News release about availability of financial assistance to participants in Louisiana Master Farmer Program from the U.S. Dept of Agriculture to implement conservation practices on their land.

Twenty-seven farmers, including three couples, joined an elite group of 92 that have been certified as Louisiana Master Farmers. The 27 were recently honored at a luncheon held at the Annual Meeting of the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts in January 2009.

The Louisiana Master Farmer Program awarded its first annual Outstanding Master Farmer award at the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts annual convention on January 8, 2009. A certified Master Farmer who has shown dedication to agriculture, conservation, and his profession is chosen for this award .