In Louisiana, agriculture is big business. The industry contributes billions of dollars to the economy, employs thousands of people and provides many opportunities for ancillary businesses that service the industry and market food and fiber products. Of the 28 million acres of land in the state, more than 8 million are in farmland and nearly 14 million, in forests. Eighty-five percent of Louisiana’s 30,000 farms are family-owned.
Meet some of Louisiana’s farmers and ranchers in these short videos. Learn about their dedication to the land and the environment. Learn more about the thriving business of Louisiana agriculture. If you have questions, feel free to contact any of Louisiana’s 64 parish extension offices.
Bobby Morris, West Baton Rouge Parish
Bobby Morris is a fourth-generation farmer who grows sugarcane on nearly 1,500 acres. Morris's family grew grain crops when he was young but made the switch to sugarcane after they saw a better opportunity. He serves as a provide of seedcane for area farmers, and he sees farming as a great way to spend time with his family.
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Hank Rabb, Tensas Parish
Hank Rabb is a fourth-generation farmer who grows primarily corn and cotton and is experimenting with his first wheat crop. This St. Joseph resident grew more than 2,000 acres of corn in 2011, but he is most fond of seeing white bolls of cotton glistening under harvest moon.
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Charles Staples, Ouachita Parish
Charles Staples has been milking dairy cows nearly every day of the week for the past 54 years. He rises every day at 1:30 a.m. to begin his day that involves milking approximately 100 head of Holstein dairy cows. And he has no plans to retire any time soon.
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Christian Richard, Vermilion Parish
Christian Richard, who farms 2,000 acres of rice, soybeans and crawfish in Kaplan, was named the 2010 Outstanding Louisiana Master Farmer. Bruce Schultz, communications specialist, joins him in his tractor cab as he’s planting rice to talk to him about farming and the latest technology he uses.
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Charles Gravois Sr., St. James Parish
For three generations, the Gravois family has worked the fields near Vacherie in St. James Parish producing sugarcane, cattle and soybeans. When it comes to cane, Gravois has just about seen it all. From the mule-powered cane carts to the modern cane combine, he has watched the Louisiana sugarcane industry become increasingly mechanized. Gravois was the 2011 Louisiana Farmer of the Year.
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Dennis Kieffer, Winn Parish
Dennis Kieffer is a cattle and hay producer and farm manager in Wheeling in Winn Parish. His company, Circle K Cattle, oversees both registered and commercial herds. He works intensely on ways to improve livestock production. He knows genetics play an important part in success, and he has adopted the latest technology. Kieffer was a finalist for 2011 Louisiana Farmer of the Year.
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