State Soil and Water Conservation Commission public meetings in 2024

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission will meet to discuss administrative updates and reports. The agenda includes unfinished business regarding a Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement and regional election conventions.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• Area III and IV SWCC Election Convention
• NRCS State Conservationist Report
• LSU AgCenter Report
• Supervisors Waivers, Resignations, Appointments, and Reappointments

The Commission approved the election of members and alternates for Areas III and IV. It also approved out-of-state travel for Crescent SWCD staff and accepted two supervisor resignations. The body discussed long-range goals and communication between Commission members and districts.

• Approved Area III Member Ed Giering and Alternate Jason Nolde (unanimous)
• Approved Area IV Member Earl Garber and Alternate Ron Duhon (unanimous)
• Approved travel for five Crescent SWCD staff to NACD Annual Meeting in Utah (unanimous)
• Approved resignation of Gary Greene, Dorcheat SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved resignation of Ross Neil Record, Feliciana SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved December 3, 2024 agenda (unanimous)
• Approved October 22, 2024 meeting minutes (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission is meeting to approve the agenda and minutes from September, and to discuss unfinished business including the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement. New business items include an ADA compliance update, reports from NRCS and LSU AgCenter, and consideration of supervisor waivers, resignations, appointments, and a meritorious award.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement (unfinished business)
• New Open Meeting and ADA Accommodation update by LDAF General Counsel Amy McGinnis
• Supervisor waivers, resignations, appointments, and reappointments
• Meritorious Award consideration
• SWCC Goals discussion

The Commission adopted three new rules regarding declaratory orders, rule petitions, and electronic meeting participation. It also approved several supervisor appointments and reappointments and authorized a $500 achievement award. The NRCS reported an estimated FY budget of $109 million.

• Approved new rules for declaratory orders, rule petitions, and electronic open meetings
• Approved appointment of Lisa Hulin (Iberia SWCD)
• Approved appointment of Ali Bowen (Rapides SWCD)
• Approved appointment of Allen Blanchard (St. Martin SWCD)
• Approved reappointments of Leroy Kirby III (Caddo), Anthony Butler (Capital), and David Manuel (D’Arbonne)
• Approved $500 Significant Achievement Award for Deborah Morris (East Carroll SWCD)
• Approved September 17, 2024 meeting minutes with amendment to attendance list

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The commission will consider unfinished business including the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement, SWCD funding, and the Area 3 and 4 SWCC Election Convention set for December 3, 2024. New business includes reports from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter, plus supervisor waivers, resignations, appointments, and reappointments. The meeting is largely procedural with no major decisions or public hearings listed.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• SWCD Funding
• Area 3 and 4 SWCC Election Convention on December 3, 2024
• CPA-SWCD Agreements
• Supervisors Waivers/Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments

The Commission approved a draft memo for the upcoming Area 3 and 4 SWCC Election Convention and appointed Amelia Kent to the Feliciana SWCD. Members also approved a CPA engagement letter for Avoyelles SWCD and a revision to PPM #4 regarding health insurance premiums for retired employees serving as supervisors.

• Approved draft memo for Area 3 and 4 SWCC Election Convention (Unanimous)
• Approved $1,350 CPA engagement letter for Avoyelles SWCD with Langley, Williams & Company, LLC (Unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Amelia Kent to Feliciana SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved revision to PPM #4 to allow health insurance premium exceptions for retired district employees serving as supervisors (Unanimous)
• Approved September 17, 2024 agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved August 29, 2024 meeting minutes (Unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission is meeting to consider unfinished business including the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement, district funding, and CPA-SWCD agreements. New business includes reports from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter, plus supervisor waivers and appointments. The agenda is tentative until 24 hours before the meeting.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• District funding discussion
• CPA-SWCD Agreements
• Supervisors waivers/resignations/appointments
• SWCC Goals

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission is meeting to discuss unfinished business including the NRCS Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement, CPA-SWCD agreements, and distribution of the FY 25 budget increase. New business includes an ADA compliance presentation, reports from the NRCS and LSU AgCenter, and consideration of supervisor waivers and appointments. The agenda is tentative until 24 hours before the meeting.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• Distribution of FY 25 Budget Increase
• ADA Compliance – Amy McInnis, LDAF General Counsel
• Supervisors Waivers/Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments
• SWCC Goals

The Commission decided to distribute a $300,000 budget increase by first funding districts with additional offices at the normal rate and dividing the remaining balance among single district offices. Other actions included approving out-of-state travel, CPA agreements, and supervisor appointments.

