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Events
Natchitoches tax assessor proposes millage to support LSU AgCenter
Natchitoches Parish Tax Assessor Rick Hargis proposed a three-quarter mill property tax to support the LSU AgCenter at a recent meeting.
Dr. Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter vice chancellor, explained the consequences of the state budget reduction’s impact to a group of 55 and asked for their support.
Coreil said the proposed state budget reductions mean an additional $13.3 million cut (15.1 percent) for fiscal year 2010 over the FY 2009 $3.8 million midyear budget cut (4.4 percent).
A committee of four was formed a couple of months ago to discuss extension office funding in Natchitoches, with the Farm Bureau stepping up to contribute $1,600 to finish some expenses for the fiscal year.
“We’re not doing our children, our youth, justice with the system that we have today,” said Ronnie Owens, committee member and president of the Natchitoches Parish Farm Bureau. “We’ve got a plan. We’re wanting to carry it forward. We’re hoping to get everyone else on board in this parish. What we’re looking for is leaders in our parish.”
Hargis said the parish has gone from five agents to one full-time agent. “We can do better than that.”
Hargis said the tax would amount to $2.50 a year for a $100,000 home with homestead exemption and $12.50 for a $200,000 home. “It’s not outrageous,” he said. “We don’t have to have the Cadillac model; the Chevrolet model would be fine with me.”
The assessor said he would like to call an election for August 2010 to “continue improving, operating, maintaining and equipping the Natchitoches Parish Extension Office.” The date would allow time to run a campaign, Hargis said.
Programs at stake that he cited include Character Critters, livestock shows, parenting and money management classes and summer and outdoor safety camps.
“The AgCenter does so much, from developing kids to supporting poultry and forestry,” Coreil said. “You get the most bang for your buck form this organization.”
Unlike most institutions of higher learning, the LSU AgCenter does not receive tuition from students, Coreil explained. “We’re going to be hit a lot harder than a lot of other institutions.”
People don’t stop learning after they go to high school or college, he said. “You’ve got to learn throughout your life if you’re going to be successful. That’s our job. We love what we do; we don’t look at the clock. We’re working after five o’clock, on Saturdays and Sundays.”
He said that with the proposed cuts, the LSU AgCenter would be at 62 percent less capacity for beef cattle research and extension, down 56.3 percent in staff for row crops and 50 down percent in sugarcane.
“We’re down 20 percent of the personnel we had 10 years ago,” Coreil said. “Three hundred positions have been lost.”
A hiring freeze is imposed on the AgCenter, but Coreil announced an exemption that will allow a new 4-H agent in Natchitoches. Seventeen 4-H positions and four horticulture agent positions are vacant in the state.
Eleven percent of the LSU AgCenter’s support comes from local government, Coreil said. “Five years ago we were at three percent. Our local governments are now stepping forward in supporting the extension offices at a higher level.
“We finally got New Orleans last week to commit to their local support for the first time since 1982,” Coreil said.
The challenge is that the average for states in the southern region is 20 percent, Coreil said.
Coreil called the people in the room the AgCenter’s board of directors. “You are the people we work for. We’re going to do our best to keep Natchitoches on the forefront,” he said.
He asked the citizens to assist the AgCenter. “It’s going to require some work on your part. Everywhere we go, we are hearing people are going to do everything they can to change this and reverse it. Choices will have to be made regarding the kind of AgCenter you want.”
Coreil said there is a rainy day fund with $770 million in it. “I think it’s raining. There is funding in other pots.”
Rep. Rickey Nowlin said he would be fine with a millage because the people get a chance to vote on it. “I’m quite concerned with the cuts in the AgCenter program also,” he said.
LSU AgCenter can help with pond management
Pond management is a diverse topic in which LSU AgCenter agents can assist the public.
Dr. Greg Lutz, extension specialist and professor at the LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Research Station, updated the general public and area agents on the latest issues on April 27 at the Red River Research Station.
