Cameron 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

Nutrition and Community Health agents and educators are improving the overall health of residents by helping to reduce chronic diseases which are related to poor nutrition and sedentary lifestyles and improving the health outcomes in which Louisiana has traditionally ranked so low. This community-based work helps individuals and families adopt the nutrition and physical activity principles we have long been teaching.

4-H Youth Development

This year, 233 Cameron Parish youth enrolled in 6 traditional 4-H clubs supported by 2 project clubs to build personal skills in communication, teamwork, leadership and management. Project clubs include Cal-Cam Horse Club, Junior Leaders and Shooting Sports. Young people acquire knowledge and life skills through participation in local, parish, regional, state and national programs. We are flexible in offering many opportunities for youth and family participation, including 4-H afterschool workshops, STEM activities, variety of overnight camps, livestock shows, shooting sports trainings and competitions and service-learning projects. Over 50 youth participated in gun safety and marksmanship training with the 4-H Shooting Sports program.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Requests for information about vegetation management in fishponds as well as for marsh management are perennially constant. Control and management of marsh and aquatic vegetation is highly dependent on timing and recommendations such as burning, drawdown, cutting, rolling, and herbicides. Conducted Calcasieu-Cameron Cattlemen educational meetings for 67 area cattle producers to gain knowledge in nutrition and health management areas from industry professionals. 8,000 acres of rice between 8 farmers, acres of crawfish, and 14,000 head of beef cattle.

Who we reach

• 1,248 youth (includes 233 4-H members and 6 school 4-H Clubs)
• 24,901 adults (3,548 through agriculture and natural resources)

How we reach them

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

Expanding our efforts

146 volunteers from 4-H, Master Gardeners, Master Horseman, family and community.

Parish Facts

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plants, aquaculture, wildlife and animal enterprises to Cameron Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were:

Animal Enterprises: $18,266,812 Fisheries & Wildlife Enterprises: $23,631,451 Plant Enterprises: $91,028,985

Land area — 1,254.92 square miles; Population —5,617; Population under 18 years old — 22.2%; Population 65 years old and over — 17.7%; Median household income — $83,166; Persons below poverty — 6.3%

Local Issues & Plans for this year

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Conduct master vegetable field day
• Write news columns, 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 meetings and workshops fisheries and aquaculture programs
• Conduct Coastal Land Management programs throughout the parish
• Continue to assist pond owners with good management techniques to increase water quality
• Conduct Master Cattlemen program to increase producer’s sustainability in agriculture
• Conduct Master Gardener program to increase sustainability in sound gardening practices

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Develop and implement service-learning projects throughout the parish
• 4-H members, adult leaders ang agents will work together to develop mentoring programs through the parish 4-H program
• Junior Leaders will work with Cameron Council on Aging, schools to fight hunger issues in our parish and area, along with workshops on promoting youth development activities

Strengthen families and communities

• Nutrition and Community Health clients receive training on feeding their families nutritionally on a budget
• Conduct workshops on disaster preparedness, grab and go boxes, storm cleanup and house cleaning after a storm

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