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LSU AgCenter and 4‑H agents report expanded school gardens, livestock and shooting sports participation
Summary
LSU AgCenter staff and Livingston Parish 4‑H leaders updated the school board on programs spanning school gardens, nutrition education, livestock projects and shooting sports, reporting 1,128 4‑H members across 36 school clubs and growth in fair and shooting sports participation.
Members of the LSU AgCenter and Livingston Parish 4‑H presented program highlights to the School Board on Nov. 6, 2025, citing sustained involvement in school gardens, nutrition and youth development programs and notable participation in livestock and shooting sports activities.
Bobby Bingham and colleagues from the AgCenter said their Master Gardener volunteers support about 18 school gardens across the parish and that the office organizes contests — including a pumpkin contest and a current cabbage contest — and recent donations of 300 strawberry plants for an upcoming Albany Middle School literacy night.
Fourth‑ and eighth‑grade curricula and out‑of‑school opportunities were described as part of a broader youth‑development emphasis. The presenters said 1,128 youth from 36 school clubs and three community clubs participated in regional and state 4‑H events during the year; 29 members make up the parish junior leader club (grades 7–12). Sewing camps and a clothing and textiles project gave 15 youth opportunities to learn related skills.
Livestock programming, the presenters said, accounted for roughly 100 members showing more than 300 animals last year; the parish fair saw its largest large‑animal showing with over 130 large animals and about 120 small animals. Agents reported 162 registered members in the parish shooting‑sports program, which offers shotgun, rifle, archery and air pistol instruction and emphasizes safety and education.
Three student leaders on Louisiana 4‑H state boards — Logan Volgimore (state STEM board president), Olivia Baltimore (STEM board reporter) and Haley Nettles (president of the Louisiana food and fitness board) — spoke to the board about leadership opportunities and skills gained through 4‑H. "4‑H has given me countless opportunities to grow in public speaking, problem solving, and leadership," Logan said. Olivia described hands‑on camp and training experiences that helped her lead parish events, and Haley noted scholarship recognition tied to volunteer hours.
Board members thanked AgCenter staff and the student leaders and noted the program’s contributions to student confidence and leadership development.
