The American Sugarcane League | Thibodaux Rotary Club
June 11, 2013
By: Luci Sposito
Herman Waguespack presented for the American Sugar Cane League (ASCL), which is a non-profit organization representing Louisiana sugar cane growers and processors.
Incorporated in 1922, the Louisiana sugar industry was threatened with extinction by cane diseases. Consequently, the league was formed with the mission to sustain success through effective research, positive legislation, public relations/promotion, and education. The ASCL’s office is located along the banks of Bayou Lafourche in Thibodaux.
In Louisiana, there are 22 parishes producing sugarcane which accounted for about 427,000 acres of cane. The state’s 475 farms and 11 raw sugar mills produced sugar valued at about one billion dollars. If an economic multiplier of 2.75 is used, it equates to approximately three billion in generated economic value.
Although acreage has remained relatively steady, three decades of mediocre prices caused many farm operators to sell. There were 35% less farms operating in 2012 compared to 2001. However, production has remained relatively steady due to existing mills getting larger and therefore more efficient.
Although production costs have risen over the years, the average farm size has increased which has created economies of scale and therefore efficiency.
To increase yields, sugarcane breeders have been able to develop varieties to grow in our sub-tropical environment and produce yields that rival production yields of tropical countries. Variety development is accomplished through cooperation of the ASCL, LSU, and USDA.
The improved varieties have helped the industry yield more tons of cane per acre. Researchers at LSU and USDA have world class facilities to conduct research and farming practices have been improved. Ultimately, continued research and improve practices help producers become more efficient.
What does this mean to our region? In Lafourche and Terrebonne, 37 farms (39,089 acres) plus 2 raw mills generate $80,982,400 in value to the area.
Bill Crawford – Kayak Fishing – Thibodaux Rotary Club
May 21, 2013
By: Kevin Gros
On May 15th the Club was visited by Bill Crawford to talk about one of his passions, kayak fishing.
Bill is a Louisiana native and grew up fishing the Pontchartrain basin. In recent years he has fished professionally placing in numerous kayak association fishing tournaments and was recently runner up for the association angler of the year contest. Additionally, Bill guides kayak fishing trips in our area. He is Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Thibodaux and the President of the Board of Trustees of the Bayou Community Academy, and resides here with his wife and three children.
The purpose of Bill’s visit today is two-fold; the first, to introduce us to the sport of kayak fishing, which is one of the fastest growing sports in America and secondly talk about the spiritual adventure of being in nature with God.
A spiritual adventure is an activity that gets us out into nature to see what God 
is up to. It nurtures our inner fire and challenges our creativity and thirst for knowledge. Bill reminded us of how important it is to reserve time in our busy lives to recharge our batteries, and talked at length of the emotional, physical and spiritual health benefits of kayak fishing. As many people depend on us we need to be at our best. A hobby like fishing helps us get there.
Fishing is a huge sport in our country with an estimated 16% of our population participating. The number is surely much higher here. Increasing numbers of Americans are Kayak fishing. Here in Louisiana an association of anglers formed the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club to foster the growth of the sport and increase the positive impacts of kayak fishing in our area.
The club’s signature event, Paddlepalooza, in Leeville attracted almost three hundred anglers from nine states, and has made an important economic contribution to our area. Presently the club sponsors eight events in Louisiana, with other associations beginning to sponsor similar events. The sport is an opportunity for our state to capitalize on a growing industry and with at least one event per month throughout the year the economic impact is significant.
Why should we consider kayak fishing? It’s fun. Fellowship. Inexpensive. Exercise. Emotional health. Spiritual health.
If anyone would like to contact Bill for more information or to arrange a guided trip, please email him at revredfish@gmail.com or his website www.revredfish.com.
More information about the sport may be found at the website of The Bayou Cost Kayak Fishing Club, www.bckfc.com.
Thanks Bill for an introduction to the sport of kayak fishing and for reminding us of the importance of having a spiritual adventure. Many of us will surely be giving it a try soon!
Chef Randolph Cheramie – Thibodaux Rotary Club
May 28, 2013
By: Amy Connor-Flores
Our rotary club was visited last week by Chef Randolph Cheramie. Chef Randolph grew up in the family-owned Randolph’s Restaurant in Golden Meadow, which was opened by his grandmother and father. In 1981, Chef Randy took over the business and made his own mark on it by specializing in upscale South Louisiana Regional Cuisine.
For twenty years, Chef Randy enjoyed local and regional acclaim as the hallmark of great food while in charge of Randolph’s. In 1999 he was offered an adjunct professorship teaching Classic French Cuisine at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University. He was asked to join the full-time faculty upon the sale of his restaurant in 2001.
Through the Southern United States Trade Association, Chef Randy has taught some of the top chefs from around the world the art, tradition, culture, and methods of Cajun/Creole, Southern and Soul Food cuisine. He has taught chefs from 38 countries through this program.
Chef Randy coached six American Culinary Federation student hot food teams to five bronze medals and one silver medal in regional competition. He has also coached individual students in the San Pellegrino “Almost Famous Chef” competition in which his students won five consecutive championships and have gone on to the national finals in Napa, California.
Two students coached by Chef Randy have ranked 4th nationally in that competition. In 2011, the American Culinary Federation recognized Chef Cheramie as one of the top 25 chefs in Louisiana, and he is a Certified Food Service Educator. Chef Randy’s knowledge and experience in Southern Regional Cuisine is certainly extensive and focused. He is currently the Executive Director of the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute.
Chef Randy shard with us some of his experiences throughout his years in teaching. He also gave us some insight into the impact that the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute has made at a national level. The Chef is very proud of his students and their ability to compete with others from the top culinary schools in the country. It was a pleasure have him speak to us.