Design considerations include whether the pond is for recreation or aesthetics, a reservoir for livestock or a source of food, or even firefighting needs. “A well-designed and constructed pond is a major capital investment,” Lutz said.
Legal considerations include liability, obstruction or altering drainage on adjacent property and the effect on wetlands.
“Use of pond chemicals is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency,” Lutz said. Some species of fish such as grass carp may not be brought into the state or stocked into ponds without permits from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
“Work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to determine suitability of your site and make the best use of existing topography and drainage,” Lutz said.
Lutz discourages trees on levees. Roots could cause problems in 20 years.
“Livestock tend to stir up mud and cause excessive turbidity, reducing pond production, spawning success and quality of fishing,” Lutz said. “Construct or modify drainage structures to allow for watering troughs and limit shoreline access.”
Depending on soils and construction, levees may require 15 to 20 percent additional height to compensate for settling.
The minimum average pond depth should be four feet, with no part less than three feet or “you’re going to have a lot of weed problems.”
Water depths of more than six feet do not increase overall fish production, Lutz said.
An artificial reef can help concentrate the fish. Tire reefs can be made inexpensively and provide low-density cover for a long period of time.
“Rain falling into a pond will not maintain water levels,” Lutz said. “Evaporation can be as much as 1/5 of an inch a day or more in Louisiana on hot, windy days.”
Lutz said the warmer the water is, the less oxygen it can hold. “Most fish kills in recreational and farm ponds are the result of oxygen depletions. Well water is not a good thing unless you are aerating it.”
Lutz explained that aeration adds sufficient oxygen and “takes care of problem gases and minerals.”
Muddy water shades out sunlight necessary for growth and survival of fish food organisms, he added.
Heavily fished ponds should be fertilized with liquid or granular formulations. Granular fertilizers should be kept from direct contact with pond mud if possible because the nutrients become trapped in the mud, Lutz advised.
Lutz recommends beginning a fertilization program in February or March and continuing until the fall. Applications should be made every two weeks until the water begins to turn a light shade of green with growing plankton. The plankton should become dense enough so that a white disk cannot be seen at a depth of 18 inches. The bottom of a bleach bottle attached to a yardstick works well for checking plankton density in this way.
If the water doesn’t turn green after six weeks of fertilization, liming may be necessary.
“In just about any successful pond in Louisiana, you’re going to have bream,” Lutz concluded. “Bass have to have bream or something like that to eat.”
Catfish have a place in most of these ponds, he added. “Stock bream and catfish in autumn months. I don’t have any use for putting shiners out in a pond.”
Avoid crappie, flathead or bullhead catfish, green sunfish, carp, buffalo and other rough fish. “All will eventually overpopulate and ruin fishing,” Lutz said.
Kilpatrick makes presentation in Oil City for Youth Wetlands Week
Wearing nametags featuring their “personalitree,” 105 Oil City Elementary Magnet School fourth, fifth and sixth graders learned about forestry at Jeems Bayou Hunting and Fishing Club on Caddo Lake on Earth Day.
Students had 20 minutes to rotate through various subjects, with “Trees of Jeems Bayou” being presented by Ricky Kilpatrick, LSU AgCenter area forester.
Catalpa trees are great for fishermen, Kilpatrick said, explaining that they have worms on them part of the year.
He told the students he suspected one of the trees on the settlement was planted by Caddo Indians. Kilpatrick said Indians used crushed berries to wash their clothes from the soap berry tree.
He pointed out poison ivy along the walk. “Leaves of three, let it be,” he said.
Kilpatrick also showed the students where beavers gnawed some trees and weakened them.
Natalie Hunsicker, an America’s Wetlands Conservation Corps member, guided students through a fishing activity where they cast for plastic fish in relay teams to earn points.
America’s Wetland Conservation Corps members and 4-H agents across the state recruited schools to take part in Youth Wetlands Week. Curriculum materials were delivered to 800 teachers through the LSU AgCenter.
Cindy Kilpatrick, a science teacher, included a lesson that helped students become acquainted with a large Louisiana map she made and involved students in mapping the major wetlands areas in the state.
