Program Highlights

Agriculture & Natural Resources -

? Horticulture
The interest in growing fresh vegetables has resulted in a continuous demand for programs on home vegetable gardening, home fruit production, school and community vegetable gardening. Teachers, students and homeowners participate in a series of classroom lessons, workshops at the Audubon Zoo Auditorium, libraries in Jefferson Parish and visits to the LaSalle Park for hands-on training. These activities work to increase personal health, reduce child and adult obesity, increase knowledge and demonstrate the ability to grow fresh fruit and vegetables.

? Fisheries/Coastal Restoration

The LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant Program is focused on four major initiatives in Jefferson Parish; urban fisheries, Lake Pontchartrain aquatic resources, Louisiana Master Naturalist Program and coastal development.

Family, Nutrition & Health -

? EFNEP: The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Team includes 1 Area Agent working in general nutrition and EFNEP and 1 nutrition paraprofessional. The team taught 2,900 youth in grades 3-12 and over 50 families using the Smart Choices, Smart Bodies and Smart Gardens curricula. Impacts on childhood obesity includes students reporting eating vegetables, choosing healthy snacks and engaging in physical activity.

? 4-H Youth Development
Jefferson Parish 4-H Clubs is a community of young people learning leadership, citizenship, and life skill.

· Belonging- Youth need to know they are created about and feel a sense of connection.

· Independence- Youth need to know they are able to influence people and events through decision-making and action.

· Generosity- Youth need to know their lives have meaning and purpose.

· Mastery- Youth need to know they are capable, through experiences, to succeed at solving problems, meeting challenges and developing self-confidence.

Jefferson Parish Profile

Jefferson Parish

Extension Office

Address:

1221 Elmwood Park Blvd

Suite 300

Jefferson, LA 70121

Phone: 504-736-6519

Fax: 504-736-6527

Email:
jefferson@agcenter.lsu.edu

Web site:
LSUAgCenter.com/Jefferson

Hours: 8:00a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Elizabeth Gambel
Parish Chair
egambel@agcenter.lsu.edu

Michael Mosley
Administrative Coordinator

mmosley@agcenter.lsu.edu

Programs:

4-H, Youth & Family Development

Citizenship/Leadership

Science, Engineering & Technology

Healthy Living

Agriculture & Natural
Resources (ANR)

Fisheries/Coastal Issues

Environment/Watersheds

Horticulture/Lawns and Gardens

Youth & Community Gardens

Pest Management

Family, Nutrition and Health

Smart Portions

Smart Bodies

Healthy Beginnings

Community Nutrition

Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP Ed)

2014

Who we reach:

5,867 - Youth (includes 467 4-H members, 29 school 4-H clubs,2700 Youth Wetlands members & 2700 Smart Bodies participants )

17,740 - Adults
7,715 Ag & Natural Resources 10,025 Nutrition & Family Development

How we reach them:

· 4-H clubs/camp Facebook

· School Enrichment Publications

· Field Days Demonstrations

· Newsletters Web sites

· Workshops

Expanding our efforts:
516 Volunteers

· 4-H (269)

· Master Gardeners (145)

· Jefferson Volunteers for Family & Community (102)

Report to Jefferson Parish Stakeholders

Parish Facts

LSU AgCenter County Agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife and animal enterprises to Jefferson Parish clientele. The 2014 total dollar amount from these commodities were:
— Plant enterprises - $28,833,407

— Fisheries and wildlife - $35,800,018

— Animal enterprises - $16,974,755

Data from the 2014 Louisiana Ag Summary
Web site: LSUAgCenter.com/agsummary

Population - 432,552

Land area (square miles) - 295.63
Persons under 18 years old - 22.5%

Persons 65 years old and over - 13.6%

Median household income - $48,175

Persons below poverty - 14.2%

Local Issues & Plans for this year.

1. Promoting awareness and benefits of agriculture in our urban setting:

Training parish residents on Best Management Practices for home vegetable gardens, school and community gardens and flower gardens through site visits, County Agent days, club and group meetings. Conduct the annual Louisiana Master Gardener program training.

2. Strengthening families and communities:

Provide series of lessons on topics of nutrition, health and family issues related to Jefferson Parish residents of all ages.

Implement Smart Portions Program to educate participants about nutrition, physical activity and eating habits for better health. Choosing recommended servings of foods from MYPLATE for Americans is emphasized.

4. Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H youth development:

Youth will participate in service learning projects throughout the year, including collecting gently used clothes and redistributing them to needy families.

A parish-wide community service learning program called “Geauxing Green” is underway, featuring poster and bookmark contests along with demonstrations performed by the students as part of their school programs.

2014

*Local Funding:

Jefferson Parish Council

Jefferson Parish School Board