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.

Agriculture and Natural Resources – Carol Pinnell-Alison

The Franklin Parish On-farm grower cotton variety core block demonstration was harvested with ten varieties in the demonstration. The varieties yielded 1600 to 1308 pounds lint per acre. These on-farm demonstrations give producers an opportunity to see how cotton varieties will perform in our growing conditions. Crop yields for corn, cotton, and soybeans have been very good this year. It is unusual for our producers to have good yields and good commodity prices in the same year.

Presentations on the economic value of agriculture in Franklin Parish were given at the Winnsboro Lions and Rotary Clubs and during the Chamber’s Farmers Appreciation dinner. The 2019 gross farm value in Franklin Parish for plant, animal, wildlife, and fisheries enterprises was 148 million dollars. The parish ranked 10th in the state for gross farm value. Field corn is our largest commodity in value and acreage

4-H Youth and Family Development – Kelly Lafferty

Science in 4-H is electrifying. This month’s 4-H educational program have the youth learning about electricity. They were given the task of trying to create a flashlight using a “D” battery, small light bulb, and foil. Working as a group, the youth tried to figure out how to make it work. Some of the groups have been able to do so; however more of the groups needed a hint of how to make it work. The groups really enjoyed doing the activity especially when they figured it out and got the light bulb to light up.

4-H Community Service is for the birds. On November 22, the 4-HNortheast Regional Leadership Board participated in a community serviceproject for the Monroe Zoo. The youth did some weeding and raking andbagging up 15 full bags of leaves. We were told the leaves and the weedsthat we pulled up would be used for bedding and mulch for around the zoo.The youth enjoyed walking around the zoo and getting to see some of theanimals. The most fun was when we were able to feed the budgies (smallbirds) in their sanctuary. Here is Finn Robertson, Franklin parish regionalboard member feeding one of the budgies.

4-H Babysitting Workshop. On November 6th, Franklin and Ouachitaparishes held a joint babysitting workshop for youth ages 13 and over. Thepurpose of the workshop was for youth to become certified with CPR/1stAid while babysitting. The youth also learned about making snacks andmeals for appropriate age groups, they learned about toys, activities, andgames that they could play for appropriate age groups, and they learnedabout ages and stages of child development. The youth also discussedways to market themselves with their new babysitting business. With aWalmart donation, the youth were able to leave the workshop with a goodybag to help them get started with the new business of babysitting.

Family and Consumer Science (FCS) – Quincy Vidrine
Nutritional Educator – Krissten Medlin

Winnsboro State Bank and LSU AgCenter SNAP Ed sponsored and hosted this event for Franklin parish youth ages 9-12. Chef Instructor/Area Nutrition Agent Quincy Vidrine led the workshop with assistance by Krissten Medlin, Nutrition Educator – Franklin & Caldwell parishes, and Brittney Newsome, Area Nutrition Agent – Richland Parish. Eight local youth prepared their own healthy holiday snacks including Gingerbread Smoothies, Holiday Pita & Veggie Triangles, and Baked Mozzarella Cheese sticks with marinara. The LSU AgCenter promotes “learning by doing” in all programming areas and this workshop gave kids an opportunity to hone some very important life skills so that they can live happy, healthy lives!