This summer, 21 college students participated in internships with LSU AgCenter staff across Louisiana. Layne Langley, Area Nutrition and Community Health Agent for West Feliciana and East Feliciana Parishes, mentored LSU-Alexandria psychology major William Covington during a 10-week summer internship, providing him with learning opportunities, job-shadowing experiences, and hands-on professional development. Throughout his internship, Covington gained a greater understanding of LSU AgCenter programs and services while strengthening his communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. He assisted with educational programs focused on nutrition and health for both youth and adult audiences.

As part of his internship experience, Covington developed and presented a youth education program focused on poultry. As a West Feliciana 4-H alumnus who exhibited poultry projects, the topic was particularly meaningful to him. His program included an interactive activity, a kid-friendly recipe, and a parent resource. The highlight of the program was introducing youth participants to his live chicken. Covington presented the program at the West Feliciana Parks and Recreation Summer Camp and the Clinton Branch Library. He also assisted Langley with nutrition and health programs conducted at local Councils on Aging and the Clinton Branch Library.

Because Langley also serves East Feliciana Parish, she provided opportunities for East Feliciana intern Chynna King to shadow her during both youth and adult educational programs. King, a Southern University student majoring in animal science, developed a youth program focused on cattle. She delivered the program at the West Feliciana Parks and Recreation Summer Camp and the Clinton Branch Library. Her presentation included an interactive game, educational resource materials, and a snack recipe for participants.

In addition to the intern-led programs, Langley conducted nutrition education programs at both the West Feliciana Parks and Recreation Summer Camp and the Clinton Branch Library. Through these programs, youth learned where food comes from and how to use MyPlate to make healthy food choices. Participants identified the five MyPlate food groups, named foods within each category, and learned how foods travel from farm to plate. At the West Feliciana Parks and Recreation Summer Camp, participants enjoyed a MyPlate Relay activity in which teams worked together to place plastic food models into the correct food group buckets. The program concluded with youth preparing a nutritious and delicious trail mix snack.

For more information about nutrition and health programs available in West and East Feliciana parishes, contact Layne Langley at 225-635-3614 or by email at [email protected].