News Release Distributed 10/06/14

CALHOUN, La. – The LSU AgCenter is returning 329 acres of land that housed the former Calhoun Research Station to the Ouachita Parish Police Jury. The AgCenter will retain a 57-acre forest stand for research, according to Dale Frederick, director of AgCenter Facilities Planning.

The AgCenter began closing the station, located in Calhoun in northeastern Louisiana, in July 2011 due to state budget cuts.

The station was established in 1888 and was the first branch station of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station in northern Louisiana. Scientists at the station conducted research on cotton, dairy, peaches and watermelons, and later on wood products.

Ouachita Parish donated the land to LSU for agricultural research in 1891. The agreement stipulated that the land and any improvements made to it must be returned to the parish if research ceased.

The AgCenter will continue forestry research on a 57-acre tract that LSU purchased in 1911 to expand the station. This tract has access to U.S. Highway 80.

Ouachita Parish officials say the research station land is prime real estate they hope will boost economic development in the area, according to the Monroe News-Star.

The reconveyance was approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors in May and is expected to be finalized at the police jury’s Oct. 6 meeting.

Olivia McClure