Grazing Land Workshop

Addis, LA - On Saturday, August 1, 2009, livestock producers and landowners all participated in a Grazing Land Workshop held at HJL Farm in Brusly, LA. The workshop was hosted by the Addis NRCS Field Office, and sponsored by Upper and Lower Delta Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and Capital RC&D. The purpose of the workshop was directed to improve the awareness and management of local grazing land resources and increase sustainability-both environmentally and economically.

The event kicked off with Jerry Hall, NRCS District Conservationist, who spoke about the 2008 Farm Bill and the many benefits that it provides. He informed the group that the farm bill offers landowners financial and technical assistance. Hall stated, “It is important that NRCS makes every effort to inform agricultural producers about the programs we put forward and that they utilize them to get conservation on the ground to produce a quality product whether it is food or fiber.” Dr. Christine Navarre, LSU AgCenter Veterinarian, presented Beef Cattle Herd Health; Mr. Louis Lirette, Associate County Agent, West Baton Rouge Parish, offered a presentation and demonstration on Soil Testing and Stuart Gardner, NRCS Rangeland Management Specialist, spoke about The Basics of Controlled Grazing and Applied Ranch Resource Management. Mr. Hall said, “It was very important to me that the workshops are educational and productive for the people,” said Hall.

Afterwards, attendees joined together to take part in a walking tour of the HJL Farm. The tour allowed the group to see and understand the concepts that were discussed earlier. The Grazing Land Workshop is just one of the many examples that demonstrate the cooperative partnership approach NRCS uses to encourage sound conservation practices.

Jerry Hall, NRCS District Conservationist, talks about the 2008 Farm Bill at the Grazing Land Workshop