Concordia 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

Concordia Parish also faces serious health challenges, with rates of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity exceeding the Louisiana state average. To help improve health outcomes, the LSU AgCenter provides Nutrition and Community Health education through classes and workshops that empower individuals to make healthy food and fitness choices, practice food safety, budget food dollars, and develop food preparation skills. By addressing both agricultural productivity and community health, we strive to strengthen the overall well-being of Concordia Parish residents.

4-H Youth Development

Concordia Parish enriches youth through hands-on learning focused on Life Skills and Career Readiness. Project clubs include Growing Minds, Jr. Leaders, and Livestock. School enrichment aligns with classroom curriculum, featuring programs like Health Rocks to build decision-making skills and reduce substance abuse. Year-round opportunities include camps, virtual programs, contests, scholarships, and community service. Volunteer development emphasizes recruiting, training, and supporting adults and teens to strengthen involvement and ownership of parish programming.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Concordia Parish is a key agricultural area, known for its production of cotton, corn, soybeans, wheat, grain sorghum, and rice. Beyond our work with row crops, we also support homeowners by addressing their specific concerns and offering practical solutions. Each year, we host a pesticide recertification meeting to ensure private applicators remain up-to-date with the necessary certifications. We also provide parish horticulture programs at the library, giving residents opportunities to learn more about gardening, landscaping, and plant care. Furthermore, we have hosted three grower meetings this year, creating important spaces for producers to share knowledge, discuss challenges, and explore new opportunities in agriculture.

Whom We Reach

• 1,866 enrolled youth in 4-H – includes 17 clubs throughout Concordia Parish
• 3,500 through agriculture and natural resources and Nutrition and Community Health.

How We Reach Them

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

Expanding Our Efforts

230 volunteers from 4-H, Master Gardeners, and the community.

Parish Facts

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife, and animal enterprises to Concordia Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $2,743,927; plant enterprises, $99,845,715: fisheries & wildlife enterprises, $2,853,797. Land area — 697.05 square miles; Population —17,585; Population under 18 years old — 18%; Population 65 years old and over — 17%; Median household income — $37,349; Persons below poverty — 34.8%

Local Issues and Plans for This Year:

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Host regional winter meeting
• Offer parish pesticide recertification and worker protection training
• Produce content for social media accounts and podcasts
• Conduct on farm demonstrations and help producers’ problem solve issues
• Present to local libraries giving talks about gardening and plant health

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

• Encourage farmers to use conservation practices like crop rotation, cover crops, and efficient water use
• Provide education on water conservation, native plants, and responsible forestry for residents and schools
• Partner with agencies to protect wetlands, improve habitats, and reduce soil erosion

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Provide opportunities for 4-H members to build confidence, communication, and decision-making skills
• Foster civic responsibility and empathy by connecting youth projects to real community needs
• Grow membership and ensure diverse representation across all communities in Concordia Parish
• Provide hands-on learning experiences that align with 4-H pillars (STEM, agriculture, healthy living, leadership)

Strengthen families and communities

• Provide education on healthy food and fitness choices
• Promote safe food handling practices
• Share tips for food dollar management
• Develop food preparation skills for healthy family meals at home

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:

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