LSU AgCenter To Hold Forestry Forum February 19th in Alexandria

Karol Osborne, LSU AgCenter

(01/27/20) ALEXANDRIA, La. — Timberland owners and forest industry consultants can hear the latest research findings and get industry updates at the LSU AgCenter Cenla Forestry Forum on Feb. 19 at the State Evacuation Shelter in Alexandria. 

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. followed by the program at 9. A sponsored lunch will be provided, and the program will conclude at 3:30 p.m. 

The program will cover a wide range of topics, including: 

— A vision for extension forestry and wildlife educational programming in Louisiana from Michael Salassi, AgCenter associate vice president and program leader for plant and animal sciences. 

— Natural Resources Conservation Service feral swine eradication and control pilot program by state forester Rick Williams and wetland reserve field technician J.D. Cox. 

— Estate planning for timberland owners by tax attorney Paul Spillers, with Theus, Grisham, Davis and Leigh. 

— Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry news on the Forest Productivity Program cost share, arson enforcement and budget updates from state forester Wade Dubea. 

— Forest insect pests, including emerald ash borer and Southern pine beetle, by U.S. Forest Service entomologist Wood Johnson. 

— Trucking safety issues, insurance rates and team safe trucking from Walsh Timber Company president David Cupp. 

— Issues affecting forestry in Louisiana by Buck Vandersteen, executive director of the Louisiana Forestry Association. 

— Louisiana FFA program and forestry industry-based certification requirements from Louisiana FFA executive director Eric Smith, state FFA president Jadyn Durr and state FFA vice president Salem Johnson. 

Early registration is $25 per person and must be received by Feb. 14. Late registration is $40 at the door. 

For more information, contact Robbie Hutchins at 318-767-3968 or rhutchins@agcenter.lsu.edu.