State Soil and Water Conservation Commission public meetings in 2025

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission will hold its December 2 meeting in Baton Rouge to approve minutes, hear reports from NRCS and LSU AgCenter, and discuss proposed rule changes for district supervisor elections.

• Approval of October 28, 2025 meeting minutes
• NRCS State Conservationist Report
• LSU AgCenter Report
• Proposed rule changes regarding election of district supervisors
• Supervisors waivers, resignations, appointments, and reappointments

The Commission approved out-of-state travel for eight soil and water conservation districts to attend the 2026 NACD Annual meeting. Members also approved several supervisor resignations and appointments and voted to move forward with proposed legislative and rule changes regarding district supervisor elections.

• Approved October 28, 2025 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved out-of-state travel for Allen, Calcasieu, D’Arbonne, DeSoto, Morehouse, Sabine, Tensas-Concordia, and Upper Delta SWCDs (unanimous)
• Approved resignations of Jeramy Slade and H.C. Peck III from Catahoula SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved appointments of H.C. Peck III (Catahoula), Gene Edwards (Catahoula), and David Lamay (Dorcheat) (unanimous)
• Approved $1,201.00 Exceptional Performance award for Tonda Masters of LaSalle SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved proposed rule and legislative changes to supervisor elections and attendance requirements (unanimous)
• Approved research into dual office holder provisions for supervisor candidates (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The commission will consider old business including the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement, Area V SWCC election results, and out-of-state travel. New business includes reports from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter, along with supervisor waivers, resignations, appointments, and reappointments. The meeting is largely procedural with no specific dollar amounts or project names listed.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• Area V SWCC Election Results
• Supervisors Waivers/Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments
• SWCC Goals discussion
• Out of State Travel

The Commission approved the election of Steve Horvath and Chris Martin to Area V positions and the reappointment of Reggie Skains as a supervisor. The board also authorized out-of-state travel for Crescent SWCD staff. Members discussed the impact of a federal government shutdown on NRCS funding and reimbursements.

• Approved Area V State Commission Member Steve Horvath and Alternate Chris Martin (unanimous)
• Approved out-of-state travel for five Crescent SWCD staff to attend 2026 NACD Annual meeting (unanimous)
• Approved supervisor reappointment of Reggie Skains, D’Arbonne SWCD, for term ending Nov 18, 2028 (unanimous)
• Approved September 30, 2025 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved October 28, 2025 meeting agenda (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission will consider proposed legislation and rule changes regarding the election of district supervisors, along with updates on the NRCS Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement and CPA-SWCD agreements. The meeting also includes reports from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter, and discussion of supervisor waivers, resignations, appointments, and reappointments.

• Proposed legislation and rule changes regarding election of district supervisors
• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• CPA-SWCD Agreements
• Supervisors waivers/resignations/appointments/reappointments
• SWCC Goals

The Commission approved five CPA engagement letters for various soil and water conservation districts and appointed one new supervisor for the Allen SWCD. Members also discussed proposed rule changes regarding the election of district supervisors.

• Approved August 26, 2025 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
• Approved September 30, 2025 meeting agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved CPA agreement for D’arbonne SWCD ($1,000) (Unanimous)
• Approved CPA agreements for Jefferson Davis SWCD ($1,200 and max $3,500) (Unanimous)
• Approved CPA agreement for LaSalle SWCD (max $1,350) (Unanimous)
• Approved CPA agreement for Madison SWCD (max $3,500) (Unanimous)
• Approved CPA agreement for St. Mary SWCD ($2,100) (Unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Keith Guillory to Allen SWCD (Unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission will meet to discuss and potentially act on several administrative items, including a rules revision for supervisor elections. The agenda also covers updates from the NRCS, LSU AgCenter, and OSWC, as well as the FY 26 state operating budget.

• Rules Revision LAC Title 7: Part XLI, Chapter 1, §101 - Supervisor Elections
• FY 26 State Operating Budget
• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• Supervisors Waivers/Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments
• Area V Election Convention - October 28, 2025

The Commission approved the proposed FY 2025-2026 SWCD budget allocations and 12 CPA agreements. Members also authorized out-of-state travel for nine districts and approved the review of supervisor election rules. One supervisor resignation and one appointment were processed.

