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

NCH agents deliver food demonstrations and lessons at libraries, hospitals, health fairs, and community centers. To encourage family engagement, NCH agents partnered with the school district for quarterly family engagement nights. They conducted Family Planting, Family Nutrition Bingo Nights, and Family Physical Activity Nights. Each event provides a lesson, activity, and a healthy snack. Families plant vegetables together, play nutrition bingo and take part in physical activities. Schools that have joined with NCH thus far consist of Sixth Ward Middle School, four elementary schools, and the Lafourche Parish Indian Education program.

4-H Youth Development

The Lafourche 4-H clubs meet monthly in all 35 schools and the Member-at-Large Club. During meetings, youth practice parliamentary procedure and engage in hands-on experiences with life skills lessons, including letter writing, vehicle care, and consumer decision-making. Throughout the year, project clubs are offered, including shooting sports, livestock, Junior Leaders, Equine program, and recently Robotics Club and SEWcial Club. Youth participate in various camps, such as 4-H Summer Camp, Shooting Sports Camp, Junior Leader Conference, Challenge Camp, 4-H Father/Son Camp, and Hunter Education Camp. At 4-H University 2024, members won 55 blue ribbon medals, including a team state championship in Hunting Skills and an individual state championship in Meat Identification. Lafourche Parish has three State Ambassadors and one State Leadership Board Member.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

The Saddle Chipping event, conducted by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, successfully microchipped over 40 saddles to expedite the recovery of stolen saddles. Additionally, over 20 heifers received the Brucellosis vaccination. Sugarcane Grower attended a workshop, two Private Pesticide Applicator Renewal Classes, and held Sugarcane Research/Extension Meeting. Stakeholders receive fact sheets, recommendations, and site visits to manage nuisance aquatic vegetation in ponds. Workshops are offered to oyster farmers, oystermen, shrimpers, and crab fishermen on product quality, marketing, business diversification, regulations, and safety. Up-to-date scientific information on coastal land loss, conservation, and restoration in Lafourche Parish.

Whom We Reach:

• 47,560 youth (includes 915 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:

Over 260 volunteers from 4-H, Master Gardeners, Master Horseman, family and community.

Parish Facts:

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plants, aquaculture, wildlife and animal enterprises to Lafourche Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $19,855,588; aquaculture and wildlife, $36,803,688; plant enterprises, $65,401,970. Land area — 1,067.79 square miles; Population —97,220; Population under 18 years old — 22.6%; Population 65 years old and over — 17.3%; Median household income — $61,381; Persons below poverty — 16.6%.

Local Issues and Plans for this Year:

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Conduct sugarcane field day
• Conduct surveys for Cattlemen on their needs at their meeting
• Write news columns, webpage content and seminars on agriculture practices
• Conduct farm and home educational visits

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Monthly lessons in life skills are conducted at monthly club meetings
• Expand programming outside of traditional 4-H programming
• Develop and implement the year’s hunger and poverty service-learning project throughout the parish
• Junior Leader officers participated in a retreat to research annual service-learning project opportunities. The project chosen by the club will culminate in a summer trip
• Develop and strengthen a stronger volunteer base through the Volunteer Roundup event

Strengthen families and communities

• Nutrition and Community Health clients receive training on feeding their families nutritionally on a budget
• Conduct workshops at local recreation facilities on bread making
• Teach classes to the youth of the parish on MyPlate, oral health and physical activity

How is Extension Funded?

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