News Release Distributed 08/26/13

HOMER, La. – A Master Farmer field day for poultry producers will be held Sept. 18 at the LSU AgCenter Hill Farm Research Station.

“The program will give producers the opportunity to continue their progress toward completion of their Master Farmer certification,” LSU AgCenter poultry specialist Theresia Lavergne.

Field day attendees will receive credit for Phase II of the Louisiana Master Farmer program, she said.

“Attendance of events such as this one is one way producers can demonstrate they are environmentally conscientious and they are making a good faith effort to comply with federal regulations,” Lavergne said.

The event will begin with registration at 9 a.m., followed by presentations on pasteurization of broiler litter, calibrating litter spreaders, using filter strips and evaluating fan dust using water-collection units.

Following lunch, the program will include an introduction to the Louisiana Master Farmer Program and presentations on watersheds and scenic waterways and coastal nonpoint pollution control along with an update on spill prevention control and countermeasures.

Anyone planning to attend should contact the Hill Farm Research Station at 318-927-2578, Jason Holmes by email or at 318-368-2999, or Lavergne by email or at 225-578-2473.

Confirmation is requested to make sure enough lunches are available.

The Hill Farm Research Station is at 11959 Louisiana Highway 9, Homer, La.