Ten young people from around the state have been selected for the LSU AgCenter’s 2011-2012 Louisiana Young Ag Producers Program, according to program coordinator Bradley Leger.

The one-year, intensive classroom, hands-on, 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 to encourage them to enter careers in agriculture, Leger said.

Candidates must demonstrate a sincere interest in entering an agricultural career, agree to attend summer institutes in 2011 and 2012 and complete 50 internship hours with a qualified mentor during the 2011-2012 school year.

"We are very pleased with this excellent class representing diverse agricultural interests from different regions of the state," said Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter vice chancellor. "These students represent Louisiana's future ranchers and farmers who will help keep Louisiana's rural economy strong as well as help provide the ever-expanding food demands resulting from a growing world population."

Program members are: Blair Bennett, of Union Parish; Chad Blanchard and Blaine Bush, of Iberville Parish; Samuel Laroux, of Sabine Parish; Justin Matherne, of Lafourche Parish; Sarah McKinney, of Tangipahoa Parish; Benjamin Miguez, Matthew Pierce and Marcus Pousson, of Jefferson Davis Parish, and Joshua Wicke, of Cameron Parish.

The group has a wide range of production interests, including beef, rice, crawfish, swine, goats, horses and vegetable crops.

“It was very satisfying to receive applications from such high-quality students from throughout the state,” Leger said. “We are confident that all of these young agriculturists will have a great impact on the future of our state’s agricultural industry.”

The 2011 Summer Institute will be held July 18-22 on the LSU Baton Rouge campus. Along with the LSU AgCenter, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry serve as major sponsors.

Johnny Morgan