Post-Graduate
Southern IPM Center 2011 Friends of IPM Pulling Together Finalist: LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato IPM Team

Achievement award, National Association of County Agricultural Agents, Louisiana Winner, 2009

Search for Excellence Award (Sweet potato verification program), Louisiana Winner, National County Agricultural Agents Association, July, 2008.


Graduate Student Awards
Louisiana Agricultural Consultants Association Graduate Student Scholarship Award, Alexandria, LA. February 15, 2005.

Entomological Society of America. President's Award. Ph.D. Student Paper Competition
(First Place),. Fort Lauderdale, FL. December 14-18, 2005.

Louisiana Plant Protection Association Annual Meeting. Ph.D. Student Paper Competition (Second Place), Baton Rouge, LA. March 3, 2005.

Travel Grant to present research at the Southeastern Branch meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Louisiana State University Graduate School, 2005.


Grants & Contracts Funded (Career):
Industry funding: ($300,000)
USDA/CSREES: ($2.8 mil)
LDAF Specialty Crops Block Grant: ($141,500)

Presentations (Career):
Invited: 14
Submitted: 76


Selected Recent Publications:
Refereed Journal Articles

Wosula, E. N., J. A. Davis, C. A. Clark, T. P. Smith, R. A. Arancibia, F. R. Musser and J. T. Reed. 2012. The role of aphid abundance, species diversity and virus titer in the spread of sweetpotato potyviruses in Louisiana and Mississippi. Accepted in Plant Disease July 2012

Labonte, D. R., A. Villordon, C. Clark and T. Smith. 2011. ‘Bonita’ Sweetpotato. HortScience 46 (6): 948-949.

Clark, Christoper A., Tara P. Smith and Donald M. Ferrin. 2010. Performance of Sweetpotato Foundation Seed after Incorporation into Commercial Operations in Louisiana. HortTech 20 (6): 977-982.

Villordon, A.Q., D.L. Labonte, C. A. Clark, T.P. Smith and D. Ferrin. 2010. Combining linear regression and machine learning approaches for indentifying consensus variables related to optimum sweetpotato planting date in Louisiana. HortScience 45:684-686.

Smith, Tara P., A.M. Hammond, R.N. Story and E. Burris. 2009. Comparison of Banded Cucumber Beetle (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae) and Cumulative Soil Insect Damage in Three Sweepotato Varieties Evaluated Under Selected Insecticide Regimes in Louisiana. MidSouth Entomologist. Vol. 3, No. 1: 1-6.

Smith, Tara P., S. Stoddard, M. Shankle and J. Schultheis. 2009. Sweetpotato in the United States, p. 287-323. In G. Loebenstein, G. Thottappilly [eds], pp. 522, The Sweet Potato. Springer Netherlands.

Smith, Tara. P., and A. M. Hammond. 2006. Comparative susceptibility of sweetpotato weevil (Coleoptera: Brentidae) to selected insecticides. J. Econ. Entomol. 99: 2024-2029.

Smith, Tara P. 2006. Biology and chemical ecology of the sugarcane beetle and integrated pest management of sweet potato soil insects in Louisiana. Louisiana State University Dissertation. pp. 110.


Louisiana Agriculture (Publication of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station)

LaBonte, D. R. and Tara P. Smith 2012. Sweet Potato, Louisiana’s Most Popular Vegetable. Louisiana Agriculture. 55 (2):16-17.

Smith, Tara P. 2010. Louisiana Youth Learn Magic of Agriculture. Louisiana Agriculture 53 (3):16-17.

Smith, Tara P., D. R. Labonte. 2009. The Sky’s the Limit: Change in the Sweet Potato Industry. Louisiana Agriculture. 52 (2):6-7.

Smith, Tara P., D. R. Labonte, C.A. Clark and A. Villordon. 2009. Happy 60th Birthday: Sweet Potato Research Station and Foundation Seed Program, 1949-2009. Louisiana Agriculture. 52 (2):8-9.

Smith, Tara P. 2009. Sweet Potatoes Get Grades. Louisiana Agriculture. 52(2):13.

