About Cooperative Extension Programs

AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES (ANR)

ANR specialists, agents, staff and advisors link farmers to opportunities, provide trusted information and assess community needs. The goal of the ANR program is to deliver valuable instructional programs to Louisiana producers. These programs allow farmers to maintain sustainable businesses, profitable farms and improved livelihoods. The ANR program consists of:

• Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Sustainable Urban Agriculture
  • Demonstration Farm
  • Aquaculture
  • Hydrophonics
  • Sustainable Community Agricultural Learning Environments (S.C.A.L.E.)
• Small Farms Institute
  • Small Farms Academy
  • Wisteria Alliance – Women in Agriculture Program
• Livestock Program
  • Livestock Show
• Plant & Soil Sciences
• Cultivating Leadership Innovative Motivation through Agriculture Talent and Education (C.L.I.M.A.T.E.)

These programs reach citizens throughout all 64 parishes in Louisiana.

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES

Clients statewide are provided with research-based programs that address nutrition, health and wellness, community and economic development, and family and human development. These programs holistically address the family unit by providing educational programming that families and individuals to live their best most healthy lives, while promoting small business, non-profit and community & economic development.

• Community and Economic Development
• Family and Human Development
• Nutrition Health & Wellness
  • Communities of Color Network
  • Growing Healthy Gardening Program
  • Sisters Together: Move More, Eat Better
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed)
  • The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

As the cycle of life continues with emerging issues across our state, it is imperative to ensure today’s youth are equipped with the basic developmental, social and organizational skills needed to become futuristic leaders. Through 4-H and Positive Youth Development programs, youth gain the knowledge and skills to ignite their passion for civic engagement, community stewardship, and decision-making processes.

Youth Development’s mission is to provide life-changing skills and opportunities to Louisiana youth with an overarching vision to enhance their lives by providing positive development in a safe and nurturing environment. While our services are extended to all youth, there is a particular focus on socially disadvantaged communities and vulnerable groups, as there is generally limited access to viable resources.

• 4-H/Youth Development

• S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and Mathematics)

Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (SARDI)

The Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (SARDI) located in Opelousas, La., is the satellite campus of the Southern University Ag Center. The Institute focuses on improving the socioeconomic well-being of citizens in rural communities within a ten-parish region of St. Landry, Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Evangeline, Lafayette, Pointe Coupee, St. Martin, and Vermillion Parishes. The overarching goals of SARDI are to:

1. Provide leadership that assures focused, applied rural development research and community outreach.

2. Increase awareness and understanding of rural development conditions, issues strategies and policies.

3. Provide rural community stakeholders and policy makers with the information necessary for public policy decision-making.