News Release Distributed 02/05/15
LAFAYETTE, La. – The LSU and Southern University AgCenters are joining with the Louisiana Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program to host free, one-day beginning farmer and one-day advanced farmer training sessions for ag professionals interested in sustainable vegetable production on March 3 and 4 at the Ira Nelson Horticulture Center.
The sessions will be led by Alex Hitt, who is a co-owner of Perigrine Farms with his wife, Betsy, and has more than 34 years farming experience as well teaching and mentoring the next generation of small-scale farmers.
Hitt has developed extensive educational materials for vegetable farmers in “Organic Vegetable Production and Marketing in the South,” a CD-based resource available through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group.
Beginning farmer training on March 3 will include topics ranging from soil management to record keeping. Advanced farmer training on March 4 will provide more in-depth information on three or four specific topics, such as crop planning and labor, organizers said.
Representatives of the Natural Resources Conservation Service will be on hand to discuss technical and financial assistance programs offered to Louisiana farmers.
“The beginning farmer workshop is intended to provide beginning farmers with a holistic approach highlighting all of the different pieces that are necessary for a farm to be successful in the long run,” said Ann Savage, Louisiana SARE program assistant. “The advanced farmer training will expand on just a few of these pieces with focus on how to maintain a successful farm.”
The Louisiana Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program partners the LSU and Southern University AgCenters to co-host workshops that promote sustainable production practices for Louisiana producers, county agents, government agencies and nongovernmental organizations.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Southern SARE program has provided funds to support two workshops in Louisiana.
More information about the program in Louisiana is available online or from Savage by email or phone at 225-578-1037.
Rick Bogren