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

Madison Parish is one of twelve parishes with a 40% obesity rate; these parishes are considered high obesity parishes by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The LSU AgCenter facilitates the Madison Parish Healthy Communities Coalition which is a group of community members, partner organizations, and stakeholders that come together to identify barriers to health and work towards solutions to make it easier for residents to make the easy choice. Through the Healthy Communities program, the coalition has identified several ways to make improvements to the built environment of the parish, create avenues to access healthy and nutritious foods, and developed many important partnerships with lawmakers and organizations that serve the area.

4-H Youth Development

Health in Madison Parish is a concern that the Madison 4-H Advisory Leadership Council decided that needs to be addressed. Therefore, Healthy Living education is a major area of programming for Madison Parish 4-H, and the goal of the program is to increase the health outcomes and behaviors inside of the parish by educating youth. Survey data from previous years of programming showed that 98% of youth felt confident in helping their families substitute at least one healthier food option into their diet. Ultimately, these standards have led to the longstanding relationship with the FCS program Madison Parish Healthy Communities to help implement policy, system, and environmental changes for the communities of Madison Parish. Using some members of Madison 4-H Junior Leadership Club, the MADHYPE Youth Coalition was formed to ensure that their future inheritance of Madison Parish would include health. This youth coalition began as a piloted-program that began in Tallulah, LA and the framework is now being implemented across the State of Louisiana.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Madison Parish is in the heart of the fertile Mississippi River Delta making us an agriculture driven economy. Producers are continually facing fluctuating commodity prices along with increasing input cost making profit margins tight. Crop production demonstrations include variety trials, and irrigation efficiency are conducted on local producers’ field along with soil fertility trial to promote stewardship of land us and nutrient management. Assistance with home gardens is provided as one of the many services for Madison Parish Extension Office.

Whom we reach:

• 210 youth (4-H members and 5 school 4-H Clubs, and social enrichment programs)
• Over 1,000 adults in Agriculture and Natural Resources
• 6,851 adults (Population in parish directly affected by coalition interventions) 28 youth (MADH.Y.P.E. Youth Coalition members)

How we reach them:

• Healthy Communities Coalition Meetings, MADHYPE Youth Coalition Meetings.
• 4-H Clubs and 4-H Junior Leader Meetings, school enrichment, field days, publications, newsletters, class series, website, social media and workshops
• ANR: field days, emails, newsletters, social media (Facebook, twitter and podcast), farm visits

Expanding our efforts:

• 57 Volunteers from 4-H.
• 32 adult volunteers (community leaders/stakeholders) in the Madison Parish Healthy Communities Coalition

Parish Facts:

• LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife and animal enterprises to Madison Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $1,403,228; aquaculture and wildlife, $214,067; plant enterprises, $171,156,675
• Land area — 624 square miles; Population —10,015; Population under 18 years old — 25%; Population 65 years old and over — 17.8%; Median household income — $36,875; Persons below poverty — 35.3%

Local Issues and Plans for this Year:

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Conduct on farm crop variety trial, irrigations demonstrations use moisture sensors, surge valves and computerized hole selection
• Conduct farm and home educational visits
• Write webpage content, record podcasts, YouTube videos and seminars on agricultural practices
• Conduct research-based demonstrations and encourage implementation of new practices
• Private Pesticide Applicator Certification

Promote the wide use of natural resources and protection of the environment

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Conduct farm and home educational visits
• Record Podcast, newsletters, record educational videos
• Conduct on farm variety trial and irrigation and moisture sensor demonstration

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Develop and implement service-learning projects throughout the parish
• MADHYPE will work with community stakeholders and community members to promote policy, system, and environmental changes related to health and youth programming

Strengthen families and communities

• Family Nutrition Program clients receive training on feeding their families nutritionally on a budget
• Conduct workshops on disaster preparedness, grab and go boxes, storm cleanup and house cleaning after a storm

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