Wednesday, March 4

SU Ag Center to Host 5th Annual La. Small Farmer Conference



Baton Rouge, LA- Small farmers from throughout the state will gather at the Southern University Agricultural Research & Extension Center March 19-21 to attend the 5th annual Louisiana Small Farmers Conference.

The three-day conference, themed “Showcasing Louisiana’s Small Family Farms,” is designed to educate, provide expanded awareness of educational opportunities, USDA programs and services and other resources to help small farmers stay in business.

This event will also assist individuals interested in starting an agricultural business while sharing resources for others who are interested in urban farming.

The conference will include an address by Dr. Mike Strain, Commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry; a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Ag Center’s Sustainable Urban Ag Demonstration Farm; a presentation on the 2014 Farm Bill and the opportunities it provides to small farmers; the Louisiana Living Legends Banquet, which honors individuals who have made significant contributions to Southern University in the area of  Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, and will end with the graduation ceremony of the Louisiana Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Institute.

Conference sessions will cover the topics of:
  • Business planning for small farms
  • Farm profitability
  • Financing your small farm dreams
  • Branding information for a small farm

Attendees will also have an opportunity to network with other small farmers from around the state.

The conference will begin at 8 a.m. daily. Onsite registration is required at a cost of $25. To register, contact Dr. Dawn Mellion-Patin at 225-771-2242 or via e-mail at dawn_mellion@suagcenter.com.



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Contact:

LaKeeshia D. Giddens
225-771-2160
lakeeshia_giddens@suagcenter.com

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