A few aspects of the Master Plan are causing controversy. One of them is the Hill Farm Teaching Facility, the Department of Horticulture’s lab located between the Rec Center and Lod Cook Alumni Center, which will be moved as part of the Master Plan sometime within the next 10 – 15 years.
The Hill Farm began in 1934 with 40-acres of land. Since then, land has been taken from the Farm for the Lod Cook Alumni Center, including the Hotel and Conference Center, and the Rec Center.
This is a portion of a story by Contributing Writer Dorothy Paul published in September.
A little rain early in the afternoon didn’t stop the Save the Hill Farm Festival which took place Sunday on the Parade Ground.
“My grandfather worked at Hill Farm, my father worked at Hill Farm, and now I do. I really want it to stay where it is,” said Tim Quebedeaux, Horticulture Club president.
Quebedeaux said the present location of the Hill Farm is important to him. Festival organizers meant to raise awareness and funds for the Hill Farm teaching facility because the Master Plan threatens to move or cut it down in size.
He also said at a recent Master Plan meeting Bob Eskew, Master Plan coordinator, presented a new plan to move Hill Farm near the south gates of campus to an area known as the Ostrich Parking lot. When the department expressed concerns about trying to grow plants under land the Universty compacted under a parking lot Eskew replied, “You’re horticulturists, aren’t you?”
“The Master Plan Committee is trying to turn it into a parking lot. And basically, we’re trying to stop that. So this festival is here to raise money to help stop it,” said Erin Alexis, a political science junior and PSA facilitator.
She said the money raised from the festival will go to an LSU Foundation fund for the Horticulture Club.