Charles Hebert, with the LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, told the Lafayette Parish School Board that the center's programs now reach thousands of students and provide measurable community value.

"We're in 12 middle schools in Lafayette Parish," Hebert said, adding that Health Rocks is reaching 6,500 youth after the district adopted the curriculum systemwide in 2023. "The difference is we've incorporated the principals, the resource officers, and now guidance counselors into the whole community approach." He described the program's goals as "substance prevention and life skill development."

Hebert also summarized the AgCenter's other work in the parish: horticulture services and plant diagnostics; nutrition and community health programs including EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program); and the School Garden Initiative, which the district has hosted for 17 years and which is active at eight parish schools. Hebert said Master Gardener volunteers contribute about 12,000 hours annually, a contribution he estimated at roughly $350,000 in value.

A student segment played for the board underscored the program's local reception. One student said, "Being 14 in this world is very stressful because you don't know what's coming for you," and described Health Rocks lessons on bullying, vaping and peer pressure as helping build confidence. Another student said, "I like the Health Rocks lessons because it's lessons that the kids need to hear about."

Hebert invited board members to the AgCenter's annual events and announced the 10th annual On Cuisine Des Jardins cook-off on February 7, 2026, at David Thibodeaux STEM Magnet Academy. He also left informational packets for board members and encouraged district staff and parents to contact the AgCenter with questions.

Why it matters: The Health Rocks rollout represents a district-wide, multi-school prevention and life-skills curriculum that district staff say is integrated with principals, counselors and resource officers. The AgCenter's volunteer and garden programs provide both curriculum support and in-kind labor that the presenter quantified, offering context for discussions about program value and scaling.

What's next: Hebert said the AgCenter will remain available to answer questions and will continue partnership activities in Lafayette Parish. Board members were asked to consider participation in upcoming events and the district's school-garden activities.