According to the requirements set by the Commissioner of Agriculture (Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry), and documented by the Louisiana Master Farmer Program and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, producers or landowners may apply for certification once all three phases are complete. This process is meticulously documented and confirmed throughout each phase, ensuring compliance with the Louisiana Master Farmer Program Operations and Procedures Manual. Since 2006, approximately 381 members have successfully completed all requirements for certification or recertification, maintaining their designation for five years at a time. Despite various factors influencing the timeline for certification, the number of certified producers continues to grow, reflecting their commitment to conservation efforts and environmental stewardship.

As the program expands and moves forward, questions about the tangible and intangible benefits of certification persist. Are there any real advantages? Is the certification process prohibitively expensive or difficult? To address these concerns, a publication is now available detailing the numerous benefits of certification. It highlights how certification positively impacts the land through conservation efforts and recognizes producers as conservation leaders within their commodity, area, and community.