News Release Distributed 12/11/14

BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana farmers who want to become Master Farmers can begin the process by attending Phase I training on Jan. 12 at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center in West Monroe.

Participants will be able to complete the first of three phases of the program at this event, which is presented in conjunction with and sponsored in association with Ag Expo. The registration fee of $30 includes admission to the 2015 Ag Expo.

The program will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. Presentations by program partners will cover the latest information on water quality standards and issues, best management practices for specific commodities, programs offered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and other topics relevant to agricultural production and the environment.

Producers will be able to use this information to develop conservation practices for their specific operations.

Those already certified as Master Farmers will receive three hours of continuing education credits for attending.

“The Master Farmer program allows producers to implement best management practices for all phases of animal and crop production and become well-educated on environmental issues,” said Rogers Leonard, LSU AgCenter associate vice chancellor, adding that the program stresses adoption of voluntary conservation practices.

This workshop will complete the first phase classroom instruction. Phase II, which is attendance at an approved field day or tour of a farm operation to actually see conservation practices in place, is offered several times during the year. Phase II events for 2015 are in the planning process and will begin in late January at various locations throughout the state.

Leonard said farmers will also be able to start on Phase III of the program as part of the workshop. This phase involves planning and implementing a farm’s conservation plan.

Leonard said Master Farmer University resulted from requests by several commodity groups for a concentrated training opportunity.

“Louisiana agriculture has two options for the future: additional regulations limiting crop production or voluntary action,” Leonard said. “We urge farmers to take the opportunities of the Master Farmer University to move forward.”

Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, said he encourages every producer in Louisiana, regardless of size or commodity, to consider attending Master Farmer University.

“You are the best stewards of Louisiana’s soil and water resources, and this is your program,” Strain said.

Online registration is available online. The cost includes lunch and admission to the 2015 Ag Expo. Participants are encouraged to register early to accommodate meal arrangements.

More information is available from Master Farmer Program staff members Ernest Girouard at 337-788-7547 or 337-852-3986, Donna Morgan at 318-473-6521 or 318-613-9278, Allen Hogan at 337-788-7547 or James Hendrix at 318-766-3320 or 318-235-7198.