LSU/SU AgCenter – Orleans Parish

Advisory Leadership Council Meeting

N.O. Mosquito & Termite Control Board

2100 Leon C. Simon Blvd New Orleans, LA 70122

Conducted by:

Bertina McGhee, Parish Chair & Area Nutrition Agent

Meeting Minutes

February 14, 2013

I. Call to order

Bertina McGhee called to order the ALC meeting at 9:00 am Thursday, February 14, 2013.

II. Attendance

Everyone in attendance introduced themselves.

III. Brief Overview of AgCenter – Bertina McGhee

a. Power Point Presentation: (click Understanding Extension link below to begin slide show)

IV. Dr. Bobby H. Fletcher, Jr. – Regional Director/Assistant Extension Director

a. Critical role of Advocacy

b. LSU AgCenter: Nutrition Education; Seniors and Students; 4-H; Life Skills; Career Development; Public Private Partnerships

c. Impact Report – powerful document with critical information about advocacy (act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support)

d. We had to advocate to be put back into the city budget. Because we are one of the few who were reinstated, they see the importance of the AgCenter.

V. Discussion Point - Write down 5 critical issues to be addressed by the AgCenter. The complete list of all issues submitted by ALC members in attendance:

a. Childhood Obesity

b. Healthy Lifestyle habits*****

c. Parent Involvement

d. Healthy Food Prep

e. Exercising as a lifestyle

f. Education/Resource Management/Cost efficient Ways

g. Community Gardening/Support

h. Urban Farming

i. Nutritional Programs

j. Adequate Support

k. Sustainability in Plants

l. Provide Senior Education

m. Appreciation of environment

n. Public Education campaign

o. Land Management

p. Education for landscaping

q. Demonstrations/meadows

r. Neighborhood Associations/Communities*

s. Character /STEM initiative**

t. Wetlands**

u. Connect Seniors with Youth

v. Partnerships/ Collaborations*****

w. Community Gardening******

x. Funding/Communication Visibility**

y. Agent Impact on Hiring/Needs & Influence

z. Latino Farmers

aa. Markets/collaborations with schools*

bb. Help urban farmers

cc. Need of growing farmers

dd. Youth engagement in farming*

ee. Youth empowerment*****

ff. Health education/breakfast*

gg. Family involvement

hh. Church/faith based initiatives****

ii. Training in nutrition education/location

jj. Headstart programs

VI. Upcoming events

a. Master Gardener Spring Symposium (click link for more info)

b. 2013 Spring Garden Show – The 34th Annual New Orleans Spring Garden Show will be held at the City Park Botanical Garden on April 6-7 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day. (click link for more info)

VII. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 12:00pm by Bertina McGhee.

**Top 4 priorities to be addressed by the AgCenter and its partners – as agreed upon by ALC members