Iberville 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

Louisiana residents face an abundance of barriers that prevent living healthy lives. Offering resources for these challenges to Iberville Parish residents remains our priority. To address these concerns, a comprehensive nutritional education and physical activity program is provided. The objectives of these nutrition programs are to have adults and youth increase their knowledge of budget-friendly healthy food choices, to become aware of the benefits of increased physical activity, and to promote healthy lifestyle habits for all.

4-H Youth Development

With the help of dedicated volunteers, the Iberville Parish 4-H Youth Development fosters life-skill development in local youth. This year, over 200 youth in grades 4-12 enrolled in 13 traditional 4-H clubs located at schools throughout the parish. The program provided diverse opportunities for youth and adult volunteers while making a difference in local communities. Young people acquire valuable knowledge and life skills through participation in local, parish, state and national programs. Various opportunities for youth and family participation, including overnight camps, livestock shows, workshops and contests, Junior Leader Club, 4-H University, service-learning projects, 4-H Summer Camp, Shooting Sports, and many other activities and clubs are offered.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Iberville Parish is located just west of the Mississippi River in the industrial core of the state. The parish maintains a very vibrant agriculture presence with two major row crops including both soybeans and sugarcane. Iberville is also known for its livestock and forage production with approximately 4,500 acres of hay production and nearly 6,000 cattle across the parish. The LSU AgCenter specialists and researchers provide information to assist producers with decisions that impact their daily production practices. This information is presented to them through an annual Iberville Sugarcane Production Meeting and local farm visits conducted by County Agents.

Whom We Reach:

• Over 200 4-H members at 20 schools and 75 Nutrition and Community youth contacts
• 261 adults (includes 150 Agriculture & Natural Resources and 111 Nutrition and Community Health contacts)

How We Reach Them:

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

Expanding Our Efforts:

150 volunteers from 4-H, Master Gardeners, and family and community efforts

Parish Facts:

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife, and animal enterprises to Iberville Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $9,952,293; aquaculture and wildlife, $3,741,338; plant enterprises, $102,734,219. Land area — 617.3 square miles; Population —30,241; Population under 18 years old — 19.9%; Population 65 years old and over — 17.3%; Median household income — $57,459; Persons below poverty — 15.5%

Local Issues and Plans for This Year:

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Home and farm visits to provide educational information for problem solving
• Certify Private Pesticide Applicators and Worker Protection Standards (WPS) through the Iberville Sugarcane Production Meeting
• Conduct prescribed burn management certifications
• Work with the NRCS to promote conservation programs

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

• Promote Best Management Practices (BMP) for gardens, lawns, landscapes, and fruit/vegetable trees
• Conduct community garden programs to educate both youth and adults about healthy lifestyles
• Continue to foster the Westside Master Gardener Program

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Develop and implement service-learning projects throughout the parish
• Implement 4-H activities which develop leadership and citizenship skills
• Develop life skills through educational programs conducted in school club meetings, service-learning projects, workshops, and after school activities

Strengthen families and communities

• Provide educational opportunities on nutrition education, budget-friendly awareness, and chronic disease prevention
• Conduct community forums, assessments, and other community engagement to assess public health hurdles amongst the parish
• Recruit coalition and stakeholders to assist in developing plans to better support healthy lifestyles for residents
• Conduct policy, system, and environmental changes to create opportunities for people to eat healthy and get physically active
• Increase the community’s awareness, knowledge, and capacity about healthier lifestyle choices to improve health outcomes by accessing available resources

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