An Overall (4-H, Agriculture & Natural Resources [ANR], Nutrition & Community Health [NCH]) Advisory Leadership Council (ALC) meeting for East Carroll Parish was held at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall on February 28, 2025, at 12:05 p.m.

There were 18 people present including 6 LSU/SU AgCenter employees (Lekeisha Lucas, LSU AgCenter Extension Agent (4-H)/Parish Chair; Tyler Garza, LSU AgCenter Assistant Extension Agent (ANR); Jocinda Jackson-Jones, LSU AgCenter CDC Extension Associate (Healthy Communities); Carolyn Robinson, SU AgCenter Area Agent (Family & Consumer Sciences [FCS]); Theresa Sammons Bonner, SU AgCenter Nutrition Educator Assistant (FCS); and Sherry McGaha, LSU AgCenter Administrative Coordinator.

Lekeisha Lucas welcomed everyone. She stated the purpose of the meeting is to find out where our stakeholders want us to focus our efforts. She explained the Roles and Responsibilities of ALC Members form. Ms. Lucas informed the attendees that we have three program areas (4-H, ANR, and NCH), and that these program areas cater to kids, farmers, and families.

At this point, introductions of staff and attendees were made.

Programmatic Updates:

• Recap of 4-H activities – 4-H Camp, Challenge Camp, Swimming Lessons, etc.
• Recap of Healthy Communities – Geaux Shop Healthy and Dollar General Market; adopted parks for regular clean up; established community walking group.
• Recap of ANR – more research on irrigation; variety trials; more meetings on soil health.
• Recap of FCS – Carolyn Robinson teaches financial management at some schools; she taught a Back to Basics cooking class for adults; she teaches Active Parenting classes; she and Theresa Sammons Bonner conducted a 5-day CHEF Camp for kids during the summer with nutrition lessons and cooking; Theresa follows MyPlate curriculum in some schools with nutrition lessons and snacks; Carolyn and Theresa attend food distributions to pass out nutrition information.
• We partner within the AgCenter – each program area works with others to help with activities/events, i.e. 4-H/Healthy Communities: swimming lessons, 4-H/ANR: Progressive Ag Safety Day.

Prioritizing the issues by program area:

4-H

• Healthy Living
• Leadership
• Livestock/Animal Science
• Science Engineering & Technology
• Citizenship & Community Service

NCH

• Parenting
• Nutrition
• Gardening
• Financial Management
• Physical Activity
• Farmers Market

ANR

• Variety Trials (Tyler Garza gave a brief description of variety trials and their importance.)
• Program Education

The top three issues as voted on by the attendees are:

1. Citizenship and Community Service
2. Physical Activity
3. Variety Trials

Potential partnerships are the reason Ms. Lucas asked everyone to introduce themselves. We will know what each person is affiliated with so that we may make connections as needed.

Ms. Lucas informed everyone about the information in their folder: Roles and Responsibilities of ALC Members form, EC Parish Profile, EC Quarterly Report, Cooperative Extension Annual Report, Louisiana Cooperative Extension at a Glance, and Louisiana 4-H Enrollment Impact Report. She asked everyone to please take the time to look at the information.

Ms. Lucas then thanked everyone for attending. She said that lunch is provided, and everyone is welcome to eat here or grab it and go.

The meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m.