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

The Expanded Foods and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap-Ed), and Flavors of Health (FOH) programs address personal nutrition and healthy environments. Lessons are taught in schools, camps, head start facilities, Senior centers, libraries, and faith-based venues. Total outreach Nutrition programs in 2024 included 2.243 youth and 2,729 adults. LSU
AgCenter nutrition programs also participate in "Healthy Community Projects," which is an initiative that makes Louisiana towns healthier places to live, work, learn and
play. Examples of these projects are school gardens, environmental messaging that promotes healthy behaviors, and policy changes. Total impact from Jefferson Parish
healthy community projects was 1,641 youth and adults.

Youth Development (4-H)

The urban 4-H program of Jefferson Parish offers programming for youth in K-12th grades to build STEM (Wetlands Education, Agriculture Education, Financial
Literacy, and more), Healthy Living, and Leadership skills. Through research-based educational activities, 4-H participants gain knowledge and life skills that enable
them to become positive, productive, capable, and compassionate members of their communities. Over 2,781 participated in youth programming in 2024.

Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR)

Public interest continues in growing and teaching others to grow fresh produce which has resulted in a continuous demand for programs on home vegetable gardening,
home fruit production, pollinator gardening, school gardening, and community vegetable gardening. Presently there are 266 trained Master Gardeners who provided a total of 22,128 volunteer hours educating the public in areas relating to
horticulture through projects including demonstration gardens at both LaSalle and Miley Playgrounds, pollination gardens, gardening seminars, and school gardens, workshops with town and parish departments relating to tree care. Our horticulturist continues to offer programs and resources to Jefferson residents, business owners, and community leaders to increase knowledge while demonstrating best practice
horticultural techniques.

Programs:

Nutrition & Community Health

• Parents Preparing for Success
• Family Resource Management
• Healthy Community Projects
• Nutrition and Health

4-H & Youth Development

• School and Community Groups
• Summer Camps
• Library Programs
• AgMagic
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) events

Agriculture & Natural Resources

• Environment/Watersheds
• Horticulture/Lawn and Garden
• Pest Management

Fisheries & Coastal Issues

• Direct Marketing/Quality Control of Regional Fisheries Products
• Fishery Bycatch
• Off-Bottom Polyploid Oyster Production
• Coastal Recreational Shell fishing
• Bucktown Marina Development Com.
• Commercial Fishing: Alternative Oyster Culture Anchoring System
• Bivalve Market: Commercial Clam Project

Whom we reach:

All Jefferson Parish residents are eligible for programming. Currently our office has impacted over 40,900 youth & 197,968 adults through in-person and virtual education.

How we reach them:

After-school programs, classroom clubs, series lessons, school enrichment, field days, demonstration gardens, workshops, lectures, publications, newsletters, website, and social media.

Expanding our efforts:

Community Volunteers allow our programs to thrive! Currently 792 volunteers contribute their time to 4-H, EFNEP, Master Gardeners, Nutrition and Community Health.

Parish Facts:

LSU AgCenter agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife, and animal enterprises to Jefferson Parish residents. Jeff Parish Geographic/Demographic Info: 300.9 square miles; Population —421,777;
Population under 18 years old — 22.1%; Population 65 years old and over — 19.5%; Median household income — $65,246; Persons below poverty — 17.1% (Source: US Census Bureau)

Local issues and plans for this year:

Agriculture and Natural Resources

• Need for simple gardening programs with instructions for use in schools, parks, and retirement communities
• Information on growing fruits and vegetables in school and home gardens
• Address direct marketing of fishery products
• Identify and research alternative bycatch fishery products
• Collaborate with Commercial Fishing industry: Alternative Oyster Culture Anchoring System

Nutrition and Community Health

• Address barriers to healthy eating for residents in Jefferson parish relating to accessibility and affordability to healthy foods; lack of knowledge of identifying healthy food and drink; and introducing healthy meals that are quick and easy to prepare.

Youth Development

• Address Healthy Living
• Address Adulting and Life Skills
• Provide printed information in the native language of our youth

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 we 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