What are the issues/challenges facing Bossier Parish citizens?

• Knowledge of programming…………more social media and tv presence
• Knowledge about 4-H opportunities….. Created Facebook live Clover Cast
• Education on Ag type stuff….. 3 NW Ag Ambassadors, AG Family Fun Day Scheduled
• Promotion of programming…………more social media and tv presence

How can the Bossier Parish agents meet the needs of citizens who are facing these issues/challenges?

• Being more visible to the public…………more social media and tv presence
• TV/Radio appearances…..Mark & KTBS 21 Online Segments, 17 News Segments
• Continue to grow digital presence….. 4-H Facebook & Instagram, Horticulture created Online Videos, Forestry Online Video
• Portfolio trainings…. Created a Portfolio Club that meets once a month to work on portfolios

What are suggestions on ways the Bossier Parish staff can collaborate on specific programming?

• Smith Family Farms, cooking classes for adults and tours for youth….. Abigail had a demo at SoBo Smith Family Farms Store & 4-H did tour with NCH at Smith Family Farms, Ashlynn cooking classes for adults at Haughton Library.
• Prescribed Fire workshops…Valerie has conducted several workshops and has several scheduled, all across the state. Certified over 170 individuals.
• Online resources…… LSU AgCenter Website/Bossier, Program Specific Facebook pages,
• Continue to work with rural communities…Abigail is continuing programming in Plain Dealing
• Collaborate with homesteaders… This whole office staff is involved with Dr. Strahan’s Homesteader’s Conference, Mark continues to assist homeowners and growers, and Ashlynn is conducting canning workshops

2026

4-H issues pulled from Programmatic survey, Fall of 2025.

• Bullying
• Social Media
• More Exposure

What can Bossier 4-H do to combat this:

• Random Acts of Kindness: Clover Cards, Kindness Rocks, Kind Clovers for Leaders to give out, Head, Heart, Hands, Health monthly contests.
• Contact Patrich Dennis (news)

What else would you like to see from Bossier 4-H:

• Waterways in our areas, i.e. fishing day for high schoolers, Water B Jacobs, St. Jude fishing areas.

What does Bossier 4-H do well?

• Social Media, Clover Cast, showcasing youth and adults and giving recognition.

NCH

What programming do you want to see in Bossier Parish?

• Pizza workshop (young children) at Plain Dealing Library
• Diabetes program at PD Library
• Quick Meals for Seniors
• Freezer Meal lesson
• Lunch and Learns in Haughton
• Education at Racoon Bend Farms
• How to use a grocery store coupon app
• Mocktails at the Haughton Library
• Grilling workshop for men

ANR Horticulture:

Top 5 issues for commercial and consumer horticulture

• Pest Management
• Licensing/CEU’s
• Chemical Use/Pesticide Applications
• Disease ID
• Pest Management
• Irrigation/Watering
• Vegetable Gardening
• Landscape plant selection/basic design
• Soil Health and Testing

Recommendations and Ideas to combat these issues:

• Video on soil testing
• How to test your own water
• Landscaping (mini video series)
  • Types of soil
  • Common diseases
  • Pruning
  • Native Plants/trees
  • LA plant selection for NWLA
• Grant Opportunities
• Database for Medium/Small Farms
• How to save seeds (video or live)
• Lunch and Learn programs
• Propagation -> growing vs. buying

ANR Row Crops:

What issues are Bossier residents facing?

• Hogs
• Crop Marketing
• Weed Control

ANR Forestry and Wildlife:

What would you like to see for Bossier residents?

• Grower workshop small scale
• Fertilization
• Tree Planting
• Fungicide and Herbicide
• Propagation