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

Health SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education) is our nutrition intervention program. It is designed to help primarily food stamp recipients make wise food choices that are healthy and safe. The program also helps families select and prepare meals consistent with their cultural traditions, while improving their overall health. The nutrition educator delivered research- based, family focused programs consistent with the program’s mission. Participants in SNAP-Ed are exposed to food taste-testing, parenting and childcare education and nutritional education. As a result, the underserved residents of St. James Parish have reported an improvement in their quality of life.

4-H Youth Development

St. James Parish 4-H provides community youth with opportunities to develop life skills through experiential learning activities, school enrichment, and extracurricular programing. During the 2023-24 school year approximately 4000 youth gained knowledge in the areas of agriculture, leadership, workforce preparation, service learning, healthy living, citizenship, and science, engineering, and technology. St. James 4-H gives youth endless opportunities to work with caring adult volunteers to foster personal growth and become well rounded citizens through the 4-H Thriving Model. Highlights of the year include, Livestock Shows, 4-H University, Summer Camp, Shooting Sports, Party with the Pumpkins, Fall and Spring Cookeries, Safety Day, LEGO STEM Camp, and other 4-H events.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sugarcane is the most valuable row crop commodity in St. James Parish. It is produced on approximately 27,238 acres and creates an economic impact of over $48.809,828.00 Soybean production remains steady in St. James Parish. In 2024 producers grew soybeans on 5228 acres. Perique tobacco, a crop unique to our parish, was grown on approximately 75 acres. Producer field days and meetings for all row crop commodities were conducted throughout the year on topics including pest management, planting methods, and new varieties. Research was conducted on soybeans and sugarcane in St. James parish. Wildlife Field Day, Tomato Field Day and horticulture library series were also held. Other educational events included Burn certification and pesticide certification workshops and worker protection standards meetings.

Whom we reach:

• 30,301 youth (includes 400 4-H members and 12 school 4-H Clubs)
• 15,901 adults (3,548 agriculture and natural resources and 21,353 family)

How we reach them:

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

Expanding our efforts:

350 volunteers from 4-H, Master Gardeners, family, and community volunteers are essential to our programs.

Parish Facts:

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife, and animal enterprises to St. James Parish residents. The 2024 total dollar amount from these commodities were: —Plant - $38,579,809 —Fisheries and wildlife - $2,208.250 —Animal - $539,322

Data from the Louisiana Ag Summary Web site: LSUAgCenter.com/agsummary

Population – 20,192, Land area - 258 square miles, Persons under 18 years old - 23%, Persons 65 years old and over - 18%, Median household income - $56,207, Persons below poverty - 12%

Local issues and plans for this year:

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Conduct sugarcane field day and grower meeting
• Conduct tomato field day
• Conduct Library Series
• Write news columns, webpage content and seminars on agriculture practices
• Conduct farm and home educational visits

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Develop and implement service-learning projects throughout the parish
• Junior Leaders will work with community organizations on promoting youth development activities

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 clean-up and house cleaning after a storm
• Teach classes on reducing credit balances and examining spending habits

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