Presidents’ Forum – Insurability of the Coast
Mark your calendar for the 4th Presidents’ Forum on Meeting Coastal Challenges: Insurability of the Coast. The America’s WETLAND Foundation in collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Insurance, Louisiana State University and LSU AgCenter are hosting the Insurability of the Coast Forum. During this forum, experts in insurance, flood insurance, floodplain management, and mitigation planning will discuss insurance issues facing coastal communities. The day also will include a vibrant, solution-oriented panel discussion featuring coastal state insurance commissioners. There is no cost to attend; however, seating is limited and registration is requested by May 30.
For information please contact Katie Lea at (225) 578-6445 or klea@lsu.edu or visit our Web site at www.laseagrant.org/forum/june08.htm.
LCES Sponsored 4-H Tailgate Party and Football Game
The LSU Athletic Department is once again offering the Louisiana 4-H program the opportunity to participate in an LSU football game at the reduced price of $25. These tickets can be purchased by 4-H members, their families, volunteers and any LSU AgCenter employee. Additionally, a large tailgate party is planned for all attending. Food and many door prizes will be provided and all activities will be held in Parker Coliseum. The LSU cheerleaders, Tiger Girls, LSU Golden Girls and Mike the Tiger are scheduled to make a special appearance. Game day is September 13 when LSU plays North Texas University, beginning at 7 p.m. in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.
Tickets will go on sale Monday, June 2, 2008, at 8:00 a.m. and must be ordered through the following LSU Web site: click here
4-H University
The 4-H University registration Web site https://www.lsuagcenter.net/fourh/4HU opened May 19 and will close Wednesday, June 4 at 4:30 p.m. The site is for registering all 4-H members in contest or Clover College and educational programs, agents, volunteers, housing, excuses for educational programs and voting delegates information. Check the Contact Us section for any questions on the 4-H University Registration Web site. This is a new Web site for 4-H University registration and is more user friendly.
Good luck in recruiting 4-H members for 4-H University; it should be a great experience, especially with the special functions planned for the 100th anniversary.
Eight Parishes Declared as Disaster Areas
Eight Louisiana parishes qualify for help under a USDA Secretarial Natural Disaster Designation that set aside emergency loan money for areas affected by flooding and excessive rainfall after April 6. Pointe Coupee Parish is named as a primary natural disaster area. The neighboring parishes of Avoyelles, Concordia, Iberville, St. Landry, St. Martin, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana are also designated as disaster areas.
Farmers who want to apply for the emergency loans are advised to contact their local FSA office for further information.
2007 Ag Census
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer is reminding America’s farmers and ranchers that they should still plan to respond to the 2007 Census of Agriculture either by Internet or postal mail. Conducted every five years, the Census of Agriculture is the only source of consistent and comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the nation. That information is used by town planners, policymakers, agribusinesses and others to make important growth-generating decisions that will shape rural communities for future generations. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) already sent a second reminder mailing. Representatives from NASS’s 46 field offices are now beginning to call and visit producers who have not responded.
Whether or not they are actively engaged in agricultural activity, everyone who received a Census of Agriculture form is required by law to respond. Forms can be returned by mail or submitted online.
Please encourage producers in your area to respond to this very important request. For more information, or for assistance with completing the 2007 Census of Agriculture, call toll-free (888) 424-7828 or visit http://www.agcensus.usda.gov .
Louisiana Agriculture Now Online
The latest issue of Louisiana Agriculture – winter 2008 – is now online. This issue features some of the research conducted by our scientists following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Articles cover population displacement dynamics, health care aftermath and emotional consequences. The effects of the hurricanes have implications for rebuilding our forests and the crops grown in areas affected by storm surge. Please continue to access this very important resource online.
Escalating Fertilizer Costs
Much attention has been given to the increasing costs of fertilizer and the impact the costs may have on developing countries. Recently an article was written in the NY Times focusing on this topic. It is accessible here
Award for Diversity Nominations
Please consider nominating a colleague or group of colleagues for the 2008 Award for Diversity. The purpose of this award is to acknowledge accomplishments in achieving organizational changes that support diversity, pluralism and innovation in programs that impact our extension audiences. The Award for Diversity is presented at the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges’ (NASULGC) annual meeting.
The successful recipient of the Award for Diversity will be recognized at the annual NASULGC meeting with a commemorative plaque from CSREES and a $5,000 monetary award from ECOP. Recipient will be asked to submit photos and a project summary for inclusion on the NASULGC and eXtension Diversity Web sites and in the CSREES award program brochure.
The deadline for nominations is June 2. Eligibility and the nomination process is accessible at the online brochure- click here
International Programs Unit Expands
Our International Programs unit is among the most successful in the country. And we are proud of its achievements under the direction of Lakshman Velupillai. Because of its success, we are expanding the reach of the office by merging with the international programs unit on the LSU A&M campus. Dr. Velupillai will head the merged unit as associate vice chancellor for international programs. Please congratulate Dr. Vellupillai as he assumes this position.
Please continue to visit the director’s Web site: click here
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.