Jackson Parish Issues Burn Ban
On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, starting at 8 AM, a burn ban will be in effect in Jackson Parish. The burn ban will prohibit all outdoor burning and will last until it is determined that the weather conditions are safe enough to lift the burn ban.
Violators of the burn ban may receive a $500 fine or face six months in jail. This ordinance does not apply to prescribed burns by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, by those trained and certified by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
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Brush Fire near Alexandria Area Causes One Death
The State Fire Marshal’s Office has reported a brush fire in the Alexandria area that has caused at least one death.
SFM said the brush fire was reported to authorities around 1:30 p.m. in the 6100 block of LA 488, or the Twin Bridges Road area.
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LDAF Launches New Website
After months of hard work and dedication, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) invites visitors to explore its new website. The new site URL is www.ldaf.la.gov.
The LDAF designed the new website to offer the ultimate user-friendly experience with improved navigation and functionality while allowing stakeholders to see the full scope of services the agency provides to Louisiana.
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Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Assesses Challenges of 2023 Ahead of 5th Term
The Louisiana open primary election, also known as a “jungle primary,” on Saturday [October 14], made it official - Mike Strain will serve a fifth term as Louisiana’s Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner. His reelection was already a foregone conclusion since he ran unopposed. Strain delivered an assessment, of sorts, on the challenges of 2023, while speaking before the Baton Rouge Press Club on Monday [October 16].
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Louisiana Citrus Farmers Brace for Saltwater Intrusion
Projections show the saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico continues to push up the Mississippi River in the coming weeks, threatening the drinking water of thousands of people in Louisiana.
Farmers are also scrambling for ways to save their produce.
Commissioner for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain said Plaquemines Parish is the heartbeat of Louisiana’s citrus industry.
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Terrebonne Parish Man Arrested For Livestock Theft
On October 3, 2023, agents with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission arrested 49-year-old Louis Michael Hess, of Houma, La., on a warrant for theft of livestock. The arrest resulted from an investigation conducted by Livestock Brand Inspectors and a subsequent arrest warrant from Tangipahoa Parish.
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Forestry Enforcement Agents Arrest Rapides Parish Woman For Obstruction Of Justice, A Second Time
On September 28, investigators with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Enforcement Division arrested Laura C. Mclaughlin of Pitkin, LA, for a second time for obstruction of justice.
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LDAF Requests Feedback: Help Strengthen Louisiana's Food Supply Chain
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) requests feedback about the new Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grant program.
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LDAF to Hold Unwanted Pesticide Collection Day November 2 in Monroe
Agricultural producers, pesticide applicators, and homeowners can drop off pesticides for disposal during the Unwanted Pesticide Pick-Up Day on Thursday, November 2, 2023, from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Monroe District Office in Ouachita Parish, 754 Highway 80 E. in Monroe.
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Merryville Man Arrested For Negligent Burning
Investigators with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Forestry Enforcement Division arrested 30-year-old Zachary Faulk of Merryville, La., on one count of negligent burning and one count of violating the state burn ban.
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Louisiana Agriculture Hall Of Distinction Accepting Nominations
The Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction is now accepting nominations for its annual induction ceremony, which will be held March 7 in Baton Rouge.
The nomination form can be obtained online at www.louisianaagriculturehallofdistinction.com or through any parish LSU AgCenter office. The deadline for receiving nominations is Nov. 17.
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Update: Statewide Burn Ban Modified
Following consultation among the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF), the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFM), the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security (GOHSEP), and the National Weather Service (NWS), the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has modified the burn ban order to rescind the prohibition on agricultural burning, EXCEPT for standing sugarcane, effective as of 5:00 p.m., September 27.
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Forestry Agents Arrest a Rapides Parish Woman for Setting Fires, Which Resulted in Millions of Dollars in Damage
On September 22, investigators with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Enforcement Division arrested Laura Mclaughlin of Pitkin, LA, for setting wildfires in Rapides Parish.
In the early morning hours of August 24, LDAF fire crews and the Plainview Fire Department responded to multiple wildfires set in the Union Hill area in Rapides Parish.
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LDAF & LFA Offer $15,000 Reward For Arson Information
As previously reported, investigators with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Forestry Enforcement Division have determined that many of the large wildfires burning throughout Louisiana in recent weeks are the result of arson. LDAF investigators, Louisiana State Fire Marshal deputies, and various parish sheriff’s office detectives continue to actively investigate the matter.
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Juveniles Arrested For Shoplifting And Arson In Springhill
On September 12, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Forestry Enforcement Division agents responded to an arson event in Webster Parish.
Webster Parish Fire Department advised LDAF agents that four unnamed juveniles had allegedly stolen a flare gun from the local Walmart in Springhill, LA, and proceeded to shoot flares into a field behind the Walmart, starting fires in the area.
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