The LSU AgCenter is committed to providing effective and efficient programs that result in improved quality of life for the people of Louisiana through research and education. The LSU AgCenter works hard to respond to the needs of the people of Louisiana. We do this by involving local citizens who live and work in the community to identify needs and issues of local concern. The LSU AgCenter addresses these needs and concerns with researched based educational programs.

The volunteers are asked to serve on the Advisory Leadership Councils because of their leadership in the community, respect from peers, good communication skills, knowledge of the issues, being a team player, thinker, doer, and represent both traditional and non-traditional AgCenter audiences.

The Advisory Council also assists the LSU AgCenter in implementing and evaluating the educational programs that are developed in response to those needs. The Advisory Council lets us know the programs we conduct are relevant and current and that they are accessible to all who need them.

Serving on the Advisory Council helps members develop leadership potential. Members bring with them certain skills which they have an opportunity to share with other members and people of Lincoln Parish. Members assist with educational programs, take on a leadership role by serving as an officer and educator and serve as an ambassador for the LSU AgCenter.

The Advisory Council members help us create public awareness of the value of Extension and its programs. Many people are not aware of all the programs, resources, and services the LSU AgCenter provides. We rely on the Advisory Council to promote our educational programs, activities, and services for us.

We are grateful for the leaders who serve on our local, regional, and state advisory councils. Several weeks ago the Family and Consumer Sciences Advisory Council from Lincoln Parish met to identified and discuss the issues they felt were concerns/needs in our parish. he Advisory Council members priorities (the top three issues in each focus areas of Family and Consumer Sciences) are:

Family and Child Development:

• Need for respect in Schools/ Communication Skills.
• Grandparents and realities of rearing children.
• Increase in after school programs.

Nutrition and Health:

• Read food labels/how to shop.
• Meal planning/basic cooking skills/safe food handling and storage.
• Composting and growing organic food.

Family Resource Management:

• Coping with economic crisis/loss of jobs, practical and emotional.
• Repurposing job skills/small business start-up (support family vs. supplemental income.
• Budgeting and financial management checkbook/teaching financial management at all levels. This group is committed to identify ways to strengthen families.

The Family and Consumer Sciences Advisory Council members are trying to find ways to reach families and make an impact. The Advisory Council is looking for ways to empower families.

We salute our volunteers who serve on the FCS Advisory Council. If you would like to know more about the Advisory Council process, call our office at 318-251-5134.