Raised on a 300-acre dairy farm in Pine, Ariel Seal knows what healthy nutrition means to the average citizen.

As the new Louisiana State University/Southern University Nutrition Educator in Franklinton at the LSU AgCenter Extension Office, Seal said she believed her background fits her perfectly.

Seal started the job on July 7 after graduating from Northshore Technical Community College in 2012 with an associate’s degree in culinary arts.

“I will be teaching the public about healthy eating habits and physical activity,” Seal, 23, said. “I’ll be going into the schools and adult organizations teaching them about the five food groups.”

A teaching tool Seal said she planned to use is a MyPlate poster with the major food groups of fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins and dairy. Other tools Seal has for when she visits elementary schools are miniature stuffed animals aimed to teach children fun facts about nutrition.

“It’s all about helping people choose healthier eating habits or teaching them to modify their daily diet,” Seal said. “I’m eager to get in the schools and share my knowledge with the local residents.”

Seal is a 2009 Pine School graduate and showed beef cattle and dairy cows at 4-H events. She was the 2007 Louisiana State Dairy Cattle Judging winner. She also competed at the national level at the World Dairy Expo.

“We had 100 milk cows in Pine, along with corn and soybean fields,” Seal said. “With a background raised on a farm I’ve grown to become knowledgeable of nutrition and making healthy choices,” Seal said. “I first became interested in nutrition from when I was born because I didn’t have a choice. The cows were fed before we were. Being involved with the farm every day, I learned to love it and want to give back as much as I can.”

To request Seal for a nutrition program at a school, civic program or another event, call the AgCenter office at 985-839-7855.