Savoie Industries creates endowment for sugar research internship
(03/13/19) BATON ROUGE, La. — Savoie Industries LLC has created an endowment to support an LSU College of Agriculture intern at the LSU AgCenter Sugar Research Station.
Mike Daigle, CEO of Savoie Industries, said his family wanted to support the future of the sugar industry with its donation.
by Tobie Blanchard, LSU AgCenter writer
"The lifeblood of the sugar industry is research. Without research we would not be here today,” Daigle said.
Savoie Industries is a family-owned, land-holding company based in Assumption Parish with ties to the sugarcane industry dating back generations.
Daigle said the company’s board of directors decided to support an intern after discussing ways they could give back. They felt funding an intern could benefit researchers at the station who need more help, promote the sugar industry to students and secure the industry’s future.
Kenneth Gravois, LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist who conducts research at the station, said the Savoie family has had a long and successful history in the Louisiana sugar industry.
"They appreciate the role that new sugarcane varieties have in sustaining the industry,” Gravois said. "Their endowment will support research associates and others in the development of improved varieties in the Louisiana sugarcane breeding program.”
Savoie Industries board of directors includes chairman Don Savoie, Rufus Savoie, Chuck Savoie, Danny Savoie, Tommy Savoie, Will Daigle, CJ Daigle, Tom Cancienne, Ed Cancienne and Daniel Mattingly.