Chip Hixon of Rayville was one of 22 people who recently completed a two-year course of study as the 14th class in the LSU AgCenter Agricultural Leadership Development program.
The ag leadership program prepares men and women who are established in their communities and dedicated to the agriculture industry to take leadership roles on issues that affect Louisiana agriculture at local, national and global levels
Class VII alumnus Jim Simon, general manager of the American Sugar Cane League, addressed the group from a graduate’s perspective. He talked to the class about being an agricultural leader and encouraged them to get involved with other programs outside of agriculture.
Lee Fairchild, of Transylvania, offered the class response. He is an agricultural loan officer for Delta Bank and farms corn and soybeans in East Carroll Parish.
Diplomas and leadership pins were presented to each graduate by AgCenter Associate Vice President Gina Eubanks and Soileau.
The two-year curriculum included classroom seminars on the LSU AgCenter campus, plus travel seminars to Washington, D.C., and California and an intensive two-week tour of agriculture in South Africa.