e-Directions is an information-sharing newsletter issued at least bi-monthly to help keep you updated on Extension-related issues covering restructuring, programming opportunities, strategic plan initiatives and enhancements and other information.
If you have any comments or suggestions to improve e-Directions or the Director’s Web site, please contact me at pcoreil@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Because of the length of this newsletter, it has been divided into sections that are available from the list provided below.
Legislative Session Ends June 19th
On June 19th, the 2006 Legislative Session will come to an end. With an identified surplus of more than $500 million, the state’s budget situation has much improved from what it was projected to be post Katrina and Rita. Currently, higher education institutions all seem to have improved budget scenarios with unfunded mandates covered, some operating funds added to replace the cuts from the October 2005 special session and a 5% faculty merit-based pay raise that we hope will be approved when the final bell is rung. Even though only $2.5 million of the $4.5 million the AgCenter was cut after the storms has been restored, we are indeed in an improved financial state than what was projected before the session began. It appears sales taxes, corporate taxes and gaming revenues are much higher than what was predicted by the Revenue Estimating Conference. The only question is, will these higher collections continue, and will the state income tax collections meet expectations of the conference?
We are very thankful for the improved financial situation in the state, but we also realize there is much recovery work to be done to build back the economies of Metro New Orleans and the many coastal communities that were devastated after both Katrina and Rita. We still do not have extension offices re-established in Orleans and Cameron parishes, and many of our employees are still living in FEMA trailers as we enter the 2006 hurricane season.
I assure you we will continue to seek a more permanent solution to the AgCenter’s budget, since we do not want to continue to have to go year in and year out to the state legislature asking for more funding to keep our programs viable and our salaries competitive with our peer institutions in the South.
We appreciate all of the efforts made by our parish and regional faculty and staff getting the message to our clientele and our legislative leaders regarding the critical budget needs of the AgCenter. Clearly, the strong support we get in the legislature can only be sustained by the quality research and extension programs you conduct around the state. For that we say thank you!
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Journal of Extension Article
As we continue to strive for excellence and retain the best faculty in the AgCenter, it is critical that our tenure and promotion system appropriately and fairly reflect the threefold mission of land-grant universities. The April 2006 edition of the Journal of Extension provides a brief history of the scholarship of engagement in higher education and describes current challenges facing tenure and promotion. The article is accessible at http://www.joe.org/joe/2006april/a8.shtml.
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Rice Acreage Comparison, 2005-2006
In recent years, rice acreage in Louisiana has declined significantly because of poor prices, increased costs and, most recently, the effects of Hurricane Rita. The decline in acreage from 2005 to 2006 is almost 37%! Currently, serious drought conditions in South Louisiana are causing significantly higher pumping costs, with many farmers lacking adequate quantities of good quality surface water needed for irrigation. Rain is much needed to flush salt that remains in fields that were inundated by Rita.
|
Parish |
2006 approx. acreage |
2005 acreage |
Acreage Difference |
|
Acadia |
70,000 |
82,563 |
(12,563) |
|
Allen |
10,000 |
17,890 |
(7,890) |
|
Beauregard |
1,000 |
2,177 |
(1,177) |
|
Calcasieu |
8,500 |
15,840 |
(7,340) |
|
Catahoula |
3,340 |
7,250 |
(3,910) |
|
Concordia |
8,300 |
14,726 |
(6,426) |
|
East Carroll |
13,000 |
15,831 |
(2,831) |
|
Evangeline |
34,000 |
48,223 |
(14,223) |
|
Franklin |
0 |
1,402 |
(1,402) |
|
Iberville |
1,700 |
0 |
+1,700 |
|
Jeff Davis |
65,000 |
82,440 |
(17,440) |
|
Lafayette |
4,000 |
6,477 |
(2,477) |
|
Morehouse |
25,000 |
50,213 |
(25,213) |
|
Natchitoches |
4,200 |
3,060 |
+1,140 |
|
Ouachita |
5,000 |
9,303 |
(4,303) |
|
Point Coupee |
2,120 |
2,123 |
(3) |
|
Rapides |
7,500 |
7,788 |
(288) |
|
Richland |
6,000 |
5,921 |
+79 |
|
St. Landry |
17,000 |
25,098 |
(8,098) |
|
St. Martin |
3,000 |
5,206 |
(2,206) |
|
Tensas |
3,100 |
1,779 |
+1,321 |
|
Vermilion |
30,500 |
76,361 |
(45,861) |
|
West Carroll |
6,500 |
7,003 |
(503) |
|
Totals |
328,760 |
488,674 |
(159,914) |
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4-H Camp 2006
A major revision in the programming for 4-H camp has been enacted for the summer of 2006. In an effort to make the camp experience more interactive and hands-on, five tracks were developed. The tracks are: Outdoors Adventure; Tech World; Dramatic Arts – Let’s Put on a Show; CSI: Wet and Wild Nature Adventure; and F.U.N. – Food U & Nutrition. Youth may choose the track that most interests them when they arrive at camp on Monday. The tracks are limited to a maximum of 100 youth each. 4-H youth are in their track of choice on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:00 am until 12:00 noon. During these 12 hours youth are able to learn specific skills and practice them. All of the tracks are led by elementary school teachers hired for a specific track based on their expertise. Additionally, each track has an assistant who is a college student.
