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.
Due to the length of this e-Directions, it has been divided into sections. Click on the section you would like to read.
Dwight Landreneau to Assume Associate Vice Chancellor and Extension Service Associate Director Position
Ken Roberts, associate vice chancellor and associate extension service director, has announced that he will retire October 31, 2006. During his 28+ year career with the extension service and the LSU AgCenter, he earned national recognition in natural resource economics and policy. He has been associate vice chancellor/associate LCES director since September, 2001 providing leadership for the extension service and AgCenter-wide programs focused on the environment, natural resources and economic development. His expertise and dedication will be missed by the AgCenter and constituents across the state.
We are fortunate to bring Dwight Landreneau back to the LSU AgCenter in this very important position. Dwight, former 20-year agent with the extension service, has agreed to assume the associate vice chancellor and extension service associate director position effective September 1. This appointment was made official by the LSU Board of Supervisors at its August 18 meeting. Dwight departed from the AgCenter in 1998 to become Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, heading up Louisiana’s Office of State Parks. In 2004, he was named secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries by the governor.
Governor Blanco personally congratulates Dwight Landreneau on his return to LSU with the following statement:
"I want to personally congratulate Department of Wildlife and Fisheries secretary Dwight Landreneau as he prepares to return to LSU to become the associate vice chancellor and associate director of extension at the LSU AgCenter. No one will ever forget how he led the heroic and tireless efforts in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita by pre-positioning wildlife and fisheries personnel to immediately begin life-saving operations. He, his staff and the volunteer agency personnel and citizens who worked in coordinated search and rescue efforts were a major part of the Louisiana response to both storms. I wish him well and continued success as he returns to LSU."
Dwight will bring to the position extensive expertise in natural resources management and conservation, strong administrative experience in Louisiana state government and an in-depth understanding of AgCenter programs and the needs across the state of Louisiana. He will overlap with Dr. Roberts during the month of September to allow for a smooth transition and to meet all regional directors and department heads. We look forward to having Dwight back at the AgCenter and ask that everyone give him their support.
[Back to Top]
Retirement Reception
In recognition for his many outstanding contributions to the LSU AgCenter for almost 30 years, a reception will be held to honor Dr. Roberts on Thursday, October 19, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the 4-H Mini Farm on the LSU campus. Although a formal invitation will be sent out in September, I wanted to make the date known so everyone can mark their calendars. I look forward to seeing you on October 19.
[Back to Top]
4-H Department Head Search Underway
Recently, Terril Faul, our 4-H department head, announced his decision to retire effective January 31, 2007. Terril has done an outstanding job leading Louisiana 4-H and he will be missed. I would like to thank Terril for his loyal and dedicated service to the LSU AgCenter, the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, the 4-H Department and to the citizens and youth across the state of Louisiana. During his tenure as 4-H Department head, Terril initiated many very successful educational/outreach experiences for 4-H youth across the state, including an LSU football game dedicated to 4-H members and their families; a strong 4-H member partnership with the Hornets professional basketball program in New Orleans; a very successful 4-H Day at the State Capitol; and an enhanced campus-based educational program we now call 4-H University (4-H U – formally 4-H Short Course).
Terril has agreed to help us during the transition to a new department head that we hope will be selected prior to his departure in January. We very much appreciate his help and support during the entire transition process.
We will have an appropriate function later to recognize the dedicated service Terril has provided over the past 35+ years – details will be provided when more definite plans are made. Until then, please join me in thanking Terril for his outstanding service as he approaches retirement.
We are currently conducting a national search for this important leadership position. We also encourage all qualified internal candidates to apply as well. A 4-H Department head search committee has been named and is being chaired by Dr. Steve Linscombe. We appreciate the work of the committee and look forward to getting qualified candidates for this very important position. The application deadline is September 22.
[Back to Top]
2006 Constitutional Amendments
Louisiana citizens will be voting on 13 proposed constitutional amendments this fall (see below). The LSU AgCenter will not be distributing hard copies of the amendments since the information will be available on the Web. The proposed amendments can be read on the legislative Web site www.legis.state.la.us. lick on “proposed constitutional amendments” in the box under 2006 session heading.
The 13 proposed amendments on the September 30th ballot are:
- No. 1 – Coastal and Flood Protection: Dedicates certain revenues for coastal wetlands conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection and infrastructure affected by wetland loss.
- No. 2 – Coastal and Flood Protection: Dedicates a portion of proceeds from tobacco settlement securitization to coastal restoration.
- No. 3 – Coastal and Flood Protection: Authorizes creation of regional flood protection authorities.
- No. 4 – Provides relative to the compensation paid for the taking of certain property for hurricane and flood protection
- No. 5 – Expropriation or Eminent Domain: Prohibits expropriation of property by the state or political subdivision for certain use; specifies "public purpose" and "just compensation."
- No. 6 - Expropriation or Eminent Domain: Prohibits transfer of expropriate property held for not more than 30 years to any person without first offering it back to the original property owner.
