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Anne Idsal, regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, at right, watches rice planting by
Dustin Harrell, an LSU AgCenter rice extension specialist. Idsal visited the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station
in March to learn about the challenges faced by rice farmers. Harrell informed her about the problem of blackbirds
feeding on mature rice, and he also detailed the threat to crawfish posed by apple snails, an invasive species.
Idsal also toured the station to learn about research being conducted and genetic marker technology. Mike Strain,
secretary of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, joined Idsal on the visit. During the station’s field day,
Idsal was among the speakers, and she said the EPA has become more focused on problem-solving.
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture
