Pointe Coupee 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

Nutrition and Community Health

In Pointe Coupee Parish, the food and nutrition score is 42/100, indicating a significant need for improved access to healthy food options and better nutrition education. The general nutrition program aims to promote health and prevent chronic diseases through comprehensive education. By offering classes such as Smart Portions and Dining with Diabetes, the program provides valuable knowledge on nutrition for health promotion and diabetes management. Additionally, the program collaborates with the school board's child nutrition program to educate children about healthy eating habits. It also encourages physical activity and literacy through initiatives like the story walk, fostering a complete approach to community well-being.

4-H Youth Development

The 2024-2025 school year, school club meeting for grades 4th-12th will explore “Water Works”. Youth will expand their knowledge on states of matter, the properties of water, watersheds, buoyancy, recycling, and more. Students can also join events like 4-H Camp, cookeries, Jr. Leader Club, Shooting Sports, Livestock Shows, workshops, 4-H University, and Achievement Day.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Pointe Coupee is a major agricultural parish that produces corn, cotton, soybeans, sugarcane, rice, and wheat; all being grown on approximately 165,000 acres. Pointe Coupee continues to be the largest sugarcane producing parish in Louisiana with approximately 72,680 acres in production. Pointe Coupee farmers rely on information from the LSU AgCenter to stay efficient and productive. Therefore, the parish hosts an annual Farm Forum with presentations from specialists and researchers who provide the most current research-based information available. Due to these trainings, producers can become better stewards of the land.

Extension Office

Physical & Mailing Address:
180 East Main St., 1st Floor, New Roads, LA 70760

Phone: 225-638-5533

Fax: 225-638-5550

Email: pointecoupee@agcenter.lsu.edu

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Website: www.LSUAgCenter.com/PointeCoupee

Social Media: Facebook: @PCLSUAgCenter

Parish Chair: Mark Carriere
mcarriere@agcenter.lsu.edu

Additional Contact:

Tara Manuel
Administrative Coordinator
tmanuel@agcenter.lsu.edu

Programs

  • 4-H and Youth Development
    • Gabriella Lorusso - glorusso@agcenter.lsu.edu
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources
    • Agronomic Crops – Mark Carriere – mcarriere@agcenter.lsu.edu
    • Horticulture & Livestock – Allison Decell – aspillman@agcenter.lsu.edu
  • Nutrition and Community Health
    Breanna Staab – bstaab@agcenter.lsu.edu

Whom We Reach:

  • 4,776 youth (includes 387 4-H members and 16 school 4-H Clubs)
  • 34,320 adults (9,085 through agriculture and natural resources and 25,235 through family consumer sciences)

How We Reach Them:

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

Expanding Our Efforts:

185 volunteers from 4-H, Master Gardeners, family and community and Master Horseman.

Parish Facts:

  • LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife and animal enterprises to Pointe Coupee Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $19,904,480; aquaculture and wildlife, $3,262,997; plant enterprises, $204,936,072.
  • Land area — 557.35 square miles; Population —20,151; Population under 18 years old — 21.3%; Population 65 years old and over — 23.2%; Median household income — $59,351; Persons below poverty — 20.1%

Local Issues and Plans for This Year:

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

  • Conduct on-farm variety trials in corn, cotton, soybean, and wheat
  • Make home and farm visits to provide educational information to solve problems
  • Certify private pesticide applicators and Worker Protection Standards (WPS) through Farm Forum
  • Conduct sugarcane variety field day with prescribed burn management certification
  • Work with NRCS to promote conservation programs

Increase Healthy Living through horticulture and environmental stewardship

  • Promote Best Management Practices (BMP) for gardens, lawns, landscapes, and fruit/vegetable trees
  • Conduct school garden programs to educate youth about healthy lifestyles
  • Pointe Coupee Master Gardener Program

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

  • Conduct school enrichment programs for youth to gain knowledge on states of matter, the properties of water, watersheds, buoyancy, recycling, and more
  • Junior Leaders will participate in yearly service-learning projects
  • Offer camp opportunities to strengthen independence of 4-H Youth
  • Create belonging for youth and parents by using social media
  • Continue hands-on workshops for youth
  • Promote outdoor safety through the 4-H Outdoor Skills Program

Strengthen families and communities.

The general nutrition program aims to promote health and prevent chronic diseases through comprehensive education. By offering classes such as Smart Portions and Dining with Diabetes, the program provides valuable knowledge on nutrition for health promotion and diabetes management. Additionally, the program collaborates with the school board's child nutrition program to educate children about healthy eating habits. It also encourages physical activity and literacy through initiatives like the story walk, fostering a complete approach to community well-being.

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.
  • Nutrition and Community Health.

For the latest research-based information on just about anything, visit our website: LSUAgCenter.com

Innovate . Educate . Improve Lives

The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture

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