Livingston 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 Education lessons conducted with adults focused on helping individuals make healthier food and fitness choices and preventing chronic illnesses to live a healthful life. A variety of topics presented through classes, workshops and community outreach to support healthy eating patterns such as making small changes in daily behaviors, forming healthy habits, and selecting healthier foods. Youth received a variety of nutrition education through lessons, activities and 4-H annual events, mini cooking camps and Summer Day Camps.

4-H Youth Development

In Livingston Parish, 1,128 youth from 36 school clubs and 3 community clubs are enrolled and participate in the 4-H programming. Through hands-on experiential learning, these youth acquire knowledge, develop life skills, and form attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society. They participate in competitions, workshops, project clubs, overnight and day camping activities, leadership, service-learning projects, and civic engagement opportunities. Youth also have the opportunity to participate in Shooting Sports, Livestock, Sewing and Jr. Leader are project clubs.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Residents and farmers receive information through one-on-one assistance, weekly news articles, on farm demonstrations, and community presentations throughout the year. 22 new Master Gardener volunteers were trained this year. Master Gardeners provide agricultural educational support at community fairs and festivals, conduct presentations at parish libraries, and community beautification projects. An educational workshop was held to provide updated information on best practices for strawberry growers. Beef producers have programming opportunities offered through newsletters, a fall field day, and a spring tour. Forest Landowners are educated about sustainable forestry and wildlife management annually.

Whom We Reach:

• 6,212 youth (includes 1,128 4-H members and 36 school 4-H Clubs, PARDS, and school programs)
• 37,413 adults (include agriculture and natural resources and nutrition and community health)

How We Reach Them:

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

Expanding Our Efforts:

200 volunteers from 4-H, Master Gardeners, Nutrition and Community Health, Master Cattle Producers and Master Horseman.

Parish Facts:

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, animal, forestry, aquaculture, and wildlife enterprises to Livingston Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $24,010,494; aquaculture and wildlife, $25,687,696; plant enterprises, $38,084,547.

Land area — 1,254.92 square miles; Population —150,145; Population under 18 years old — 26%; Population 65 years old and over — 14%; Median household income — $72,725; Persons below poverty — 15.7%

Local Issues and Plans for this Year:

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Conduct beef field day and beef tour
• Conduct forestry annual meetings and forestry tour
• Write webpage content and seminars on agriculture practices
• Conduct farm and home educational visits
• Conduct strawberry grower's workshop.

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

• Capital Area Soil & Water Conservation District Marsh Grass Revegetation
• Water Use & Water Conservation through elementary Water Festival
• Pesticide education for the safe use of pesticides to reduce environmental impact

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Increase knowledge of Personal Development through monthly club meetings
• Work to enhance the Jr. Leader program by recruiting new members. Jr. Leaders are working with community leaders and youth with disabilities to complete their service-learning project
• Enhance the existing volunteer development program to include additional resources and incentives

Strengthen families and communities

• Classes/Workshops will be offered to empower individuals and families to make healthy food and fitness choices in Livingston Parish at Health Centers, Head-start Centers and Community events
• Flavors of Health Signature Programs will be offered to help individuals manage or prevent chronic diseases

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 Youth Development
• Agriculture and Natural Resources