The recruitment process for the LSU AgCenter’s Louisiana Young Ag Producers Program’s 2011-2012 group has begun, according to Bradley Leger, the program’s coordinator.

The mentor-based experience introduces high school junior and senior students to the options available to them in the areas of food and fiber production and encourages them to become involved in production agriculture.

“This program provides knowledge and resources which will ultimately lead them to entering their choice of an agricultural production enterprise,” Leger said. “Candidates must demonstrate a sincere interest in entering the profession, agree to attend the summer institutes held in 2011 and 2012, and complete a project along with participating in 50 internship hours with a qualified mentor.”

Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter vice chancellor, sees the program as a good way to get young people interested in agricultural jobs.

“With the total number of farmers declining and their average age going up, it is important that we do all we can to encourage students to seriously consider careers in production agriculture,” Coreil said.

He also pointed out the importance of agriculture and forestry to rural economic development and increased food and fiber demands required to sustain a growing world population.

“The demand for food is expected to increase by 50 percent by 2050, so career interest in agriculture and forestry is essential to our future,” Coreil said.

The 2011 Summer Institute will be held July 18-22 on the LSU-Baton Rouge campus. In addition to the AgCenter, major sponsors of the program include the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

This program is entering its second year of existence, with the 14 members of the 2010-2011 group presently engaged in internships with their mentors. The participants have a wide range of production interests that include beef, rice, forestry, sugar cane, cotton, horses and specialty crops.

“We had a great pool of highly-qualified candidates from which to choose,” Leger said. “And we are confident that these young agriculturists will have a great impact on the future of our state’s agricultural industry. We look forward to selecting the members of the incoming class.”

Information on the application process can be obtained at www.lsuagcenter.com/layapp. The application deadline is February 1, 2011.

Johnny Morgan