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Appropriations Process Remains Stalled(From Cornerstone Government Affairs Team)
Fiscal year 2008 begins on Monday, October 1 and yet Congress has not enacted any of the 12 regular appropriations bills needed to keep the U.S. government operating beyond next Sunday. To address this situation, congressional leaders are preparing a stop-gap measure — known as a "continuing resolution" — to keep federal departments and agencies funded at fiscal 2007 levels through November 16.
The appropriations process has stalled because Congress intends to spend $22 billion more than the $933 billion in discretionary spending President Bush has requested for fiscal 2008. Bush has threatened — in no uncertain terms — to veto individual appropriations bills that exceed his request, with the exception of the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs spending bill.
Congress is still developing its strategy for confronting the veto threats. One option being considered is to combine domestic bills that face a veto threat with bills the President is expected to sign (such as the Department of Defense Appropriations bill).
Congressional Quarterly quoted the president earlier this week saying:
"The congressional leaders may end up lumping all 12 outstanding appropriations bills into one massive trillion-dollar piece of legislation later this year. This would make it easier for members to sneak in all kinds of special projects, put in wasteful spending or pork barrel that they are not willing to debate in the open. If they think that by waiting until just before they leave for the year to send me a bill that is way over budget and thicker than a phone book — they think that’s going to force me to sign it, it’s not."
One of the bills caught up in this six-shooter standoff is the Agriculture Appropriations bill, which provides funding for the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) as well as the Food and Drug Administration. Under the terms of the continuing resolution that Congress is expected to pass later this week, CSREES programs would be funded from October 1 to November 16 at fiscal 2007 levels (unless a separate Agriculture Appropriations bill is signed into law prior to November 16).
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LSU AgCenter’s Dean Lee Station Wins Conservation Award
The LSU AgCenter’s Dean Lee Research and Extension Station in Alexandria has been awarded the 2007 Soil and Water Conservation Society of Louisiana "Good Land Use Award."
The station received the award because of its outstanding record in conducting agricultural research in management systems for cotton, soybeans, corn, weed control, beef cattle and performance testing, according to David Williams, district conservationist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service in Alexandria, who made the nomination.
In addition to many other accomplishments in environmental stewardship, the station practices rotational grazing, nutrient management and integrated pest management, Williams said.
“We work diligently on conservation projects,” said Danny Coombs, the research coordinator at the station. “As they are implemented, these projects provide a more efficient use of water, prevent loss of wildlife habitat and control erosion.”
Normally, this annual award is given to a farmer, Williams said.
“This station is a good steward of the land," Williams said. "Its actions have not only benefited the Bayou Boeuf Watershed but Louisiana's agricultural community."
The Bayou Boeuf is the watershed in which the station resides.
The station, which is adjacent to the LSU-Alexandria campus, comprises more than 3,000 acres, including 900 acres of pasture, 650 acres of row crops and 1,200 acres of hardwood timber, according to John Barnett, the LSU AgCenter’s Central Region director. Congratulations to the faculty and staff at Dean Lee for this significant accomplishment.
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Creole Playground “Build Day” Volunteers Needed
The Recreation District 7 Creole Community Center located in Creole, La. (Cameron Parish) has been chosen by KaBOOM and AmeriCares to receive a playground to be built at the Creole Ball Park. This project has been a major initiative of the LSU AgCenter and the Cameron Parish community for the past year. The Build Day will be November 3 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. More than 150 volunteers are needed for this project. Volunteers do not have to be skilled, trained or have any special tools; they just have to be enthusiastic, energetic, a team player, willing to work and have fun, fun, fun! (And be at least 18 years of age). Younger adults will be used as volunteers to help with games and small playground projects for the younger children. Breakfast, lunch, beverages, music and prizes will be provided, along with an opening and special closing ceremony.
Please consider volunteering your time to help rebuild a safe, clean and fun playground that the Creole Community youth can enjoy in years to come! Everyone needs to be preregistered whether you come as an individual or as a team. Registration forms can be found here. Completed forms may be faxed to Angelia Conner, Cameron Parish Extension Office, at 337.905.1320 or e-mailaconner@agcenter.lsu.edu.
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Farm Foundation Conference Call for Papers
The widespread introduction and adoption of Roundup Ready soybeans and insect resistant “Bt” corn and cotton just over a decade ago has reshaped the global food system, affecting everything from the production tools of farmers to the food choices of consumers.
