News Release Distributed 09/05/13

DELHI. La. – An outdoor business workshop for landowners will be held here Oct. 2 at the Delhi Civic Center.

“This event will cover a wide variety of topics related to agritourism,” said Keith Collins, LSU AgCenter county agent in Richland Parish. “We have been working closely with Mississippi State University to organize a comprehensive workshop.”

LSU AgCenter agritourism coordinator Dora Ann Hatch said many landowners may not be aware of the potential to make additional income from their property. “We will offer several ideas for outdoor businesses and provide information on liability protection,” she said.

The event starts with registration at 8 a.m. and will end at 3:10 p.m.

The morning program includes a presentation by a representative of Delta Land and Farm Management relating the potential for agritourism, and Daryl Jones, of Mississippi State University, who will talk about the potential for outdoor recreational enterprises.

Attorney James R. Hatch and Dora Ann Hatch will discuss liability issues.

Soil management for waterfowl will be covered by Jason Olszak and John Hanks of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Sarah Haymaker, state conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, will talk about restrictions on U.S. Department of Agriculture’s conservation program land.

In the afternoon, NRCS state resources conservationist Scott Edwards will cover forest management on land enrolled in cost-share programs.

Walter Cotton of the USDA will provide information on wild hog control, and Paul Davidson of the Louisiana Black Bear Conservation Committee will discuss living near bear habitat.

Todd Cooper of the LSU AgCenter will talk about the MarketMaker program.

Andy Johnson of GreenTrees will give an overview of the company’s tree-planting services that can be used by corporations for carbon credits and landowners with property in the Conservation Reserve Program.

Registration is $15 per person or $20 per couple. Checks payable to the LSU AgCenter can be sent with name, address, phone number and email address by Sept. 27 to the LSU AgCenter, Richland Parish Extension Office, P.O. Box 179, Rayville, LA 71269-0179.

The Delhi Civic Center is located at 232 Denver St., Delhi, La.