St. Landry 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

Nutrition and Community Health agents and educators are working to enhance the well-being of residents by addressing chronic diseases linked to poor nutrition and sedentary lifestyle. In St. Landry Parish, the food and nutrition score is 42 out of 100, underscoring the urgent need for greater access to healthy food options and stronger nutrition education. Through the Flavors of Health initiative, programs such as Smart Portions, Dining with Diabetes, and Let's Eat for the Health of It, along with radio segments, news features, and youth culinary classes in partnership with 4-H, aim to promote healthier lifestyles and prevent chronic disease. All programs follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDA MyPlate recommendations.

4-H Youth Development

The 4-H program recognizes youth as important and valuable resource in communities. Through civic engagement and meaningful leadership roles, youth can develop life skills and social responsibility along with becoming more aware of what their community needs. Through the Junior Leader Club “Hunger and Poverty” service project; members conducted hygiene and nonperishable food supply drives, made hygiene bags for men’s shelter as well as community and schools blessing boxes/closets, and donated food to local food bank. As a result, 150 hygiene bags were made and 20 boxes of food were donated.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

St. Landry Parish is the most diversified parish in the state; nearly every major crop grown in the state is grown here. Soybeans, Sugarcane, and Rice are the leading crops planted in the parish, with 62,000, 28,000, and 28,000 acres grown annually, respectively. Crawfish production in 2024 showed 38,508 acres in ponds and over 19 million pounds produced. The livestock industry also has a great presence in St. Landry with equine and beef cattle production. St. Landry Parish is home to one of only seven livestock sale barns in the state and one of only four horse racing tracks. In May 2022, St. Landry Parish was designated as the “Equine Capital of Louisiana.”

Whom We Reach:

• 2,875 youth (includes 757 4-H members and 31 school 4-H Clubs)
• 4,571 adults (4,145 through agriculture and natural resources and 426 through nutrition and community health)

How We Reach Them:

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

Expanding Our Efforts:

150 volunteers from 4-H, ag producers, family and community, Master Cattleman, and Master Horseman.

Parish Facts:

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife, and animal enterprises to St. Landry Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $37,886,569; aquaculture and wildlife, $44,745,034; plant enterprises, $152,775,598.

Land area — 924.03 square miles; Population —80,869; Population under 18 years old — 26.3%; Population 65 years old and over — 17.5%; Median household income — $45,637; Persons below poverty — 23.2%

Local Issues and Plans for this Year:

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture.

• Educate producers on new issues facing the industry via newsletters, web page, social media, seminars, and farm visits.
• Conduct research and demonstration plots for area crops.
• Keep producers educated and informed concerning chemical industry & technology relative to GMO crops.
• Promote forage and soil testing and conduct beef and forage field day.

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

• Collaborate with local organizations; Soil and Water Conservation, Farm Service Agency, Farm Bureau, St. Landry Cattlemen, and others.

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development.

• Junior Leaders will work with local communities and organizations on their “environmental” service-learning project.
• 4-H club members will enhance engagement and learning in the area of STEM as well as career opportunities available. Youth will be engaged in hands-on STEM educational programs through club meetings, Cloverbuds, school enrichment programs, as well as workshops and regional/state competitions.

Strengthen families and communities.

• Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program will educate families with knowledge and skills to improve their quality of health. By participating in this program, the residents of St. Landry Parish with limited resources will have the opportunity to learn how to make wise food choices, stretch their food dollars, handle food more safely, be more physical active, and lower their risk of chronic diseases. This program is for both youth and adults.
• Continue collaboration with Horticulture Agent, aiming to provide a comprehensive approach to health through integrated horticulture and nutrition education.
• Senior nutrition education will remain a top priority, with plans to introduce new programs and resources tailored to the needs of our senior community.

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:

• Nutrition and Community Health
• 4-H and Youth Development
• Agriculture and Natural Resources

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