Department of Agriculture and Forestry, State of Louisiana - Mike Strain DVM, Commissioner

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said Deputy Assistant Commissioner Carrie Castille of Breaux Bridge has been selected to serve on the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board.

United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack named Castille and eight other appointees to serve on the advisory board on Tuesday, Oct. 19.

The NAREEE Board advises the Secretary of Agriculture and land-grant colleges and universities on top national priorities and policies for food and agricultural research, education, extension and economics.

“I’m extremely proud of Dr. Castille,” Strain said. “She is an integral part of Louisiana’s agricultural scene and a knowledgeable, trusted advisor. I know she’ll do a great job serving on this national board.”

In addition to providing program and policy advice to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on its research, education and economics mission area, the Board reports to Congress. The Board hosts stakeholder listening sessions, evaluates the Agricultural Research Service scientific peer review process for national programs and conducts an annual review of all agricultural research, extension or education activities conducted or funded by USDA for relevance to national priorities and adequacy of funding. The group also provides input on specialty crops and renewable energy priorities through respective mandated subcommittees.

The Board is comprised of 25 appointed members, each representing a specific category of agricultural stakeholders as outlined in the 2008 Food, Energy, and Conservation Act. Each member appointed to a full term on the Board serves a two or three year appointment effective October 1, 2010. Terms for members overlap so that each year approximately one-third of the Board is replaced and/or reappointed. 

“We appreciate the contributions that these individuals are making to help advance agricultural research, education, extension and economics within USDA,” Vilsack said. “Their expertise and advice are valuable in the development of long- and short-term research, extension, education and economic priorities in the food, fiber and fuel systems.”

Castille was appointed for her expertise on national conservation and natural resources.

The other new and re-appointed members are: 

National Crop Commodity Organization: Nancy M. Cox, Director, Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and Associate Dean of Research, University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Lexington, Ky.

National Crop, Soil, Agronomy, Horticulture, or Weed Science Society: Robert W. Taylor, Dean, School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Alabama A&M University, Normal, Ala.

1862 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities: Milo J. Shult, Vice President for Agriculture, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Little Rock, Ark.

1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities: Chandra Reddy, Dean, School of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tenn.

American Colleges of Veterinary Medicine:   Cyril R. Clark, Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.

Rural Economic Development: Jeanette T. Ishii, Economic Development Coordinator, Fresno County Administrative Office, Fresno, Calif.

National Consumer Interest Group: Rita W. Green, Family Resource Management Extension Agent, Mississippi State University, Grenada, Miss.

National Forestry Group: Steven Daley-Laursen, Senior Executive to the President and Professor, Office of the President, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho.

The NAREEE Advisory Board will hold a public meeting October 27-29, 2010 at the Hotel Palomar in Washington, DC. The meeting is open to the public.

For more information on the Board, the October 27-29 meeting, or the appointments, please contact Executive Director J. Robert Burk at 202-720-3684 or Robert.Burk@ars.usda.gov. Information is also available online at www.nareeeab.ree.usda.gov.