Livingston Parish Profile

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

Family and Consumer Sciences

Monthly nutrition programs are being offered at the Maurepas Meal Site (Council on Aging) and the Livingston Council of Aging. The participants will receive a lesson such as “MyPlate for Seniors” and “Break up with Salt” among others. Programs will also include food demonstrations and tasting as well as recipes following each lesson. Conducted programs in collaboration with the 4-H program at Camp Empowerment, Parks & Rec of Denham Springs (PARDS) Summer Camp. Nutrition information was also offered at community events such as the Annual Extravaganza Back to School Giveaway and Mighty Moms Community Resource Event.

4-H Youth Development

In Livingston Parish, 1,151 youth are enrolled in 38 school clubs and 2 community clubs to participate in the 4-H program. Through hands-on experiential learning, these youth acquire knowledge, develop life skills, and form attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society. They participate in competitions, workshops, project clubs, overnight and day camping activities, leadership, service-learning projects, and civic engagement opportunities. Shooting Sports, Livestock, Sewing, and Jr Leader are project clubs that are offered.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Residents and farmers receive information through one-on-one assistance, weekly news articles, and community presentations throughout the year. 32 new Master Gardener volunteers were trained and added to the Livingston Master Gardener Association. They provide support to agriculture educational support at community fairs and festivals, presentations at parish libraries, and community beautification projects. An educational workshop was held to provide updated information on best practices for strawberry growers. Additionally, support is provided to farmers applying for Good Agricultural Practices certification. Beef producers have programming opportunities offered through newsletters, a fall field day, and a spring tour. Forest Landowners gathered for their Annual Meeting. They heard about current issues facing forest landowners and the state of the timber industry in Louisiana.

Whom We Reach:

  • 7,248 youth (includes 1,151 4-H members, 39 school 4-H Clubs, PARDS, Camp Empowerment, and school programs)
  • 37,413 adults (include agriculture and natural resources and family consumer sciences)

How We Reach Them:

4-H Clubs, school enrichment, field days, publications, newsletters, class series, demonstrations, website, workshops, and social media.

Expanding Our Efforts:

200 volunteers from 4-H, Master Gardeners, Family and Community, Master Cattle Producers & Community and Master Horseman.

Parish Facts:

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, animal, forestry, aquaculture, and wildlife enterprises to Livingston Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $14,305,291; aquaculture and wildlife, $24,127,040; plant enterprises, $29,475,129.

Land area — 1,254.92 square miles; Population —139,567; Population under 18 years old — 25.6%; Population 65 years old and over — 13.2%; Median household income — $60,456; Persons below poverty — 11.4%

Local Issues and Plans For This Year:

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

  • Conduct beef field day and beef tour
  • Conduct forestry annual meetings and forestry tour
  • Write webpage content and seminars on agriculture practices
  • Conduct farm and home educational visits

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

  • Increase knowledge of Personal Development through monthly club meetings
  • Work to enhance the Jr. Leader program by recruiting new members. Jr. Leaders are working with community leaders and youth with disabilities to complete their service-learning project
  • Enhance the existing volunteer development program to include additional resources and incentives

Strengthen families and communities

  • Classes on how to eat a healthy diet and how to be more physically active will be conducted for Livingston Adult Ed students
  • By participating in nutrition programs, Head Start students will learn how to be healthy from the inside out
  • A Dining with Diabetes series will be offered to help adults at risk for type 2 diabetes learn how to manage this condition through menu planning, carbohydrate counting, portion control, and label reading.

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
  • Family and Consumer Sciences

Innovate . Educate . Improve Lives

The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture

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