• Approved proposed FY 2025-2026 SWCD budget allocations (unanimous)
• Approved 12 SWCD-CPA agreements for various districts (unanimous)
• Approved out-of-state travel requests for 9 SWCDs to attend NACD meeting (unanimous)
• Approved draft memo for Area V Election Convention on October 28, 2025 (unanimous)
• Approved resignation of Duana Juneau, Rapides SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Frank Sotile III to Lower Delta SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved motion to review supervisor election rules for modernization (unanimous)
• Approved July 22, 2025 meeting minutes and August 26, 2025 agenda (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission will meet to address old and new business. Key items include the FY 26 State Operating Budget and a cooperative agreement between the NRCS and OSWC.

• FY 26 State Operating Budget
• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• CPA-SWCD Agreements
• Appointment of SWCC Area III Alternate Member
• Supervisors Waivers, Resignations, Appointments, and Reappointments

The Commission approved three CPA engagement letters for soil and water conservation districts and six out-of-state travel requests for the NACD South Central Region Meeting. The board also processed supervisor appointments, resignations, and updated its goals to include supervisor election guidelines.

• Approved CPA agreements for Calcasieu (max $3,500), LaSalle ($500-$1,000), and Upper Delta (max $26,000)
• Approved out-of-state travel for Calcasieu, East Carroll, LaSalle, Morehouse, Northeast, and Tensas-Concordia SWCDs
• Approved appointment of Frank Sotile III to Lower Delta SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved re-appointment of Stephen “Burt” Lensing to East Carroll SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved resignation of Rebecca Livaudais from Crescent SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved adding 'Supervisor Election Guidelines' to the Commission Goals list (unanimous)
• Approved rescheduling the September meeting to September 30, 2025 (unanimous)
• Approved June 24, 2025 meeting minutes (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission will meet to approve previous meeting minutes, discuss old business including NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement and legislative session updates, and address new business such as Crescent SWCD election results, NRCS State Conservationist report, LSU AgCenter report, and the 2025 Annual Supervisor Election. The meeting is tentative until approved by the chairman.

• Crescent SWCD Election Results - June 14, 2025
• NRCS State Conservationist Report
• LSU AgCenter Report
• 2025 Annual Supervisor Election
• Supervisors Waivers/Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments

The Commission approved a notification recommending that the Crescent SWCD consider a revote following ballot shortages during their June 14 election. Other actions included approving CPA agreements for two districts and processing several supervisor appointments and resignations.

• Approved notification recommending Crescent SWCD consider a revote (unanimous)
• Approved CPA agreements for Iberia and Lafayette SWCDs with fees between $1,750-$2,000 (unanimous)
• Approved 2025 Annual Supervisor Elections for unopposed candidates (unanimous)
• Approved resignations of supervisors from Allen, Lower Delta, and Rapides SWCDs (unanimous)
• Approved appointments of Bradly Groves (DeSoto) and Stacy Allee (Lower Delta) (unanimous)
• Approved re-appointments for 6 supervisors across Allen, Calcasieu, Iberia, Madison, St. Mary, and Vermillion SWCDs (unanimous)
• Approved $1,560 and $500 awards for Cecilia Spiess of Tangipahoa-St. Helena SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved May 27, 2025 meeting minutes (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

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

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• District Supervisor Election scheduled for June 14, 2025
• Supervisors waivers, resignations, appointments, and reappointments
• Legislative Session Updates

The Commission approved three supervisor appointments and three resignations for various soil and water conservation districts. It also granted attendance waivers to two supervisors to maintain their eligibility for re-election. The board approved the minutes from the April 22, 2025 meeting.

• Approved April 22, 2025 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
• Approved attendance waivers for Stephen Wade (D’Arbonne SWCD) and Jay Hardwick (Tensas-Concordia SWCD) (Unanimous)
• Approved resignations of Jeffrey Gardner (Feliciana SWCD), Frank Sotile (Lower Delta SWCD), and Earl Armstrong (Plaquemines SWCD) (Unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Jeffrey Gardner to Feliciana SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Josh Himel to Lower Delta SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Earl Armstrong to Plaquemines SWCD (Unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission approved several supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments for various soil and water conservation districts. It also granted an attendance waiver to one supervisor to maintain election eligibility. Members discussed funding shortages and the impact of a Farm Bill funding pause on 10 districts.

