The heat has been just brutal lately and we're in desperate need of some rain. This month, Governor Edwards declared a state of emergency due to the extreme heat we've been experiencing and we're under a state-wide burn ban. That hasn't stopped the unprecedented number of wildfires this month. The Tiger Island Fire, the largest in Louisiana's history, continues to burn causing tremendous damage. At NRCS, our work helps support your conservation efforts which build resilience in the face of these climate challenges. Contact your local NRCS office and let’s talk about how we can help address your resource concerns and create a plan to help strengthen your operation.
Until next month...
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Last week, we celebrated the grand opening of our Urban Service Center in New Orleans. This service center is one of 17 centers opening across the country to focus on urban and small-scale producers. The Urban Service Center is staffed by FSA and NRCS employees and offers farm loans, conservation, disaster assistance and risk management programs.
“Every producer deserves USDA support in their own community, whether that community is in an urban or rural setting,” said Chad Kacir, NRCS State Conservationist in Louisiana, “We encourage people in urban communities to connect with us and learn what programs and services we have to meet their unique needs.”
“Providing urban agricultural producers with the same level of support as all farmers and ranchers is key to equitable USDA assistance,” said Ronald Guidry, Jr., FSA State Executive Director in Louisiana. “Through local-level partnerships, USDA will learn how to expand our networks, infrastructure and services to urban producers as they strengthen resilient local food systems and nutrition access for all communities.”
Thank you to all who attended and supported the grand opening! We're looking forward to serving the unique needs of our urban and small-scale customers in the New Orleans area!
Not in the New Orleans area, but still interested in conservation help for urban and small-scale operations? Contact your local NRCS office to learn more about how we may be able to assist you.
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Have you been impacted by the recent wildfires? NRCS will be at your side as you recover. See below for Service Center information in affected areas. If you've been impacted, but your service center isn't listed, please contact your local office for more information.
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Alexandria Service Center
Natural Resources Conservation Service
(318) 473-7967 Ext. 3
3730 Government St
Alexandria, LA 71302-3326
Amite Service Center
Natural Resources Conservation Service
(985) 748-8751 Ext. 101
805 W Oak St
Amite, LA 70422-2750
Bossier Service Center
Natural Resources Conservation Service
(318) 747-9567 Ext. 6296
1907 Benton Road Suite 600
Bossier City, LA 71111
Colfax Service Center
Natural Resources Conservation Service
(318) 627-3751 Ext. 3
130 2Nd St
Colfax, LA 71417
Deridder Service Center
Natural Resources Conservation Service
(337) 463-8555 Ext. 3
460 Mahlon St.
De Ridder, LA 70634
Franklinton Service Center
Natural Resources Conservation Service
(985) 839-5688 Ext. 3
1111 Washington St
Franklinton, LA 70438-1846
Lake Charles Service Center
Natural Resources Conservation Service
(337) 474-1583 Ext. 3
5417 Gerstner Memorial Dr
Lake Charles, LA 70607
Leesville Service Center
Natural Resources Conservation Service
(337) 239-2193 Ext. 3
205 N 5Th St
Leesville, LA 71446
Mansfield Service Center
Natural Resources Conservation Service
(318) 872-4814 Ext. 3
405 Polk St
Mansfield, LA 71052
Many Service Center
Natural Resources Conservation Service
(318) 256-3491 Ext. 3079
570 Highway 171 Bypass
Many, LA 71449
Minden Service Center
Natural Resources Conservation Service
(318) 377-3950 Ext. 3
216B Broadway St
Minden, LA 71055-3301
Oberlin Service Center
Natural Resources Conservation Service
(337) 639-2385 Ext. 3
309 N 1St St
Oberlin, LA 70655
We accept applications for our programs year-round. If you apply after announced program sign up dates, we will automatically consider your application during future funding cycles. Discover more about our programs here: Louisiana | Natural Resources Conservation Service (usda.gov)
LSU AgCenter's 2023 Sweet Potato Field Day: The LSU AgCenter's 2023 Sweet Potato Field Day will be held at Black Gold Farms in Delhi. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. with lunch provided. Please contact Myrl Sistrunk at 318-267-6712 or Dr. Tara Smith at 318-557-9501 with any questions. Black Gold Farms, 2305 LA-17, Delhi, LA 71232
Sept. 7, Hammond, LA Master Farmer phase 1 training: For more information, contact Donna Gentry dsgentry@agcenter.lsu.edu or 225-522-8046
Our friends at LGLCI are hosting an event with Kit Pharo. For more information: LouisianaGLCI.org or 225-721-1313
The application period is now open for a new financial assistance program under Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), for farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021. The application process will close on October 31. Borrowers will have the option to apply for assistance online via 22007apply.gov or through a paper-based form.
Details about the program, including an application and e-filing portal, are available at 22007apply.gov. The website includes an English and Spanish language application that applicants can download or submit via an e-filing portal, information on how to obtain technical assistance in-person or virtually, and additional resources and details about the program. Applicants can also call the free call center at 1-800-721-0970, or visit one of several dozen brick-and-mortar offices the program has set up around the country. Locations are provided on the program website and vendors will update the local events schedule with more information as it becomes available. It is important to note that filing an application is FREE and does not require a lawyer.
If you want to get weekly updates on the program’s events and progress, you can go to https://22007apply.gov, and subscribe to a weekly newsletter.
Enjoy some our photos that capture the beauty, diversity, and agricultural bounty of Louisiana (and us in action)!
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