May 2019 Articles

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Just Rambling May 2019

Just Rambling:
The Union Parish Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet was held on April 11, 2019. During this banquet individuals that have had a positive impact on our parish were recognized. The Agriculture Community Service Award was given to my daughter Velvet Bennett Roberts, who passed away on October 30, 2018. The award was accepted by her two children, Dusty and Savanah Roberts. Velvet loved all things agriculture and was involved in several agriculture organizations. She was the inspiration behind the Ag-mazing Museum which opened to the public on March 27th and will conclude on May 8th. On April 18th a Farm to Table Luncheon was held in conjunction with the Ag-mazing Museum. Rene Simon with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry was the keynote speaker with Richard Davis of Foster Farms following to provide the economic impact of Foster Farms on Union Parish and the surrounding area. Rene Simon began his career with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry in 2008. He presently serves as Director of the Louisiana Agricultural Finance Authority, Director of the Louisiana Sweet Potato Commission and Policy Advisor to Commissioner Mike Strain. As LAFA Director he has coordinated the distribution of more than $110 million in federal grants to help Louisiana’s farmers, agribusinesses, and commercial fishing industry. Prior to his work at LDAF, Rene farmed sugarcane and soybeans on 2200 acres in St. Mary Parish. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from Louisiana State University. Rene is married to Margaret Daniels Simon, a New Orleans native and they have four children. They currently reside in New Iberia. I have known Rene for many years and I want of extend a Big Thank You to him for coming to our Farm to Table Luncheon. It was great to see him and have him speak during our luncheon. Thank you Rene. It was also very good to have Richard Davis, Human Resource Director with Foster Farms to speak during the luncheon as well. Richard has been with the Farmerville facility since its inception in 1992. He worked with the original company, Con Agra Foods, then Pilgrims Pride, and now with Foster Farms. Thank you very much Richard for coming to our luncheon and agreeing to speak. It was very important to remind people of how important Foster Farms is to Union Parish and North Louisiana. Thank you Richard. I would also like to extend a big thank you to the Agriculture teachers from Union High School, D’Arbonne Woods Charter School, Downsville Charter School and Union Christian Academy for allowing some of their FFA and 4-H Students to come help out with the luncheon. They all did a great job helping out even though some of them wanted to leave when I jokingly told the crowd that each of the students would be expected to speak before the audience. The Farm to Table Luncheon was covered by the local news papers as well as KNOE TV out of Monroe. Tammi Arender, news reporter from KNOE was there to cover the Farm to Table luncheon. Not only was it on the KNOE TV news cast for three different showings but it was on Facebook and RFD TV through the Louisiana Farm Bureau network. Thank you so very much Tammi for making this possible. My Baby, Velvet, was and is smiling down on everyone that made this Ag-mazing Luncheon and the Ag-mazing Museum a big success. Thank you to everyone that attended this luncheon and that have visited the Ag-mazing Museum. Van Bennett