She also taught about the salvinia problem on Caddo Lake using piles of Fruit Loops and math lessons to show how it multiplies.
Shower before you go in another lake and wash your boat to prevent plant material from spreading, she said. “People have a responsibility to help.”
Students tested the quality of water in Caddo Lake, said teacher Debbie Milam. “They found a baby crawfish, saw a garter snake and tested pH, nitrates and temperature,” she said. “The water was 72 degrees.”
Student David Hartsell said he saw a bug when looking through the microscope. “I couldn’t see it with my eyes alone,” he said.
Linda Waters taught ecotourism and its importance to the community. Students designed a brochure for a business (a lake tour, charter fishing business, duck hunting guide or bed and breakfast) to promote Caddo Lake as a recreational area.
“Water comes from Texas and flows to Caddo Lake,” she said. “Some of this water will eventually be in the Gulf of Mexico,” she explained, adding that it travels to Twelve Mile Bayou, the Red River and the Mississippi River.
“The bottom of Caddo Lake is icky because of sand and silt,” Waters said. “But plants, animals and fish love it.”
Waters said the biological community in the Caddo Lake watershed is unique and not found anywhere else in the United States. Examples she cited are cypress trees, mud snakes, banded pygmy sunfish, spitting spiders, tiny mason wasps and river otters.
Backyard gardening popular talk by LSU AgCenter agent
Soil, sunlight, irrigation and pest control need to be taken into consideration in planning a backyard garden, said Troy Menard, LSU AgCenter associate agent and Master Gardener, in a talk he gave to the public.
The April Lunch and Ag Discovery, a monthly event at the LSU AgCenter Red River Research Station, had to be conducted in two sessions because of its popularity, with a total of 83 people attending.
“The first thing you need to do is plan,” Menard said. “What do you like to eat? How do you plan to use the vegetables -- canning, freezing? How much space do you have?”
Location, location, location is what makes stores successful, Menard said. “The same is true for gardening. A garden requires six hours minimum of good, full sun,” he said. “Ideal is eight to 10 hours.”
Consider putting the garden near your house where there is a good water source, Menard said. “If not, toting a five-gallon bucket is going to get pretty old.”
Menard compared a soil test with doctors performing blood work. “The blood work for your garden is a soil sample,” he explained.
Soil sample applications can be downloaded from www.lsuagcenter.com, with recommendations obtained in seven to 10 days.
Menard addressed adding organic matter, saying manures that have been processed, compost, peat moss and shredded leaves are good sources. “Organic material holds moisture and lets roots breathe,” he said.
Plants range from heavy to light fertilizer feeders, he said. Heavy feeders are tomatoes, corn and potatoes. Southern peas need little fertilization.
“Work only when the soil moisture is right,” Menard said. “If it’s too wet, it’s going to be muddy.” Dusty soil is too dry.
Read packets for seed instruction, Menard cautioned. He suggested obtaining the Vegetable Planting Guide at parish extension offices or at www.lsuagcenter.com. It includes planting and harvest dates, depth, rotation and spacing information.
“Most of our plants are planted in rows,” he said. “Some are broadcast about the ground.”
Menard said some plants can be started inside. “Tomatoes, cabbage, eggplant, cauliflower, broccoli and onions are easy to grow in seed trays.”
When picking vegetable plants, look for stocky, healthy, disease-free plants with a good root system. “Let them get used to the climate before planting or you’re going to have some death,” he said.
Plant on a cloudy day late or in the late afternoon, Menard said. “This gives them over night to get used to the sun.” He suggests watering once or twice the first week. He said soaker hoses are good but take longer.
“If we did not have weeds, everyone would be gardening,” Menard said. Hand pulling and chopping are the best methods for removal. New weed cloths that are being sold are expensive, he said.
Use of herbicides can be a risky business, Menard said. “Wear gloves if you use chemicals. Follow the label.”
Physical damage by squirrels is a nuisance, Menard said. “They should have done Caddyshack with squirrels rather than gophers,” he said with a smile.
