St. Tammany 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 improving the overall health of residents by helping to reduce chronic diseases which are related to poor nutrition and sedentary lifestyles and improving the health outcomes in which Louisiana has traditionally ranked so low. This community-based work helps individuals and families adopt the nutrition and physical activity principles we have long been teaching.

4-H Youth Development

St. Tammany Parish 4-H offers youth opportunities to build life skills through hands-on learning, school enrichment, and community programs. With caring adult volunteers, 4-H fosters personal growth and citizenship through its essential elements: Belonging, Independence, Generosity, and Mastery. The program develops leadership, responsibility, and life skills using experiential learning and positive youth development. While rooted in agriculture, today’s 4-H emphasizes citizenship, healthy living, and STEM education. Its motto, “To Make the Best Better,” and slogan, “Learn by Doing,” reflect its mission to prepare youth for success and lifelong learning.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

As St. Tammany Parish grows, the need for landscape care increases. Louisiana Master Gardener (LMG) volunteers provide residents with research-based horticultural knowledge to maintain healthy landscapes. Extension Agents train new LMG volunteers annually and host spring and fall garden seminars, along with the Northshore Garden Show, to share practical gardening information. Several parish schools maintain gardens where students collaborate with ANR Extension Agents and LMG volunteers to reinforce classroom lessons and meet grade-level expectations, promoting hands-on learning and environmental stewardship.

Whom We Reach

• 68,736 youth (4-H Clubs, School Enrichment, Character Education, Livestock, Shooting Sports, Adopt a Pond Programming)
• 47,327 adults (Ag & Natural Resources, FCS, Marine Extension / Fisheries, Louisiana Master Gardener), home visits, news articles and publications

How We Reach Them

4-H school clubs, before and after school 4-H clubs, 4-H community clubs, 4-H homeschool clubs, 4-H project clubs, shooting sports practices & classroom instruction, livestock clinics, social media platforms, seminars, demonstrations, workshops, newsletters, publications, field days and site visits

Expanding Our Efforts

550 volunteers from 4-H Club Leaders, 4-H Livestock, FCS, Marine Extension/Fisheries, 4-H Shooting Sports, 4-H Junior Leadership and Louisiana Master Gardener Volunteers

Parish Facts

LSU AgCenter Extension Agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife, and animal enterprises to St. Tammany Parish residents. The value of these commodities was: Animal Enterprises, $52,111,180; Fisheries & Wildlife Enterprises, $2,619,236; Plant Enterprises, $41,632,226.

Total area: 1,124 square miles (land: 845.3, water: 278.7); Population: 264,570 (under 18 years old: 26.4%, 18 to 6years old: 57%, 65 and older: 16.3%) Median Household income: $82,337; Persons below poverty: 10%

Local Issues and Plans for this Year

Increase Productivity and Profitability of Louisiana Agriculture

• Work one on one with residents answering phone calls, responding to emails, and making site visits
• Provide gardening resources for residents, schools, and retail garden centers
• Continue major educational programs based on local needs
• Write newsletters articles, create online content and conduct seminars based on best agricultural practices
• Advise and consult local commercial vegetable and fruit operations

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

• Work with parish schools to continue the Adopt a Pond program
• Continue expanding the Shell Wetland Education Program which offers young people an opportunity to learn about wetlands and the environment through a hands-on approach
• Work with local area fisheries

Build Leaders and Good Citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Develop and implement service-learning projects throughout the parish
• Develop life skills, character, and knowledge through the 4-H Livestock Program
• Assist youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes so they may become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society through the Shooting Sports Program
• Build belonging by finding common ground, celebrating diversity, and creating shared service opportunities for inner‑city and rural youth. Promote agriculture awareness and careers in agriculture

Strengthen families and communities

• Nutrition and Community Health 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 to pregnant women or parents of infants to strengthen parents’ understanding of childrearing

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