How the experiences of the first decade of crop biotechnology will shape the future of food systems, environmental issues and public policies is the subject of a Farm Foundation conference to be Jan. 16-17, 2008, at the Westin City Center, Washington, D.C.
The conference will bring together representatives of production agriculture, the crop input industry, environmentalist, consumer groups, government agencies and academia to examine public policy, business and social issues generated by the evolution of crop biotechnology in the food system. Conference sessions will address biotechnology in the food system in the areas of crop production, food safety, private and public investments, biodiversity and the environmental, biofuels and global food issues.
Participants will examine how the experiences of biotechnology in the food system to date will influence business strategies, public policies and environmental and social issues in the next decade. Areas where future research is needed will also be identified.
A call for papers has been issued, with submissions due by Oct. 15, 2007.
A block of sleeping rooms is available to conference participants at the Westin, at the rate of $189 plus tax single or double. Reservations, which must be made by Dec. 27, 2007, should be completed directly with the hotel, (800-627-9035). To obtain the special rate, refer to the Farm Foundation Room Block. The Westin City Center is located at 1400 M Street NW, Washington, D.C.
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Louisiana SED Celebrates 50 Years of Service
(By Staff Members of the Louisiana FSA State Office)
Aug. 7 was a memorable day for Willie F. Cooper, Louisiana State Executive Director (SED), for the USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA). On that date, Cooper marked 50 years of service to the agency and a lifetime of devoted public service. Congratulations to Mr. Cooper, an employee who began his career with the Agricultural Stabilization & Conservation Service (ASCS) in the 1950s chain-measuring cotton in the fields of Southeast Louisiana when he was still in high school.
Cooper has received numerous awards and accolades from the agency and industry alike. Some of the most prestigious include the Administrator's Award for Service to Agriculture, which he has received several times, as well as the FSA Distinguished Service Award. Employee organizations, such as the National Association of Farmer-Elected Committeemen (NAFEC) and the Louisiana Association of Parish Office Employees (LAPOE) have expressed their appreciation for his dedication and support. In July 1999, the Louisiana Farm Bureau presented Cooper with the "Distinguished Service Award." Cooper is one of a handful of people to ever receive this special award, which honors outstanding contributions and service to Louisiana agriculture. In 2000, Willie Cooper was selected as Progressive Farmer's "Man of the Year."
The Farm Services Agency has been a valuable supporter of Louisiana agriculture and LSU AgCenter partner for the 50-year period that spans Mr. Cooper’s outstanding career. We congratulate him for this outstanding achievement and wish him well as he continues supporting the needs of farmers and farm businesses statewide.
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LSU AgCenter Agent Recognized Nationally
Allen Hogan, county agent in Jefferson Davis parish, recently received the Merit Award from the American Forage and Grassland Council. Hogan received this award at the council’s annual meeting at Penn State University. The award is presented to individuals who have made superior contributions in forage and grassland agriculture.
The AFGC is a national organization with 2,500 members. Its mission is to advance forage agriculture and grassland stewardship. Hogan was presented the award for his educational programs dealing with forages and beef cattle. He has conducted numerous meetings, field days and seminars to keep clientele up-to-date with production information.
Hogan also has been active in conducting more than 25 forage field demonstrations dealing with pasture weed control, fertilization, hay management and ryegrass varieties, and he has worked in cooperation with LSU AgCenter researchers to screen ryegrass varieties for blast disease resistance.
In addition, Hogan has conducted the 4-H Youth Beef Grazing Project in Jefferson Davis for 17 years with more than 50 participants. His program has had more participants than any other parish for the past 10 years, and numerous state winners have emerged from that program.
Hogan has been active with the Louisiana Forage and Grassland Council for many years.
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Louisiana Sea Grant Extension Agents Receive Sea Grant Award
Three Louisiana Sea Grant Extension/LSU AgCenter agents are the recipients of the Superior Outreach Award from the national Assembly of Sea Grant Extension Program Leaders (ASGEPL) for their response and continuing recovery work following hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Albert "Rusty" Gaudé, associate area agent for St. Bernard, Plaquemines and Orleans parishes; Kevin Savoie, area agent and fisheries agent for the Southwest Louisiana Region; and Mark Schexnayder, area fisheries agent and hurricane program coordinator for Southeast Louisiana were honored for their work.