“You need to be the scout for pests,” he said, adding that insects usually appear early in the morning. “Ladybugs love aphids. Don’t try to get rid of them. They’re doing you some good.”
Menard said raised beds are becoming popular and that vertical gardening is a possibility for those living in patio homes.
Gardening is a good means of therapy, exercise and recreation, he said. He said homegrown vegetables are fresher and higher in nutrients.
Dr. Eddie Millhollon next Lunch and Ag Discovery speaker
“After the Storm: When it Rains it Drains” will be the topic of the May Lunch and Ag Discovery to be held on the 14th at noon. Dr. Eddie Millhollon is the speaker.
4-H News
Youth learn safety at extravaganza, EFNEP helps
Six hundred 4-H’ers from 18 elementary schools learned how to stay safe at the 2009 Caddo 4-H Extravaganza on April 24 at the Bill Cockrell Community Center.
LSU AgCenter faculty partnered with Think First of the Ark-La-Tex to put on the Safe Kids Day. The Red Cross of Northwest Louisiana, the Shreveport Police Department and the Shreveport Fire Department provided hands-on educational rotations for the youth.
Rotations included topics related to food, bike, Internet, ATV and vehicular safety, developing a fire escape plan, search-and-rescue dogs and gun and gang violence/bullying, said Katherine Pace, LSU AgCenter agent.
Marlin Sweet, a Think First voice for injury prevention, told the students that when he was in a gang 18 years ago, he was shot in the back. “It happened because I made some bad choices,” Sweet said.
“If you’re going to be rebellious in school, you’re going to be rebellious on the street,” he said. “Think before your initial reaction. Don’t let what’s going on around you cost you your life.
“You can’t get lost in the forest if you don’t go to the forest,” Sweet said. “I went in the forest and got lost, knowing I shouldn’t be in it. If I stay away from what I need the pistol for, I don’t need the pistol.”
Sweet told the children that robbers aren’t going to fall out of their ceiling and shoot them while they are doing homework.
“It’s not by chance you become what you be,” Sweet said. “Whatever you prepare yourself to be, you can do that. You can’t choose to be bad when you try to be good. I’m not who I want to be, but I ain’t who I used to be.”
After Sweet's talk, Donna Cavanaugh, Think First executive director, gave examples of positive ways to use your hands -- hugging, shaking hands, high fives, praying, giving, cleaning, cooking, blowing a kiss, patting someone on the back and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Connie Aclin, LSU AgCenter agent, demonstrated how fast germs multiply, using gum balls as examples. She encouraged the students to use towelettes, Wet Ones or hand sanitizer before eating. Students got to put their hands under a special light to see germs.
Another lesson, put on by the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, involved trying to distinguish whether eight white powders were edible or not and the importance of labels. They included Comet, detergents, flour, sugar, creamer, powdered sugar, salt and baking soda.
Kerry Foster with the K-9 Search and Rescue Unit, demonstrated two fire department rescue dogs, including Ranger with 50 recoveries of lost persons. The dog spent four months in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, searching 2,800 homes.
Foster told the children that if they were lost in the woods, they should hug a tree. “We get scared as we wander around,” he said. Carry a whistle and a garbage bag to protect yourself from rain, he added.
The Shreveport Police Department taught bike safety. Even people you know steal your bikes, said Cpl. M.L. Deal. It is important to have serial numbers, she said.
Cpl. Van Wray demonstrated hand signals and stressed always wearing a helmet and light-colored clothing at night. Cpl. Jimmie Thomas encouraged keeping bikes in working order by monitoring tire pressure, brakes and chains.
Karen Martin, Northwest Louisiana 4-H regional coordinator, instructed the students not to give out their names, parents’ names or phone numbers while on the Internet.
A 4-H Song and Yell contest culminated the event.
14 DeSoto, Red River 4-H’ers receive Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders awards
Fourteen of 16 students in DeSoto and Red River parishes who received the Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders awards, a program sponsored by Chesapeake Energy, are members of 4-H “who don’t stop at the end of the day.”
