Morehouse 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

The Morehouse Parish 4-H Youth Development program fosters belonging among local youth through clubs like Livestock, Shooting Sports, and Junior Leaders. Members can show animals at district and state livestock shows, enter contests such as cookery, beef poster, recycled art, and photography, and enjoy school enrichment activities like Embryology and L.Y.F.E. Cloverbud clubs introduce K–3 students to agriculture through hands-on farm animal experiences.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Morehouse Parish currently has over 180,000 acres in crop production. Crops produced in Morehouse parish include, corn, soybean, cotton, rice, peanuts sweet potatoes, and timber. Demonstration variety plots of corn, cotton, soybean, and rice are conducted with cooperating farmers from across the parish On-farm demonstrations. Information from these demo’s help farmers to determine which management practices will best benefit their farming operations.

Whom We Reach:

• 36,590 youth (includes 922 4-H members and students in 14 school 4-H clubs, community clubs, and school enrichment programs)
• 63,022 adults (3,575 through agriculture and natural resources, 2,375 through nutrition and community health, and 57,072 through 4-H programing and social media)

How We Reach Them:

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

Expanding Our Efforts:

125 volunteers from 4-H, and Health Communities project

Parish Facts:

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife, and animal enterprises to Morehouse Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $13,472,369; wildlife, $403,439; plant enterprises, $144,064,163

under 18 years old — 24.34%; Population 65 years old and over — 18.95%; Median household income — $36,981; Persons below poverty — 28%

Local Issues and Plans for This Year:

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Conduct on-farm Corn, Cotton, and Soybean variety trials
• Conduct on-farm irrigation technology demonstrations
• Write news column, 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

• Educate producers on current disposal of pesticide containers and waste
• Educate producers on Best Management Practices and Integrated Pest Management
• Educate producers on effective irrigation strategies and the use of innovative irrigation technologies

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Provide opportunities for youth to participate in educational workshops.
• Focus on agriculture education in school enrichment programs
• Develop and implement community service and service-learning projects throughout the parish
• Provide opportunity for youth to participate in the Shooting Sports Club, Livestock Club, and Junior Leader Club

Strengthen families and communities

• Nutrition and Community Health clients receive training on feeding their families nutritionally on a budget
• Working together to enhance the food system to increase access to healthier foods by developing community gardens, farmer's markets, etc.
• Working together to enhance the physical activity environment by working with partners to connect sidewalks, paths, bicycle routes, public transit with homes, early care, and education, schools, worksites, parks, or recreation centers through implementing master plans and land use interventions

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