After lunch, 4-H campers participate in three organized recreation periods on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Nine different periods were organized, and each camper has an opportunity to participate in each activity.
After the first two weeks of camp, informal evaluations have indicated that the youth and adults involved in the new camping experience have been pleased with the changes, and feel that the goal of the 4-H Camp experience promoting a fun learning environment where kids take responsibility and build relationships is on target.
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New Position
Gerald Roberts has taken the responsibility of an LSU AgCenter area agent in St. Landry Parish. He already held the title of parish chair. His focus will be on sweet potato production education and outreach in South Louisiana. Mr. Roberts has accepted this position after working for Southern University for many years. Please give Mr. Roberts your full support as he takes on this new responsibility.
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Veteran Weed Research Scientist to Assume Extension Responsibilities
Professor Roy Vidrine has for many years served the clientele of the LSU AgCenter as one of the top weed control research scientists in the state. His research program at the Dean Lee Research Station has received state, regional, national and international recognition. Roy is recognized as one of the top authorities in weed control and herbicide usage in the mid-South. To better serve the needs of the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana cotton producers, effective June 1, 2006, Professor Vidrine will assume responsibilities as the state extension specialist assigned to cotton weed control work. With more than 34 years in the LSU AgCenter system, Roy brings a wealth of experience that will greatly benefit cotton producers in the state.
In his new position he will provide leadership for both the weed research program at Dean Lee and the extension educational program for cotton weed science. His domicile will continue to be at the Dean Lee Research Station; however, he will expand his weed science program to clientele across the state. Roy can be reached by contacting the Dean Lee Research Station, any office of the LSU AgCenter or by cell phone.
Professor Vidrine stated that he is very excited about moving his weed science program into extension educational programming and looking forward to his new responsibilities. He has already begun the process of expanding his efforts into all cotton growing areas of the state. He believes these new expanded responsibilities will allow him even more opportunity to use the excellent research for the benefit of cotton farmers, which is being conducted by himself and other weed scientists in the LSU AgCenter at Dean Lee and other LSU AgCenter research units.
Please join me is supporting Roy as he assumes this new joint Extension appointment.
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Human Ecology Extension Associate
Please join me in welcoming a new colleague, Emily LeJeune. Emily has been hired as an extension associate with the school of Human Ecology in a part-time capacity assisting with the evaluation of our HUEC extension child development programs. Her hire was made possible through the Child Care Provider Training grant from Department of Social Services. Emily is a recent graduate of LSU School of Human Ecology from the Division of Family, Child and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Human Services Management. While an LSU student, Emily assisted with the record keeping and evaluation of the Child Care Provider Training program.
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4-H Volunteer Action Grant Award Announcement
Congratulations to Janet Fox, Terri Faul and the LSU AgCenter 4-H program in being awarded a 2006 Art of Leadership 4-H Volunteer Action Grant supported by Monsanto Company. The total grant award is $4,000.
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House Action on the FY 2007 Agriculture Appropriation
On Tuesday, May 23, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the FY 2007 Agriculture Appropriation Bill by a vote of 378-46. The bill provides $1,188,937,000 for CSREES, a net increase of $3,145,000 over the $1,185,792,000 proposed by the House Appropriations Committee. Changes are:
-
An additional $3,145,000 for the Organic Transition Program.
-
An additional $700,000 for the Hispanic-serving Institutions Education Grants Program.
-
An additional $100,000 for Outreach to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (Section 2501) Program.
-
An additional $200,000 for Resident Instruction Grants for Insular Areas.
-
A decrease of $1,000,000 in the National Research Initiative.
Although other amendments were offered during floor debate, including an amendment to reduce funding for CSREES, these did not pass.
Information on Congressional action on all FY 2007 appropriation bills is available on the Library of Congress Web site http://thomas.loc.gov/home/approp/app07.html.
No date has been announced for the U.S. Senate markup, but it is anticipated this may take place in June. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
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Six Faculty Recognized by Gamma Sigma Delta
Five faculty members in the Department of Dairy Science and one in the Department of Entomology were recognized at the Gamma Sigma Delta Spring A