Growing & Sustaining Program
What is Growing & Sustaining?
To grow and sustain means to increase in size or amount and to support the continued development and longevity for along term, permanent outcome (Collins Dictionary, 2025). The Louisiana workforce and agricultural spaces can bi-lateralize growth and sustainable practices by creating collaborative paths careers and agriculture through merging two concepts: Growth & Sustainability. The pillar of where a person eats, works, sleeps, worships, and socialize is nutrition. Intentional strategic mission, passion for people and nontraditional program development is at the heart of the USDA Nutrition Hub. We grow and sustain by creating a workforce for at-risk youth and adults, as well as create contemporary concepts in agricultural growth.
Building A Greener Workforce
Building a strong, impactful health-centered workforce is now, more than ever, a priority to save Louisiana communities. Although Louisiana leads the country in allied health professional careers, Louisiana still remains at the bottom of health outcomes, leading in the country’s chronic diseases, heart conditions, and cancer. The health-centered workforce is paramount in the health and well-being of Louisiana citizens. Diversity in culture, faith, environment, and other factors impact how individuals respond to recommendations and health-related counseling.
One of the most common and steadily emerging careers in nutrition is dietetics and nutrition. counseling. According to the Bureau of LaborStatistics (2025), dietitians and nutritionists plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to help people lead healthy lives. Dietitians and nutritionists work in many settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, cafeterias, and for state and local governments. To enter the occupation, dietitians and nutritionists typically need a bachelor's or master’s degree. They also typically are required to have supervised training through an internship. Many states require dietitians and nutritionists to be licensed.The median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists was $73,850 in May2024. Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. About 6,100openings for dietitians and nutritionists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
In addition to the recruitment of diversity in nutrition and dietetics careers, non-traditional careers play an important role in building a healthy community and fighting food insecurity.
The USDA Nutrition Hub looks deeper into career paths that offer a holistic approach to health, nutrition, and food security by partnering with organizations like the Clean Green Alliance, an environmental health organization that focuses on wrap-around interventions that reduce waste that harms the agricultural environment, as well as build relationships. Within this partnership, the Hub, Clean Green Neighborhood Alliance, Old South Baton RougeEconomic Redevelopment Group, and other partners are equipping at-risk youth, incarcerated individuals, and re-entry individuals with knowledge and opportunity. Emerging certifications in agricultural-based and environmental careers will ultimately produce healthier environments; create sustainable income; and foster a positive environment for members of our society.
Creating Agri Aquaculture within Green Spaces
Food insecurity means that people do not have enough foods to eat and do not know where their next meal will come from. It's a big problem in the United States, where 47 million people, including 14million children, experience food insecurity annually. However, many more people, including millions who do not meet the definition of food insecure—turn to the charitable food sector for support. The “Agri Aquasystem” can have potential to decrease the food insecurity by providing sustainable fish and produce production. The system is a combination of Aquaculture and hydroponic which has attracted a lot of attention among farmers, fisheries and schools.The system will not only supply fresh fish and leafy greens for the community, but it also will serve as a hands‑on learning space for hundreds of students and community members; and produces research that guides water efficiency, food safety and farming practice. It will strengthen local food security and public health.The USDA Nutrition Hub is actively seeking partnerships to create an aquaculture and hydroponic system that expands the agricultural setting of growing plants and workforce.
Resource: Dietitiansand Nutritionists: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of LaborStatistics
