Louisiana Agriculture & Forestry Quarterly

Summer/Fall 2021

Indian Creek Recreation Area offers new camp sites, fishing pier

Indian Creek Recreation Area near Woodworth, La. has added brand new camp sites and a new fishing pier for families to enjoy. The pier was paid for with a grant through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Sport Fish Restoration Program.

There are 34 brand new recreational vehicle (RV) camp sites which include full sewer, water and electricity hook-ups. With the new addition, there are now a total of 138 RV camp sites.

A new fishing pier is also now available for those who enjoy fishing...Read more

LDAF firefighters assisting in Oregon

Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) wildland firefighters are in

Oregon to assist with ongoing wildfires.

A 10-person hand crew, comprised of six personnel from the LDAF and four from the U.S. Forest Service, is supporting engine operations during a 21-day assignment in Medford, Oregon. Using rakes and shovels, hand crews create fire breaks by clearing away flammable debris like dry leaves and digging down to bare soil. Hand crews are used in areas where heavy equipment is unable to access....Read more

LDAF launches new ag workforce development program

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) is now accepting applications for the Louisiana Agricultural Workforce Development Program, LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said. The new program provides businesses a monetary incentive to establish intern programs to train students for careers in the agriculture and forestry fields...

“This program benefits our agriculture and forestry businesses that are struggling to find qualified individuals and provides quality, real-life training opportunities to our young people pursuing careers within the agriculture and forestry sectors,” Strain said...Read more

Strain names new staffers to leadership positions

Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., recently appointed Bobby H. Fletcher, Jr., Ph.D., to serve as assistant commissioner for the office of Agro-Consumer Services and Kevin Wofford to serve as assistant commissioner for the office of Animal Health and Food Safety.

Fletcher, a longtime resident of Covington, La., received an undergraduate degree in agri-business from Southeastern Louisiana University, a masters and doctorate from Louisiana State University. Fletcher previously served as director of the Louisiana Egg Commission and the Weights and Measures division with the LDAF. The office of Agro-Consumer Services consists of the Agricultural Commodities Commission, the Dairy division, Commodities Promotion and Research, and the Weights and Measures divisions.

Wofford, received a Bachelor of Science in agricultural business from Louisiana State University. While he has served in various roles throughout his 28-year career at the LDAF, Wofford previously served as director of the Advisory Commission on Pesticides. The office of Animal Health and Food Safety consists of Federal and State Meat Programs, Food Distribution, Livestock Brand Commission Poultry and Egg Programs and the Veterinary Health division.