In March, the trio received the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea Grant Extension Network's Outstanding Group Achievement Award. Many of their efforts are chronicled in a short documentary titled Sister Storms: A Louisiana Sea Grant Response. The film is available for viewing at www.laseagrant.org/comm/media.htm.
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U.S. Climate Change Science Program and USDA Seek Public Comment on Climate Change Report
The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) has announced a 45-day public comment period for the second draft of a report on the effects of climate change.
USDA is the lead agency preparing the report: "Synthesis and Assessment Product (SAP) 4.3: The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and Biodiversity." This report will add to the information base about the effects of climate change. It addresses the effects of climate change on agriculture, land resources, water resources and biodiversity for the next 25 to 50 years.
The draft report has more than 1,000 references and 80 findings on the effects of climate change on agriculture in the United States. The report had 37 authors and has had expert peer review by 14 scientists. CCSP's strategic plan calls for the production of 21 Synthesis and Assessment Products that respond to high priority research, observation and decision-support needs.
The full draft report has been posted on the CCSP Web site atwww.climatescience.gov, along with instructions for submitting comments, which are due by Oct. 26. Notice the start of the comment period were published in the Sept. 11, Federal Register.
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PAR Guide to Constitutional Amendments
On October 20, Louisiana voters will be asked to make decisions on four proposed constitutional amendments. Those amendments would:
- Further protect the state’s supplemental pay program for certain law enforcement officers and firefighters from budget cuts;
- Expand the state’s supplemental pay program to include additional law enforcement officers and firefighters;
- Revise the funding requirements for future benefits to members of state retirement systems;
- Provide a property tax exemption for jewelry held on consignment.
Please review the PAR guide to the constitutional amendments, which can be found at http://www.la-par.org/Publications/PDF/ConGuide2007.pdf.
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FY 08 NRI and Integrated RFAs Released
The FY 08 NRI RFA has been released to Grants.gov. You should be able to find the RFAs for the NRI and Integrated Projects at (http://www.grants.gov/search/
search.do?oppId=15487&flag2006=true&mode=VIEW) or at www.grants.gov
Please also note the following:
"Integrated projects must budget sufficient resources to carry out the set of extension, research and/or education activities that will lead to the desired outcomes. No more than two-thirds of a project’s budget may be focused on a single component. In other words, no more than two-thirds of the project’s budget may be allocated to research (or education, or extension)."
This change should help to ensure that integrated projects that include extension do so in some substantive measure.
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LSU AgCenter to Coordinate State Fair Educational Exhibits
The LSU AgCenter has renewed and expanded its partnership with the State Fair of Louisiana and will coordinate the competitive educational exhibits portion of the Agricultural Building for the 2007 show.
The fair, held in Shreveport, will run from Oct. 25 to Nov. 11.
LSU AgCenter agents in Bossier Parish, Jeannie Crnkovic and Terry Foster, have assumed leadership for this endeavor. LSU AgCenter personnel will offer educational assistance and serve as building supervisors and educational booth representatives.
This is an organization-wide priority, and agents across the state are encouraged to help out this year. We are also asking that 4-H’ers, adults and senior citizens enter items in the competitive exhibits area.
The new rules, divisions and classes may be viewed on-line atwww.statefairoflouisiana.com.
Junior classes include arts and crafts, forestry, photography, clothing and home accessories. Adult classes include canned fruits and vegetables, painting, woodworks, clothing, miscellaneous bazaar and photography.
Special classes are BB gun, bees and honey, a talent contest and livestock, poultry and nutrition quiz bowls.
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Ag Policy Update: Additional Disaster Assistance Programs
On Aug. 24, the USDA announced the sign-up periods for several disaster assistance programs made available through legislation signed by President Bush in May 2007. This legislation made upwards of $3 billion available to agricultural producers who had sustained losses due to natural disasters in 2005, 2006 or 2007.
The legislation authorized the following disaster programs:
1) Crop Disaster program
2) Livestock Compensation program
3) Livestock Indemnity program
4) Emergency Forestry Conservation Reserve program
5) Dairy Disaster Assistance program
In addition, the legislation extended the Milk Income Loss Contract program through September and provided additional Emergency Conservation Program funding for 18 states. Louisiana was not one of the states in which funds were made available.
