News Release Distributed 11/23/15
BATON ROUGE, La. – Nominations for inductees into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction are being accepted now through Dec. 15. Selected individuals will be recognized during a banquet at L’Auberge Hotel in Baton Rouge on March 17, 2016.
The nomination form can be obtained online at www.louisianaagriculturehallofdistinction.com or through any parish LSU AgCenter extension office.
A joint effort of the LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Radio Network and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction is designed to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to agriculture or agriculture-related industries. Nominations can represent farming, ranching, forestry, aquaculture, fisheries, education or agribusiness.
“There are many individuals in our state who have dedicated their lives to improving Louisiana agriculture,” said LSU Vice President for Agriculture Bill Richardson. “This industry continues to provide our food and fiber and is an essential part of our state’s economy. Our state owes much to agriculture, and this event recognizes those men and women who have made an everlasting contribution to it.”
Three individuals recognized in 2015 were Edwards Barham, a farmer and aerial applicator from Oak Ridge; Jimmy Hoppe, a rice farmer from Iowa; and Lucien Laborde, a cattle and seed farmer from Hamburg.
“We are pleased the Hall of Distinction has become a signature event each year as we honor those who have contributed to the state’s most significant industry,” said Louisiana Radio Network President Jim Engster. “The Louisiana agriculture industry helps feed and clothe all of us, and this is just one small way to say thank you to all our farmers and ranchers. And all of us involved with the program are more than proud and happy to do so.”
“Agriculture and forestry are critical to the state of Louisiana’s economy. They are industries that continue to grow and prosper. It is important to recognize those who make outstanding contributions to agriculture, forestry, their state and to their communities,” said Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain.
For more information, contact Don Molino with Louisiana Radio Network at 225-291-2727, ext. 210, or don@louisianaradionetwork.com or Bobby Soileau with the LSU AgCenter at 225-578-3659 or bsoileau@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Craig Gautreaux