- No. 7 - Investments: Authorizes a portion of the Medicaid trust fund for the elderly to be invested inequities.
- No. 8 - Homestead Exemption: Continues the homestead exemption and the special assessment level for property damaged and made uninhabitable by natural disaster.
- No. 9 - Unfunded School Mandates: Provides that any law increasing school system's expenditures becomes effective only if the legislature provides funding.
- No. 10 - Investments: Authorizes certain endowed funds of colleges and universities to be invested in stocks.
- No. 11 - Homestead Exemption: Extends the homestead exemption to property placed in revocable trusts.
- No. 12 - Elections: Provides for filling vacancies in office of Lt. Governor and statewide elected officials by election, if unexpired term exceeds a year.
- No. 13 - Elections: Provides for Qualifications of Office for Judges.
The proposed amendments on the November 7 ballot are (Secretary of State has not yet issued ballot numbers):
- Assessors: Provides for a single tax assessor in Orleans Parish.
- Taxes: Exempts motor vehicles from municipal ad valorem tax.
- Taxes: Exempts consigned art from ad valorem taxation.
- Taxes: Increases amount of severance tax parishes receive.
- Taxes: Exempts medical equipment leased to small rural hospitals from ad valorem taxation.
- Taxes: Makes special homestead assessment for certain military personnel and disabled persons.
- Schools: Grants the Central Community School System certain school finance powers; prohibits discrimination in use of state funds for students.
- Judges: Authorizes the legislature to create new judgeships within a district court with limited or specialized subject matter jurisdiction.
Please forward this information to clientele in your area as appropriate.
[Back to Top]
Under Secretary J.B. Penn Resigns
Below is a statement by agriculture secretary Mike Johanns regarding the resignation of Under Secretary J.B. Penn. Dr. Penn is an LSU Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness alumnus.
"Today I have accepted the resignation of Dr. J.B. Penn, under secretary of agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, who has resigned effective at the end of August to return to the private sector.
"J.B. Penn has served USDA in this post since May of 2001. He has overseen the activities of the Farm Service Agency, Foreign Agricultural Service and Risk Management Agency, as well as our extensive participation in international activities, including the WTO Doha Round negotiations and other trade agreements.
"J.B. Penn's experience and leadership, from his diligent actions to assure timely implementation of the 2002 Farm Bill's provisions that assist domestic producers to his steadfast efforts to reduce trade barriers and increase our agricultural exports, have worked to improve the economic outlook for America's farmers and ranchers. His vision for international trade and development on behalf of our producers and agribusinesses is recognized around the world, and I have valued his counsel and determination through the many months of tough negotiations on the Doha Development Agenda. I thank him for this tremendous service. He will be missed at USDA, and we wish him the best."
[Back to Top]
Dr. Mike Stout, Newsom Professor
Dr. Mike Stout has been appointed the first L.D. Newsom Professor in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Dr. Stout is most deserving of this recognition. Please join me in congratulating him.
[Back to Top]
Devillier Named NACAA Southern Region Director
Congratulations to Dr. James Devillier on being appointed to the NACAA Southern Region Director position by his peers in LCAAA. Dr. Devillier has been vice-director for the past two years and will now begin a two-year term as director. He will complete his term in 2008 during the AM/PIC in North Carolina. Please give Dr. Devillier your full support as he assumes this important position.
[Back to Top]
Senate Approves USDA Overseer for Livestock Tracing
On Friday, August 4 the U.S. Senate confirmed Bruce Knight to be the U.S. agriculture undersecretary in charge of implementing a nationwide livestock tracking system, a safeguard against mad cow and other dangerous animal diseases. A third-generation rancher and farmer and lifelong conservationist, Mr. Knight is a native of South Dakota. He had been the chief of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) since May 6, 2002, just a week before President George W. Bush signed the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act, known as the 2002 Farm Bill. The act increased federal investment in private lands conservation by more than $17 billion.
[Back to Top]
The Changing Portfolio of the CES
At the February 2006 annual National Extension Directors/Administrators (NED/A) meeting, a report was presented on “The Changing Portfolio of the Cooperative Extension Service.” The full CES report may be accessed at http://www.csrees.usda.gov/qlinks/ecop.html.
Issues addressed in the report include the following: increasing revenue and diversifying sources to support programs better, how to determine if clients can/should pay fees, when net revenues are received following program completion, how best to utilize those funds, assessing whether a program has public value and/or provides a private good and various related topics.
All 12 recommendations were ratified at the February 2006 annual NED/A meeting. CSREES is working on implementing all four of the recommendations listed as the agency's primary responsibility.
[Back to Top]
Drought Management Information
Like much of the southern United States, Louisiana has endured drought conditions during 2006. To help beef producers cope with the dry conditions, a drought management handbook has been developed (with Mississippi State University) to aid with culling decisions and pasture management. The handbook can be downloaded from www.lsuagcenter.com/beef.
