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By Carey Martin
Louisiana Farm Bureau News

NEW ORLEANS - It all started with horseback riding lessons in a sugarcane field. Little did Donaldsonville native Jamie Lee know that those lessons were the beginning of a journey that would lead her to win the 2018 Louisiana Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture award.
Lee was given that honor Thursday night at the 96th Annual Convention of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation. The award is designed to recognize Young Farmers and Ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from an owned agricultural operation, but are actively contributing and growing through their involvement in Farm Bureau and the agricultural industry.
In an era where many young people are fleeing the farm for a life in the city, Lee has done the opposite. She is now married to a farmer and teaches agriculture at Kaplan High School in Vermillion parish.
"My parents were not farmers," said Lee. "My Mom was a secretary, and my Dad worked at Dow Chemical. But what really got me started in agriculture was that I took horseback riding lessons on a sugarcane farm in Donaldsonville, and riding horses started my passion for animal agriculture.”
That passion inspired her to pursue a double major at LSU in both animal science and agricultural education.
"As much as I loved animals, I realized that my passion is explaining it to others and helping others to experience agriculture," said Lee. "Not everyone has the opportunity to experience agriculture, so I want to explain it and pass it on to the next generation."
Teaching high school is an inspiring experience for Lee, and she sees a lot of potential in her students.
"I have some seriously amazing young men and women in my FFA chapter. We travel the country with these kids, and they are hard-working and respectful," she said. "I can't wait to work alongside them in the future.”
In addition to teaching each day, Lee takes on double-duty as a farm wife. She met her husband Aaron at LSU and made the transition to farm life with a simple “I do.” Aaron is a sixth-generation rice, crawfish and cattle producer in Vermillion parish.
“It leaves no shortage of fun stories for the classroom,” said Lee. “I get to incorporate everything that I learn at home working with my husband into the classroom to teach kids about real production agriculture.”
At 25 years old, Lee has a long future in agriculture ahead of her. She and her husband plan to expand their farm acreage and to travel around the country to experience other types of production agriculture. And of course, there’s the next generation to consider as well.
“We definitely have some more traveling to do, and we plan to start a family and raise the seventh generation of Lee farmers,” she said.
As the winner of the 2018 Louisiana Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award, Lee receives $7,500 toward the purchase of a 4-wheel ATV, courtesy of Louisiana Land Bank, an all-expense paid trip to the 2019 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention, $1,500 in equipment rentals courtesy of H&E Equipment Services, as well as other cash prices.

DELCAMBRE – A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted for Mrs. Elrina Schexnayder Barras, 89, at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church with Fr. Ed Degeyter officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.
Readings will be done by Aubreigh Benintende and Nicole Benintende.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until 2:45 pm on Tuesday with a Rosary at 11:00 am.
A native of Delcambre and resident of St. Martinville, Mrs. Barras passed away on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at Landmark of Acadiana Nursing Home with her family by her side.
Elrina was born on July 28, 1928 to the late Odeonce and Fedora Menard Schexnayder. She was a deeply devoted and faithful woman who offered her services to those in need. Elrina would often volunteer with ministry organizations. With them, she would travel to nursing homes and prisons where she would visit with residents, sing, and spread her faith. Elrina was also a dedicated public servant and worked with the Council on Aging as assistant manager for 15 years from 1977-1992. She greatly enjoyed playing Bingo and Pokeno with the other residence at Landmark of Acadiana. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend - Elrina will be truly and deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her children, Rosemary Delahoussaye and husband Larry of St, Martinville, Lillie Barras of Abbeville, and Kent Barras of KS; step-children, Darryl Barras of Abbeville, Gerald “T-Beb” Barras of Delcambre, and Anna Viator and Delcambre; brother, Maurice Schexnayder of TX; sister, Anna Mae Dore and husband Jules of St. Martinville; grandchildren, Stevie Barras, Nicole Benintende and husband Bobby, Kevin Delahoussaye and wife Kim, Jude Barras and wife Nina, Kimberly Barras, Jason Barras, Shawn Barras, and Chris Barras; and numerous great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Paul Barras; sons, Vernon Barras and John Barras; step-son, Donald Barras; step-daughters, Mona Faye Barras and Belva Landry; grandchild, Keith Barras; brother, Joseph Schexnayder; sister, Theresa Trahan; and parents, Odeonce and Fedora Menard Schexnayder.
Pallbearers will be Kevin Delahoussaye, Larry Delahoussaye, Bobby Benintende, Jude Barras, Jules Dore, and Shawn Barras.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Watson Delahoussaye, Warner Delahoussaye, Ashton Benintende, Stevie Barras, and Aubreigh Benintende.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of Landmark of Acadiana for their support and caring. They sincerely referred to Mrs. Barras as “Mom” and treated her like family. Appreciation also goes out to the staff and nurses of Grace Hospice who were there with Mrs. Barras until the end.
To view the on-line obituary and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.
Evangeline Funeral Homes of Delcambre is in charge of arrangements.

I, Charlotte C. Detraz, seek the community’s support to elect me as District E School Board Member in the November 2018 election.
A life time resident of Vermilion Parish and over 51 years of serving the people of Vermilion Parish puts me in a direct position to serve the children and teachers in our public school system.
I hold a B.S. degree from ULL. I am a Nationally Accredited “Registered Health Information Administrator.” I offer years of administrative experience.
My goal is to bring good communication skills to our present school board and together work respectfully to solve problems that presently are standing in our way.
Public education is one of the most solid foundations of our society. Teachers are our greatest public servants and the heart of the educational system. There is nothing more important than our students.
My goal is simply to “Work Hard for the Children.”