Mark G. Tassin

    Louisiana
    2025
    Active

    Associate Vice President 4-H Youth Development

    Brusly, Louisiana

    Graduated with a BS degree in Animal Science in May of 1981 from LSU and began my extension career as an Assistant County Agent in Iberville Parish doing 4-H Youth Development work. Was involved in 4-H as a young person being a member for 8 years and participating in 4-H camp, short course, livestock shows, records and various other contests.

    Received a MS degree in 1988 from LSU in Extension Education and a specialization in Agronomy in the Spring of 2001. Received a PHD in the School of Human Resource Economic and Work Force Development in the summer of 2005. Did full time 4-H work for 13 years in Iberville. After that time began Agriculture work for 7 years, but also assisted with 4-H as much as possible. The first 20 years of my extension career was spent in Iberville. Served as Regional 4-H Coordinator working with 14 parishes in the southeastern portion of the state for 5 years. Served as 4-H Department Head of the LSU AgCenter from December 2006 to March 2013 when he was appointed as Associate Vice President and Program Leader for 4-H.

    My wife Janet and I have two beautiful daughters, Lindsey 35, and Emily 31 both are graduates of LSU. We have two grandchildren, Harrison and Maybeth. My hobbies include traveling, running, hunting and fishing, but my enjoyment comes from spending time with our family and watching our grandkids bring joy to our family.

    Quote

    “Even though it was initially developed with an agriculture focus, 4-H has diversified to capture the needs all of the youth in the 21st century.”

    My 4-H Story

    This a poem I wrote more than 20 years ago when I decided to change career paths and go back to 4-H after years of Agriculture work.

    THE 4-H AGENT
    A friend, a teacher, a motivator
    A coach, a fitter, a mediator
    Sometimes you are called to be substitute mom or dad
    To brighten the day when it looks real bad
    Anger and frustration are common emotions
    But you must be ready to come up with one of your potions
    To wipe a tear from an eye and create a smile
    On the saddest and most troubled child
    Your skills you cannot obtain from any book
    Because in times of need you have taken a look
    They don’t teach them in any class
    They’re obtained as time will pass
    You’ve been criticized and that’s no fun
    But you realize you are the one
    That can help a child
    grow and reach the top
    And because of this you will never stop In this world today people so easily quit
    But you refuse to stop until all the pieces fit
    Your success is not measured by ribbons achieved It is scaled against your drive to succeed Your time and devotion are hard to measure
    Only you know the amount of pleasure
    Derived from the satisfaction of a job well done
    Knowing that in many eyes you are number one
    Honesty and integrity are qualities you do possess
    Although your patience is put to the test
    You take a deep breath and put a smile on your face
    Because in a child’s heart you’ve earned a special place
    You bleed green and white and that’s okay
    Because in the future they’ll come the day
    When boy becomes man and you had something to do
    With his success he attributes to you