Contact Person: Umeca Briscoe
Carville, LA

The Louisiana National Guard (LANG) – Youth Challenge Program at the Gillis W. Long Center was one of 5 community organizations to receive a community garden grant in Louisiana from the Community Resources Connection (CRC), Inc., in 2024. CRC collaborated with the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service to increase availability of local fresh fruits and vegetables within underserved communities. This collaboration supports the Department of Agriculture’s goal to feed all Americans.

The LANG – Youth Program community garden is one acre in size, and the cadets and staff dedicate their time and efforts to learn about gardening and harvesting fruits and vegetables that are fit to consume and donate to those in need. We have grown fruits and vegetables, and 60 people have been fed from underserved communities. Native trees, shrubs and flowers have also been incorporated in the area to increase biodiversity.

The mission of the LANG Youth Challenge Program is to intervene in and reclaim the lives of 16–18-year- old adolescents, producing program graduates with the values, life skills, education, and self-disciplines. The Gills W. Long Center provides a beautiful urban green space for the community to gather, learn, share and connect with others.