Baton Rouge, LA March 2nd 2023- This evening marked our 9th annual Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction event. Thank you to all who attended to celebrate the three new inductees!

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Check out photos from the 2023 event here!

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2023 Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction Inductees

 

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Dr. Steven D. Linscombe

Dr. Steven D. Liscombe is known for his revolutionary work within the Louisiana rice industry. He worked as a rice scientist for the LSU AgCenter for over 35 years, serving as director of the LSU AgCenter Southeast region beginning in 2001, and director of the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station in 2003. He is known for his responsibilities in development of superior conventional long and medium grain types as well as Clearfield long and medium grains. 34 new rice varieties were developed and released from the LSU AgCenter’s rice breeding program during his tenure. Dr. Linscombe has published his work in more than 350 publications and has been awarded dozens of significant awards and recognitions during his career. He has shared his extensive knowledge and research of Louisiana rice not just in the United States, but around the world, and has devoted many efforts into developing better initiatives and stressing the importance of sustainability in rice production. 

 

Dr. Linscombe does not rest when it comes to rice. After his retirement from the LSU AgCenter, he continues to facilitate in nurturing future leadership within the rice industry and serves as the director of the Rice Foundation within the USA Rice Federation.

 

Congratulations on your well-deserved induction into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction, Dr. Steven D. Linscombe!

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Jackie Theriot

Jackie Theroit has taken his wealth of knowledge in agronomy, from his hands-on experience at his family sugarcane farm when he was younger to his time studying at Southwestern Louisiana University, and has generously shared that knowledge around the world. He spent time in West Africa through the Peace Corps and has served as a consultant for sugarcane cooperatives in more than 50 countries. He was also very active in the St.Martin parish sugarcane industry and served on the Breaux Bridge Sugarcane Cooperative board of directors, was selected to serve as the general manager of the Breaux Bridge Sugar Cane Co-op, and served as the pivotal general manager of the Louisiana Sugar Cane Co-operative after the merging of the Breaux Bridge and St. Martinville sugarcane mills in 1993. Jackie also served on the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors for 23 years, chaired multiple committees for the American Sugarcane League, and was a Louisiana Sugar Cane Products Incorporated board member. 

 

With his international experience and knowledge of processing and producing sugarcane, Jackie still consults for sugar mills in multiple countries, and is also currently working alongside others in Louisiana’s sugarcane industry.  

 

We are so pleased to welcome Jackie Theriot into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction! Thank you for your efforts in your incredible career!

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Gerard Albert Frey

Gerard Frey is a fourth-generation farmer and beloved asset to the Acadia parish agricultural community. While rice is what he is most passionate about, crawfish farming, crawfish processing, alligator processing, and dairy cattle have all been enterprises that he has enjoyed throughout his career as well. He has served on several committees and organizations over his career including chairman of the Acadia Parish Soil and Water Conservation District, member of the LA Rice Growers Association, Louisiana Rice Promotion and Research Board, Louisiana Rice Political Action Committee, and several others. He and his wife Dana have also both completed the Master Farmer Program. He has been awarded and recognized several times over his incredible farming career, including Farmer of the Year in 2005 awarded by the LSU AgCenter, LA Farm Bureau Federation, the LA Department of Agriculture and Forestry and Louisiana Radio Network.  

 

Gerard continues to manage his over 1200 acres of land and farm collectively over 3000 acres of land all while generously serving his community and assisting his neighbors in times of need.  

 

The Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction is honored to have Gerard Albert Frey as an inductee! Congratulations! 

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Mark Layne

(Honoree)

Mark Layne (Martel Ardoin) began working at KVPI in 1971 while still in high school and became general manager in 2004. Mark has continued KVPI’s emphasis on ag related programming because of it’s importance to the community of Evangeline parish. KVPI has been awarded multiple times for their programming including Radio Station of the Year by the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters, and Louisiana Farm Bureau Radio Station of the year.

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