e-Directions 1/19/2006
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.
Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Application
USDA Rural Development announces the availability of $19.475 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year 2006 to help independent agricultural producers enter into value-added activities. Awards may be made for planning activities or for working capital expenses, but not both. The maximum grant amount for a planning grant is $100,000 and the maximum grant amount for a working capital grant is $300,000.
The notice of solicitation of applications (NOSA) can be located in the Federal Register at:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov
/2005/pdf/E5-7596.pdf.
You may obtain application guides and materials for a VAPG at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm or by contacting the USDA Rural Development office at (318) 473-7960.
For more information about the program or if any assistance is needed, please contact the business programs staff at the above telephone number or contact Judy C. Meche, Business and Cooperative Specialist, at (318) 473-7906.
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2006 Southern Region Grantsmanship Workshop
Congratulations to Kimberly Evans, Fangneng Huang, Collins Kimbeng, Heli Roy, and Esther Vanderlick who were chosen to be travel grant recipients to attend the 2006 Southern Region Grantsmanship Workshop in February.
The Southern Region Grantsmanship Workshop, hosted by the University of Kentucky, will be held Feb. 8-9 at the Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Airport. The workshop focus will be on developing, writing and submitting competitive grant proposals to receive funding for programs that integrate research, education and extension from the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES). The workshop goals are to learn grant submission guidelines and grant writing tips, as well as to hear from successful integrated program teams and attend breakout sessions with national program leaders.
I encourage AgCenter faculty in research, eXtension and academics to take the initiative to attend an upcoming workshop as opportunities arise.
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Congratulations to our Award Winners
Congratulations to the following winners who will be receiving AgCenter awards at the 2006 AgOutlook Conference on January 26 at the Lod Cook Center:
- Ben Legendre, sugarcane specialist, St. Gabriel Research State - Extension Excellence Award
- Ron Levy, county agent in Acadia and Lafayette parishes - Floyd S. Edmiston Award
- Donald Thompson, professor, Department of Animal Sciences - Doyle Chambers Research Award
- Eric Webster, weed scientist, Department of Agronomy and Environmental Management - Rogers Research Award
- Diane Schneider, administrative coordinator for the Southwest Region - Ganelle Bullock Staff Outstanding Service Award
- Rebecca Lirette, research associate at the Central Research Station - Outstanding Service Award for Associates
The Denver T. and Ferne Loupe Extension Team Award went to a group of 15 who developed and implemented the "Building Financially Literate Youth" program.
- Jeanette Tucker and Ann Berry from Human Ecology were the leaders of this effort.
Other team members to be honored are:
- Beverly Bailey, Kathy Mauthe and Laura Lea Perault, Southeast Region
- Mary Virginia "Ginger" Boutwell and Cynthia Stephens, Northeast Region
- Margaret Burlew and Sheri Fair, South Central Region
- Melissa Cater and Julie McLain, Central Region
- Carolyn Leperi and Deniese Zeringue, Crescent Region
- Cindy Richard and Adrianne Vidrine, Southwest Region
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Donation to Honor Adrienne Brazan
Pat Brazan, son of former LSU AgCenter extension agent Adrienne Brazan of Assumption Parish, has pledged $60,000 to the School of Human Ecology for a professorship (to be matched with $40,000 from the Board of Regents) to honor his mother. This will be the first professorship honoring a Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) extension professional.
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Human Ecology Extension Field Award
Congratulations to LSU AgCenter extension agents Kay Parnell (Richland Parish) and Laura Lea Perault (Livingston Parish) and associate agent Esther Vanderlick (Rapides Parish) as being selected by their team leader to receive one of the Human Ecology extension field awards this year. These recipients were recognized at the Human Ecology faculty and staff retreat on January 12 by the Human Ecology faculty and me.
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La. Sweet Potato Association DSA
Congratulations to Myrl Sistrunk for receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the Louisiana Sweet Potato Association at their annual meeting held earlier this month.
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New Parish Assignments for Area Forestry Agents
The budgetary situation has not permitted the filling of most vacant positions. The retirement of an area forestry agent in the southwestern part of the state is a specific example that prompts reassessment of the structure by which we serve stakeholders. Ricky Kilpatrick, Steve Hotard and Barry Crain have had their geographic responsibilities changed. Brian Chandler’s geographic responsibility has not changed. The new parish alignments are:
- Ricky Kilpatrick: Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine and Webster.
- Steve Hotard: Caldwell, Claiborne, Jackson, Lincoln, Morehouse, Ouachita, Union, West Carroll and Winn.
- Barry Crain: Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Evangeline, Grant, Rapides and Vernon.
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New Parish Chair Assignment in St. James
Ms. Coleen Laiche has been appointed parish chair for St. James Parish effective January 1, 2006. Ms. Laiche will serve in this capacity through June 30, 2007 and will continue with her parish responsibilities.
Please give Coleen your cooperation and support as she assumes this new administrative responsibility.
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Changes in Knapp Hall
The switchboard (8-4141 & watts line) has been moved to Efferson.
Prudence Broussard has moved her office to the receptionist area in the lobby. Her phone number remains 8-4646. She will continue to reserve AV equipment and videos via phone and e-mail, although Don Horner and Ruth Mutrie will handle the actual distribution and maintenance of this equipment. Prudence will be the contact person for routine building services (too hot, too cold, etc.), vending machine problems, reserving the lounge and conference room (268D), distributing parking passes and serving as building receptionist.
All requests for vehicles should go directly to Don at 8-5728.
Ruth will handle distribution/ordering of office keys, as well as major building complaints/concerns.
No services have been eliminated.
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