Louisiana Master Farmer Program: Conservation Stewardship with Education, Demonstration, and Implementation
The Louisiana Master Farmer Program (LMFP) is a voluntary conservation stewardship program created in 2001 and coordinated by the LSU AgCenter. Program partners include Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF), Louisiana Cattlemen's Association (LCA) and Louisiana Farm Bureau (LFB). In addition to these partners, the LMFP has local, state and federal agencies, and commodity groups that assist and support the program. All partners, numerous state agencies and supporting commodity groups participate in the program delivery. The model adapted is voluntary, identifies resources concerns and utilizes a partnership with collaborating state Agencies. It outlines, three Phases needed for completion, a certification/certainty component, continuing education requirements, recertification, BMP evaluation and a survey for conservation management evaluation. Participation and collaborations with state agencies has provided valuable input to understanding of how conservation stewardship allows them to meet their regulatory compliance authority. All resources have conservation concerns, but water is unique in that its flow can have an impact across all of Louisiana and most of the US as it moves south. LMFP has collaborated with Louisiana Sea Grant and Agencies from other states with coastal concerns.