Shaun Tanger is the new forestry economist with the LSU AgCenter. (Photo by Johnny Morgan)

News Release Distributed 02/19/14

BATON ROUGE, La. – Shaun Tanger has been named the new forestry economist with the LSU AgCenter. Based in Baton Rouge, Tanger coordinates the outreach programs of five regional forestry specialists and helps provide the industry with the information necessary for continued growth and development.

“We have to be concerned with the economic viability of the industry both in the short term and the long term. We have to keep our timberland both productive and sustainable,” Tanger said.

A native of Auburn, Ala., Tanger received all three of his degrees at Auburn University, with a Ph.D. in forestry economics and policy.

The AgCenter’s regional forestry specialists are Ricky Kilpatrick, Northwest Region, at the Bossier Parish extension office; Keith Hawkins, Southwest Region, at the Beauregard Parish extension office; Brian Chandler, Southeast Region, at the Bob R. Jones-Idlewild Research Station; Steve Hotard, Northeast Region, at the Ouachita Parish extension office; and Robbie Hutchins, Central Region, at the Rapides Parish extension office.

Forestry programs conducted throughout the year include forums in each region. The next one scheduled is Feb. 25 in Alexandria at the Dean Lee Research and Extension Center. Hutchins is the contact at 318-767-3968.

The Ark-La-Tex Forestry Forum in Shreveport will be March 6 at the Holiday Inn Financial Plaza. Kilpatrick is the contact at 318-965-2326. The program includes a seminar on marketing timber from the landowner’s perspective, which Tanger will lead.

Tanger is encouraging Louisiana timber owners to participate in an online webinar presented through North Carolina State University on March 5. The title is “Income Tax on Timber for Your 2013 Tax Return Filing.” For more information, contact Tanger at 225-578-0344 or stanger@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Linda Foster Benedict