Louisiana Master Farmer Program Participants Honored at Ceremony

The Louisiana Master Farmer Program is celebrating a quarter century of educating agricultural producers and others involved in the industry about conservation strategies that benefit both the environment and farming operations.

The latest graduates of the program — along with those who have completed recertification and the 2025 Outstanding Master Farmer — were honored at a Jan. 8 ceremony held during the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts annual meeting in Alexandria.

“This year marks the program’s 25th anniversary, a testament to its enduring success and impact,” said Donna Gentry, coordinator of the program. “With their certification, these producers join the ranks of 381 others who have achieved certification or recertification since 2006, continuing a legacy of responsible stewardship and agricultural excellence.”

The program, which is led by the LSU AgCenter, was created in 2001 to help farmers protect natural resources while maintaining productivity. To earn the title of Master Farmer, participants must attend educational sessions and write conservation plans for their farms that incorporate research-based management practices. After graduation, Master Farmers are required to log continuing education hours, and they go through a certification process every five years. ■ Olivia McClure

William “Bart” Dobson, center, a cattle, hay and row crop producer from Bossier Parish, was recognized as the 2025 Outstanding Master Farmer during a Jan. 8 ceremony in Alexandria. He’s pictured with, from left, Robert Crotty, of Louisiana Land Bank; Richard Fontenot, president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau; Mike Salassi, director of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station; Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry; and Sarah Trichel, acting state conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Photo by Olivia McClure

LSU AgCenter Researchers Report Progress in Roseau Cane Restoration

LSU AgCenter scientists are seeing promising results in their ongoing efforts to restore roseau cane stands in coastal Louisiana, a critical step in protecting the state’s fragile wetlands.

The research team, led by AgCenter entomologist Rodrigo Diaz, recently visited Pass-a-Loutre Wildlife Management Area at the mouth of the Mississippi River to monitor restoration trials planted since 2022. This region, characterized by expansive mudflats, presents unique challenges for establishing roseau cane, a plant vital for stabilizing riverbanks and reducing erosion.

During the December visit, researchers observed strong establishment in most plots and noted that trials planted in spring 2025 are thriving. To measure growth, the team deployed a drone equipped with a lidar sensor to estimate plant height and biomass — key indicators of restoration success.

■ Tobie Blanchard

Rodrigo Diaz, LSU AgCenter entomologist, stands in front of a thriving plot of roseau cane. He and a team have been planting rosea cane near Pass-a-Loutre since 2022. Photo by Cecelia Dolaz

LSU AgCenter Applauds $1 Million in Federal Funding for Mississippi River Invasive Species Consortium

The LSU AgCenter is proud to announce $1 million in federal funding that will supercharge ongoing initiatives aimed at stamping out invasive species that threaten agriculture and natural resources in Louisiana and across the Mississippi River valley.

The funding will enable the creation of the Mississippi River Invasive Species Consortium — a regional hub for research and outreach on detecting, identifying and managing invasive and non-native pest species. The consortium, which will be coordinated by the LSU AgCenter, will promote collaborative projects that unite scientists from land-grant institutions throughout the Mississippi River valley in the fight against species that pose economic, environmental and social challenges.

U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, of Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District, was instrumental in obtaining the funding. She is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. ■ Olivia McClure