• Approved funding FY 25 $300,000 budget increase to districts with additional offices first, then dividing the balance among single offices
• Approved out-of-state travel for Allen and Sabine SWCD to Texas (unanimous)
• Approved out-of-state travel for Calcasieu, D’Arbonne, and East Carroll SWCD to Oklahoma (unanimous)
• Approved out-of-state travel for Rapides SWCD to Massachusetts (unanimous)
• Approved CPA engagement letters for Calcasieu, Dugdemona, Iberia, Lafayette, and St. Martin SWCD
• Approved resignations of supervisors Alvin Melancon (Crescent SWCD) and Darryl Ellerbee (Madison SWCD)
• Approved appointments of William Waller (Boeuf River SWCD) and Josh Copes (Madison SWCD)
• Approved reappointment of Benson Langlinais (Iberia SWCD)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission will discuss unfinished business including the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement and legislative updates. The body will also review reports from the NRCS State Conservationist, LSU AgCenter, and OSWC.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• LA Legislative Session Updates
• District Supervisor Election- June 8, 2024
• Supervisors Waivers/Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments
• CPA-SWCD Agreements

The Commission voted to increase the base allocation for districts using a $300,000 budget amendment. Other actions included approving district supervisor elections, resignations, and a specific out-of-state travel request.

• Approved increase in base allocation for $300,000 budget amendment (Unanimous)
• Approved out-of-state travel for Ms. Christina Ebarb to attend NACD South Central Region Meeting (Unanimous)
• Approved $715 engagement letter from Langley, Williams & Company, LLC for Upper Delta SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved resignations of Ms. Nancy Dupont (Plaquemines SWCD) and Mr. John Girard (St. Martin SWCD) (Unanimous)
• Approved reappointment of Mr. Jarrod Blake McCartney to Red River SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved list of elected supervisors for terms July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2027 (Unanimous)
• Approved sending a commendation letter to Mr. Rick Adams (Unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission will review the April 23, 2024 minutes and discuss unfinished business including a Farm Bill cooperative agreement. The agenda also includes reports from the NRCS State Conservationist, LSU AgCenter, and OSWC.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement discussion
• District Supervisor Election scheduled for June 8, 2024
• Supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments
• Review of LA Legislative Session updates

The Commission approved several supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments for various soil and water conservation districts. It also granted permission for members of the Sabine and East Carroll districts to attend out-of-state meetings. Additionally, the board waived attendance requirements for two supervisors to maintain their eligibility for re-election.

• Approved May 28, 2024 agenda (unanimous)
• Approved April 23, 2024 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved out-of-state travel for Sabine SWCD and East Carroll SWCD (unanimous)
• Waived attendance requirements for Louis C. Brignac (Evangeline SWCD) and Stuart Shaw (Red River SWCD) (unanimous)
• Approved resignations of Michael Thompson, Doug Miller, and Brad Judice (unanimous)
• Approved appointments of James Knight, Michael Thompson, and Kendall Lamar (unanimous)
• Approved reappointments of Robert Dale Thibodaux and Timothy Allen (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission is meeting to address unfinished business regarding a cooperative agreement and state funding. The body will also review reports from the NRCS, LSU AgCenter, and OSWC.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• Legislative Regular Session/State Funding
• SWCC Area III Alternate Member Appointment
• District Supervisor Election scheduled for June 8, 2024
• Supervisors resignations, appointments, and reappointments

The Commission appointed Jason Nolde as the Area III Alternate Member. The board also approved several supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments across multiple conservation districts.

