Wednesday, February 5

SU Ag Center Signs Agreement with Morehouse Parish Small Farmers

SU Ag Center presents check of $49,500 to Morehouse Black Farmers
Baton Rouge, La – The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center has signed an agreement with the Morehouse Parish Black Farmers and Landowners Association. The two entities have agreed to launch a pilot project that will explore the possibility of small farmers in Morehouse Parish growing vegetables for commercial retail markets in local grocery stores as well as local school districts.

The SU Ag Center has formally entered into this agreement with Morehouse Parish Black Farmers and Landowners Association at a public signing today, February 5;  Mr. Antoine Downs and Dr. Gina E. Eubanks, vice chancellor for Extension as the signers. Rep. Katrina Jackson, District 16, attended the signing.

Ms. Jackson expressed her excitement about the project.  "The awesome thing about this is the commitment of the SU Ag Center to our farmers, youth and community."

Also present at the signing from SU Ag Center were Adell Brown, Exec. vice chancellor and vice chancellor for Research, and others to encourage project participants. 

The primary expected outcome of this pilot project is a realistic, factual and accurate assessment of how small farmers in Morehouse Parish can identify the opportunities in making the transition from agronomic crops to growing vegetables.

This project will benefit small farmers in the Parish as the success of this project will create several opportunities for small, limited resource, and/or minority farmers to either diversify their operations or transition from small-scale agronomic crops to alternative enterprises such as vegetables.

For further detail, contact Dr. Dawn Mellion-Patin at 225-771-3532 or dawn_mellion@suagcenter.com.

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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714

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