Serving Claiborne Parish
Through Education
Program Highlights/Fall Semister
507 West Main Street
P.O. Box 299
Homer, LA 71040
Office: (318) 927-3110
Fax: (318) 927-3190
E-mail: claiborne@agcenter.lsu.edu
Ag & Natural Resources
Claiborne Parish Fair will be held September 27- October 3, 2009 at the Claiborne parish Fairgrounds in Haynesville. All entries will be taken on Sunday afternoon, (1:00-4:00 p.m.) for canned items, arts and crafts, quilts, etc. On Monday, Sept. 28, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., entries will also be taken. Livestock exhibits will be entered on Sunday afternoon during the hours of 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Livestock show will be held on Tuesday, beginning at 5:00 p.m. The final livestock sale will take place on Thursday night, October 1st beginning at 6:00 p.m. For more information, contact a member of the Claiborne Parish Fair Board. Call the Extension Office for more information.
The LSU AgCenter Office and Claiborne Parish Watershed District held a seminar for Water Suppliers in Claiborne Parish. Ten of the 16 water systems in Claiborne Parish had representation. Programs of interest were presented by representatives from La. DEQ, LSU AgCenter and La. Rural Water Association. Plans are underway to develop a Water System Working Group for Claiborne Parish that will meet biannually to discuss needs for efficient water supply for Claiborne Parish citizens.
4-H and Other Youth Development
After School Programs
Through the After School Program Clover Buds, Claiborne Parish has increased the 4-H enrollment and project interest of youth three to eight years old. Seventy-five youth throughout Claiborne Parish are new members in four new Clover Buds clubs. Volunteer leaders use Character Critters as the basic curriculum for character development of the youth. Reinforcement activities involve traditional 4-H projects to enhance youth and parental knowledge of the 4-H program. For example, after Clover Buds learned how to care and be responsible for animals, they applied their knowledge by showing their favorite pet in the Parish Pet Show, participating in the 1st annual Clover Bud Pygmy Goat Show, and by showing rabbits during the Parish Fair. Clover Buds also demonstrated respect for Officer Ben Booth during his Halloween Safety Program. Through parental involvement, adult volunteers have become more aware of 4-H programs and the positive opportunities available to their children.
The Clover Buds programs also utilize the leadership skills of parish Jr. Leaders as assistants for the After School Programs. These opportunities develop a sense of belonging in teens and younger youth through a mentoring relationship. Teens also develop the skills needed in working with a variety of audiences, such as knowledge of early childhood development and the ability to work with adults.
Character Development Training
One hundred, twenty-five youth and adult leaders received character development training on October 15, 2008 at the Haynesville Fair Complex. Youth and adult leaders participated in activities, prepared lessons, and shared ideas to enhance their understanding of the six basic character development concepts of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
This year was especially meaningful with the large number of participants being the greatest since character development training began in Claiborne Parish in 1996. The impact of this annual training was also displayed as Daini DeLeon, a Hispanic immigrant, chose to share with youth and adult leaders, what citizenship means to her and how her experiences as a citizen have been enhanced by 4-H.
Claiborne Parish Water Fest
In May of 2008, Claiborne Parish Extension staff of the LSU AgCenter conducted “Water Fest 2008”. In cooperation with the Claiborne Parish School Board, NRCS, USGS, La. Parks and Recreation, and Claiborne Watershed District, 213 6th grade students were provided “hands on” learning about water conservation, quality and the value of wetlands.
This year Claiborne 4-H Jr. leaders not only served as group leaders, but also, actively taught about the SPARTA Aquifer and how to conserve water resources in the home. The venue was Lake Claiborne State Park. This marked the sixth year for this successful program.
Extension Agents for Claiborne Parish
Robin D. Bridges – Parish Chair/County Agent (4-H/ANR)
Teresa Price - Associate Extension Agent (4-H Youth Development)
LaDonna Chreene - FNP Nutrition Educator
Dora Ann Hatch - Extension Agent (Community Economic Development Specialist)
Rafash E. Brew - Area Agent (Horticulture)
Matthew F. Stephens - Area Agent (Nutrient Management)
Cathy Judd - Extension Agent (Family & Consumer Sciences - Parenting)
Ashley Roach - Parenting Educator
Classified Staff
Angela Hood, Administrative Coordinator 3
NORTH CENTRAL REGION
Dr. Allen Nipper, Regional Director
Mrs. Karen Martin, Regional 4-H Coordinator
Visit our website: www.lsuagcenter.com
Louisiana State University Agricultural Center
William B. Richardson, Chancellor
Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station
William H. Brown, Vice Chancellor and Director
Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service
Paul D. Coreil, Vice Chancellor and Director
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.