[Image: stake holder's]Present: Henry Harrison, Valerie Vincent, Lacey Urick, Emily Becnel, Susan Langston, Pam Hodson, Dwight Landreneau, Judy Gray, Bill Jenkins, Rep. Harold Ritchey, Supt. Darrell Fairburn, Betty Fox, Walter Smith, Sen. Ben Nevers, Luther Johanningmeier, Cathy Accardo, Mayor Wayne Fleming, Michael McCormick, Keith Fussell, Angie Stewart, Catherine Sapia and Kenneth Sapia.
The meeting was called to order with prayer offered by Henry Harrison, He asked for introductions from the invited leaders. Harrison also gave a brief overview of the purpose for the meeting.
Dr. Pamela Hodson, regional director, gave an explanation of the make-up of the southeast region, of which Washington Parish is a part. She discussed programs for the dairy and forestry industries in Washington Parish, the decline in prices and the economic impact on the dairy industry, as well as the importance of the Southeast Research Station to the dairy industry.
Dwight Landreneau, associate vice chancellor, gave accolades to Sen. Ben Nevers and Rep. Harold Ritchie for their understanding of the needs of Washington Parish and the importance of agriculture and the LSU AgCenter as a whole to this area. He went on the explain the financial issues facing higher education with the proposed budget cuts estimated at 7.5 percent to the university system. AgCenter salaries are 85 percent state funded and such cuts would result in a 4.5 percent workforce reduction. He said the AgCenter administration is looking at streamlining programs and attempting to keep as much as can be kept.
At the recent Police Jury Association Convention Rep. Ritchie spearheaded a resolution to request that the governor and the Louisiana Board of Regents fully fund the LSU AgCenter at the ’08-’09 level of state appropriation due to the critical economic development and educational services we provide in all 64 states.
Harold Ritchie, state representative – Dist. 75, stated he has been speaking all over the state on the importance of agriculture and the LSU AgCenter to our area and assures us if funds are available we have his commitment to get the numbers up for us.
Ben Nevers, state senator –Dist. 12, began by thanking the AgCenter administration for the leadership provided. He expressed how important agriculture is to him and how passionately he feels for the services the LSU AgCenter / LDAF (Louisiana Department of Agriculture Forestry) provides. He will stand for us in Baton Rouge as our advocate.
Darrell Fairburn, superintendent of the Washington Parish School Board, stated that monthly staff meeting reports sent to him keep him abreast of not only 4-H programs but the other programs offered and worked on in our area by the local LSU AgCenter / county agent’s office.
Wayne Fleming, Mayor of Franklinton, stated his support of the local LSU AgCenter. The town of Franklinton supports the AgCenter with funding, and he said he will try to continue with this support.
Betty Fox, child care provider, explained how the programs offered through the Washington Parish office of the AgCenter work for her. She learned how to financially begin and run her business, as well as how to nutritionally care for the children in her charge. Equipment has been provided as teaching tools for the children and additional programs offered keep her up to date with her state-required training hours. She also suggested a letter be sent to all child care providers serviced by the local extension office to give them the opportunity to send letters of support for the LSU AgCenter.
Cathy Accardo, USDA – Amite Area Office, commented that her clientele were able to participate in the required Home Buyer Education classes offered through the Washington Parish AgCenter as part of the USDA Home Buyer Loan Program. This allowed clientele to stay within our parish to meet their need.
Bill Jenkins, consulting forester and treasurer of the Washington Parish Forestry Landowners Association, stated agriculture is taken for granted; however, forestry is very important to him. He would like to know what can be done to create emphasis on this in our state.
The response was to introduce an agriculture committee from this parish and surrounding areas and appear in front of the legislature in Baton Rouge to express the importance of agriculture to your community. Also, encourage support in the form of resolution, similar to that passed by the Police Jury Association, in addition to letters of support.
Walter Smith, Farm Bureau and Franklinton Economic Development Foundation member, said Louisiana dairies have decreased to 200, with three-quarters (150) of those located in Washington Parish. The Southeast Research Station is heavily relied upon by these dairies. Once dairies fail they will not come back. It is important that the local LSU AgCenter / Southeast Research Station be there to support the dairy industry. Farm Bureau supports LSU AgCenter 100 percent.
Judy Gray, from the city of Bogalusa and a Louisiana Master Gardener, said she works on beautification projects and school programs, etc. She understands everyone feels the economic pinch, but the city of Bogalusa understands the LSU AgCenter is viable to the community; therefore, they financially support and recommend any and all do what can be done to support this agency.
Angie Stewart, teacher, spoke of the impact of the Smart Bodies program on the children at her school. Teachers have incorporated it into their lesson plans, and children make comments about how their body is working -- an indicator of the program's impact.