Each was honored at his school, and the school received a computer. Winners were recognized at a banquet on April 7 in DeSoto and April 9 in Red River, where two from each parish received a laptop computer from a random drawing, also all 4-H’ers.
Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders is designed to recognize and reward local school students for their citizenship and community involvement. Beginning Feb. 1, two students from each parish were recognized in alternating weeks for eight weeks.
Eligible students could be members of 4-H, or Fellowship of Christian Athletes or provide community service to any non-profit organization. Nominations were accepted via the general public.
DeSoto and Red River Parish chamber of commerce members judged.
The event was held in Caddo and Bossier parishes in the fall.
DeSoto Parish winners are:
Tabitha Burr, 17, Stanley High School. Tabitha has collected canned goods for needy families, donated to Toys for Tots, sold shamrocks to raise money for muscular dystrophy and is secretary for her 4-H club. In Beta Club, she takes her job as treasurer very seriously.
Jameka Howard, 17, Pelican All Saints High School. Jameka is on the Superintendent’s List, is an award-winning poet and is an active member in her church. She aspires to be a trauma surgeon. Her list of organizations includes Federation of Families, Founder of Teen Camp Express, Upward Bound, DeSoto 4-H Jr. Leaders, state ambassador for 4-H, president of Future Business Leaders of America, yearbook staff, Who’s Who, Drama Club and National Honor Society.
Charlie McClintock, 11, Logansport Elementary School. He is 4-H reporter and volunteers in the Toledo Bend Baptist Ministry, where he sets up equipment for bible schools and other activities. He visits and delivers gifts to nursing home residents. Charlie is preparing for a May mission trip to Honduras with the District B Medical and Dental Team.
Haley Parker, 11, North DeSoto Elementary. She raises funds for MDA, breast cancer, Down syndrome and church missionaries. Haley takes cards, gifts and brownies to local nursing homes. She teaches kids about the dairy industry and helps them with their 4-H projects.
Taylor Register, 17, Logansport High School. Taylor has been 4-H president for five years. He volunteers to beautify the school and community residents’ homes. He shows animals in 4-H has won numerous titles. He performs on the drama team at his church and helps raise funds. Taylor is a member of the baseball team and competes in rodeo events across the country.
Justin Shelton, 11, Mansfield Elementary School. Justin has been a very active member of his church and a dedicated volunteer of Delitter DeSoto.
Gregory Simmons, 13, North DeSoto Middle School. He is a member of the Louisiana Wildlife Conservation and was third-place winner of the Wildlife Photo Contest. He’s been a Social Studies and Science Fair winner and last year placed first in parish and overall Science Fair winner for the parish. In the 2008 Parish Fair, he won the Grand Champion Showmanship Award; Reserve Grand Champion Bantam Duck; five blue ribbons for chickens, one red ribbon for chickens and two blue ribbons for ducks. In the 2008 State Fair he won five blue ribbons for chickens, one red ribbon for chickens and two blue ribbons for ducks. Gregg has participated in the 4-H Livestock and Poultry Quiz Bowl and 4-H Shooting Club.
Shana Smith, 10. Logansport Elementary School. Shana brings her miniature horses to the library for the younger children’s reading program. She helps her elderly neighbors with yard work. Shana delivers fruit baskets to nursing homes, Easter eggs to an orphanage and collects canned good for families in need.
Red River Parish winners are:
Ty Birdsong, 10, Red River Elementary School. He is 4-H president and plays football, baseball and basketball. He has participated in “Walk for Education” and “Jump Rope for Hearts.” Ty has recently been selected as the Fifth-Grade Red River Parish Student of the Year and has been invited to attend the National Jr. Leaders Conference in Washington, D. C.
Geron Davis, 11, Springville Educational Center. Her nominator said she exhibits true leadership qualities at her young age in the classroom and community, motivating her peers. She collected 1,000 pairs of shoes for Soles4Souls.
Shondricka Grant, 11, Red River Elementary School. She helped senior citizens clean their homes and with other chores.
