Jefferson Davis Parish Profile

About the LSU AgCenter

The LSU AgCenter provides 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 and Community Health agents and educators are improving the overall health of residents by helping to reduce chronic diseases which are related to poor nutrition and sedentary lifestyles and improving the health outcomes in which Louisiana has traditionally ranked so low. This community-based work helps individuals and families adopt the nutrition and physical activity principles we have long been teaching.

4-H Youth Development

Jeff Davis Parish has over 750 youth enrolled in 23 traditional 4-H clubs for youth 9 to 19 years old. We incorporate hands-on learning activities/projects through schools, camps, & 4-H clubs as educational tools. Our focus areas are leadership, science, and service learning. To reach these goals we offer these specialized clubs such as Sewing, Livestock, Junior Leadership and Shooting Sports. Jeff Davis Parish will continue to strive to improve & build upon the already strong foundation set for their 4-H Youth Development Program.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Agriculture is the largest economic generator in Jeff Davis parish. In order to help producers achieve fiscally and environmentally efficient production, the LSU AgCenter provides the latest research-based recommendation through electronic newsletters, news articles, farm research plots, field days, educational clinics, yearly pesticide re-certifications, mass media, home/farm visits and access to specialists to address areas of concern. Community gardens are also used to promote a sense of teamwork and education for parish residents and students while also teaching them about the natural world.

Whom We Reach:

  • 8007 youth (includes 750 4-H members and 23 school 4-H Clubs)
  • 24,901 adults (4500 through agriculture and natural resources and 300 youth and adult volunteers)

How We Reach Them:

4-H Clubs, school enrichment, field days, publications, newsletters, class series, demonstrations, workshops, project clubs, on-farm research, commodity schools, website, and social media

Expanding Our Efforts:

300 Achievement Day participants, 60 youth will attend summer camp, 100 youth attended regional/state competition, 3 school 4-H Shooting Sports clubs were formed. Agriculture Producers participated in educational programs and private pesticide applicators were recertified

Parish Facts:

LSU AgCenter agents provide research-based information to Jefferson Davis Parish clientele. The top agricultural commodities in the parish are Rice – 87,378 acres, Soybeans – 3,250 acres, Crawfish – 74,960 acres, Sugarcane – 356 acres, Hay – 18,550 acres, Turf – 750 acres and Beef Cattle – 14,890 head.

The total value of agricultural commodities exceeds $205,384,788.00

Data from the 2023 Louisiana Ag Summary website: LSUAgCenter.com/agsummary

Population —31,553; Population under 18 years old — 25.2%; Population 65 years old and over — 17.4%; Land area — 652.5 square miles; Median household income — $56,500; Persons below poverty — 17.8%

Local Issues and Plans for This Year:

Nutrition and Community Health

  • Provide general nutrition education
  • Make available Healthy Community projects
  • Make clients aware of available educational literature and/or programs

4-H Youth Development

  • Develop and implement service-learning projects throughout the parish
  • Junior Leaders will work with elderly citizens, character education projects and promote youth development activities
  • Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H youth development

Agricultural and Natural Resources

  • Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture
  • Conduct result demonstrations in rice, soybean, beef, small grain and commercial turf production
  • Conduct commodity schools and field days for rice, soybeans and crawfish
  • Hold pesticide recertification classes
  • Conduct farm and home educational visits
  • Use mass media, personal contacts, farm visits and electronic media to inform producers
  • Use multiple methods to inform home gardeners on effective and environmentally sound practices for consumer horticulture production

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: LSUAgCenter.com

Innovate . Educate . Improve Lives

The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture

Top