2023 Recertification Meeting Agenda
Louisiana Vegetation Management Association 2023 Fall Meeting
September 28, 2023, 8:00am to 4:00pm
Louisiana Evacuation Center, 8125 Hwy 71 South, Alexandria, LA 71302
*Recertification Agenda, Thursday, September 28th
7:00 – 8:00 Registration
8:00 – 8:15 Meeting called to order Ryan Ducote, President LAVMA
Invocation and pledge of allegiance
Comments from Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain, LDAF
8:15 – 8:30 Introduction of Vendors/Sponsors
8:30 – 9:15 Adjuvant/Surfactants 101, Corbie White, Helena
9:15 – 10:00 Bare ground application basics, Gueth Braddock, Envu
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 – 11:00 Herbicide Spill and Cleanup, Ryan Duhon and Michael Stevens, LADOTD
11:00 – 11:45 Aquatic Weed Problems in Louisiana and Their Solutions, Wesley Maddox, LDWF
11:45 – 12:30 Lunch provided
12:30 – 1:15 Aquatic Vegetation Identification and Special Challenges, Ken Rust, Enterprise Aquatics
1:15 – 2:00 PPE and Pesticide Safety, Bryan Gueltig, LSU Ag Center
2:00 – 2:15 Break
2:15 – 3:00 Invasive Species and Forest Management, Dr. Andrea DeStefano, LSU Ag Center
3:00 – 3:45 LDAF Recertification and EPA Update, Joseph Ingrao, Program Coordinator
3:45 – 4:00 Closing comments, Ryan Ducote, President LAVMA
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*Separate agenda and meeting room for first time test takers
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Precertification Training * – LAVMA conference
Louisiana Evacuation Shelter, 8125 U. S. Hwy 71, Alexandria, LA 71302
ROW, General Standards, and Aquatic Pest Control Exam Preparation
September 28, 2023
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(Sponsored by LAVMA and the LSU AgCenter)
*Note: This training is for those individuals who are not yet certified. This training will help prepare for the Core Manual as well as the Right Of Way Vegetation Management exam.
Thursday, September 28, 2023
(Large Room #2, through the center locker area)
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8:00 - 8:45 Registration for those to become certified.
8:45 - 9:00 Welcome and Introductions –
Sheri Braddock, LAVMA; Mr. Bryan Gueltig, LSU AgCenter
9:15 -10:00 Weed Identification and Herbicide Mode of Action
Mr. Tad Kivett, LSU AgCenter
10:00 -10:15 Break
10:15 -11:00 Calibration Math Review
Mr. Bryan Gueltig, LSU AgCenter PSEP
11:00 -11:15 Break
11:15 -12:00 ROW Vegetation Management
Gueth Braddock, LAVMA
12:00 -1:00 Lunch provided (included in registration fee)
1:00 -1:45 ROW Equipment Calibration
Mr. Tad Kivett, LSU AgCenter PSEP
1:45 - 2:00 Break
2:00 - 2:45 Weed Management in Aquatics
Mr. Bryan Gueltig, LSU AgCenter PSEP
2:45 - 3:00 Break
3:00 - 3:50 General Standards Overview
Mr. Bryan Gueltig, LSU AgCenter PSEP
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Speaker Biographies, LAVMA 2023 Fall Meeting
September 28, 2023, 8:00am - 4:00pm
Louisiana Evac Center, 8125 Hwy 71 South, Alexandria, LA 71302
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Corbie White, Helena
Corby White has worked in the Green Industry for over 22 years selling in all “Specialty” markets including Turf and Ornamental, Nursery Greenhouse, Pest Control, and Vegetation Management. He joined Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC in September of 2008, as the Branch Manager of the South Texas location that services the central and southern portion of Texas. In September of 2019, Corby was promoted to Product Manager for Helena Agri-Enterprises.
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Corby earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Angelo State, with a Kinesiology degree in 1998. He spent 1 year as a English Teacher, and worked in every capacity of the Golf industry from 1991-1999. Corby and his wife Lydia, have 3 children and live in San Antonio, Tx. They are his passion. He spends his spare time playing golf, fishing, and hunting.
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Gueth Braddock, Envu
Second generation forester. Bachelor of Science, Forest Management, Mississippi State University, 1991. Has worked for the U.S. Forest Service, Dixie Electric Membership Corp., Asplundh Tree Expert Co., Electric Power Associations of Mississippi, and currently Envu Forestry and Industrial VM.
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Ryan Duhon, LADOTD
B.S. Environmental Science from University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 17 years at the LADOTD in Roadside Development the last 5yrs. as the Manager.
Michael Stevens, LADOTD
B.S. Agriculture McNeese. 16yrs. taught secondary science. 11yrs. LA Dept. of Environmental Quality. Last 5 years LADOTD Roadside Coordinator
Wesley Maddox, LDWF
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Aquatic Plant Control (APC) Biologist Supervisor
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Wesley received his B.S. from Northwestern State University (Natchitoches) where he majored in Biology and minored in Wildlife Management. He began work at LDWF in 2012 as a Fisheries Technician (spray technician) and has been with the APC group since.
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Ken Rust, Enterprise Aquatics
Ken Rust has been involved in managing water since graduating in 1994 with an MS in aquaculture and fisheries from Louisiana State University. He has been involved in pond and lake management, aeration design, vegetation control, and fisheries enhancement. He currently owns and operates Louisiana Pond Management in Baton Rouge, LA which provides management services and equipment for pond and lake management.
Bryan Gueltig, LSU Ag Center
B.S. Education (Biology) from Miami University, Ohio. M.A.T in biology education. Taught secondary science over 20yrs. in Ohio, Mississippi and Louisiana. 2018 started with the pesticide safety program LSU Ag Center. Currently Pesticide Safety Education Coordinator LSU Ag Center.
Dr. Andrea DeStefano, Assistant Professor of Forestry, LSU Ag Center
“Dr. De Stefano received his Ph.D. in Renewable Natural Resources with a concentration in Forestry and
Forest Management and a minor in Applied Statistics at Louisiana State University. He worked as a
postdoctoral researcher at the University of Wyoming, and as an Environmental Scientists at the
California State Water Resources Control Board. His teaching focus includes sustainable forest management, forest ecology, forest health, and invasive species.”
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Joseph Ingrao, LDAF
Tind Michael Stevens, LADOTD