For a brief update on the status of the five major programs listed above, please visit http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/money_business/farm_business/
Ag+Policy+Update+Additional+Disaster+Assistance+Programs.htm.
Sign-up dates for all of the programs with the exception of the Dairy Disaster Assistance Program have begun or will begin shortly. All of these programs are administered through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), so producers interested in finding out more information about these programs or wanting to enroll in these programs should contact their local FSA office.
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Deadlines for Award Nominations
Oct. 1 is the deadline for submitting nominations for the following awards:
- Rosalie Bivin 4-H Youth Development Faculty Award (2007 Focus: Service-Learning)
- Extension Excellence Award
- Floyd Edmiston Award
- Denver T. and Ferne Loupe Extension Team Award
Information on these awards can be accessed athttps://www.lsuagcenter.net/chancellor/awards/extension.asp.
Oct. 5 is the deadline for submitting nominations for the following awards:
- Ganelle Bolluck Staff Outstanding Service Award
- LSU AgCenter Outstanding Service Award for Associates
- LSU Foundation Staff Outstanding Service Awards
Information on these awards can be accessed at https://www.lsuagcenter.net/chancellor/awards/index.asp.
Oct. 26 is the deadline for submitting Promotion & Tenure requests to HRM. For complete Promotion & Tenure details visit http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/administration/about_us/Human_Resources/
News+and+information.htm
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Horticulture Society Forms to Support Burden Center
A new nonprofit organization has been formed called the Burden Horticulture Society to provide assistance and fundraising for the enhancement and use of LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center, according to Dr. Pat Hegwood, the Burden Center resident director.
Located on Essen Lane at I-10 in Baton Rouge, the Burden Center is home to horticultural research projects and Windrush Gardens and its developing plant collections. The AgCenter also operates the Ione Burden Conference Center, the Steele Burden Memorial Orangerie and the All-America Rose Display Garden at the center.
The Burden Horticulture Society will provide assistance to support a master plan that builds on the framework created by the Burden family to create a unifying and aesthetic vision and conceptual design for the entire Burden Center.
Hegwood stated that the organization anticipates providing the public with a destination for exploring the history, beauty and horticultural resources of Louisiana.
Organizers said developing a master plan for Burden Center will include the Burden family, LSU A&M College, the LSU AgCenter, the Ione Burden Foundation, the LSU Rural Life Museum, Friends of the Rural Life Museum, the LSU Foundation and Louisiana Master Gardeners.
Steele Burden, former landscaper for the LSU campus; his sister Ione Burden, former assistant dean of women at LSU; and Jeanette Burden, widow of their brother Pike Burden, donated the property in South Baton Rouge to LSU over a period of years.
The Burden family stipulated in the act of donation that the property would be used for horticultural and agronomic research, for development of a Rural Life Museum and as a “green area” devoid of buildings not necessary for these purposes.
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4-H Camp Chancellor’s Scholarship
Three years ago, Chancellor Richardson initiated a 4-H Camp Scholarship initiative that provided ½ of the camp fees to limited resource children interested in attending camp if the local parish could match these funds at the local level. During this year’s 4-H camping season, the total for Chancellor’s scholarships amounted to $52,239 with 48 of the 64 parishes participating. With the local match, the total amount raised was over $100,000. Two of the highest three parishes were Cameron and St. Bernard – parishes most impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
I would like to thank Chancellor Richardson for his strong support of the 4-H Camp Scholarship initiative providing financial assistance to many limited resource children that may otherwise not be able to attend camp. I also would like to thank all of our 4-H agents and leaders that worked hard to raise the 50% matching funds required for these scholarships.
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Long-time 4-H Agent/Specialist to be Inducted into National Hall of Fame
A retired Louisiana 4-H specialist is among 20 people who will be inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame this fall.
Joan McCrory of Baton Rouge, who retired from the LSU AgCenter as a professor in 4-H Youth Development in 2005, has been selected as a member of the 4-H Hall of Fame’s "2007 class," which will be formally recognized Oct. 5 at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, Md.
Information about McCrory, who served 36 years as an agent and specialist in Louisiana’s 4-H program, will join citations for approximately 200 others in the National 4-H Hall of Fame.