Stonie Harris, 16, Saline High School. Stonie has been a 4-H member for nine years, serving as president, vice president and secretary. Stonie was Saline's representative to the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Conference.
Darrell McLemore, 15, Riverdale Academy. A member of 4-H since he was 9, he is president his club. Darrell is vice president of the freshman class, vice president of the Louisiana Junior Brangus Association and junior representative for the Louisiana Cattleman’s Association. He is an honor roll student.
Seth Mason, 13, Red River Junior High School. Seth was chosen as Student of the Year for eighth-grade this year.
Two Red River winners, though members of 4-H, were hosted by other organizations. They were Tyler Stephens and Hannah Price.
Natchitoches 4-H’er participates in state contest
Leneigh Hennigan, 4-H Christian Scholars Home School member in Natchitoches, competed in the 2009 State Ambassador Contest on April 21 in Baton Rouge.
She competed against youth across the state and placed first in Egg -- Division I, winning a $100 savings bond. Her topic was “eggs-ploring the eggs-citing, eggs-otic world of eggs.” Her eggscursion began as she “eggs-amined the nutritional value and preparation of eggs.”
FCS Extension Agent Gwen Fontenot coached her for the event.
Personnel
Dr. Hanna featured in magazine
A photo of Dr. Hanna Hanna is featured in a story in American Vegetable Grower’s April issue for a talk he gave in March at the 19th annual Greenhouse Tomato Short Course in Raymond, Miss.
He spoke on varieties and growing media and gave an update on his research on greenhouse tomatoes grown at the Red River Research Station. View the article at http://www.growingproduce.com/americanvegetablegrower/?storyid=1586.
New administrative coordinator for Red River Parish named
Red River Parish is happy to announce new Administrative Coordinator 3 -- Jennifer Cannon Moseley.
She is a long-time resident of Red River Parish and a graduate of Martin High School and Louisiana Tech University. She is married to Jason P. Moseley, who is a Red River/DeSoto Parish forester. They have one child, Benjamin P. Moseley, 8 months.
“I look forward to helping our local AgCenter to achieve the goals they have for each program in our parish. It is exciting to be a part of such a great agency that cares for the kids and parish residents,” she said.
Two promotions announced
Randy Sanderlin, Pecan Research-Extension Station coordinator, has been promoted to professor and Troy Menard to agent. Both are effective July 1.
EFNEP
Northwest Region EFNEP educator honored
Jacqueline Jordan of Caddo and Bossier parishes is one of the state’s outstanding paraprofessionals for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).
Jordan joined the LSU AgCenter in 2005. “Since the first day of employment Jackie has been nothing less than a model employee,” said Cathryn Robinson, Jordan’s supervising agent. “She is excited about her work and is always looking for that extra piece of information to give her homemaker.”
Robinson to present at SPAR site
Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation (SPAR) Chris Hays Community Center seminar “In Touch with My Health and Safety” was held April 30 at the center located at 4300 Illinois Ave.
The general public was welcome to attend the free event.
Cathryn Robinson addressed “You Are What You Eat.”
Summer Activity Day planned for Caddo- Bossier youth
EFNEP has scheduled its annual Summer Activity Day Camps for June.
The theme for this year is “Furs, Fitness and Food.” Area youth, ages 9 to 12, will be the the targeted audience for the activity. The camps will involve three hours of fun, interactive learning where youth will learn to take part in their personal health.
Additionally, they will identify tracks of some furry animals found locally in the parish. This segment will be be presented by LSU AgCenter agents.
Camps will take place at all SPAR summer playground sites, Community Renewal friendship houses, Volunteers of America and MLK (formerly Hooter Park Recreation Center) in Bossier Parish.
Calendar
May—Annual Evaluations
May 12—David Caldwell Retirement Party
He who is silent is forgotten; he who abstains is taken at his word; he who does not advance falls back; he who stops is overwhelmed, distanced, crushed; he who ceases to grow greater becomes smaller; he who leaves off, gives up; the stationery condition is the end. Amiel