Gov. John Bel Edwards has asked the federal government to issue a disaster declaration for a number of parishes whose farmers were hit hard by extreme weather during the past growing season.
The request, which had been urged by U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, whose district includes many of the hard-hit parishes in the state's northeast, underscores a tumultuous year for the state's farmers.
Read MoreLouisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., has proclaimed November 15 as Louisiana Sweet Potato Day in recognition of the 70th anniversary of the Louisiana Sweet Potato Advertising and Development Commission.
Read MoreOn November 10, 2022, a Concordia Parish man was arrested by Brand Inspectors with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Brand Commission. The arrest resulted from an arrest warrant from Concordia Parish regarding an investigation conducted by the Livestock Brand Commission.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction is still accepting nominations through Nov. 18 for its induction ceremony, which will be held March 2, 2023, in Baton Rouge.
Read MoreOn October 11, agents with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Office of Forestry arrested 39-year-old Tabitha Verdine for setting several fires on Jim Drake Rd. in Starks, La.
LDAF Forestry Enforcement Investigators found that Verdine set fire to the roadside, which spread into the woods and resulted in a seven-acre wildfire causing damages to private property. It was eventually contained by the LDAF Fire Eradication Units and the Ward 5 Starks Fire Department.
Read MoreA Bienville Parish resident was arrested on October 6 by agents with the Louisiana Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Division and the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Department. The arrest resulted from an arrest warrant from Bienville Parish regarding an investigation conducted by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) announced an upcoming opportunity to participate in the Apprenticeship Project for Growing New Beekeepers in Louisiana. The LDAF will work in partnership with high school agriculture teachers to offer beekeeping apprenticeship projects to high school agriculture students.
Read MoreA Mississippi man was arrested on September 21 by agents with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture in Copiah County, Mississippi. The arrest was a result of a warrant from LaSalle Parish, LA, regarding an investigation conducted by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission.
Read MoreThe week of August 21st brought many of you excessive rain. For others, you have been suffering a year of severe drought. Some have faced both. We are asking USDA for help.
We want you to know that your Farm Bureau is aware of these situations and has been working to secure a disaster declaration from USDA for these events.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Equine Promotion and Research Advisory Board announced the availability of funding opportunities to support the growth and development of the equine industry in Louisiana by enhancing research, education, promotion, facilities, tourism, events, and equine-related activities throughout the state.
The Board is offering one-time grants based on available funds. Applicants should apply early, as grants are available on a first-come basis. The Board will consider applications at their meetings.
Read MoreOn August 22, 2022, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Enforcement Agents arrested 28-year-old Bradley Thomas for two counts of theft of fuel and one count of simple criminal damage to property over $1000. Davis was booked into the Vernon Parish Sheriff Detention center. The bond was set at $4,000, which he posted on August 23, 2022.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today awarded over $394,000 in Fiscal Year 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funding to Louisiana. This USDA grant will help the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) fund projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the state and support specialty crop growers through marketing, education, and research.
Read MoreThe 2022 hurricane season has begun, and while we haven’t seen our first big storm, it is only a matter of time. As you make preparations for the storms to come and prepare your landscapes for the fall and winter months, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) reminds residents to only hire licensed professional arborists, landscape horticulturists, and landscape irrigation contractors when having work done on their property.
Read MoreDeepening the Mississippi River’s navigation channel from 45 to 50 feet from the mouth of the river to Baton Rouge will boost the region’s economy, says Mike Strain, Louisiana’s agriculture and forestry commissioner.
Read MoreJames Travis Johnson, formerly of Pitkin, LA, but relocated to Leesville, LA, was booked into the Vernon Parish Detention Center on timber theft and other timber-related charges on August 9, 2022. He posted the bond of $15,000 on August 11, 2022. Later that day, he was arrested in Rapides Parish on additional timber theft charges.
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