Winn Parish
2009 Agriculture Advisory Committee Minutes
County agent Donny Moon called the 2009 Agriculture Advisory Committee meeting to order at 6 p.m. in the Winn Parish Extension office. Donny welcomed and thanked them all for coming. Members introduced themselves. Members present were: Jan Collins, Doyle Kyson, Joe Shields, Michael Jordan, Kirk Miles, Vikkie LaFollette, Huey White, Jason Jordan, Jamie Shelton, John and Annette Womack, and Roy and Evie Jones.
Donny discussed the mission and purpose of the LSU AgCenter. Donny stated that the LSU AgCenter supplies research-based information to the local clients that is generated by the research stations and the university. Donny stated the purpose of the local Advisory Leadership Council group was to provide leadership in planning programs and activities to meet the needs of local clients.
Donny reviewed the 2008 ALC issues. They were: development of monthly articles, more hands-on field days/demonstrations in farming activities and trying to get younger people more involved in farming. Donny stated that in 2008 the following field days/demonstrations were conducted with local producers: 1.Crawfish Producers Field Day, 2. Horticulture Field Day, 3. Winn Parish Cattleman’s Field Day, and 4. North Central Regional Beef Cattle Field Day. The following news articles were published in the Winn Parish Enterprise: Agent Tips and Producers Tips.
Donny asked Brother Huey White to pray before the meal.
After the meal, the group was asked “What critical issues, related to Winn Parish, do you think need to be addressed?’
The following issues were identified, and ways to meet those needs and people who were willing to assist were as follows:
Critical Issues for 2009
1. Joe Shields said timber management is a top issue to consider since Winn Parish is 92 percent timberland use on record in the parish. He stated that the development of more field tours/field days would help to educate the local people with concerns related to timber management. Joe Shields and Larry Kile will assist in planning these events.
2. Mike Jordan said the Winn Parish producers need more educational activities related to pasture management as it relates to fertilization and varieties. Mr. Jordan said more field days and demonstrations like the recent ones held would be a start to better educating the producers. Mike Jordan, Kirk Miles, Jason Jordan and Doyle Kyson will assist in planning.
3. Brother Huey White said there is a need to conduct more field demonstrations on invasive species and sedge removal for local producers. Huey White, John Womack, Roy Jones, Kirk Miles and Mike Jordan will assist in planning.
4. Vikkie LaFollette identified water/irrigation issues/Sparta Aquifer as a critical issue that producers need to consider in Winn Parish. Vikkie LaFollette, Huey White and John Womack will help assist in planning activities, such as demonstrations and field trials.
5. John Womack and Annette Womack identified insect control on vegetables and other plants as an increasing problem due to the loss of many good chemicals that were used to control insects. John Womack, Roy Jones, Annette Womack, Huey White and Janie Shelton will plan demonstrations and field days to meet this need.
6. Kirk Miles identified the issue of getting younger people involved in activities and small businesses. He said that in most activities it is the older group who are involved and not many younger people are stepping up to take the place of those who are stepping down. Kirk Miles, Vikkie LaFollette and Mike Jordan will assist in planning educational programs related to this issue.
7. Annette Womack said that square-feet/victory gardens would be a good issue to address due to the economy since our youth may not know where our vegetables come from. Annette Womack, Evie Jones, Janie Shelton, Vikkie LaFollette, Roy Jones, John Womack and Huey White will plan field days and demonstrations related to this topic.
8. Vikkie LaFollette stated there is a need for Agriculture Days to be conducted in the parish which would incorporate educational booths, cooking contests and other activities related to agriculture to educate the public on the importance of agriculture in our community. Vikkie LaFollette, Annette Womack and Jan Collins will help plan field days and demonstrations related to this topic.
9. Mike Jordan and Doyle Kyson discussed livestock as an issue that needed to be addressed. They said nutrition, selection and handling are issues to cover. Kirk Miles, Jan Collins, Mike Jordan and Doyle Kyson will assist in planning field days to meet these needs.
10. Jan Collins identified the fairground facilities as needing to be updated so more educational programs and activities could be held there. Jan Collins, Kirk Miles and Mike Jordan will be assisting in developing plans to update the Winn Parish Fairgrounds.
Donny thanked those attending, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Select link below for previous year advisory minutes.