USDA's Hawkins visits SU Ag Center

The Southern University Ag Center welcomed Clarence W. Hawkins, the new Louisiana State Director of USDA Rural Development, to the campus on December 17.  

Hawkins told the crowd that his task "is to pick up the baton and carry on, to change the paradigm, and make the philosophy a reality.  Our task is to change the negative perception of rural communities and it’s just that simple.  I’m serious about accountability and I’m serious about service. Service is the rent I pay to stay here.  We must build co-operations and collaborations.  My hope is that Southern University continues to grow and to serve,” said Hawkins. 

The former Bastrop, Louisiana, mayor was appointed director by President Barack Obama in September 2009. In this capacity, Hawkins is responsible for the direction and delivery of the agency's rural development programs in Louisiana. 

SU Ag Center chancellor Leodrey Williams showed his support, saying, “we must do everything possible to give the people who are qualified and happy to live in rural parishes opportunities to thrive there.” The Southern University community including system president Kassie Freeman along with representatives from the system and community showed their support for Hawkins and USDA. 

Pictured are Southern University Ag Center specialists Eual Hall, Center for Rural and Small Business Development director Gloria London, USDA state director Clarence Hawkins, Southern University Alumni Affairs officer Robyn Merrick, and Ag Center chancellor Leodrey Williams. Photo by Christopher Rogers II.

Grants, loan guarantees available

USDA Rural Development is taking loan guarantee and grant applications for the Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP, for projects to be awarded in 2010.

USDA Rural Development's Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP) offers grants, guaranteed loans, and combination grant/guaranteed loans to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. 


In  2009, producers and businesses in Louisiana received $308,273 in REAP grants for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies, and energy audits.

Businesses and producers in rural Louisiana looking to create renewable energy or make energy-saving improvements may be able to finance up to 75 percent of eligible project costs through the program.  Stand-alone grants can be awarded up to 25 percent of total eligible costs.

To qualify for financial assistance through REAP, project costs must be greater than $6,000 for energy efficiency projects and $10,000 for renewable energy projects.

Details are available online at:  http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la/REAPinfo.htm or by contacting the Renewable Energy Coordinator Kevin Boone at (337) 262-6601 extension 133.

USDA Rural Development provides a full range of rural development credit services in rural Louisiana.  Area Offices are located in Monroe, Natchitoches, Lafayette, and Amite; and the State Office is located in Alexandria.  For more information on USDA Rural Development's loan and grant programs, visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la.

USDA announces National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Thursday, October 8, will be a very important day for USDA science, with the formal launch of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture .  USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack intends to deliver a major address on the future of USDA science at the National Press Club.  

The event – including the Secretary’s remarks – will be webcast live at www.Visualwebcaster.com/NIFA-Rollout  beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.  


NIFA replaces USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Services. Like CSREES, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.nifa.usda.gov.  CSREES continues to fund programs at the Southern University Ag Center throughout the state.