| | Charnel Bailey, center, of Vernon Parish, receives the Attorney General’s Award at the LSU AgCenter Livestock Show on Feb. 21. Also pictured, from left, are Mark Tassin, LSU AgCenter program leader for 4-H youth and family development; John C. Welborn Jr., representing the Attorney General's office; Bailey; Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry; Bill Richardson, LSU vice president for agriculture. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter |
| | | Ashton Gaspard, right, standing in for his brother Adam Gaspard, of Vermilion Parish, accepts the C.W. “Dub” Kennedy Award from Mark Tassin, LSU AgCenter program leader for 4-H youth and family development, at the LSU AgCenter Livestock Show on Feb. 21. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter |
| | | Ashton Gaspard, center, of Vermilion Parish, receives the Superintendent of Education Award at the LSU AgCenter Livestock Show on Feb. 21. Also pictured, from left, are Mark Tassin, LSU AgCenter program leader for 4-H youth and family development; Ken Bradford, assistant superintendent in the Louisiana Department of Education; Gaspard; Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry; Bill Richardson, LSU vice president for agriculture. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter |
| | | Jesse Purvis, center, of Livingston Parish, receives the FFA Superintendent’s Livestock Award at the LSU AgCenter Livestock Show on Feb. 21. Also in the photo are, from left, Ken Bradford, assistant superintendent in the Louisiana Department of Education; Kathy Conerly, executive secretary of Louisiana FFA; Purvis; Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry; Bill Richardson, LSU vice president for agriculture. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter |
| | | Justin Lingo, second from left, of West Carroll Parish, receives the FFA Governor’s Award at the LSU AgCenter Livestock Show on Feb. 21. Also pictured are, from left, Kathy Conerly, executive secretary of Louisiana FFA; Lingo; Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry; Bill Richardson, LSU vice president for agriculture. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter |
| | | Coy Bailey, second from left, of Vernon Parish, receives the 4-H Governor’s Award at the LSU AgCenter Livestock Show on Feb. 21. Also pictured, from left, are Mark Tassin, LSU AgCenter program leader for 4-H youth and family development; Bailey; Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry; Bill Richardson, LSU vice president for agriculture. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter |
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News Release Distributed 02/24/15
GONZALES, La. – The LSU AgCenter honored five Louisiana 4-H and FFA members and one adult leader for their work with youth livestock projects on Feb. 21.
The awards were presented at a ceremony concluding the 80th annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show, a weeklong event that attracted more than 2,000 exhibitors. Students in 4-H and FFA livestock projects participate in this statewide competition after placing in district and parish shows.
Sponsored by the Louisiana 4-H Foundation and Louisiana FFA, these awards recognize outstanding contributions to or work in youth livestock programs. Applicants and leaders must complete a record book or an application to be considered.
The 2015 winners are 4-H volunteer leader Charnel Bailey of Vernon Parish and 4-H and FFA members Adam Gaspard of Vermilion Parish, Ashton Gaspard of Vermilion Parish, Jesse Purvis of Livingston Parish, Justin Lingo of West Carroll Parish, and Coy Bailey of Vernon Parish.
The Attorney General’s Award recognizes volunteer 4-H leaders who have assisted livestock project members. This year’s recipient is Charnel Bailey, who has been a livestock project leader for seven years.
Charnel Bailey has assisted many livestock project members with grooming and showing techniques in Vernon Parish. He worked with 35 livestock members this year and 30 last year. Charnel Bailey also helps plan, promote and conduct Vernon Parish’s annual Livestock Expo.
The C.W. “Dub” Kennedy Award, named for a former longtime LSU AgCenter Livestock Show manager, recognizes a 4-H’er for outstanding animal science records and work with various 4-H livestock projects. Adam Gaspard is this year’s winner.
Adam Gaspard, of Vermilion Parish, has participated in a variety of 4-H projects, including livestock, shooting sports, cooking, entomology, technology and community service. He said he enjoys the diversity of 4-H, and believes his involvement has made him a better leader. Adam Gaspard has served as a 4-H junior leader, and has placed first at 4-H University three years in a row.
The Superintendent of Education Award is presented to students 13 years of age or younger who have excelled in livestock work. Ashton Gaspard received this year’s award.
Ashton Gaspard has been a 4-H’er in Vermilion Parish for four years and has served as his club’s vice president. He participates in the swine project, which he said has taught him about responsibility and time management. Ashton Gaspard also participates in the Junior Leadership club and the You and the Environment project.
The winner of the FFA Superintendent’s Livestock Award is Jesse Purvis, of the Holden High School FFA chapter in Livingston parish. Purvis is completing his Supervised Agricultural Experience Program in swine production. He has farrowed, finished and fitted eight show pigs, and hopes to expand his litter size to sell pigs to other exhibitors.
The winner of the FFA Governor’s Award is Justin Lingo, of the Oak Grove High School FFA chapter in West Carroll Parish. His Supervised Agricultural Experience Programss are in grain, beef and swine production. Lingo currently shows ten animals and is involved in farming more than 1,000 acres of rice, soybeans and corn.
Coy Bailey, a Vernon Parish 4-H member, is the recipient of the 4-H Governor’s Award. He has served in multiple 4-H officer positions, and is currently the state 4-H secretary and president of the Junior Louisiana Goat Association. He said he likes that 4-H gives youth a voice and opportunities to serve the community.
Olivia McClure |