(03/10/22) BATON ROUGE, La. — Three icons of Louisiana agriculture will be inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction during a ceremony at L’Auberge Hotel in Baton Rouge on March 24.

The new inductees are former director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service and current chancellor of LSU Alexandria Paul Coreil, of Alexandria; long time Louisiana Radio Network farm broadcaster Don Molino, of Baton Rouge; and Jim Monroe, of Pineville, the former assistant to the president at Louisiana Farm Bureau, where Monroe worked for 47 years.

A joint effort of the LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Radio Network, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction honors individuals who have made significant contributions to agriculture or agriculture-related industries. Previous inductees have represented farming, ranching, forestry, aquaculture, education and agribusiness.

Coreil started his career as a Sea Grant agent in Cameron and Calcasieu parishes in 1978. In 1998, he moved to private industry, serving as wetlands administrator for Burlington Resources. He returned to the LSU AgCenter as the assistant director of environmental programs and was named extension director in 2001.

Coreil retired as extension director in 2013 and became the interim chancellor of LSU Alexandria. After one year, he retired from this position.

One of Coreil’s biggest accomplishments was his work in wetland resources. Coastal land loss has long been a problem in Louisiana, and he worked with private landowners, industry and government agencies to help implement strategies to slow land loss. Coreil often had to serve as a liaison between the groups to help explain some of the regulations and stipulations that were being instituted to mitigate coastal erosion.

In 2019, Coreil emerged from retirement to begin a second stint as chancellor of LSUA. He has made increasing enrollment and student retention, developing new degree programs and modernizing the campus his top priorities.

For the past 35 years, Molino has been the senior farm broadcaster, promoting farming and being the primary voice of Louisiana agriculture. His broadcasts have focused on the trials and tribulations that farmers face on a daily basis, and he has provided constant market updates on the fluctuating price of farm commodities.

Molino began his broadcast career with a local radio station in his hometown of Paris, Texas, while still in high school. His next stop was with the U.S. Army. From 1969 to 1971, he was a broadcast specialist in the Panama Canal Zone. After his honorable discharge, he then went to work for two radio stations in Texas.

While working in radio in Dallas, he began doing television work in the sports department at WFAA-TV. One of his coworkers during this time was Verne Lundquist, who rose to fame with CBS Sports.

After a stint at a Mississippi radio network as news director, Molino was hired by the Louisiana Radio network in 1980. It was during this time period that agriculture became his primary focus.

Molino can be heard almost daily across Louisiana, giving market reports, interviewing Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain and discussing various agricultural issues.

A native of Gilbert in Franklin Parish, Monroe grew up on a cotton, soybean and cattle farm. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness in 1970 and a master’s degree in agricultural economics in 1974. Both degrees were from LSU.

His first job with Farm Bureau was assistant commodity director in 1972. Four years later, Monroe was elevated to commodity director. In 1983, he was elevated to assistant to the president, the highest staff position within the grassroots organization.

Much of Monroe’s work centered on issues surrounding agriculture and how Farm Bureau could serve as the voice of farmers regarding issues related to local, state and federal governments. His tireless efforts on critical issues saved the state’s farmers countless time and money.

Monroe retired in 2019 and currently resides in Pineville.

For more information regarding the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction event, contact Eboni Register with the Louisiana Radio Network at 225-291-2727 or eboni@louisianaradionetwork.com.

Paul Coreil, former Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service director and current chancellor of LSU Alexandria, will be inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction on March 24 at the L’Auberge Hotel in Baton Rouge. Coreil began his career as a Sea Grant agent in Cameron and Calcasieu parishes. In 2001, he was appointed extension director, a position he held for 12 years. Photo provided by LSU Alexandria

Don Molino will be inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction on March 24 at the L’Auberge Hotel in Baton Rouge. Molino has been the farm broadcaster for the Louisiana Radio Network since 1980. His radio career started during his high school years in his hometown of Paris, Texas. Photo provided by Louisiana Radio Network

James “Jim” Monroe retired from the Louisiana Farm Bureau after 47 years of service. For his efforts, he will be inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction on March 24 at the L’Auberge Hotel in Baton Rouge. A native of Gilbert in Franklin Parish, Monroe served as assistant to the president of Farm Bureau since 1983. Photo provided by Louisiana Farm Bureau