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

4-H Youth Development

Our community has identified a need for SET (Science, Engineering, and Technology) experiences. Many of our youth are not going on to pursue careers in any of these fields. To help meet this need, the LSU AgCenter and 4-H have teamed up to deliver a SET Lesson Study theme for the 2019-2020 school year. At every 4-H meeting, 4-H’ers perform an experiment that follows school science standards. These experiments give the 4-H’ers hands on experience with SET and also provide career exploration opportunities at the end of every meeting. As a result of this program, several of our middle school students have expressed an interest in attending our Louisiana Science, Outdoor, and Technology Camp and the Elementary 4-H’ers are going to participate in the SET Track at 4-H Camp Grant Walker this summer.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

In 2018, the value of Agriculture and Natural Resources topped 25.77 million dollars with timber and cattle production being the largest agricultural enterprises.The parish has a unique agriculture base being home to the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola.Agriculture enterprises include timber, cattle, hay, corn, cotton, soybeans, hunting leases, and fruit and vegetable production. The horticulture agent coordinates the Feliciana Master Gardener Program where horticulture enthusiasts are trained to provide research based educational information to the public.There are currently 25 Master Gardener volunteers who have volunteered over 625 hours for the program.

Family and Consumer Sciences

Children who are exposed to fruit and vegetable gardens are more likely to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Research shows that children who plant, grow, harvest, and prepare fruits and vegetables can’t wait to try them, thus their experiences contribute to the development of healthy eating habits. 91 nutrition and gardening classes reaching 350 kindergarten and first graders were conducted at Bains Lower Elementary. A pre-posttest design was used to evaluate the program with 175 1st grade students to assess changes in their knowledge regarding healthy foods. Children were tested on their knowledge of nutrition and garden concepts that were taught. The pretest and posttest responses from 137 participants indicated statistically significant changes in responses (p<.017) from pretest to posttest in the following areas: nutrition knowledge, garden knowledge, and eating fruit.

Whom we reach:

760 youth (includes 235 4-H members from 5 4-H Clubs and At Large Membership, 175 2nd graders participating in School Gardens at Bains Elementary, and 350 kindergarteners and 1st graders at Bains Lower Elementary participating in nutrition & school gardens)

24,880 adults (Agriculture and Natural Resources and Family & Consumer Sciences)

How we reach them:

4-H clubs, farm and home educational visits, school enrichment, field days, publications, newsletters, class series, website, social media, email updates, and workshops.

Expanding our efforts:

68 volunteers from 4-H, Master Gardeners, and Family & Consumer Sciences

Parish Facts:

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, wildlife and animal enterprises to West Feliciana Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $7,430,936; aquaculture and wildlife, $3,513,491; plant enterprises, $14,833,666.

Land area — 403.21 square miles; Population —15,460; Population under 18 years old — 16.2%; Population 65 years old and over — 15%; Median household income — $55,647; Persons below poverty — 21%

Local issues and plans for this year

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Conduct fruit and vegetable producer’s field day.
• Conduct home horticulture seminars.
• Coordinate Master Gardener programs such as the Spring Garden Tour, field trips, school gardens, and other horticulture education and service projects.
• Conduct farm and home educational visits.
• Provide newsletters and newspaper articles to promote horticulture education.
• Conduct Master Cattleman’s Series.

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Four-H’ers will participate in monthly service-learning projects and community service.
• Junior Leaders will learn about parliamentary procedure and attend events such as Parish government meetings and 4-H Day at the Capitol.
• Junior Leaders will work with the state service-learning project theme- special needs awareness and inclusion.
• Conduct 4-H workshops and educational events to promote agricultural literacy and agriculture awareness.
• Increase 4-H’s reach to all youth by starting a Clover Bud Program.

Strengthen families and communities

• Youth at Bains Lower Elementary will grow and maintain 10 raised beds.They will harvest and taste their crops while learning where their food comes from.
• A Dining with Diabetes series will be offered to help adults at risk for type 2 diabetes learn how to manage this condition through menu planning, carbohydrate counting, portion control, and label reading.
• Classes on how to eat a healthy diet and how to become more physically active will be conducted for The Family Service Center reaching Adult Ed students, parents and grandparents of Early Head Start & Head Start and staff of The Family Service Center.

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%

Click here for a printable copy of our Parish Profile