LSU AgCenter, Mendel University Reunite After COVID-19 Interrupts Partnership

After two and a half years of not being able to travel internationally, faculty, staff and students with the LSU AgCenter and Mendel University in the Czech Republic finally were able to reunite at an International Summer School in Baton Rouge in July.

The two institutions have had a strategic partnership since 2014 for a variety of initiatives, including student exchanges, internships, research projects, publications and events. Participants in the collaboration have kept in touch since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic via virtual meetings.

AgCenter to Expand Bioproducts, Bioprocessing Research With New Grant

The Louisiana Board of Regents has awarded the LSU AgCenter Louisiana Institute for Bioproducts and Bioprocessing (LIBBi) a grant of nearly $1 million to upgrade equipment for the institute. LIBBi and the scientists that work with it are dedicated to expanding and strengthening Louisiana’s role in developing novel bioproducts and new technologies from the state’s forestry and agricultural industries.

The long-term goal for this project is to develop LIBBi as a centralized facility within the LSU AgCenter and LSU Baton Rouge campus for coordinating research, teaching and technology transfer efforts in biocompounds, biopolymers, functional foods and nanomaterials from sustainable resources in Louisiana.

Tobie Blanchard

Strahan Named LSU AgCenter Northwest Region Director

The LSU AgCenter has named Ron Strahan as the Northwest Region director. Strahan replaces Tara Smith, who was serving on an interim basis.

Strahan, an associate professor in the AgCenter School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, will oversee AgCenter personnel and programs in 12 parishes and three research stations. “I look forward to the opportunity to work with scientists and extension agents to improve the lives of our stakeholders in the Northwest Region,” he said.

V. Todd Miller

AgCenter, La. Sea Grant Unveil Seafood Processing Lab

The LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant showcased a new Seafood Processing Demonstration Laboratory at the AgCenter Iberia Research Station.

On July 19, the organizations hosted a ribbon cutting for the facility located at 603 LSU Bridge Road in Jeanerette, Louisiana. The facility will offer seafood processors hands-on training with equipment that can be used to create value-added seafood products and add marketability to what is being caught in Louisiana’s coastal and inland waters.

Derek Albert

These briefs appeared in the summer 2022 issue of Louisiana Agriculture.

Participants in the International Summer School visit a greenhouse at the New Orleans Botanical Garden. Photo by Annabelle Lang

LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant seafood specialists Tom Hymel and Evelyn Watts (center) cut the ceremonial ribbon at the new Seafood Processing Demonstration Laboratory located at the AgCenter’s Iberia Research Station in Jeanerette. Photo by Derek Albert

LSU AgCenter weed specialist Ron Strahan has been named Northwest Region director. Photo by Anna Ribbeck