• Appointed Jason Nolde (Calcasieu SWCD) as Area III Alternate Member (unanimous)
• Waived attendance requirement for Robert Dale Thibodaux (Acadia SWCD) (unanimous)
• Approved resignations of Shane Hart, Glen Caldwell, Allen Gooden, Ricky Weeks, and Joel Matthews (unanimous)
• Approved appointments of Shane Hart, Allen Gooden, Ricky Weeks, and Mona Murray (unanimous)
• Approved reappointments of Joseph Tupper and Robert Morris (unanimous)
• Approved April 23, 2024 agenda (unanimous)
• Approved March 26, 2024 meeting minutes (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission will meet to discuss the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement and state funding. The body will also address district supervisor elections scheduled for June 8, 2024.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• Legislative Regular Session/State Funding
• District Supervisor Election- June 8, 2024
• Supervisors Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments

The Commission voted to support the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry remaining on the Coastal Restoration and Protection (CPRA) board. The body also approved several supervisor appointments, reappointments, and resignations for various conservation districts.

• Approved support for LDAF to remain a member of the CPRA board (unanimous)
• Waived attendance requirement for Mr. Will Miller, Tensas-Concordia SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved 5 SWCD supervisor resignations (unanimous)
• Approved 3 SWCD supervisor appointments (unanimous)
• Approved 6 SWCD supervisor reappointments (unanimous)
• Approved March 26, 2024 agenda as amended (unanimous)
• Approved February 27, 2024 meeting minutes (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission will meet to discuss unfinished business regarding the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement and the NACD Spring Fly-In. New business items include reports from the NRCS, LSU AgCenter, and OSWC, as well as discussions on district funding sources and supervisor appointments.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• NACD Spring Fly-In discussion
• District funding sources discussion
• Supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments
• District Supervisor Election

The Commission approved a memo to Commissioner Strain proposing a $400,000 budget increase for districts starting FY 2024-2025. The board also approved several supervisor appointments, reappointments, and resignations, and authorized the 2024 District Supervisor Election packet.

• Approved memo to Commissioner Strain proposing $400,000 increase in district funding (Unanimous)
• Approved District Supervisor Election packet for June 8, 2024 elections (Unanimous)
• Approved 4 SWCD supervisor resignations (Unanimous)
• Approved 6 SWCD supervisor appointments (Unanimous)
• Approved 5 SWCD supervisor reappointments (Unanimous)
• Approved special letter of recognition for the family of John Alan Williams (Unanimous)
• Approved sending a letter to Area III regarding the alternate member vacancy (Unanimous)
• Approved February 27, 2024 agenda and January 8, 2024 minutes (Unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission will conduct business including the election of officers and reports from NRCS, LSU AgCenter, and OSWC. The meeting also includes discussions on supervisor appointments and the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement.

• Election of Officers
• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• Supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments
• LSU AgCenter Report
• NRCS State Conservationist Report

The Commission unanimously re-elected its current officers and approved out-of-state travel for Calcasieu, DeSoto, and Avoyelles districts. It also approved supervisor resignations and appointments for the Allen district and a performance award for a Morehouse district employee.

• Re-elected Earl Garber (Chairman), Steve Horvath (Vice-Chairman), and Reggie Skains (Secretary-Treasurer) unanimously
• Approved out-of-state travel to NACD Meeting in San Diego for Calcasieu SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved out-of-state travel to NACD Meeting in San Diego for DeSoto and Avoyelles SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved resignations of Ronnie Sonier and Thomas Mayes from Allen SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved appointments of Ethan Smith and Marlin Lemoine to Allen SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved $1,497.60 exceptional performance award for Erin James, Morehouse SWCD secretary (unanimous)
• Approved sending information to districts regarding the Louisiana Supervisor’s tour in Mississippi (unanimous)
• Approved January 8, 2024 agenda and December 5, 2023 minutes (unanimous)