U.S. Forest Service Awards $6,000,000 for Baton Roots’ Agroforestry Apprenticeship
The Walls Project, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to tearing down societal barriers that hinder people from living safe, healthy, and prosperous lives, is thrilled to announce the receipt of a transformative $6 million grant from the U.S. Forest Service (USDA) which will enable the organization to launch an agroforestry apprenticeship program. This historic investment in Baton Rouge is made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act through the Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry program.
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Cattle Farming Losses Likely from Excessive Heat, Drought in Louisiana
Extreme heat and drought this summer have led to losses in several of Louisiana’s agricultural sectors. The LSU Agcenter says the worst losses are expected in the beef cattle sector forced downsizing of cattle herds and other factors could lead to estimated losses of $135 million to $290 million.
The entire agricultural industry is experiencing impacts from excessive heat and drought, but beef cattle, are getting hit on several fronts.
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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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USDA Launches Program To Support Agricultural Employers And Farmworkers
Agricultural employers can begin to apply for a pilot program designed to improve the resiliency of the food and agricultural supply chain by addressing workforce challenges farmers and ranchers face. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in coordination with other federal agencies, is announcing up to $65 million in grants available for the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP Program).
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Final Rice Farmer Assistance Program Payment Imminent
Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency announced that final payments for rice farmers through the Rice Production Program (RPP) payment will soon be made.
The RPP is $250 million in assistance specifically for U.S. rice farmers who in 2022 experienced stagnant rice market prices and record high input costs. The funding was provided for in the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act at the request of USA Rice.
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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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Effective Soil Sampling & Testing Drive Precise Fertilizer & Lime Recommendations
Soil sampling for liming and fertilizer recommendations is a very common practice after summer crop harvest in the Fall. The following things need to be considered before soil sampling, testing, and fertilizer recommendations.
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LSU AgCenter Conducts Soybean Variety Trials & On-Farm Demonstration Plots
Selecting the most adapted and high yielding varieties is one of the most important decisions a soybean producer makes every year. The LSU AgCenter conducts an Official Variety Trial (OVT) and Core-block demonstration plots to provide unbiased data to assist in variety selection. The OVT and core-block demonstrations are planted throughout the state to collect performance data in different environments.
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Southern University College of Ag Changes Name to Reflect New Program Offerings
The Southern University College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences has been renamed as the College of Agricultural, Human and Environmental Sciences. The name change was approved by the Southern University Board of Supervisors on August 18, 2023 during the board’s regularly scheduled meeting.
The name change comes after more than three years of evaluations, academic program assessments, rebranding, revamping curriculums, and acquiring the Environmental Toxicology Ph.D. program from the College of Sciences and Engineering.
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USDA’s New Crop Insurance for Tropical Storms Benefits Producers Impacted by Idalia
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recent expansion of its hurricane crop insurance policy to cover tropical storms this year has already provided farmers with $85.4 million to help them recover from Hurricane Idalia. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) rolled out the new Tropical Storm Option for its Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) Endorsement earlier this year after working directly with farmers to improve coverage.
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Creation of a New Center Through the LSU AgCenter Will Aid in Mitigating Damage of Invasive Species
Louisiana is home to some of the most destructive invasive species found in the United States. The LSU AgCenter has long worked to monitor and manage these non-native insects, weeds and wildlife.
To better understand and control invasive species, the LSU AgCenter is developing a Center of Research Excellence for the Study of Invasive Species.
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Sudden Surge of Mole and Field Crickets in Louisiana Due to Dry Conditions
Have you seen more crickets than usual? A sudden surge of cricket infestations has hit Louisiana. LSU Ag Center Entomologist Aaron Ashbrook says crickets are on the hunt for food after recent rain.
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The Walls Project Launches an Apprenticeship Program with a $6M Grant
Baton Rouge nonprofit the Walls Project Thursday announced it has received a $6 million grant from the U.S. Forest Services that it will use to launch an agroforestry apprenticeship program.
The grant is part of a 1.5 billion U.S. Department of Agriculture allotment from the federal Inflation Reduction Act to promote urban and community forestry.
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A Look at the $1.1 Billion Solar Facility Breaking Ground in Iberia Parish
A $1.1 billion solar panel manufacturing facility broke ground today in Iberia Parish.
The facility, First Solar’s fifth fully vertically integrated factory of its kind in the United States, is believed to be the largest capital investment in the area’s history, according to an announcement Thursday.
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Have A Sweet Time At New Iberia's Sugar Cane Festival
If you’re in the mood for a sweet time, then the 80th annual Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival is the place to be this weekend.
Avery Hebert, who was named the 79th Louisiana Queen Sugar, is from Erath, Louisiana, but says she is deeply rooted in the tradition.
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