Bienville 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

The LSU AgCenter is committed to improving Bienville Parish adult and youth health by conducting nutrition programs. Our programs help all audiences learn to eat healthy, stretch their food dollars, safely handle food, and lessen the risk of chronic disease and obesity. We are pleased to share that Elizabeth Martin, extension agent, will be the new point of contact for Nutrition and Community Health programming in Bienville parish. She brings a wealth of knowledge and years of experience to the parish.

4-H Youth Development

4H in Bienville Parish thrives with over 500 actively involved youth, offering an extensive array of opportunities for growth and development. This robust program encompasses 13 clubs tailored to 4th - 12th graders, providing a wide range of educational and hands-on experiences. In addition, there are 3 Cloverbud clubs, specially designed to nurture the interests and skills of our youngest members. Beyond club activities, 4-H in Bienville Parish offers enrichment camps, engaging after-school programs, and various community events that not only foster personal development but also instill a strong sense of community involvement. The program also boasts specialized clubs, including shooting sports, where members can learn essential firearm safety and marksmanship skills, junior leaders, which focus on leadership development, and the exciting cooking club, allowing young enthusiasts to explore their passion for culinary arts while building valuable life skills.

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Bienville Parish is in northwest central Louisiana, consisting of 822 square miles and is home to Louisiana’s highest natural point, Driskill Mountain. It was created in 1848 from the lower part of Claiborne Parish and is named after the explorer and “Father of New Orleans,” Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. Geographically dominated with mixed hardwoods and pines, forestry is the major economic engine of Bienville Parish agriculture, followed by poultry, hunting, home gardens, forages/beef cattle, and horses, with a yearly combined value of over $95 million.

Whom we reach:

• 1,200 youth (includes 500 4-H members and 16 4-H Clubs)
• 205 adults (80 through agriculture and natural resources and 125 through nutrition and community health.

How we reach them:

4-H Clubs, school enrichment, field days, publications, newsletters, class series, website, social media, and workshops

Expanding our efforts:

110 volunteers from 4-H, 40 volunteers assist with ANR programs, 60 volunteers assist with NCH programs, 290 volunteers from 4-H, Family Consumer Sciences and Healthy Communities, and Agriculture and Natural Resources

Parish Facts:

Bienville Parish is in northwest central Louisiana, consisting of 822 square miles. Bienville Parish has an estimated population of 12,641 residents with 21.4% being 65 and over, and 22.7% being 18 and under. The median income is $32,328. One of the most prominent geographical features in the parish is Mt. Driskill. Mt. Driskill is the highest natural point in Louisiana, located within Bienville Parish. It stands at an elevation of approximately 535 feet (163 meters) above sea level. The economy of Bienville Parish is diverse and includes sectors such as agriculture, forestry, and manufacturing. Timber production is a significant contributor to the local economy, given the extensive forests in the region.

Local issues and plans for this year:

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Private pesticide applicator training and re-certification
• Conduct Master Gardner classes
• Conduct farm and home educational visits

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

• Conduct seminars on horticulture practices
• Wildlife management recommendations
• Conduct seminars on agriculture practices

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Develop and implement service-learning projects throughout the parish
• Teach teens workforce preparedness and financial literacy at schools and through the JET program (Jurors Empowering Teens)
• Junior Leaders will work with CASA, and character education projects to promote community service
• Shooting Sports and Cooking Club learn life skills through culinary arts and marksmanship

Strengthen families and communities

• Expand our reach through Nutrition and Community Health programming by reaching larger groups in the parish through events and initiatives
• Provide nutrition and food safety information needed by clientele to enhance their quality of life
• For youth, ages 16-19 to increase knowledge in financial literacy and workforce preparedness, and to engage these youth in exploring career opportunities to make positive lifestyle changes and choices like those faced by adults daily

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

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

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