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.

The SU AgCenter FHS agent provides research-based programs that address nutrition, health and wellness and community and economic development. These programs holistically address the family unit by providing educational programming that helps families live their most healthy lives, while promoting community and economic development.

4-H Youth Development

Union Parish 4-H has in-school and At-Large homeschool clubs in the parish’s public, charter, and private schools reaching 600 youth in 4th-12th grades. Hands-on educational programs in science, leadership, and social skills are provided monthly to 4-H club members. 4-H Cloverbuds offers age appropriate, fun, and exploratory learning experiences for children in the third grade. School Enrichment is offered in a sequence of learning experiences for groups of youth in the classroom during school hours supporting the school curriculum. It involves direct teaching by extension faculty. Programs are specific, with an emphasis on science, engineering, and technology.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

In Union Parish, agriculture is big business-contributing $285.9 million (LSU AgCenter Summary of Agriclulture-2023) to our state’s economy, employing thousands of people and providing many of the consumable agricultural products we use every day; Including forestry, produce, fruits, poultry, and beef cattle, and much more in between. Union Parish agriculture provides families with food and fiber. Furthermore, the agricultural and agricultural-related jobs sector consists of farmers and foresters, as well as the many service-related industries that handle food and fiber products along their way to consumers. The Union Parish faculty and staff of the LSU AgCenter are proud to support the food and fiber producers of our great parish.

Whom We Reach:

• 8,922 youth
• 5,739 adults

How We Reach Them:

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

Expanding Our Efforts:

138 volunteers from 4-H, Master Gardeners, Master Horseman, family and community.

Parish Facts:

LSU AgCenter county agents provide research-based information on plant, aquaculture, wildlife and animal enterprises to Union Parish residents. The total dollar amount from these commodities were: Animal enterprises, $232,195,352; aquaculture and wildlife, $4,981,060; plant enterprises, $48,796,202.

Land area — 905 square miles; Population —21,107; Population 65 years old and over 22.1%; Median household income — $45,743.

Local Issues and Plans for This Year:

Increase productivity and profitability of Louisiana agriculture

• Herd Health/ Production
• Reproduction
• Ranch Economics
• Grazing Management
• Hay Production

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

• Conduct Private Pesticide Applicator training and recertification programs
• Provide soil and forage analysis
• Conduct farm and home educational visits

Build leaders and good citizens through 4-H Youth Development

• Leadership Skills
• Public Speaking
• Parent Engagement
• Financial Skills
• Healthy Living Lifestyles

Strengthen families and communities

• Diabetic Nutrition
• Meal Prepping
• Easy quick meals for breakfast and Dinner
• Conduct workshops on food preparation and food preservation
• Financial Skills
• Digital Skills
• Emergency Preparedness

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

For the latest research-based information on just about anything, visit our website: www.LSUAgCenter.com