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 & Consumer Sciences

The nutrition programs include the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Education and General Nutrition (Flavors of Health) programs.We offer education to the SNAP eligible public and the general public on food practices consistent with the most updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA MyPlate food icon. Participants in the programs gain knowledge needed to make healthier food choices on a budget while improving overall health and wellness and decreasing the risks of child and adult obesity. Flavors of Health provides classes and workshops on variety of topics that empower individuals and families to make healthy choices to live their most healthful lives.Programs include:Healthy Communities, Smart Portions, Dining with Diabetes, SMALL Changes, Health Habits, Faithful Families:Eating Smarter Moving More, Lunch and Learns, Food Safety, and outreach initiatives.

4-H Youth Development

Washington Parish 4-H programming has continued to grow over the last five years. Every public and private school within the parish has a 4-H Club. 4-H in Washington Parish continues to offer traditional programming for members, as well as workshops and numerous opportunities for members to collaborate with each other to shape parish programming. Washington Parish members continue to make their mark on Louisiana 4-H with the participation on state leadership boards, participation in state leadership activities and their willingness to step outside of their comfort zone when at state and regional 4-H events.

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Gardening and lawn care bring pleasure to many people and, in many cases, provide a source of nutritious fruits and vegetables. Gardeners and homeowners need reliable information upon which to base decisions about plant selection and maintenance (pest management, fertilization, etc.), in order to avoid unnecessary expenses and wasteful fertilizer and pesticide applications. Weekly newspaper articles are an efficient way to reach a large number of people with science-based gardening and lawn care information. “Let’s Get Growing” articles are sent weekly to two local papers with distributions totaling approximately 7000 people.

Whom We Reach:

• 6,726 youth (4-H Clubs, School Enrichment, Character Education, Livestock)
• 32,458 adults (Ag & Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, SNAP Education, Master Gardeners, Home Visits, News Articles and Publications)

How We Reach Them:

4-H School Clubs, School Gardens, Master Gardener Class, Facebook, Seminars, Demonstrations, Newsletters, Publications, Grower Meetings, Field Days and Home Visits.

Expanding Our Efforts:

120 volunteers from 4-H Club Leaders, 4-H Livestock, 4-H Junior Leadership, Master Gardeners and Family and Consumer Sciences.

Parish Facts:

LSU AgCenter agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife and animal enterprises to St. Tammany Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were:

• Animal Enterprises, $32,573,432
• Fisheries & Wildlife, $3,890,790
• Plant Enterprises, $34,854,662

Land Area — 676 square miles; Population —46,582; Population under 18 years old — 24.1%; Population 65 years old and over — 17.9%; Median Household Income — $32,962; Persons Below Poverty — 23.1%

Local Issues and Plans for this Year

Increase Productivity and Profitability of Louisiana Agriculture:

• Hold watermelon growers meeting.
• Provide one on one consultation regarding agricultural production practices.
• Provide information to growers through Tangi-Washington grower update emails.

Promote the Wise Use of Natural Resources and Protection of the Environment:

• Write weekly newspaper article and make availability online.
• Provide one-on-one consultation regarding gardening and landscape care.
• Support the Louisiana Master Gardener program in order to extend consumer horticulture education efforts.
• Hold at least two gardening or lawn care classes and/or demonstrations open to the public.
• Provide information to gardeners through Washington Horticulture Update e-mails.

Build Leaders and Good Citizens through 4-H Youth Development:

• Develop and implement service-learning projects throughout the parish. · Provide youth with leadership development opportunities.
• Expand communication efforts to general public about opportunities in the 4-H Youth Development program.
• Promote agriculture awareness and careers in agriculture.

How the LSU AgCenter can assist the community to address the current Parish situation:

• Targeted programming to help SNAP audiences establish healthful eating habits and physically active lifestyles.
• Primary disease prevention to help SNAP audiences having risk factors for diet-related chronic disease prevent or postpone the onset of disease by establishing more physically active lifestyles and healthier eating habits.
• Consumption of healthful foods within a limited budget and promotion of low-cost or no-cost physical activity opportunities.

How we are funded:

You are the local supporters and beneficiaries in the LSU AgCenter extension programs. Just 20% support keeps these programs in your community. Your parish extension office offers programs in:

• Sustaining Louisiana agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
• Building leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development.
• Family, nutrition and health to enhance the quality of life for Louisiana’s citizens.

LSU AgCenter State Appropriated Funds for FY 2019-2020:

• State general direct: 74.9%
• Federal funds: 13.6%
• Self-generated: 7.1%
• Statutory deductions: 4.4%