Floyd Hooker

Floyd Hooker
Program Manager,
USDA – Office of Advocacy and Outreach

Contact Information:

Office Location: 112-B, Farrell-Westbrook
Telephone: 615-963-7618
FAX: 615-963-2194
Email: floyd.hooker@osec.usda.gov

Current Responsibilities:

•Serves as senior advisor to University officials in the development and implementation of comprehensive recruitment programs designed to encourage students to enroll in courses of study in agriculture or related fields.

•Provide and identify opportunities to assist university staff in developing new or needed agriculture, natural resource or related curricula.

•Mentor students to enable them to successfully complete degree requirements in agricultural sciences and related disciplines.

•Advises the university concerning the availability of research or educational grants to improve the quality of agriculture-related curricula.

•Implement the 1890 National Scholars Program at the university

•Facilitate and coordinate the placement of students in temporary, permanent and summer internship positions in USDA.

•Provides periodic briefings to the 1890 President’s Task Force as well as community and Departmental Officials on issues, trends and accomplishment as it relates to students and USDA.

•Coordinate activities between USDA agencies and the local agricultural community.

Membership:

•National Organization of Professional Black NRCS Employees (NOPBNRCSE) 2007
•Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) 2008
•National Association of Conservation Districts 1997
•Texas County Agricultural Agents Association 1991
•Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc 1987
•Alpha Tau Alpha Agricultural Society 1986

Awards:

•Performance Award – 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

•In 2003, “for significant achievements in FY 2003”.

•In 2002, “for exceptional assistance to the Northeast Resource Unit”.

•In 1998, “for performance substantially exceeding the requirement of my position”.

•In 1997, “for my contribution to the effort in implementing the CRP program”.

•In 1997 “for exceptional, innovative performance of duties as a member of the Louisiana NRCS Civil Rights Committee”.

•In 1996, “for commitment and team effort needed to improve water quality in the Central Tensas Water Quality Incentive Program”.

•In 1996, “for significant outreach efforts to the Limited Resource Farmers in the Tensas River Basin”. It was noted that this was the first time for some of the Limited Resource Farmers to ever participant in an USDA cost-share program.

•In 1995, “for accomplishment with the Tensas River Basin Ecosystem Based Assistance (EBA) Pilot Project”, which resulted into the development of a high quality plan of work for the EBA pilot project with very little guidance from the NRCS National Headquarter (NHQ).

•In 1995 for, “efforts in carrying out an excellent awareness campaign for the WQIP program in the Tensas River Basin Project Area

Advisor to groups:

•Metro Nashville Public Schools Agriculture Industry Advisory Committee, TN - 2008

•MNPS Engineering, Manufacturing & Industrial Technology Partnership Council, TN- 2008

•Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) TSU Chapter – 2008

•Tulare County Resource Conservation District (TCRCD), CA– 2006-2008

•El Diamante High School Advisory, CA – 2006-2008

•Tule River Indian Tribal Council – California – 2007-2008

•Magee’s Creek 319 Watershed Implementation Team, MS – 2006

•Walthall County Forestry Association, MS – 2005-2006

•Walthall County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), MS – 2005-2006

•East Carroll Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), LA – 1995-2005

•Tensas River Basin Limited Resource Farmer Committee, LA – 1995-2005

•Crockett County Integrated Farm Program Planning Committee, TX -1991

Committees:

•NRCS State Technical Committee – TN 2008

•2008 California Small Farmer Conference Planning Committee, CA – 2008

•Tennessee State University Small Farmer Expo Planning Committee, TN - 2008

•NRCS State Technical Committee, TN – 2008

•Tulare Lake Basin Working Group, CA – 2007

•Sequoia Fire Safe Council, CA – 2007

•Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, CA – 2007

•California Amer-Asian Resource Education Group (CARE), CA – 2007

•NRCS Outreach Team – Recruitment of Perspective Black Employees – California 2007

•Farm Service Agency Outreach Group Committee – Louisiana – 2002

•Southern University Cooperative Extension Program Advisory Committee, LA - East Carroll Parish

Certification/Licenses:

•Prescribed Burning Certification 2004

•Conservation Planner 2003

•Private Pesticide Application License 2001, Louisiana

•Private Pesticide Application License 1991, Texas

•Beef Cattle Artificial Insemination 1991

•Beef Cattle Pregnancy Determination 1991

Education:

B. S. Plant and Soil Science; Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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