Smith, Tara P., K.M. Guidry, M. Sistrunk, G. Roberts, V. Deshotel and E. Burris. 2009. Research Verification Program for Louisiana Sweet Potato Production. Louisiana Agriculture. 52(2):22-23.

Smith, Tara P. 2009. Harvesting Sweet Potatoes. Louisiana Agriculture. 52(2):33.

Labonte, D.R., C.A. Clark, A. Villordon and T. Smith. 2009. A Really Sweet Potato – That’s Evangeline. Louisiana Agriculture. 52(2):11.

Clark, C. A., T. Smith and D. Ferrin. 2009. Virus-tested Foundation Seed Works. Louisiana Agriculture. 52 (2):12-13.

Clark, C. A., D. Ferrin, D. Labonte, D. Picha, T. Smith and A. Villordon. 2009. Managing Rhizopus Soft Rot on Sweet Potatoes. Louisiana Agriculture. 52(2):14-15.

Burris, E., D. Burns, T. Smith, C. Overstreet and M. Wolcott. 2009. GIS/GPS Techniques Help Evaluate Soil Insect and Nematode Pest Control Strategies in Sweet Potatoes. Louisiana Agriculture. 52(2):28-29.

Hammond, A.M., R. Story, T. Smith and J. Murray. 2009. Season-long Management of the Banded Cucumber Beetle in Louisiana Sweet Potatoes. Louisiana Agriculture. 52(2):30-31.

Miller, D. K., T. Smith. 2009. Managing Weeds in Louisiana Sweet Potatoes. 52(2):34.

Smith, Tara. P., A. M. Hammond. 2008. Managing Sweetpotato Weevils in South Louisiana. Louisiana Agriculture. 51 (1):20-21.

Smith, Tara. P., A. M. Hammond, C. A. Abel, M. J. Stout, and B. R. Leonard. 2007. Sugarcane Beetle: A Potential Threat to Louisiana Crops. Louisiana Agriculture. 50: 27-28.

Smith, Tara. P., S. T. Kelly, A. M. Hammond, and D. Miller. 2006. The effect of various herbicide regimes on yield and weed density in sweet potato. Louisiana Agriculture. 48:

Smith, Tara P., B. Rogers Leonard, A. M. Hammond and R. Gable. 2006. Managing sugarcane beetles in field corn with seed treatments. Louisiana Agriculture. 49: 27-28.

Proceedings & Abstracts:
Smith, Tara P., R. Luttrell, L. Adams and T. Arnold. 2012. Evaluation of Selected Insecticide Regimes for Management of Sugarcane Beetle in Sweetpotato. Annual Proceedings of the Sweet Potato Collaborators Group. Birmingham, AL, February 3-5, 2012. Submitted to HortScience.

Smith, Tara P., A. Villordon, and T. Arnold. 2012. On-farm Validation of a Prototype Production Model for Storage Root Yield in Louisiana: Observation from Producer Fields. Annual Proceedings of the Sweet Potato Collaborators Group. Birmingham, AL, February 3-5, 2012. Submitted to HortScience.

Smith, Cody., T. P. Smith and D. R. LaBonte. 2012. Optimization of yield for bulk processing. Annual Proceedings of the Sweet Potato Collaborators Group. Birmingham, AL, February 3-5, 2012. Submitted to HortScience.

Miller, D. K., T. P. Smith and M. Mathews. 2012. Plant Spacing Impacts on Herbicide Programs, Annual Proceedings of the Sweet Potato Collaborators Group. Birmingham, AL, February 3-5, 2012

Smith, Tara P., T. Arnold 2011. Evaluation of Selected Insecticides for Management of Sugarcane Beetle in Sweetpotato, 2011. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Sweet Potato Collaborators Group, Gulf Shores, AL. January 22-23, 2011.

Smith, Tara P., A. M. Hammond, R.N. Story and W. McLemore. 2010. Evaluation of Selected Insecticides for Management of Sugarcane Beetle in Sweetpotato. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Sweet Potato Collaborators Group, Orlando, FL. February 6-7, 2010.

Thompson, William B., Allan C. Thornton, Tara P. Smith, and Jonathan R. Schultheis. 2010. Yield Response of 'Evangeline' and 'Covington' Sweetpotato to Various Potash Carriers and Rates. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Sweet Potato Collaborators Group, Orlando, FL. February 6-7, 2010.

