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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.
Ouachita Parish fares slightly worse than the average parish in Louisiana for population health and well-being and worse than the average county in the nation according to County Health Rankings data. Ouachita Nutrition and Community Health (NCH) Programs include our signature general nutrition program known as "Flavors of Health". Nutrition education is conducted through series of classes, special events, and social marketing to promote wellness and healthy lifestyles. Partnerships have been formed through a Healthy Communities Coalition to promote policies, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes to make healthy choices easier.
The Ouachita 4-H Club focus for 2025-2026 is Science for elementary schools and Career Development for middle and high schools. Ouachita 4-H maintains project clubs in esports, junior leadership, livestock, photography, robotics, seaperch, shooting sports, and zoology. A variety of camps, citizenship opportunities, contests and workshops are available to our youth throughout the 4-H Program on parish, regional, and state levels. These opportunities target the three 4-H mission mandates: Citizenship; Healthy Living; and Science, Engineering, and Technology.
Horticulture programming includes performing home and farm visits, an annual gardening seminar, presentations to local and statewide garden clubs as well as other community groups, a monthly lawn and garden article in BayouLife Magazine, and a weekly lawn and garden television segment on KARD Fox 14. The North Louisiana Seed Preservation Program continues to expand its heirloom seed holdings with emphasis placed on nearly lost LSU vegetable varieties and heirloom vegetables specific to northern Louisiana. The second annual statewide seed swap is scheduled for 2026.
4-H Clubs, school enrichment, field days, publications, newsletters, news articles, television, class series, demonstrations, school/community gardens, social media, website, special events, workshops, coalition meetings, virtual programs, and PSE changes.
Volunteers from 4-H, Master Gardeners, Nutrition and Community Health, Healthy Communities, and Horticulture contributed 15,136 hours of volunteer time for a total dollar value of $434,403.
LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife and animal enterprises to Ouachita Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $18,006,482; aquaculture and wildlife, $6,064,155; plant enterprises, $58,871,096 (Source: Louisiana Summary 2024). Land area – 610.4 square miles; Population - 158,036; Population under 18 years old - 24.73%; Population 65 years old and over - 15.46%; Median household income - $51,241; Persons below poverty - 24%.
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.
For the latest research-based information on just about anything, visit our website: LSUAgCenter.com
Ouachita Parish Profile 2026pdf / 0.43MB