• Approved attendance requirement waiver for Mr. Rickey Bourque, St. Mary SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved resignations of Steve Bates (Dugdemona), Thomas Smith (Grant), and John Hays (Saline) (Unanimous)
• Approved appointments of Don Knuppel (Crescent), Guy Sanders (Dorcheat), Glenn Austin (Dugdemona), and Steve Bates (Dugdemona) (Unanimous)
• Approved reappointments of Earl Garber, Blaise Pezold, Andre Danos, Grant Crochet, Sidney Evans, and Edwin Lashney II (Unanimous)
• Approved April 22, 2025 agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved March 18, 2025 meeting minutes (Unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The provided document is a notice of tentative meeting dates for 2025. It contains no items for decision or discussion.

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission will consider unfinished business including the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement. New business items include reports from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter, an OSWC update, and discussions on supervisor waivers, SWCC Area 5 Alternate, and SWCC Goals. The meeting will also cover District Facebook Guidelines and correspondence.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement (unfinished business)
• NRCS State Conservationist Report
• LSU AgCenter Report
• Supervisors Waivers/Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments
• SWCC Area 5 Alternate Discussion

The Commission approved a plan to notify districts of funding reductions and the creation of contingency plans. Members also approved several supervisor appointments, a resignation, and an attendance waiver. The board authorized out-of-state travel for a representative to attend a fly-in in Washington, DC.

• Approved sending information to districts regarding funding reductions and contingency plans (unanimous)
• Approved out-of-state travel for Reggie Skains to attend NACD Spring Fly-In in Washington, DC (unanimous)
• Approved attendance requirement waiver for Jeremy Wood, Catahoula SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved resignation of Mickey Chandler, Dorcheat SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Mickey Chandler to Dorcheat SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Trenton Forrest to Tangipahoa-St. Helena SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved reappointment of Bruce Watts to Gulf Coast SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved March 18, 2025 agenda and February 25, 2025 minutes (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission will meet to elect officers for the coming term and discuss several items including a Farm Bill cooperative agreement with NRCS, a prospective surface water sales discussion, and updates from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter. The meeting also covers supervisor waivers, resignations, appointments, and meritorious awards.

• Election of SWCC Officers
• Prospective Surface Water Sales Discussion
• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• Supervisors Waivers/Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments
• NACD Spring Fly-In – March 26, 2025

The Commission unanimously re-elected its current officers and approved several supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments. It also authorized performance awards for two individuals and approved the 2025 District Supervisor Election packet.

• Re-elected Earl Garber as Chairman (unanimous)
• Re-elected Steve Horvath as Vice-Chairman (unanimous)
• Re-elected Reggie Skains as Secretary-Treasurer (unanimous)
• Approved resignations of 5 SWCD supervisors (unanimous)
• Approved appointments of Grant Crochet and Michael Houeye (unanimous)
• Approved reappointments of Danny Martin and Everette Calloway (unanimous)
• Approved $1,000 award for Julia Thompson and $1,168 award for Mary Nicole McGee (unanimous)
• Approved District Supervisor Election packet for June 14, 2025 election (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission will meet to discuss cooperative agreements and reports from the NRCS and LSU AgCenter. The body will also review supervisor appointments and commission goals.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• USDA/NRCS-SWCD Memorandum of Understanding and Unfunded Cooperative Agreement
• NRCS State Conservationist Report
• LSU AgCenter Report
• Supervisors Waivers, Resignations, Appointments, and Reappointments

The Commission approved a Memorandum of Understanding and Unfunded Cooperative Agreement between districts and the USDA-NRCS. Members also authorized travel for representatives from 10 districts to attend the NACD Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City. Additionally, the board approved several supervisor appointments, reappointments, and employee awards.

• Approved districts reviewing and signing the NRCS MOU and Unfunded Cooperative Agreement (unanimous)
• Approved out-of-state travel for representatives from 10 SWCDs to attend the NACD Annual Meeting (unanimous)
• Approved resignations of supervisors Gary Greene and Ross Neil Record (unanimous)
• Approved appointments of Mitzi Thomas (Dorcheat SWCD) and Michele Greco (Plaquemines SWCD) (unanimous)
• Approved 9 supervisor reappointments for various SWCDs (unanimous)
• Approved special recognition letters for Chris Mattingly and Gary Greene (unanimous)
• Approved $500 awards for Denotra Jones, Patches McDaniel, and Kaitlin Franklin (unanimous)
• Approved January 8, 2025 agenda and December 3, 2024 minutes (unanimous)