Miller, D. K. T.P. Smith and M.M. Mathews. 2010. Weed management and crop tolerance with V-10142 in sweet potato. 2010 Proceedings Southern Weeds Science Association, Vol 63. LSU AgCenter, St. Joseph, LA.


Extension Publications:
Books

Clark, C. A., D.M. Ferrin, T. P. Smith and G.J. Holmes. 2011. Compendium of Sweet Potato Diseases, 2nd Edition. APS Press, The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN. xxx pp In Press.

Smith, Tara P., and others. 2008-2011. Vegetable Crop Handbook for the Southeastern US (Sweet Potato Section). Edited by G. J Holmes and J M Kemble. Published by the North Carolina Vegetable Growers Association.

Edmunds, B. A., M. Boyette, C. A. Clark, D. Ferrin, T. P. Smith, and G. Holmes. 2008. Postharvest Handling of Sweetpotatoes. Raleigh, NC.

University Publications

Smith, Tara P. 2012. Sweet Potato Quick Facts. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. Pub. No. 3131 (revised from 2008).

Smith, Tara P., A. Villordon, R. Sheffield, B. LeBlanc and K. Pope. 2012. Environmental Best Management Practices for Sweet Potato Cultivation (BMP’s). Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Pub. No. 2832 In Press

Smith, Tara P., A. Villordon. 2012. Improving Sweet Potato Production Efficiency: Optimizing Soil Moisture and Irrigation Management. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Pub. No. 3235B

Smith, Tara P., A. Villordon. 2012. Improving Sweet Potato Production Efficiency: Storage Root Initiation. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Pub. No. 3235A

Reames, E. and T. Smith. 2011. Louisiana Sweet Potatoes, “Louisiana Yams.” Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Pub. No. 3184.

Smith, Tara P. 2011. Louisiana Summary of Agriculture and Natural Resources: 2010 Narratives: Sweet Potato.

Smith, Tara P. and M. Sistrunk. 2011. Sweet Potatoes. pp. 29-31. In “2011 Outlook for Louisiana’s Agriculture”.

Ferrin, D. M., C. Clark and T. P. Smith. 2010. Reducing Damage to Sweet Potatoes on the Sweet Potato Packingline. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Pub. No. 3164.

Ferrin, D. M., C. Clark and T. P. Smith. 2010. Sanitation in the Sweet Potato Packinghouse. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Pub. No. 3165.

Smith, Tara P. and M. Sistrunk. 2010. Sweet Potatoes. In “2010 Outlook for Louisiana’s Agriculture”. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, 3048

Smith, Tara P. 2010. Louisiana Summary of Agriculture and Natural Resources: 2009 Narratives: Sweet Potato, Narratives: Sweet Potato.

Smith, Tara P., A.Q. Villordon. 2009. Nitrogen management in Louisiana sweet potatoes. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. Pub. No. 3138

Smith, Tara P. 2009. Sweet Potato Quick Facts. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. Pub. No. 3131.

Smith, Tara P. and M. Sistrunk. 2009. Sweet Potatoes. pp. 29-31. In “2009 Outlook for Louisiana’s Agriculture”. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Publication No. 3048, April 2009, 50 pp.

Smith, Tara P., D. Ferrin and C. Clark. 2009. GAP, GMP, EUREPGAP and GLOBALGAP and Sweetpotato producers. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Pub. No. 3103.

Ferrin, D., T. Smith and C. Clark, 2008. Scurf of Sweet Potato. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Pub. No. 3096.

Smith, Tara P., C. Overstreet, C. Clark, D. Ferrin and E. Burris. 2008. Nematode Management in Louisiana Sweet Potato. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Pub. No. 3075.

Ferrin, D., C. Clark and T. Smith, 2008. Sclerotial Blight and Circular Spot of Sweet Potato. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Pub. No. 3071.

Smith, Tara P. and M. Sistrunk. 2008. Sweet Potatoes “2008 Outlook for Louisiana’s Agriculture”. Louisiana State University AgCenter, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Staff Paper SP 2008-03, March 2008, 55 pp.

