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- AgCenter rice breeder announces retirement
(06/30/17) CROWLEY, La. — Steve Linscombe, longtime LSU AgCenter rice breeder and director of the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station, has announced he will retire on Sept. 30 after 35 years with the AgCenter.
Rogers Leonard, LSU AgCenter associate vice president for plants, soils and water resources, said Linscombe had originally applied for a job with LSU as forage specialist but was not chosen. He later became the state rice specialist before becoming a rice breeder in 1988.
“I can’t imagine what would have happened without him as a rice breeder,” Leonard said. “It’s been a pleasure to work with someone who expects so much from himself and his employees.”
Bill Richardson, LSU vice president for agriculture, said Linscombe’s work prominently boosted the LSU AgCenter rice programs nationally. “He has dedicated his life to building the best rice breeding programs in the country,” he said.
Farmer Clarence Berken, vice chairman of the Louisiana Rice Research Board, said Linscombe has received 14 awards in 21 years, developed 33 new rice varieties, obtained $17 million in grants and made more than 1,000 presentations around the world. Berken presented him with a certificate of recognition signed by Gov. John Bel Edwards during a field day at the research station on June 28..
Linscombe credited his staff at the station for his accomplishments. “This has been a very good place to work,” he said.
He said the achievements can be attributed to the help of another upcoming retiree, Bill Leonards, the station farm manager, who will step down Aug. 1 after 43 years of work at the station. “I promise you much of that would not be possible without the dedication of Mr. Leonards,” Linscombe said.
Steve Linscombe, retiring LSU AgCenter rice breeder, accepts a plaque naming the 33 rice varieties he developed at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station since 1988. At left is Don Groth, LSU AgCenter plant pathologist, who made the presentation. Photo by Bruce Schultz/LSU AgCenter