LSU AgCenter forum to address Haynesville shale financial topics

With the Haynesville shale royalties being the buzz all over the area, the LSU AgCenter has put together a financial program to help consumers learn tips on choosing a financial team.

The LSU AgCenter already has a financial education program called SAIL – Saving and Investing for Life – conducted by financial resource management agents. Terry Foster, the local agent, is coordinating “SAIL with your Haynesville Shale Dollars” Sept. 9 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Airline High School in Bossier City.

Free SAIL training normally covers developing and using a saving and spending plan, finding money to save and invest, setting financial goals, understanding and selecting the best investment options, identifying appropriate help for financial management and avoiding investment fraud.

For the forum, Foster has invited experts to discuss most of these areas. The panel includes David Taggert, oil and gas attorney; Joe Gilsoul, estate planning attorney; Lisha Landry of the Louisiana Attorney General’s office; Lisa Hargrove and Beth King, real estate agents; Mike Hardison and Scott Martin, investment brokers; Debbie Rolland, Penny Durham and Keith Reed, financial planners; Tom Glass, banker; and David Oliver, certified public accountant.

“The event will help people find the right, reputable professionals and learn why they need someone in these fields to assist them,” Foster said. “We want to educate them as much as possible on choosing a financial team and learning terminology so they can make the most of their monies and not spend it all at once.”

Foster said the LSU AgCenter’s job is to educate the public the help them become aware of long-term investment options.

“We’ll help them keep a slice of the pie and make it grow,” Foster said.

Jim Roberts of KTBS-TV will emcee, and time will be allotted for questions and answers.

The SAIL program is made possible by a grant from the NASD Investor Education Foundation. Foster hopes to obtain new enrollees for SAIL through the forum.

Persons are asked to register for the SAIL shale program by calling (318) 965-2326. While the program will focus on shale royalties, anyone who wants to learn how to achieve a healthier financial future may attend, Foster said.

More information about SAIL is available from local LSU AgCenter parish offices and the AgCenter Web site, www.lsuagcenter.com.