Mission
The mission of the Louisiana Tech Rural Development Center is to:
1. use the resources of the public university system to improve rural communities in Louisiana; and
2. provide information and technical assistance to Louisiana's rural leaders on a wide variety of issues.
Current News
Basic Marketing Workshop, 2/7
The Louisiana Tech Rural Development Center is participating in the University’s Advanced Certifications and Training for Technology (ACTT) Innovative Workplace Program. The RDC will provide three workshops for the program, Basic Economics, Basic Marketing, and Basic Business Planning. The second workshop, Basic Marketing, will be offered in Ruston, LA, at Lomax Hall on the University’s south campus, from 6:30-8:30pm, February 7, 2012. Participants will complete a short survey and receive a Certificate of Completion from Louisiana Tech University. Register for the workshop here.
Students will gain an understanding of how marketing concepts such as the path a food product follows from raw material to final good; how to identify potential consumers for a product and how to create at marketing plan to sell a product.
The target audience for Basic Marketing, and the other workshops, consists of those with an interest in business, sales, economics, politics and public policy and consumer behavior. By the end of the evening, participants will be able to
- Create a customer profile.
- Build a sample marketing plan for a product.
- Identify sources of consumer data.
- Demonstrate understanding of the value added to raw goods from marketing services.
The Center also continues to offer classes for the Graduate Certificate in Rural Development. The certificate consists of 12 hours of courses that train students in economic development theory, grants and grant writing, international trade, conducting business over the internet, and relating geographic information systems to economic development. The courses will next be offered during the Summer 2012 session. The program is open to anyone who meets admission requirements (a bachelor’s degree in any field; no GRE required), but specially tailored to professionals who have rural development duties or who would like to enhance their resumes to include skills in the available subject areas. All courses are offered online to fit busy schedules. Program details are available by clicking on “Rural Development Certification” above left on this page or you may contact Dr. Aaron Lusby at the Department of Agricultural Sciences and the Rural Development Center, 318-257-2451. The U. S. Department of Agriculture Higher Education Challenge program provided grant funding to the University for the development of the certificate program.
About Us
The Louisiana Tech University Center for Rural Development was approved by the Louisiana Board of Regents in 1994 to provide a central point of contact in the State of Louisiana for university-based research and outreach relevant to rural communities. It is housed in the Department of Agricultural Sciences at Louisiana Tech University.
1. The Center responds to inquiries from the public regarding sources of technical assistance, data, grants and loans, and state and federal programs for rural development projects.
2. The Center provides outreach and training to the public on rural development issues. This is done through its newsletter, Rural Louisiana, its website, other publications, conference presentations, workshops, and trainings.
3. The Center encourages and assists researchers at LA Tech University to both develop and to collaborate in projects that will benefit rural communities. In this work the Center's staff (a) identifies sources of funding, (b) assists in the development of proposals, (c) connects faculty and staff to rural community partners, (d) provides use of technology such as digital cameras, scanners, and other resources to aid projects, and (e) provides technical assistance to projects.
4. The Center undertakes research and projects relevant to the needs of rural communities in Louisiana.
5. The Center's staff serve on boards and working groups relevant to rural economic and community development.
The Center is 100% supported by external grant funding. The main support for the Center is currently provided through a special grant from USDA's Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service (CSREES). In addition, the Center has received grants to support its research and technical assistance projects from USDA-NRI, the Southern Region SARE Program/Southern Region Rural Development Center, the Delta Regional Authority/USDA Rural Development and a contract from the State of Louisiana.
Contact Information
Mail address:
Louisiana Tech Rural Development Center
PO Box 10198
LA Tech University
Ruston, LA 71272
(318) 257-2451
Street address:
Louisiana Tech Rural Development Center
Reese Hall Rm 101
LA Tech University
Ruston, LA 71272
(318) 257-2451
Campus mail address:
Campus Box 45
Dr. Aaron Lusby, Assistant Professor
(318) 257-2451 Email
Department of Agricultural Sciences
I'm on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dr.alusby
