e-Directions: 9/4/2007

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.

• Watch 4-H on CBS Saturday Mornings
• Legendre and Salassi Receive 2007 FSA Administrator’s Award for Service to Agriculture
• FY 07-08 PM-13 Changes
• Pat Skinner Re-appointed Co-chair of the ASFPM’s Floodproofing & Retrofitting Committee
• eXtension Launches Entrepreneurship Site
• Junior Master Gardener Program
• Extreme WX Info Sheet 2007
• Norton selected as State Conservationist
• LSU Kicks Off “Easy Streets” Campaign
• Employee Training Series
• Ag Policy Update – Disaster Assistance Sign-Up

• New Personnel

Watch 4-H on CBS Saturday Mornings

As part of the sponsorship agreement between 4-H and DIC Entertainment (pronounced “deek,” an international movie and television production company), 4-H will receive 100 30-second 4-H commercial spots that are expected to reach 14.8 million boys and girls ages 6-11 during its yearlong run onKewlopolis, the CBS weekend morning kids programming block. 4-H appreciates your quick response to the appeal for 4-H video footage and has incorporated it into the 4-H commercial. Please tune in toKewlopolis September 15 to see the 4-H commercial make its national premiere!

In exchange, DIC Entertainment asks 4-H to spread the word about its educational cartoon,Horseland, throughout the 4 H community.Horseland is a show about kids and their horses experiencing adventures with themes of friendship, teamwork, acceptance and compassion similar to the leadership, citizenship and life skills youth learn through their participation in 4-H.

DIC also is featuring 4-H through a variety of outlets including:

• A Disney.com and Nick.com expandable banner advertisement that will reach 3.9 million impressions during its run from August 15 to September 15.
• A full-page color print ad in the fall issue ofKewl magazine out September 15 read by nearly 1.9 million girls ages 10-15.  
• 12 months of banner ads on horseland.com with an expected reach of 24 million impressions for youth ages 6-11 and a Web page devoted to 4-H.

Please support 4-H and DIC Entertainment’sHorseland partnership by tuning in toHorseland weekends on CBS and look for the 4-H commercial—all part ofKewlopolis on CBS. For more Horseland information, show times and to access downloadable promotional tools, go to:

www.fourhcouncil.edu/horseland.aspx.

Please e-mail 4-hhorseland@fourhcouncil.edu with any questions you may have.

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Legendre and Salassi Receive 2007 FSA Administrator’s Award for Service to Agriculture

Congratulations to Dr. Ben Legendre and Dr. Michael Salassi for receiving the 2007 Farm Service Agency Administrator’s Award for Service to Agriculture! The two were members of the Sugarcane Disaster Team that won for Outstanding Team Accomplishment at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. August 16.

The team was cited for innovative development and timely delivery of the 2005 Sugarcane Hurricane Disaster Assistance Programs following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The award is one of the highest that the FSA can bestow upon its employees and private citizens.

Sharing the award were Willlie Cooper, Farm Service Agency Director; Dr. Barbara Fecso, team leader and agricultural economist; and Dr. Daniel Colacicco, Dairy and Sweetener Group Director.

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FY 07-08 PM-13 Changes

PM-13, University Travel Regulations, has been revised to reflect changes to the travel policy effective July 1, 2007. The most significant changes are as follows:

• Mileage will be reimbursed at 44 cents per mile.
• Lodging reimbursement for Louisiana is broken down by city, with seasonal rates provided.
• Travelers departing from New Orleans International Airport should use Park’N’Fly for their car storage. The reimbursement rate is $6 per day and $36 per week. Reservations are recommended for travel beginning on Friday or the weekend. Use the link on the AP & Travel Web site to obtain the contract rate.

You can access the updated PM-13 at the following link:

http://www.fas.lsu.edu/AcctServices/acctpay/forms/PM-13.pdf

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Pat Skinner Re-appointed Co-chair of the ASFPM’s Floodproofing & Retrofitting Committee

Congratulations to Pat Skinner on the re-appointment of co-chair of the Association of State Floodplain Managers’ (ASFPM) Floodproofing & Retrofitting Committee. ASFPM is the national, nonprofit, professional membership organization whose members represent floodplain managers from all across the United States and beyond.

As a committee chair, Pat has the opportunity to guide and influence national policy decisions that will help make sustainable floodplain management a reality in our nation. Her leadership on the committee will benefit not only the floodplain management profession on a national scale, but the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana. 

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eXtension Launches Entrepreneurship Site

Small, micro and home-based businesses have flourished over the past decade in urban, suburban and rural areas. eXtension is pleased to announce the "soft" launch of its fifth Community of Practice Web site:

Entrepreneurs and Their Communities, available at:

http://www.extension.org/entrepreneurship.   

This Web site will serve as an additional resource that local business owners can depend on for unbiased information on a variety of business-related topics.

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Junior Master Gardener Program

The LSU AgCenter recently partnered with the St. Mary Parish School system, J.S. Aucoin Elementary school teacher Sonia Clements and La-Terre Master Gardeners to begin a Junior Master Gardener program with the third, fourth and fifth grade classes with faculty using the curriculum in the classroom. The La-Terre Master Gardeners will provide hands-on sessions to compliment the GLE based lessons.

