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

Family and Consumer Sciences

In the current economic climate, wise money management is critical to everyone. Twenty-seven employees of the Office of Family Support participated in a four-week series through the Saving and Investing for Life (SAIL) program. Topics covered in the classes included wise use of credit, resolving credit issues, finding money to save, selecting a financial professional and investing for retirement. Six months after completing the program, one-third of the participants reported significantly paying down their debt, and one-half had opened their first savings account.

4-H Youth Development

The incidence of youth obesity is rising at an alarming rate, not only in St. Martin Parish, but across the country. In a six-week series of classes, 1,325 4-H youth learned to make healthy food choices and learned about the role exercise plays in improving health. Participants also toured the LSU AgCenter Body Walk exhibit. As a result of participating in this program, 30% of youth reported including at least one new fruit or vegetable in their diet and, according to exercise logs, one-fourth increased the amount of exercise they do weekly by 30 minutes.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

The Louisiana coastline is eroding daily. St. Martin Parish residents are concerned about this erosion and have decided to do something to address it. They have undertaken a comprehensive effort, which included participating in Acorns of Hope, a tree planting program in coastal parishes to help protect from storm surge and wind damage. More than 100 youth and adults learned about tree planting and planted 700 live oaks in the coastal areas of the parish. Another 2,000 trees were donated by the Tree Board and Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program and were planted by 275 residents.

Whom We Reach:

• 47,945 youth (includes 861 4-H members and 15 school 4-H Clubs)
• 5,300 adults (through agriculture and natural resources and 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:

150 volunteers from 4-H, Master Gardeners, Master Horseman, St. Martin Farm Bureau, St. Martin Cattlemen’s Association, family and community members

Parish Facts:

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife and animal enterprises to St. Martin Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $6,262,897; aquaculture and wildlife, $26,000,697; plant enterprises, $49,341,876. Land area — 737.65 square miles; Population —52,621; Population under 18 years old — 24.2%; Population 65 years old and over — 15%; Median household income — $47,279; Persons below poverty — 17.7%

Local Issues and Plans for This Year:

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Conduct sugarcane field day
• Conduct master vegetable field day
• Write news column, webpage content and seminars on agriculture practices
• Conduct farm and home educational visits

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

• Before and after hurricane tree care seminars
• Acorns of Hope coastal tree plantings
• Develop a comprehensive tree management plant and tree best management practices plan for guidelines of trees on public property
• Organize and present four storm surge modeling programs in the parish
• Conduct Coastal Roots program with coastal schools and 4-H youth to grow native grasses and mangrove trees

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Develop and implement service-learning projects throughout the parish
• Plant live oaks with Acorns of Hope for storm surge protection on coastal areas
• Junior Leaders will work with CASA, character education projects and fashion club members 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 cleanup 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