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

SNAP-ED Nutrition Educator II is continuing teaching SNAP-ED nutrition classes with multiple Tangipahoa Parish schools and multiple parish counseling on aging centers. The Tangipahoa Parish AgCenter works diligently in multiple parish schools and community gardens teaching about food nutrition education classes throughout the parish and community to improve nutrition education.

4-H Youth Development

Tangipahoa Parish 4-H enrollment is approximately 754 students. We reach over 2,000 youth across Tangipahoa Parish among various parish activities. Some of our 4-H activities are open to the public and not just 4-H participants. We believe that we have approximately an additional 150 youth that attend monthly club meetings that we do not have in our enrollment system. This year we had 37 clubs across the parish (35 school clubs and 2 community clubs). Our parish reaches a very diverse audience of youth. Enrollment continues to increase in the Shooting Sports Project Club, Poultry Project Club, Livestock Project Club and the Sewing Club projects. These increases led to a greater representation of Tangipahoa Parish 4-H on both a regional and state level. Some of our Shooting Sports and Livestock participants even compete on a national level. The Tangipahoa Parish Junior Leader Club is composed of 22 members of which 15 are active on a parish, regional, and state level.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Horticulture - Tangipahoa is one of the top horticultural crop-producing parishes in Louisiana, with approximately 1000 acres of commercial nursery crop, vegetable, and fruit production. Local LSU AgCenter support for fruit and vegetable growers includes one-on-one assistance and Tangi-Washington Grower Updates emailed to growers and posted on the LSU AgCenter website, workshops, recertifications, and technical assistance. The LSU AgCenter provides support to Tangipahoa Parish gardeners with one-on-one assistance, weekly news articles, and presentations in the community. During 2022, volunteers with the Louisiana Master Gardener program logged 2218 hours of volunteer service. Fourteen new volunteers completed the 14-week LMG course. Volunteer hours are valued at $26.33 per hour in Louisiana. Volunteer work strengthens our organization and our communities.

Livestock/Pasture - Programming included working with current and new producers in Tangipahoa Parish who need assistance with forage, hay, pesticide, and cattle issues as well as working with farmers as a consultant on new and ongoing production practices including beef and dairy cattle. Working with many producers and homeowners for pond issues by answering calls and field visits. Participated in Tangipahoa Parish Cattlemen’s Association Annual meeting to promote the AgCenter and build clientele network.

Forestry/Wildlife - Programs curated specifically for students in Tree Identification, Wildlife, and renewable natural resources. Teacher training is now being conducted at site specific locations. Future semesters will include field trips where students will increase their knowledge of water quality, forestry, wildlife, and renewable natural resources. Evaluations for students and teachers will be conducted to evaluate programming impact. Landowner meetings to help participants increase knowledge on estate planning and timber taxes concentrating on recent losses from Hurricane Ida. ANR Regional Committee worked together to host a regional ANR training for agents covering soil and pond water quality testing.

Sea Grant / Marine Extension

Louisiana Sea Grant Marine Extension Program (LSG MEP) is a joint extension effort with the LSU AgCenter promoting science-based information and tools through outreach and education that support our thriving coastal communities. Marine Extension Agents reside in parishes across the coast implementing programming to improve local habitats, recreational and commercial fishing industries, extend education programs to youth and adults, encourage resilient planning, and develop economic opportunities through local partnerships. In Tangipahoa Parish, LSG MEP is involved in youth education at schools and wetland education events at local state parks. Communities have received resiliency outreach on the potential effects of tropical storm preparedness and recovery. Pond workshops occur biennially, with opportunities for individual consulting as needed. Support efforts to reduce pollution in local waterways, historically through the Parish Water Quality Taskforce and Dairy Lagoon Research-based outreach, and currently through youth education programs, and Master Gardener Programming.

Whom we reach

Youth programming (includes over 750 4-H members with over 150 adult volunteers, 39 school 4-H Clubs) and (818 youth and over 150 adults through nutrition education classes) Adult and Youth programming through agriculture and natural resources and through family consumer sciences programs.

How we reach them:

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

Expanding our efforts:

175 volunteers from 4-H, Master Gardeners, family and community and Master Cattlemen.

Parish Facts

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife, and animal enterprises to Tangipahoa Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $49,617,987; aquaculture and wildlife, $270,000; plant enterprises, $42,664,034.

Land area — 791.17 square miles; Population —138,064; Population under 18 years old — 24.6%; Population 65 years old and over — 15.6%; Median household income — $57,256; Persons below poverty — 19%

Local Issues & Plans for this year

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana Agriculture

• Conduct prescribed burn field day
• Conduct master cattlemen field day
• Conduct pond and watershed workshops
• Conduct farm and home educational visits
• Conduct pesticide safety training workshops and recertifications
• Keep public abreast of ongoing events, workshops, and information through social media, and website content
• Write news column, webpage content and seminars on agriculture practices

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

• Before and after hurricane tree care seminars
• 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 programs with schools and 4-H youth to grow native grasses and understand watershed and runoff benefits and issues
• Conduct workshops on disaster preparedness, grab and go boxes, storm cleanup and house cleaning after a storm

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H youth development

• Develop and implement service-learning projects throughout the parish
• Junior Leaders work with CASA, character education projects, and sewing club members on promoting youth development activities
• Implement and lead livestock and adulting projects to enrich youth development

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