The Louisiana Master Farmer Program

The Louisiana Master Farmer Program focuses on helping agricultural producers voluntarily address environmental concerns as well as helping them enhance the production and resource management skills they need for the continued sustainability of Louisiana agriculture. The program helps producers across a wide range of agricultural and natural resource enterprises by teaching them more about environmental stewardship, conservation-based production techniques and resource management. The program uses a comprehensive approach that includes classroom instruction, observation of LSU AgCenter research-based, best management practices and implementation of a comprehensive conservation plan. It also involves a voluntary producer certification process. To become Louisiana Master Farmer, a producer must complete three phases:

Phase 1

Producer attends classroom instruction on environmental stewardship issues related to:

• The Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972
• National and Louisiana water quality standards
• Total maximum daily loads, or TMDLs
• Effects of nonpoint source pollution on the coastal zone and the Gulf of Mexico
• Best management practices, also known as BMPs
• Role of conservation districts in conservation planning and implementation
• Resource conservation planning processes
• Farm bill conservation programs
• Spill prevention control and counter measures, or SPCC

Phase 2

Producer attends a conservation-based field day where specific best management practices are demonstrated and discussed. This also may include pasture walks, soil quality workshops and other commodity-specific demonstrations.

Phase 3

Phase 3 is the development and implementation of a farm-specific conservation plan called a Resource Management System (RMS) plan. This comprehensive conservation plan is not a contract but does address and document resource concerns for soil, water, air, plants, and animals on land that the producer owns or has authority over. Farm conservation plans should be developed in cooperation with your NRCS area conservationist and/or the Soil and Water Conservation District office covering your region. You may select from this list of local USDA Service Centers to locate your district conservationist.

Upon completion of the implementation of the plan, a producer may apply for Master Farmer certification through the NRCS area office. More information on RMS plans and the conservation planning process can be found at LA NRCS Conservation Planning.

Continuing Education – Certification is granted for five years, with six hours of continuing education credits required per year.

Contact Louisiana Master Farmer Program

REMINDER: This listing is a free service of LandCAN.
Louisiana Master Farmer Program is not employed by or affiliated with the Land Conservation Assistance Network, and the Network does not certify or guarantee their services. The reader must perform their own due diligence and use their own judgment in the selection of any professional.

Listed in:

• State Funding / Technical Resources
• Cooperative Extension
• Education Programs
• NRCS Local Offices

Contact Louisiana Master Farmer Program

4419 Idlewild Road
Clinton, Louisiana  70722
Phone: (225) 522-8046
Cell Phone: (318) 613-9278
 Email Louisiana Master Farmer Program
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