Participants in the LSU AgCenter’s Louisiana Young Agricultural Producers Program gathered recently for their summer institute on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. Members of the 2012-2013 class in the program are, front row, left to right, Thomas Forbes Jr. (Lakeland), Cody Effler (Ponchatoula) and Emily Schenk (Walker); middle row, left to right, Lucas Glaser (Torbert), Melissa Pierce (Kinder), Brandon Parrie (Noble), Zack Billings (Bogalusa) and Cole Frey (Morganza); and back row, left to right, George LaCour III (New Roads), Mason Matirne (St. James), Seth Guillory (Kaplan), Andre’ Lanie (Youngsville) and Jamal Livingston (Lafayette).

News Release Distributed 08/03/12

BATON ROUGE – A new group of the state’s youth began the LSU AgCenter’s Louisiana Young Ag Producers Program last week (July 23-27) while another class completed its year-long journey.

Known as LaYAPP, the program is a one-year, intensive classroom and hands-on, mentor-based experience that introduces high school juniors and seniors to the options available to them in the areas of food and fiber production. It is designed to encourage participants to consider the possibilities of careers in agricultural industries.

“This program is for people with a genuine interest in becoming agricultural producers,” said LaYAPP coordinator Bobby Soileau. “We are giving them the opportunity to learn more about production agriculture through hands-on experience.”

Participants in the program attend two summer institutes on the LSU campus and complete 50 internship hours with a qualified mentor during the school term in which they are enrolled in LaYAPP.

The 2012-2013 group of 13 participants began the program during this year’s summer program July 23-27 on the LSU campus in Baton Ro

Members of the 2011-2012 class in the LSU AgCenter’s Louisiana Young Agricultural Producers Program were front row, left to right, Marcus Pousson (Welsh), Joshua Wicke (Lake Charles), Sarah McKinney (Ponchatoula) and Justin Matherne (Thibodaux); and back row, left to right, Ben Miguez (Lacassine), Matthew Pierce (Kinder), Sam Laroux (Zwolle) and Blair Bennett (Spearsville).

Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter vice chancellor and director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, said he sees the program as an opportunity to get young people interested in careers in agriculture and related fields.

“The face of agriculture is changing,” Coreil said. “The number of producers is decreasing, and their average age is increasing, so it is important that we present students with information about careers in production agriculture.”

Coreil also pointed out the importance of agriculture and forestry to rural economic development and the increasing food and fiber demands of a growing world population.

“The demand for food is expected to steadily increase over the next 40 years, which means encouraging career interest in agriculture and forestry is essential to our future,” he said.

In addition to the LSU AgCenter, major sponsors of the program include the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

Members of the 2012-2013 LaYAPP class are:

Zack Billings, Bogalusa

Cody Effler, Ponchatoula

Thomas Forbes, Jr., Morganza

Cole Frey, Morganza

Lucas Glaser, Torbert

Seth Guillory, Kaplan

George LaCour III, New Roads

Andre’ Lanie, Youngsville

Jamal Livingston, Lafayette

Mason Matirne, St. James

Brandon Parrie, Noble

Melissa Pierce, Kinder

Emily Schenk, Walker

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Contact: Bobby Soileau
Editor: Tom Merrill