The first project was a related to improving the school entrance in preparation for a United States and Louisiana flag dedication program by State Senator Butch Gautreaux this last week. Master Gardeners, teachers, plus parents and students worked together to plan, design and plant the area. Superintendent Donald W. Aguillard was there for the dedication along with Principal Joseph Stadalis, teachers and students.

The next phase will be implementing Level 1 JMG lessons this semester with plans to grow bedding plants, vegetable plants and transplant those into the landscape plus school garden. In addition, students will sell plants at the Bonne Terre Garden Fair in May, 2008 in conjunction with the La-Terre Master Gardeners.

This project will last through the school year and is a good example of how well-trained volunteers can expand the outreach of the LSU AgCenter to reach a more diverse audience with research-based information.

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Extreme WX Info Sheet 2007

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have prepared a useful and important fact sheet for the 2007 hurricane season. Included are telephone numbers and Web addresses for Louisiana state offices, emergency contact information for parishes most vulnerable to hurricane damage, a color-coded evacuation route map with directions, Web addresses for national organizations and local radio stations for Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

To access the fact sheet, visit:

http://ecowatch.ncddc.noaa.gov/c-side/Images/louisiana.pdf.  

For the latest hurricane related information, visit C-Side Web site at:

http://ecowatch.ncddc.noaa.gov/c-side.  

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Norton selected as State Conservationist

Kevin D. Norton has been selected as State Conservationist of Louisiana, effective September 2. Kevin was raised in south-central Oklahoma in a diverse agriculture setting. He graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Rangeland Management.

Over the past 26 years, Kevin has served in a number of positions in National Resources Conservation Service at the field, area and state level. For the past nine years, he has been the Assistant State Conservationist for Programs in Oklahoma, providing leadership for implementation of Farm Bill related financial and technical assistance programs with a combined budget exceeding $40 million per year in financial assistance. In addition, he has coordinated the Oklahoma State Technical Committee, consisting of more than 60 diverse conservation agencies, organizations, universities, agricultural producers and tribes. 

Throughout his career, Kevin has worked to strengthen traditional partnerships and build new partnerships in support of NRCS’s work in natural resource conservation. Kevin has served NRCS at the national level on many teams. 

Kevin’s vast experience will greatly benefit the Louisiana Master Farmer Program. He will work diligently to continue the excellent progress of the program. Kevin will support, and further enhance, NRCS’s role in the Master Farmer Program by assisting Master Farmer Program participants to develop Resource Management System conservation plans in Phase Three of the program.

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LSU Kicks Off “Easy Streets” Campaign

On July 31, the LSU Baton Rouge campus implemented a program called “Easy Streets” that restricts vehicle access to “core” campus streets. AgCenter faculty and staff who visit campus need to be aware of these restrictions. This program is actually being implemented earlier than originally planned.

The idea behind this change is to make core streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists and generally make it easier for students, faculty and staff to get to and from classes and appointments without the congestion of traffic. Between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, only vehicles with access devices will be able to access the core streets. There will be several gated and manned booths erected at nine intersections to restrict traffic inside the campus core. Those allowed access to restricted streets will be given a gate access device to place on their dashboard. This device will activate the gate as a vehicle drives up. 

The following link will take you to a map that shows where the booths and gates will be and which streets will be restricted core campus streets:

http://appl003.lsu.edu/PubSafety/lsuparking.nsf/$Content/Easy+Streets/$File/CommuterRoutes.pdf

The AgCenter is still in the process of working with the parking office to provide the necessary campus access to AgCenter personnel. Note the following procedures: 

• State vehicles (with a decal displayed) will be given access provided they go through one of the manned booths (Security Gates on the map) so that the attendant can raise the gate.
• AgCenter faculty and staff visiting campus (excluding those visiting Knapp Hall) in their personal vehicles will need to stop by Efferson Hall and see Carolyn Habetz to temporarily check out an access device. The device must be returned the same day and as soon as the visitor’s business is complete.
• Efferson Hall is outside the core campus streets area so visiting AgCenter faculty and staff are free to park here.
• The Highland Road parking lot for Knapp Hall (bordering the front of the building) also is outside the core campus streets area and will continue to be open to visitors to Knapp Hall.

For events such as commencement, 4-H University and Annual Conference, the core campus streets will be open. Also, remember that unless you are carrying/delivering heavy materials, the most convenient method of visiting AgCenter units on campus may simply be to park at Efferson Hall and walk to the appropriate building.

Questions should be directed to Carolyn Habetz in the chancellor’s office at 225/578-3657 or by e-mail at CHabetz@agcenter.lsu.edu.  

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Employee Training Series

The AgCenter HRM Office will offer the following courses in beginning in September. These courses are designed to provide in-depth information that will help employees be more effective in their positions. The series will also include courses on specific professional/self development topics. Each course will last 2-3 hours and will be presented through distance learning sites.  These training courses are open to all employees. Information on how to register for these courses will be sent out to all AgCenter employees within a few days, but we wanted to give you advanced notice of this information.

