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, Nutrition and Health

SNAP-Ed Nutrition: Provides nutrition lessons/information to SNAP recipients Lessons are provided to Webster Parish Head Start centers monthly throughout the school year, with nutrition factsheets made available to each child’s parents. Nutrition agent and educator participates in health fairs, Council on Aging programs, summer youth programs, provides factsheets for food bank distribution, etc. Adult programs include nutrition lessons along with a food demonstration and tasting.

Smarter Lunchrooms: The goal is to use research-based evidence to design lunchroom environments that help children choose healthier options. The mission is to provide Louisiana schools with low cost, sustainable tools that improve child eating behaviors and the overall health of our state’s children. Training in Smarter Lunchrooms was provided to Webster Parish School Board cafeteria managers .

SNAP-Ed Marketing Campaign: Statewide campaign targeting SNAP audiences for nutrition messages. Components include billboards, banners, magazines, television and radio commercials, etc.SNAP messages included are “Active Life Healthy Life”, “Breakfast: A Great Start to Your Day”, and “Healthy Meals Begin at Home”.

Healthy Communities:The Village of Dixie Inn, continues to participate in thestatewide initiative entitled “Healthy Communities”.Local residents and officials are involved in community forumsthat identified key components of a healthy community for the residents.Progress has already been made to identify needs and options for making this community a healthier one.

4-H Youth Development

4-H YouthWebster Parish through experimental learning opportunities and role modeling of peers.The 2019-2020 club focus centered on “Healthy Living” as it relates to plants and on active life.Project clubs meet the needs of youth wishing to expand their work in specific areas, including shooting sports, livestock, Jr. Leaders, and Celebrate Girls.4-H youth are engaged in livestock programming, including beef, lamb, swine, goats, poultry, dairy, rabbits, and horses.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 onthe needs of the youth of Webster Parish.This year, lessons on healthy living were taught to 15 clubs.Volunteer development efforts involves recruitment, training and support of adult and teen volunteers to increase involvement and ownership of parish programming.

Agriculture & Natural Resources

The Webster Parish Extension Office provides citizens with a variety of services in Agriculture and Natural Resources. These include: 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 theWebster 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.

Whom we reach:

• Youth (includes550 4-H members and 15 school 4-H Clubs)
• Adults (3,00 Family and Consumer Sciences & Ag and Natural Resources)

How we reach them:

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

Expanding our efforts:

150 volunteers from 4-H, Master Gardeners, family and community and Master Horseman.

Parish Facts

LSU AgCenter County Agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife and animal enterprises to Terrebonne Parish clientele.The 2008 total dollar amount from these commodities were:

• Forestry -$20,175,362
• Fisheriesand Wildlife—$1,949,460
• Animal enterprise— $24,036,960
• Plant enterprise—$28,678,98

Local Issues & Plans for this year.

Continue to serve the people of Webster Parish by offering outreach to clientele.

• 4H Youth & Family Development volunteer groups, Master Gardener volunteers, and adult leaders will all be served and utilized in outreach efforts.
• Promotion of opportunities within each community in the parish
• Recruitment, training, support and recognition of both youth and adult volunteers.
• 4-H after-school and project club opportunities to expand outreach in outdoor skills, personal development and 4-H project work.

Agriculture & Natural Resources

• Environmental topic programs (water, conservation, composting) and presentations at parish events.
• Promotion of environmental service-learning projects with 4-H clubs.
• Increased viability and profitability of Webster Parish farms and ranches.

4-H Youth Development.

• Educational focus on Personal Development in monthly 4-H Club meetings.
• Promotion and encouragement of 4-H clubs to conduct service-learning projects.
• Increase recruitment of teen leaders through Junior Leader Club, school, parish, district and state level experiences.
• Volunteer recruitment, training, support and recognition.
• Career awareness programming with teens.

Family, Nutrition & Health

• Businesses will receive support and special programming from AgCenter agents.
• Programming for special interest groups such as family and community service clubs, community groups (garden clubs, churches), Head Start centers, Department of Children and Family Services, Community Service groups, etc.
• SNAP-Ed audiences have access to educational lessons and materials on the following topics: nutrition, diet and health, food buying, budgeting, food safety and gardening.
• Clientele will receive programming addressing childhood obesity, chronic disease and general wellness.

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%