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LSU AgCenter Communications has been actively supporting the efforts of the Louisiana Rice Research Board, rice growers across the state and AgCenter faculty members involved in rice research for more than eight years.
Production of the annual editions of the Louisiana Rice Research Report, which you are reading now, began in 2002. Since 2003, however, funding for production of the tabloid and a portion of the salaries of those involved in this and other promotional efforts have been provided by a $25,000 annual grant from the Rice Research Board.
"We are glad to have been involved with the Rice Research Board on these projects, and we think it’s been a win-win situation for everyone," said Frankie Gould, director of communications and public relations for the LSU AgCenter.
When the grant first was awarded in 2003, the funding allowed LSU AgCenter Communications to add another area communicator to its staff. That person is housed in Crowley and works across the state covering issues related to rice production.
Bruce Schultz has held that position since early in 2004 and is a familiar face to Louisiana rice producers because of his extensive work in helping researchers and extension scientists educate rice farmers about new technologies.
"Bruce has an inherent talent that allows him to take rather complex research results and explain them in a way that rice producers can easily understand and incorporate into their production programs," said Dr. Steve Linscombe, an LSU AgCenter regional director and rice breeder. "He is an integral part of our overall effort in technology transfer to rice farmers."
Schultz says informing the public about what it take for farmers to get food to the table and how the LSU AgCenter helps in that process also are some of the major thrusts of his job.
"Farmers face all the difficulties other small business owners must contend with, but they don’t have the option of increasing the price for their products," Schultz said, explaining his work has impressed him with how resourceful farmers can be in developing all the skills they need.
"I enjoy working with the farmers, and I am amazed at how many challenges and problems they encounter throughout a growing season," he said, adding, "Rice must be one of the most complicated crops to grow with so many variables."
In addition to his work on the Rice Research Report, Schultz has written press releases for the state’s media on topics ranging from the development of new rice lines to the economics of each year’s rice crop.
Schultz also helped to document the damage Hurricane Rita inflicted on Louisiana rice and crawfish farmers, and his photos and stories became an integral part of news releases, reports and other items after the storms. And he repeated that pattern with similar material this summer after hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
Of course, Schultz’s work is just a part of the target for the funding. In addition to paying the printing costs of producing the Louisiana Rice Research Report, the grant funds also provide access to other experts in LSU AgCenter Communications – editors, graphic designers and other writers – who cooperate on various projects.
"We appreciate the funding from the Rice Research Board, and we know it’s allowed us to give much more attention to issues affecting rice farmers, as well as helping us to provide more detailed coverage of other issues across Southwest Louisiana," Gould said. "We look forward to continuing our mutually beneficial relationship." –Tom Merrill
Checkoff funds for this project: $25,000