e-Directions: 6/27/07

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.

• 4-H Football Tailgate Party
• Renee Castro Honored the Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Excellence in Agriculture Award
• USDA Announces Time Frame for Nominations to the Advisory Committee for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
• Journal of Extension Seeks Reviewers
• Request for Pre-applications for Biomass Research and Development Grants
• 52 Certified Master Farmers Honored at 2007 Farm Bureau Convention
• CSREES Partnership Awards Program
• Poultry Biosecurity
• Incoming Acting State Conservationist for Louisiana
• Five Things an Extension Professional Needs to Know About Distance Learning
• Asian Soybean Rust Hotline
• New Personnel

The LSU Athletic Department is once again offering the 4-H program an opportunity to participate in an LSU football game at the reduced price of $20.00. These tickets can be purchased by 4-H members, their families, volunteers, and any LSU AgCenter employee.

A large tailgate party is being planned for those participating in this function with food and over 75 door prizes at Parker Coliseum prior to the game. LSU cheerleaders and Mike the Tiger will perform during the tailgate party and provide photo opportunities for 4-H members.

The 2007 4-H tailgate party will be held on September 15th, when the LSU Tigers will face Middle Tennessee University, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.

Tickets must be ordered through the LSU site this year: Please click on the following link:  

http://ev10.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/evenue/ev68/se/DisplayPromoList.d2w/report?linkID=lsu&RSRC=&RDAT=&caller=PR

The promotion code for each group is the parish name with 4H following. (i.e. The promotion code for East Baton Rouge Parish is eastbatonrouge4h). State and Regional personnel will utilize the promo code of their parish of residence. This can be typed in all lower case or caps. It will then go to a purchase page and follow the next steps:

1. Enter parish promo code.
2. Click on Middle Tennessee.
3. Enter number of tickets under quantity and then click on add to cart.
4. Select delivery method and then click on check out.
5. Complete information on new online customers by clicking on register.
6. There is a $5 charge for any size order and payment must be with a credit card.

Priority for seating will be provided through the Web site; the first ticket orders will receive the south end zone seats. A total of 1,250 tickets are available for purchase this year. Approximately 600 seats have been reserved for the South end zone and the remainder will be in the East Upper Deck.  All requests for tickets to the September 15th game will be handled through the LSU Web site.

Enjoy the game and tailgate party with your 4-H members.

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Renee Castro Honored the Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Excellence in Agriculture Award

Renee Castro, associate county agent in Assumption Parish, won the Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Excellence in Agriculture Award. She was presented this award, along with other prizes, at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention in New Orleans on June 21. Please join me in congratulating Renee on this outstanding achievement.

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Agriculture Department Farm Service Agency Administrator Teresa Lasseter announced that nominations for individuals to serve on the Advisory Committee for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers are being accepted through July 16.

To qualify, members must belong to or participate in any of the following groups or programs: 

• USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA)
• State beginning farmer programs
• Commercial lenders
• Private nonprofit organizations currently participating in a beginning farmer or rancher program
• The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service
• Community colleges or other educational institutions with demonstrated experience in training beginning farmers or ranchers
• Other entities or persons providing lending or technical assistance to qualified beginning farmers or ranchers

In addition, farmers and ranchers are eligible for nomination.

Form AD-755, “Advisory Committee Membership Background Information,” must be completed for those interested in serving on the committee.

Submission of this form constitutes a nomination, and eligible persons may nominate themselves. Letters of recommendation may also be submitted but should not be solicited or obtained from USDA officials employed in Washington, D.C.

The questionnaire is available at:

http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/ad755.pdf.

The Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992 requires the secretary of agriculture to establish the committee. The 20-member committee advises the secretary on ways to support federal and state programs that administer joint financing to beginning farmers and ranchers as well as provide methods of maximizing new opportunities created through federal and state programs.

About one-third of the existing 20-member committee will be replaced this year when the charter is renewed in November 2007. Commercial lenders, other entities or persons and farmers and ranchers are among the categories in which there will be vacancies this year. Appointments are for a two-year term. Reappointments are made to assure effectiveness and continuity of operations. No member, other than a federal employee, can serve for more than six consecutive years. Members are not paid; however, they are reimbursed for travel expenses related to attending meetings, which are generally held annually.

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Journal of Extension Seeks Reviewers

The Journal of Extension (JOE) is seeking journal article reviewers in nutrition, health, food and food systems, 4-H and Ag economics. Many of you have faculty who enjoy and/or need the scholarship opportunity to serve as a reviewer for a journal.

You can apply to become a JOE reviewer by sending the name and e-mail address of a reference who can speak to your ability to serve as a reviewer and a file containing your curriculum vitae to JOE Editorial Committee Co-chair Margaret Miltenberger at m.miltenberger@mail.wvu.edu.

Visit the JOE Web site for more details.

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