| | Pictured from left to right is Ali Roussel, East St. James Farm Bureau Queen, Rebecca Brock, Miss Teen St. James, Casie Speaks, Miss St. James, Dr. Paul Coreil, Director, LA Cooperative Extension Service, Gerald Wood, recipient of the Agricultural Outstanding Service Award, Al Orgeron, Associate County Agent, Lenny Waguespack, Director, St. James Agricultural Field Tour, Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr. Mike Strain, DVM |
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| | Colby Martin representing Martin and Poche Farm. Martin and Poche Farm was the High Yield winner for the 2007 crop. |
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In 2007, Louisiana Sugarcane Farmers in 22 parishes produced approximately 2.97 billion pounds of raw sugar. The 2007 raw sugar yield ranks as the 7th highest in the states sugar production history, and the average sugar yield per acre was estimated at 7644 lbs, the 2nd highest sugar yield per acre in history. The old adage the cream rises to the top usually describes sugarcane production in St. James Parish, but in 2007 prolonged drought from June to September reduced many producers yield. The parish averaged 6,295 pounds of sugar per acre on 24,400 acres in 2007.
On August 7th, 2008 the Annual St. James Appreciation Banquet was held at the West Bank Reception Center in Vacherie. One hundred sixty four sugar industry personnel, including St. James growers, researchers from the LSU AgCenter, USDA, American Sugarcane League, and local sugar mill personnel attended the event. The parishes’ category winners, top ten producers, as well as, the outstanding service award were honored. The 2007 winners are as follows:
Category Winners 100-299.9 acres Dornier Farms, 300-699.9 acres Martin and Poche Inc., 700-1499.9 acres Wilton Planting Co., 1500 + acres Blackberry Farms Inc. Top Ten Producers 1st Martin & Poche Inc., 2nd Wilton Planting Co., 3rd Gravois Farms LLC., 4th Blackberry Farms LLC., 5th Dornier Farms, 6th Welcome Plantation Inc., 7th Adam Roussel, 8th Roussel Farms Inc., 9th Dufeco Planting Co., 10th Model Farms Co.
The 2008 St. James Agricultural Tour Outstanding Service Award was presented to Mr. Gerald E. Wood. Mr. Wood devoted his entire working career to the sugarcane industry as a full time farmer. Born and raised in St. James Parish, Mr. Wood received his B.S. from LSU in 1964. Throughout his farming career, Mr. Wood has used the technological breakthroughs to increase farming efficiency. For the past 20 years, Mr. Gerald Wood has hosted the St. James Parish Sugarcane Field Day on his farm. The Louisiana Sugar Industry has benefited from Mr. Wood’s open door policy in regards to farm research; allowing researchers to conduct experiments on a “Real World” sugarcane operation.
He has been devoted to the 4-H program all of his life. First as a participant, then as an adult leader and supporter, he has served on the Board of Directors and President of the St. James 4-H Foundation since its inception and has served on the Board of Directors of the 4-H Foundation on the state level. His family has sponsored an endowed scholarship since 1984, in memory of his parents, for a 4-H senior seeking to major in agriculture in college. He was given the St. James Parish 4-H Parent’s Group Appreciation Award in 2007 for his lifetime of involvement in 4-H activities.
A leader in every organization he has belonged to, Mr. Wood served on the Board of Directors and is past President of West St. James Farm Bureau, St. James Cattleman’s Association, St. James LSU Alumni Association, and Ascension Catholic School Board. He served on the Board of Directors of St. James Sugar Cooperative for over 20 years and served as its President for 5 years. During this time he was also on the Board of Directors of Louisiana Sugarcane Products, Inc. and the American Sugarcane League.
Mr. Gerald E. Wood is a graduate of the first Agriculture Leadership of Louisiana Program sponsored by the LSU Ag Center in 1990. He continues to support and encourage young aspiring agricultural leaders to attend this worthwhile program.