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

4-H Youth Development

The youth of Plaquemines Parish are the future. 4-H contributes to that future by providing youth with the opportunity to learn and grow! We aim to teach them about the importance of protecting their local environment.We do this through 4-H clubs where youth do hands on lessons in STEM and natural resource education. We also offer aquatic education workshops, cooking contest, and other events that contribute to positive youth development. Our work relies on over 50 dedicated 4-H volunteers.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Agriculture and protection of natural resources are important to the Plaquemines Parish economy. With an over 300-year long history of commercial citrus and vegetable production, Plaquemines Parish continues to be an important producer of locally grown produce for the New Orleans consumer market. Challenges related to new disease pressures, invasive species, saltwater intrusion, and coastal land loss make growing in the area more challenging than ever before. Our program can help diagnose issues and connect to resources such as laboratory testing, management solutions, and new specialty crops to meet an increasing consumer demand for locally grown, high quality produce.

Fisheries and SeaGrant

Louisiana is the second largest producer of seafood in the United States, and Plaquemines Parish is a big contributor. The commercial fishery industries face a plethora of issues including regulation challenges, environmental change, rising costs, declining prices, and an overall aging of the industry. Plaquemines Parish is also plagued with land loss and other coastal issues. Our program works with industry members, local entities, and members of the communities to address these issues while providing outreach, hands-on training, and educational opportunities.

Extension Office

Our Address:
479 F. Edward Hebert Blvd, Suite 201
Belle Chasse, LA 70037

Office Hours:
8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Website: www.lsuagcenter.com/plaquemines

Programs

• 4-H & Youth Development
• School-Based 4-H Clubs
• Overnight Camps
• Chicken and Rabbit Club
• Leadership Training
• Cookery Contest
• Aquatic Education Workshops
• Agriculture & Natural Resources
• Horticulture/Lawn and Garden
• Commercial Citrus
• Commercial Vegetables
• Louisiana Master Gardener Program
• Environment/Watersheds
• Pest Management
• Livestock Production
• Weed Management
• Fisheries & SeaGrant
• Commercial Fisheries & Seafood
• Charter-for-Hire & Recreational Fisheries
• Coastal Restoration
• Youth Education
• Disaster Planning & Risk Reduction
• Ecotourism

Whom We Reach:

• Approximately 2200 youth (including 250 4-H members and 8 school 4-H Clubs)
• 3100 adults through agriculture & natural resources, fisheries & Sea Grant, and 4-H programs

How We Reach Them:

4-H Clubs, school enrichment activities, home-visits, site-visits, educational workshops, field days, Plaquemines Gazette articles, publications, newsletters, class series, website, social media and workshops.

Expanding Our Efforts:

We have 8 Master Gardeners and 53 4-H volunteers.

Parish Facts:

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife and animal enterprises to Terrebonne Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were:

• Fruit and Vegetable crops - $5,000,000 per year
• Nursery Crops - $9,500,000 per year
• Commercial Fisheries - $57, 032, 991 (2018)

• Land area — 780.17 square miles
• Population —22,516
• Population under 18 years old — 24.2%
• Population 65 years old and over — 14.9%
• Median household income — $69,970
• Persons in poverty — 14.5%

Local Issues and Plans for this Year:

The continued need for STEM and environmental science programming for youth

A crucial issue that is a priority in Plaquemines Parish is climate change and coastal restoration. To that end, 4-H programming has focused on STEM activities and natural resource education. We engage Plaquemines parish youth in activities that teach them about their local environment and the importance of protecting it. We also try to provide youth with a chance to engage with STEM topics in an exciting way that will have them considering a STEM focused career.

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

The increasing decline of local citrus orchards due to Citrus Greening Disease, vectored by the invasive Asian Citrus Psyllid insect is spurring local research in screenhouse technology and container culture for fruit-bearing trees. The protective screen keeps pests out and works to prevent the spread of Citrus Greening to the healthy trees inside. This research project is currently underway at the Fruit Under Screened Enclosures (FUSE) facility in Meraux, LA. Additional fruit crops such as guava, avocado, finger lime, and pawpaw are also under review.

Promote and assist local seafood producers

With commercial fishers facing daily challenges, Louisiana SeaGrant offers programming initiatives to teach them ways to grow their businesses and expand their practices. This includes proper licensing and regulation training, seafood markets, HACCP seafood processing workshops, and online market outlets such as Louisiana Direct Seafood. These efforts work to educate commercial fishers and introduce them to new market avenues.

How we are funded:

You are the local supporters and beneficiaries of the LSU AgCenter extension programs. Your support keeps these programs in your communities. Your parish extension office offers programs in:

• Sustaining Louisiana agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
• Building leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development.
• Family, nutrition and health to enhance the quality of life for Louisiana’s citizens.

LSU AgCenter State Appropriated Funds for FY 2022-2023:

• State general direct: 78.01%
• Federal funds: 12.06%
• Self-generated: 6.31%
• Statutory deductions: 3.62%