Smith, Tara P. 2008. Louisiana Summary of Agriculture and Natural Resources: 2007 Narratives: Sweet Potato, p. 21

Smith, Tara P., A. M. Hammond, R. N. Story and E. Burris. 2008. Insect Pest Management in Louisiana Sweet Potatoes. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Pub. No. 2620.

Smith, Tara P. 2007, D. K. Miller. Weed Management in Sweet Potato. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Pub. No. 3070.

Smith, Tara P., A. M. Hammond, R. Story and E. Burris. 2007. Bug Biz, Pest Management and Insect Identification Series. “Managing cucumber beetles (rootworms), in Louisiana sweet potato production” Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Pub. No. 2960.
Click here

Smith, Tara P. and M. Sistrunk. 2007. Sweet Potatoes “2007 Outlook for Louisiana’s Agriculture”. Louisiana State University AgCenter, Department of Agricultural
Economics and Agribusiness Staff Paper SP 2007-03, March 2007, p. 34 of 45 pp.

Smith, Tara P. 2007. Louisiana Summary of Agriculture and Natural Resources: 2006 Narratives: Sweet Potato, p. 21.

Smith, Tara P., and A. M. Hammond. Louisiana recommendations for control of sweet potato insects. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.
Click here

Koske, Thomas and Tara P. Smith. 2007. Curing and storing sweet potatoes. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. http:// Click Here

Smith, Tara P., A. M. Hammond, R. Story and E. Burris. 2006. Bug Biz, Pest Management and Insect Identification Series. “Lepidopteran insect pests in Louisiana sweet potato production.” Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Pub. No. 2954.
Click here

Other Scholarly Activities:
Numerous newsletter and popular press articles

Internship LSU AgCenter Chancellor’s Office, January – August 2012.

LSU AgCenter Internal Leadership Program Participant, 2009-2010.

Editor of Louisiana Sweet Potato News Newsletter

Co-editor of LSU AgCenter Northeast Region News

Louisiana State University College of Agriculture Alumni Board of Directors

LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station Web Site Development

Louisiana Sweet Potato Blog, http://www.louisianasweetpotatoes@wordpress.com

Post Graduate
January 1, 2012 – Present:

Intern LSU AgCenter Chancellor’s Office
LSU AgCenter Associate Professor and Sweet Potato Extension Specialist.
Research Coordinator, LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station, Chase, LA

July 1, 2011 – Present:

LSU AgCenter Associate Professor and Sweet Potato Extension Specialist.
Research Coordinator, LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station, Chase, LA

September 15, 2008 – Present:

LSU AgCenter Assistant Professor and Sweet Potato Extension Specialist.
Research Coordinator, LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station, Chase, LA.

July 2007-Present:

LSU AgCenter Assistant Professor and Sweet Potato Extension Specialist.
Coordinator Sweet Potato Foundation Seed Program, LSU AgCenter, Sweet Potato Research Station, Chase, LA.

May 2006-July 2007:

LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Extension Specialist, Assistant Professor, LSU AgCenter, Sweet Potato Research Station, Chase, LA.

Graduate School
2002-May 2006: LSU AgCenter, Department of Entomology, Graduate Assistant

2005 Fall Semester: Laboratory instructor, Louisiana State University, Biology Department , Biology 1208.

2004, Fall Semester: Teaching Assistant, Louisiana State University, Entomology 2001, Insects in the Environment

2001-2002: Veterinary Technician, Fitzgerald Animal Hospital, Alexandria, LA.

2000-2001: Director's Assistant, Department of Human Resources / Biology department. Louisiana Tech University.

• Sweet Potato Production and Pest Management

• Extension and Research Program Focus: 
    -Insect Pest Management of Sweet Potatoes 
    -Improving Production Efficiency 
    -Optimizing yield to increase sustainability and improve profit.

• Teaching activities: 
    -Affiliate Member of LSU Graduate Faculty: 
    -Department of Entomology, March 2008 - Present.

• Graduate Committee Member: 
    -2 M.S. Students 
    -2 Ph.D Students

• 2006: Ph.D. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Major: Entomology

• 2000-2001: Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA: Degree: M.S. Biology.

• August 1996-2000: University of Louisiana at Monroe Degree: B.S. Biology