[Back to Top]
Organic Milk Conference
The Louisiana Milk Producer’s Organic Milk Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, August 29 at the Southeast Research Station. The conference will begin at 9:00 a.m. with coffee and doughnuts and will end at noon with a lunch sponsored by Purina Mills Inc. Topics include USDA regulations of organic milk, production cost analyses, soil fertility challenges and producer viewpoints. Guest speakers will include Dr. Mike McCormick, Southeast Research Station coordinator; Dr. Ronnie Bardwell, area dairy agent; Mike Brian, LaMP president; Harry Schexnayder, La. Department of Agriculture and Forestry; Dr. Charles Hutchison, LSU AgCenter dairy specialist; Jay Stevens, LSU AgCenter associate professor/extension specialist; and Harry Lewis, organic dairy farmer. For more information, contact the Southeast Research Station at (985) 839-2322.
[Back to Top]
Forage Testing Lab Fees
Effective September 1, the Southeast Research Station has announced the initiation of forage testing lab fees. A standard analysis, which includes dry matter, ADF, NDF, protein and TDN, will cost $10. A complete analysis, which includes a standard analysis plus the minerals calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, zinc, manganese and copper, will cost $15. The research station will continue to conduct special analysis upon request; the rates are listed on the station Web site.
[Back to Top]
National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month and the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service is a campaign partner in this event. The goal is to encourage communities and businesses to take steps to prepare for emergencies. This is extremely timely, being we are just entering the most active time of hurricane season. You all have the opportunity to be active in this campaign by educating the public about the importance of disaster preparedness.
Customized educational and promotional materials for National Preparedness Month are available on the EDEN Web site at www.EDEN.lsu.edu/npm. These materials include a press release, two editorials, a fact sheet, talking points, placemat, preparedness quiz, campaign graphics, a PowerPoint presentation and e-mail template. When you use these materials, it is strongly recommended that you coordinate your National Preparedness Month efforts and messages with local emergency managers.
[Back to Top]
LCES Mail Center Delivery System
As of August 14, Knapp Hall Mail Services began using LSU campus mail to handle incoming and outgoing mail that doesn’t require metering. Some specifics include:
- Outgoing mail in Knapp Hall should be brought to the mail center where it will be picked up and delivered by campus mail. Extension personnel housed in other departments should use the designated campus pickup within the department.
- Incoming mail for Knapp Hall will be sorted by department in the mail center. Departments housed in Knapp can pick up their mail from the building mail center, as is done in Efferson.
- Outgoing metered mail should be brought to Knapp to be metered and picked up by campus mail. (FYI… LSU Parking offers a Jitney Service that will pick up and deliver around campus).
- Bulk mail, UPS and Fed Ex services remain the same.
- The Knapp mail center will make a daily run to campus post office, Efferson and Warehouse.
Basically, services provided by the mailroom remain the same. It is the delivery system that will change to take advantage of a service that is already being provided by LSU. This will free up valuable time for a reduced staff in the mail center and add another vehicle to our fleet for your use. Please contact Ruth Mutrie at 578-2438 if you have any questions, comments or suggestions.
[Back to Top]
Defensive Driving Class
The AgCenter Information Technology unit has provided a link on the AgCenter intranet homepage https://www.lsuagcenter.net (see right hand column under Safety and Disasters) for the defensive driving online training class. Those who drive state vehicles and/or use their personal vehicle for state business (including student workers) are required by the Office of Risk Management to take the class.
Employees are required to repeat the class every three years. New employees who have not yet taken the class and employees who need the three-year refresher class should do so as soon as possible. It only takes a few minutes to complete the training. At the end, you will be able to print a certificate with your name entered. (If it does not go automatically to “print,” you can print by right clicking the mouse and choosing Print). Keep the original certificate for your files and give a copy to your unit safety coordinator.
If you have any questions, please contact your unit safety coordinator, Gayle Gautreau, David Bankston, or Larry Stevenson.
[Back to Top]
Cameron Ice House Becomes a Reality – St. Bernard Ice House on the Way
As of Wednesday, August 16, the Cameron dockside ice facility, donated by Shell Oil Company, is up and running! Shell Oil is donating commercial ice machines to Cameron and St. Bernard parishes in an effort to help the seafood industry recovery after hurricanes Rita and Katrina. Ice has been in critical shortage since both storms due to the sever damage to the fishing industry infrastructure coast-wide. The LSU AgCenter and the LSU Sea Grant program have been key facilitators helping to make these donations and installations become a reality. A special thanks goes out to Mark Schexnayder – our Hurricane Katrina Recovery Task Force coordinator; Kevin Savoie, Fisheries/Watershed area agent (SW Louisiana); and Rusty Gaude, area fisheries agent (SE Louisiana).
[Back to Top]
Please continue to visit the director’s website at:
http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/administration/about_us/extension/our+director/
index.htm
If you have any comments or suggestions to improve e-Directions or the director’s website, please contact me at pcoreil@agcenter.lsu.edu.
[Back to Top]