McCrory is the fifth person from Louisiana to be cited – joining retired LSU AgCenter vice chancellor and extension director Jack Bagent, who received the honor in 2002; Louisiana 4-H program founder Victor Leander Roy Sr., cited in 2004; former state 4-H specialist Stella Jones, inducted in 2005; and former state 4-H leader W.C. Abbott Sr., a 2006 inductee.
During her tenure, Joan helped tens of thousands of young people become productive contributors to their communities as adults. The positive impact of her work can be seen across the state. No person is more deserving of this recognition.
This year’s hall of fame induction ceremonies will be Oct. 5 just before the kickoff of National 4-H Week, Oct. 7-13.
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Cotton Community of Practice Has “Workfest” in Louisville
The Cotton Community of Practice leadership added more than 200 pages of content to the Community of Practice wiki in just two days. The group met in Louisville, Kentucky August 28-30 for an intensive work session to prepare for their soft launch later this fall and their announced public launch at the Cotton Belt Wide Conference in January 2008.
Sandy Stewart, Louisiana State University; Dale Monks and Jon Brasher, Auburn University; Keith Edmisten, North Carolina State University; Bill Robertson, National Cotton Council; and Tommy Valco, USDA/CSREES attended and worked throughout the meeting along with several members of the eXtension Content team.
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Over Half of U.S. Farms Have Internet Access
Fifty-five percent of U.S. farms report having Internet access in 2007, up from 51% in 2005, according to a USDA report on farm computer ownership and usage released in August. Sixty-three percent of all U.S. farms have access to a computer, up slightly from 2005. Louisiana alone has Internet access on 57% of all farms across the state.
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New Hires for the Southern University AgCenter
Southern University Ag Center has completed the hiring process for five parish staff with one already on board in Morehouse and Union Parishes.
The new hires are:
Angela Myles, Assistant Area Agent, Youth Development
St. Helena* and Tangipahoa parishes
Native of Greensburg, La., holds a B.S. in Child Development from Southern University; formerly a Quad Area Head Start Lead Teacher.
Patricia Lee, Assistant Area Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences
Desoto* and Caddo parishes
Native of Shreveport, La., holds a B.S. degree in Food and Nutrition from Southern University; formerly a special ed. teacher with the Bossier Parish school board.
Hendrix Broussard, Assistant Area Agent, Youth Development
Orleans Parish
Native of Thibodaux, La., holds a B.S. degree in Animal Science from Southern University; formerly a receiving clerk at John Deere Co. in Thibodaux.
Carol Sensley, Assistant Area Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences
Calcasieu* and Jefferson Davis parishes
Native of Lake Charles, La., holds a B.A. degree in Physical Education from the University of Louisville, KY; formerly a head coach for women basket ball team at McNeese State University.
Odis Hill, Assistant Area Agent
Morehouse* and Union parishes
Native of Bastrop, La., holds a B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics from Southern University; formerly operating controller at International Paper Co. in Bastrop.
*Primary domicile
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New Personnel
Congratulations to all new personnel. They include:
- Hongzhi Liu, Research Associate, Renewable Natural Resources
- David Weindorf, Assistant Professor, School of Plant, Envir. Soil Sciences
- Xiuhao Yang, Research Associate, Entomology
- Cade Smith, Research Associate, N. Central Region
- Laura McDonald Vidal, Asst. Ext. Agent, SC/Crescent Region
- Albert Orgeron, Extension Agent, SC/Crescent Region
- Charles Clement, Instructor, Renewable Natural Resources
- Breant Jeansonne, Assistant Extension Agent, SC/Crescent Region
- Janis Coussan, Extension Agent, S.W. Region
- Paul LaGrange, Extension Associate, B. & A. Engineering
- Glenn Ray, Extension Associate, Bio. & Ag Engineering
- David Latona, Extension Associate, 4-H, position change
- Jenifer Schexneider, Acct Technician, Human Ecology
- Chase Gray, Research Farm Assistant, Hammond Res Station
- Donald Barlow, Research Farm Assistant, Central Station
- Charles Hunter, Research Farm Assistant, Hill Farm Res Station
- Keith Frazier, Research Farm Specialist, Sugar Res Station
- Sonni D. Karl, Nutrition Educator, St. Helena Parish
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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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