Southern University Ag Center to Host 7th Annual LA Small Farmer Conference

Baton Rouge, La. - Small farmers from throughout the state will gather at the Southern University Ag Center March 16-18 to attend the 7th annual Louisiana Small Farmer Conference.                      

The three-day conference, themed “Innovations and Resilience for Louisiana Small Family Farms,” is designed to educate, provide expanded awareness of educational opportunities, USDA programs and services and other resources to help small farmers stay in business.

Registration for the conference is complimentary for anyone who submits their registration form by Friday, March 3. On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. daily.

Conference speakers will include Jay Grymes, Chief Meteorologist at WAFB News Channel 9; Brandon Davis, Ag Labor Attorney at Phelps Dunbar, LLC.; Leonard Jordan, Associate Chief for Conservation at the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Brennan Washington, Minority Farmer/ Outreach Specialist at the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE).

Session during the conference will include:

·         Drone Demonstrations

·         Grant Writing

·         Soil Health

·         Farm Labor

·         Marketing

This event is the ideal venue for new and beginning farmers, small and urban farmers, agricultural business owners, community leaders, backyard gardeners and community based organizations.

Other events occurring during the conference will include the Louisiana Living Legends Banquet, which honors individuals who have made significant contributions to Southern University in the areas of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, and the graduation ceremony for the 2016 Class of the Louisiana Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Institute.

To register, visit http://www.suagcenter.com/small-farmersor contact Kelli Hollins at 225-771-2242 or via e-mail at kelli_hollins@suagcenter.com.