Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2010-07-28

Duration: 00:54:55

Subjects: Filmed panel discussions | Agriculture | FARMERS | Cattle trade | Farmers' markets | Horse industry | Horse racing | Cotton trade | Biomass energy

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Freeman, Craig Host
• Godoy, Al Producer
• Gautreaux, Kevin Producer
• Sanford, Shauna Narrator
• Strain, Mike Interviewee
• Vandersteen, Buck Interviewee
• Cutshall, Jack Interviewee
• DeKeyzer, Justin Interviewee
• Fontenot, Richard Interviewee
• Westra, John Interviewee
• Ardoin, Tom Speaker
• Monroe, James Speaker
• Ryan, Patrick Speaker
• LaBorde, Matthew Speaker
• Lyons, Daniel Speaker
• Lyons, Genevieve Speaker
• Littlepage, Kathy Speaker
• Duck, Kimberly Speaker
• Fikes-Moore, Linda Speaker
• Perry, Leverne Speaker
• Anders, Andy Panelist
• Castille, Carrie Panelist
• Richard, Julie Baker Panelist
• Salassi, Michael E. Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from July 28, 2010, features Craig Freeman leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists on agriculture in Louisiana. It was recorded at the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center in Alexandria, Louisiana. A background report on the topic precedes the discussion. It includes interviews with: Commissioner Mike Strain of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry; Buck Vandersteen, the executive director of the Louisiana Forestry Association; Jack Cutshall of Rafter J Ranch; Justin DeKeyzer of DeKeyzer Farms; Richard Fontenot of R & N Farms; and Dr. John Westra of the LSU AgCenter. The audience members discuss: encouraging young farmers to pursue careers in agriculture; the importance of food in our lives; the need to educate kids about the careers available in the agriculture industry; spending more economic development money on agriculture; incentives for farmers; and the high cost of breaking into farming. A panel of experts then joins the audience to answer their questions. The panelists are: State Representative Andy Anders, the chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development; Dr. Carrie Castille, the Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry; Dr. Julie Baker Richard, the Assistant Director of Field Services for the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation; and Dr. Michael E. Salassi, a professor at the LSU AgCenter. They discuss: farm subsidies; the economics of farming; expanding agriculture programs in schools; the concerns of cattlemen; the success of farmers’ markets around the state; the growth of the quarter horse industry; the state of the cotton industry; the opportunities for exporting agricultural products; and the future of bio-fuels in Louisiana. Hosts: Beth Courtney and Craig Freeman