Your Local Resource for Nutrition, Recipes, and Wellness Tips

by Quincy L. Vidrine, M. Ed.

The LSU AgCenter is here to help Northeast Louisiana residents make informed choices about nutrition, physical activity, and overall wellness.

Eating balanced meals, staying active, and practicing good health habits can reduce your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Small changes such as adding more fruits and vegetables to your plate or choosing water over sugary drinks can make a big difference. This is where our Nutrition and Community Health (NCH) agents in each parish come in.

In the parishes of Northeast Louisiana, NCH agents are your local partners in building healthier lifestyles. These agents work directly with residents to:

• Provide nutrition education tailored to families and individuals.
• Offer hands-on programs like cooking demonstrations and meal planning workshops.
• Share research-based resources to help you make informed decisions about food and health.
• Connect communities with tools and support for long-term wellness.

Their mission is simple: to empower you with knowledge and skills that make healthy living practical and achievable.

The Northeast Region of the LSU AgCenter consists of 12 parishes. NCH agents are assigned in each parish.

• Ouachita, East Carroll, and West Carroll - Cathy Agan (318) 323-2251
• Union, Caldwell, and Morehouse - Markaye Russell (318) 368-9935
• Richland, Madison, and Tensas - Brittney Newsome (318) 728-3216
• Franklin, Catahoula, and Concordia - Quincy Vidrine (318) 435-7551

Looking for inspiration? Visit LSU AgCenter to access:

• Healthy recipes: Delicious, budget-friendly meals for the whole family.
• Nutrition tips: Easy ways to improve your diet without breaking the bank.
• Educational videos: Learn cooking techniques, meal planning, and more.
• Parish web pages: Upcoming programs for NCH, Agriculture and Natural Resources (horticulture), and 4-H Youth Development

Whether you're planning family meals, seeking to learn new cooking skills, or searching for ways to stay active, the LSU AgCenter website is your one-stop resource for reliable, research-based information.

Start today, call your local Extension Office and visit LSU AgCenter to explore the tools that can help you live healthier.