The LSU AgCenter sent out a news release April 1 to announce that the AgCenter will soon phase out three of its 20 research stations.
AgCenter Chancellor Bill Richardson said officials have been planning to make the AgCenter more efficient for the past two or three years.
Richardson said the three stations — the Coastal Area Research Station in Plaquemines Parish, the Rosepine Research Station in Vernon Parish and the Calhoun Research Station in Ouachita Parish — should close by July 1.
Richardson said the AgCenter is phasing out these three stations because they feel it’s the smartest move for their current budget situation.
“This is a strategic move,” he said.
Richardson said the research completed at each closed station will be transferred to the AgCenter’s other research stations across the state. The stations study subjects such as beef, wood and plants, depending on the station’s location.
Richardson said the AgCenter will lose 10 or 15 employees from the phase-out of research stations but most were able to transfer to other locations.
Richardson said the AgCenter is looking to become more efficient because of the stress put on it by budget cuts in recent years.
“We’re mainly looking to just be more focused,” he said.
Richardson said the AgCenter has seen particular problems because it feels the effect of the University’s budget situation but doesn’t benefit from tuition or student fee increases.
Emily Perkins, history senior, said she was disappointed to hear the AgCenter will lose some of its research stations.
“This is an agricultural college,” she said. “You can’t have LSU-A&M without agricultural research.”
Perkins said she has been frustrated by budget cuts in the past but this effect startled her.
“All these cuts are just awful, but that one’s just egregious,” she said.
 
—-
Contact Rachel Warren at [email protected]