Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Agriculture topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
LSU Ag Center updates parish on crop values, 4‑H recovery and youth programs
Summary
LSU Ag Center representatives told the committee agriculture remains a major local industry — sugarcane accounted for the largest share of plant‑crop value — and described 4‑H events, youth attendance goals and financial‑literacy programming as the center rebuilds participation after COVID.
Representatives from the LSU Ag Center briefed the Saint Martin Parish Public Works Committee on Sept. 16 about the parish’s agricultural economy, staffing, and youth programming.
The LSU Ag Center presenter said agriculture remains a major local industry, noting plant crops of roughly $65 million last year with about $52 million attributed to sugarcane. ‘‘Agriculture is big business here in Saint Martin Parish,’’ the presenter said, and reported roughly 33,000 acres were planted last year with sugarcane expanding into former soybean acreage.
Why it matters: Parish officials heard that sugarcane is the dominant crop and that shifts away from soybean acreage, coupled with stable rice and growing crawfish and livestock enterprises, shape local farm revenue and land‑use decisions.
4‑H and youth programs: A 4‑H representative described the program calendar (fall fest, challenge camp, livestock shows), said summer camp sent 50 parish youth to Camp Walker this year and highlighted a financial‑literacy module that enabled 18 students to budget for a Universal Studios trip. The presenter said they aim to restore participation to pre‑COVID levels (a stated target of roughly 700 participants).
Local support: LSU presenters thanked parish government and named Parish President Pete Delson as a strong supporter of extension activities. They also listed staff and student workers in the parish office and noted no major staffing changes in the past year.
Next steps: Presenters said they will continue outreach to schools, expand financial‑literacy and environmental awareness programming for grades 3–12, and provide the council with event schedules and program metrics as requested.
No formal council action or vote on the LSU Ag Center report was recorded in the meeting excerpt.
