LSU AgCenter rebuilds flood-damaged Vermilion Parish office

new LSU AgCenter parish office in Abbeville
Local leaders and farmers turned out for the dedication of the new LSU AgCenter Vermilion Parish office in Abbeville — photo by Bruce Schultz/LSU AgCenter

Vermilion Parish and Abbeville, Louisiana, officials recently cut the ribbon on a new Louisiana State University AgCenter parish office, replacing the old one that as damaged by August 2016 flooding.

AgCenter agent Andrew Granger thanked the Vermilion Parish Police Jury for funding the construction. The police jury called a special election for a proposition to rededicate money to fund the project.

“We don’t have to worry about flooding anymore,” Granger says.

Granger thanked the volunteer building committee for its input and guidance in the project.

The new office, rebuilt in the same location but 12 feet above sea level, is 4 feet higher than the previous building. It is 8,000 square feet, 2,000 square feet larger than the old building.

Keith Roy, Vermilion Parish Police Jury administrator, says the new office is an important gathering place for one of the largest 4-H memberships in the state as well as for farmers.

“This is a tremendous organization you have here, and we’re glad we have this building for you,” Roy says.

Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza thanked the police jury and the AgCenter for keeping the office in Abbeville.

During construction, AgCenter employees were housed in a Vermilion Parish School Board building in Henry and at the old parish health unit in Abbeville.

The LSU AgCenter contributed this article.

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