LSU Alumni Geaux Getter: Carrie Lane

Agriculture's Impact on Louisiana

From bread to dairy to beef, agriculture is the backbone of American culture, influencing the American diet and providing revenue for the local and state economies of top growers.

As a 4-H youth developmental agent for the LSU AgCenter in Calcasieu Parish, Carrie Lane (2023 MAST AG) is turning research into practical advice. Her work is vital, not only to the nation, but to the economy back home in Louisiana.

“There are so many moving parts and different levels where agriculture comes into play,” Lane said. “Even when you start considering robots, drones, and other equipment that you wouldn’t immediately relate to traditional agriculture

Through these processes, they can bring information that the general public might’ve missed in an easily accessible way. One example of how this is accomplished is   through a garden club at an urban school for fourth and fifth graders. By introducing them to where their food comes from, it gives them access to information they would not have otherwise received. 

From 4-H Member to 4-H Agent

Lane says these options allow students to develop critical thinking skills regarding agriculture and American consumer trends, circling back to the importance of agriculture to the Louisiana economy. A Shreveport native who was reared in Vinton, Lane is one of the three 4-H specialists for her home parish, Calcasieu.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science and a specialization in equine science at McNeese in Lake Charles, also in Calcasieu Parish. After college, Lane was hired at the LSU AgCenter as a 4-H agent, helping run those clubs in her community.

Overcoming Adversity Through Education

Her time at LSU was dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricanes Laura (2020) and Delta (2020), which devastated Calcasieu Parish and Vinton. Despite this extremely difficult time for her, she continued with her education, thanks to the support of her co-workers at the AgCenter.

“We lost everything we owned to Laura, and what we did have left was further taken by Delta,” Lane said. “My department head at the time was Dr. Janet Fox, and she was very supportive of me, and she really looked out for me while I was working on my master’s. It made me realize I can’t give up, because there are people who are pushing me through.”

She has been working at the AgCenter for more than a decade and has decided to pursue her doctoral degree at LSU in the Agricultural Education, Extension and Evaluation Program.

“Being able to have work-life balance is necessary with graduate or doctoral degrees,” Lane said. “The skills learned and applied are much the same. What I may be working on for classwork could apply to a workshop or camp I host a few weeks later. It’s definitely not easy, but the lifelong learner in me just absolutely loves it.

Giving Back to Louisiana Through the LSU AgCenter 

The LSU AgCenter is a public research institution and offers educational outreach programs at its 64 satellite offices in each parish of Louisiana, including 4-H Clubs. Since joining 4-H at 9, Lane has come full circle to become an agent.

“Seeing how all the AgCenter campuses work together for not just our farmers, but for the entire state, for every citizen,” Lane said, “we’re able to provide people with the answers and solutions to simple, everyday problems of crop production. We try to improve the daily lives of everyone here, continuing that Louisiana cultural idea of ‘we’re all in this together'.”