The Civil Service System

This course is designed to provide detailed information on how the Civil Service System works and how it applies to LSU AgCenter employees. Specific agenda items are:

AgCenter, State and Federal Regulations

This course is designed to provide comprehensive information on various AgCenter, state and federal laws and policies and their purpose. The course will also discuss the responsibilities of AgCenter employees in these areas. Specific agenda items are: 

• EEO
• Harassment and violence
• Diversity
• Outside employment
• Use of Leave
• Work hours
  • Work schedules
  • Lunch
  • Breaks
• Workers Compensation
• The State Code of Ethics

Success in the Workplace

This course will provide a mechanism for AgCenter employees to share with each other helpful tips on how to be successful in your job.  Specific agenda items are:

Best Practice Series

These courses will be presented by panels of AgCenter employees who have different perspectives and experience with each topic.  The courses are designed to be interactive. 

Sample topics are:  

Best Practices for Faculty

These courses will be developed in conjunction with appropriate faculty members and offices and will cover topics of special interest to faculty.

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Ag Policy Update – Disaster Assistance Sign-Up

In August, the USDA announced sign-up periods for three programs that were authorized through legislation signed by President Bush last May. The Crop Disaster Program (CDP), the Livestock Compensation Program (LCP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) will all have sign-up periods that will start within the next several weeks.  The update, developed by Dr. Kurt Guidry, contains current information on these programs and other programs authorized by the legislation. In addition to the programs mentioned, an Emergency Forestry Conservation Reserve Program and a Dairy Disaster Assistance Program will also be available.

The Ag Policy Update can be found on the AgCenter website at:

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/money_business/farm_business/
Ag+Policy+Update+Additional+Disaster+Assistance+Programs.htm.

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New Personnel

Please join me in welcoming new personnel to the LSU AgCenter during June and July. New personnel include:

June

• Celia Jackson, Assistant Extension Agent, West Baton Rouge   
• Shannon Forbes, Research Associate, Southeast Research Station
• Gwendolyn Taylor, Extension Agent, Natchitoches
• Kayla Haydel, Asst, Extension Agent, Ascension
• Jamie Templet, Assistant Extension Agent, Ascension               
• Zheng Zhong Zhang, Research Associate, Aquaculture
• Brenda Tubana, Assistant Professor, School of Plant, Env. & Soil Sciences
• Sundar Balasubramanian, Research Associate, B & A Engineering          
• Christina Dawson, Administrative Coordinator, School of RNR
• David Moore, Extension Associate, B & A Engineering  
• Cherie Roger, Assistant County Agent, Terrebonne
• Todd Robert, Research Associate, Sugar Station           
• Christopher Givens, Maintenance Repairman, Camp Grant Walker
• Dolores Dyess, Administrative Coordinator, Plant Pathology Dept                     
• Leonard Evans, Res Farm Assistant, Hill Farm Res Station         
• Arnold Parco, Post Doctoral Researcher, School of Plant, Env. & Soil Sciences
• Nicole Lemaire, Assistant Extension Agent, position change to Lafayette
• Clifton Watts, Assistant Extension Agent, position change to Catahoula             
• Michael Deliberto, Research Associate, Cnt. Ag. Economics
• Valerie Vincent, Associate Extension Agent, promotion to Washington   
• Mary Bradford, Administrative Coordinator, transfer in Southeast Research Station
• Dwana Dillon, Administrative Coordinator, transfer in Southeast Research Station                                   

July

• Subramanian Sathivel, Assistant Professor, Food Science                                 
• Mary Catherine Aime, Assistant Professor, Plant Pathology                            
• Natalie Hummel, Assistant Professor, Entomology        
• Ashok Mishra,   Assistant Professor, Ag Econ   
• Alison Duet, Assistant Extension Agent, EBR    
• Keith Hawkins, Associate Extension Agent, Central Region         
• Bobby Bingham, Assistant Extension Agent, Livingston
• Kimberly Landry, Camp Director, 4-H (Grant Walker 4-H Ed Center)
• Keith Lewis, Research Associate, Burden Center
• Joy Matthews, Administrative Coordinator, Bossier Parish          
• Clinton Bailey, Maintenance Repair, Northeast Res Station         
• Kevin Lanclos, Research Associate, Animal Science
• Richard Johnson, Assistant Extension Agent, Southwest Region
• D. Allen Rutherford, RNR Director and Professor, Promotion
• Todd Tarifa, 4-H Assistant Professor, Promotion
• Lei Yong, Post Doctoral Researcher, RNR, Cnt.
• Irena Dinu, Research Associate, Audubon Sugar Institute, Cnt.
• LouAnn Jenkins, Assistant Extension Agent, Acadia Parish, Position change
• Michael Kaller, RNR Assistant Professor-Research, Promotion

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Please continue to visit the director’s website at:

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/administration/
about_us/extension/our+director/index.htm

If you have any comments or suggestions to improve e-Directions or the director’s website, please contact me at pcoreil@agcenter.lsu.edu.

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