Jefferson Parish Profile

About the LSU AgCenter

The LSU AgCenter provides 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 (NCH)

The Expanded Foods and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), and Flavors of Health programs address personal nutrition and healthy environments. Lessons are taught in schools, camps, head start facilities, senior centers, libraries, and faith-based venues. Total outreach nutrition programs in 2025 included 668 youth and 3,034 adults. LSU AgCenter nutrition programs also participate in "Healthy Community Projects.

Youth Development (4-H)

Youth Development 4-H - The Jefferson Parish Urban 4-H Program provides hands-on learning opportunities for youth in grades K–12 across public, private, and charter schools. With more than 25 active clubs parish-wide, our program helps young people build skills in STEM— including Wetlands Education and Agricultural Education.

Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR)

Public interest continues to grow and teach others to grow fresh produce which has resulted in a continuous demand for programs on home vegetable gardening, home fruit production, pollinator gardening, school gardening, and community vegetable gardening. There are 397 trained Master Gardeners who provided over 14,000 volunteer hours educating the public relating to horticulture through projects including a new garden at the Terrytown library on the Westbank.

Whom we reach:

All Jefferson Parish residents are eligible for programming. Currently our office has impacted over 40,900 youth & 197,968 adults through in-person and virtual education.

How we reach them:

After-school programs, classroom clubs, series lessons, school enrichment, field days, demonstration gardens, workshops, lectures, publications, newsletters, website, and social media.

Expanding our efforts:

Community Volunteers allow our programs to thrive! Currently 792 volunteers contribute their time to 4-H, EFNEP, Master Gardeners, Nutrition and Community Health.

Parish Facts:

AgCenter agents provide research-based information on plants, aquaculture, wildlife, and animal enterprises to Jefferson Parish residents. Jeff Parish Geographic/Demographic Info: 300.9 square miles; Population —421,777; Population under 18 years old — 22.1%; Population 65 years old and over — 19.5%; Median household income — $65,246; Persons below poverty — 17.1% (Source: US Census Bureau)

Local issues and plans for this year:

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Conduct sugarcane field day
• 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

• Before and after hurricane tree care seminars
• Acorns of Hope coastal tree plantings
• Develop a comprehensive tree management plant and tree best management practices plan for guidelines of trees on public property
• Organize and present four storm surge modeling programs in the parish.
• Conduct Coastal Roots program with coastal schools and 4-H youth to grow native grasses and mangrove trees

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Develop and implement service-learning projects throughout the parish
• Plant live oaks with Acorns of Hope for storm surge protection on coastal areas
• Junior Leaders will work with CASA, character education projects and fashion club members 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
• Teach classes to pregnant women or parents of infants to strengthen parents’ understanding of childrearing

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 we 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