core block variety demonstrations on farms throughout the parish, providing valuable performance data on different crop varieties. In addition to our work with row crops, we also offer support to homeowners by addressing their specific concerns. Each year, we host a pesticide recertification meeting to ensure our private applicators are up-to-date with the necessary certifications.

Whom We Reach

• 42,785 youth (includes 1,250 4-H members and 36 school 4-H Clubs)
• 24,901 adults (3,000 through agriculture and natural resources and 21,353 through family consumer sciences)

How We Reach Them

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

Expanding Our Efforts

150 volunteers from 4-H, Master Gardeners, Master cattlemen, family and community.

Parish Facts

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife, and animal enterprises to Concordia Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $2,802,650; plant enterprises, $104,305,625: fisheries & wildlife enterprises, $2,693,645. Land area — 697.05 square miles; Population —18,116; Population under 18 years old — 23.8%; Population 65 years old and over — 19.7%; Median household income — $36,157; Persons below poverty — 33.7%

Local Issues and Plans for This Year:

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Host regional winter meeting.
• Offer parish pesticide recertification and worker protection training.
• Produce content for social media accounts and podcasts.
• Conduct on farm demonstrations and help producers' problem solve issues.
• Present to local libraries giving talks about gardening and other plant issues.

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

• Before and after hurricane tree care seminars.
• Acorns of Hope coastal tree plantings.
• 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.
• Conduct Coastal Roots program with coastal schools and 4-H youth to grow native grasses and mangrove trees.

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Develop and implement service-learning projects throughout the parish.
• Plant live oaks with Acorns of Hope for storm surge protection on coastal areas.
• Junior Leaders will work with CASA, character education projects and fashion club members on promoting youth development activities.

Strengthen families and communities

• Family Nutrition Program clients receive training on feeding their families nutritionally on a budget.
• Conduct workshops on disaster preparedness, grab and go boxes, storm cleanup and house cleaning after a storm.
• Teach classes on reducing credit balances and examining spending habits.

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