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 & Community Health (NCH) programs offer youth and adult nutrition education and community outreach in Webster Parish. We provide two major programs: SNAP-Ed, and Flavors of Health. The SNAP-Ed program offers free nutrition lessons and information to SNAP recipients. The Flavors of Health program focuses on general nutrition and health, offering classes and workshops on a variety of topics that empower individuals and families to make healthy food and fitness choices.

4-H Youth Development

4-H Youth in Webster Parish engage in hands-on learning experiences and peer role modeling. The 2023-2024 club's focus was on Life Skills for students in grades four through twelve, emphasizing the development of essential skills for success in life. Topics such as first aid, laundry care, internet safety, phone etiquette, handling disappointment, and cultural awareness were covered throughout the parish. Project clubs address the interests of youth looking to deepen their involvement in specific areas like shooting sports, livestock, and Junior Leaders. 4-H youth participate in livestock programming, which includes beef, lamb, swine, goats, poultry, dairy, rabbits, and horses.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

The Webster Parish Extension Office provides citizens with a variety of services in Agriculture and Natural Resources. These include the following: soil sampling through the LSU AgCenter Soil Laboratory. Forage and Hay Sampling, and Water Sampling through the LSU AgCenter Chemistry Department. Staff of the Webster Parish Extension Office work closely with local commodity groups such as the Webster Parish Cattlemen’s Association, and governmental organizations such as the Dorcheat Soil and Water Conservation Board, the USDA, NRCS, USDA Farms Services Agency and the Webster Farm Bureau.

Whom we reach:

381 4-H members at (15 school 4-H Clubs) approximately 3,000 individuals through Nutrition and Community Health & Ag and Natural Resources programs

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, family, and community.

Parish Facts

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife, and animal enterprises to Webster Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Agriculture numbers as of 2023: Total Plant enterprises: $22,440,120, Fisheries and Wildlife: $352,600, Animal enterprises (livestock): $51,225,832, Total of ALL agriculture enterprises: $77,186,552.

Webster Parish is 393,600 acres.
Land area — 615 square miles; Population —35, 238; Population under 18 years old — 22.5%; Population 65 years old and over — 20.8%; Median household income — $37,396; Persons in poverty — 20.3%

Local Issues & Plans for this year.

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Insect identification and control; Weed identification and control
• Varieties of ornamental, vegetables, turf grasses, and fruit and nut production that thrive in Louisiana
• Types of irrigation
• Proper way to prune trees and plants
• Organic gardening
• Understanding soil samples and fertilization

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

• Conduct home visits
• Write news articles and utilize different social media to educate individuals
• Share upcoming educational events from different regions of Louisiana
• Offer Lunch Learns Educational Series

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Develop and implement service-learning projects throughout the parish
• Opportunities for all youth and adult volunteers are provided throughout the year, including summer and specialty camps, contests, scholarships, and community service. As determined by the parish 4-H Advisory, 4-H Club lessons reflected on the needs of the youth of Webster Parish.

Strengthen families and communities

• Businesses will receive support and special programming from the AgCenter nutrition agent and educator
• SNAP-Ed audiences have access to educational lessons and materials on the following topics: nutrition and wellness, diet and health, food purchasing, food dollar management, food safety, and gardening
• Flavors of Health clientele will also receive information and nutrition classes on cooking skills, grocery shopping strategies, small goal setting, healthy habit development, exercise and physical activity guidance, weight management, and diet-disease

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