Winn Parish Profile

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

In 2025, Low-impact workout sessions were introduced to promote physical activity for residents in Winn Parish. Students actively participated in school garden programs, harvesting over 200 pounds of sweet potatoes. Healthy Communities Visioning Sessions were conducted to facilitate collaborative planning and establish a shared framework for future development. To operationalize this vision, a demonstration project was executed on Main Street, providing a tangible representation of proposed improvements reinforcing the commitment to creating a healthier, more connected community.

4-H Youth Development

In 2025, students involved with 4-H had many different opportunities to excel outside the classroom setting. Students were involved in hands-on meetings and activities. One of the main concerns of our 4-H members was food insecurity in our parish. To help with this issue, students have engaged in service-learning opportunities. Members donated over 2,700 items of canned food and 1,200 pounds of Tony Chachere's food products to our community food pantry.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Winn Parish is situated in North Central Louisiana and is known as “The Forestry Capital”. The land area is approximately 623,040 acres with forestry and poultry being the two leading agronomic enterprises in the parish. The LSU AgCenter has a strong influence on environmental and natural resource management by the various programs the office conducts. Examples of the programs are Ag Awareness, A Walk in Nature, Forestry Awareness, and The Forestry Mill Tour that reaches over 1000 individuals in the parish which focuses on natural resource management.

Whom We Reach:

• 2100 youth per month (including 600 4-H members, shooting sports, livestock, and 14 school 4-H Clubs and 1,000 through Nutrition & Community Health)
• 2000 adults per month (1550 through agriculture and natural resources and 450 through Nutrition & Community Health)

How We Reach Them

4-H Clubs, school enrichment, field days, publications, newsletters, class series, social media, Ag Awareness, A Walk in Nature, CRM ATV Safety, Forestry Awareness and other workshops

Expanding Our Efforts

250 volunteers from 4-H, Master Gardeners, livestock, outdoor skills, family and community volunteers

Parish Facts

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plants, aquaculture, wildlife and animal enterprises to Winn Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $44,249,143; aquaculture and wildlife, $1,789,493; plant enterprises, $59,910,774. Land area —950.00 square miles; Population —13,755; Population under 18 years old — 20.3%; Population 65 years old and over — 19.7%; Median household income — $43,710; Persons below poverty — 26.8%

Local Issues and Plans for This Year

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Conduct field days/clinics for producers
• Marketing of products
• Write articles, webpage content and seminars on agriculture practices
• Conduct farm and home educational visits

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

• Conduct tree care/lawn care programs
• Conduct cost share program for landowners
• Implement tree planting/best management practices plan for landowners
• Implement a wildlife management program for landowners

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Develop and implement service-learning projects throughout Winn Parish
• Junior Leaders will work with CASA, character education projects, Local Food Pantry, and Operation Christmas Child on promoting youth development activities
• Students work on town beautification projects with the Chamber of Commerce, Winn Political Museum, and Winn Main Street
• Winn Parish 4-H collaborates with the Winn Parish Police Jury and Winn Parish School Board on youth development activities
• Winn Parish is also involved in a multi-parish ATV Safety Program called CRM ATV Safety

Strengthen families and communities

• Work with elected officials to create a working plan for safer transportation
• Incorporate new garden techniques at the schools to expand what we are doing now
• Build stronger communities through community-led events to bring everyone together for health and well-being

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:

• Nutrition and Community Health
• 4-H and Youth Development
• Agriculture and Natural Resources

For the latest research-based information on just about anything, visit our website: LSUAgCenter.com