Home > Environment & Natural Resources > Conservation > Improved Dune Plants Goal Of AgCenter Research [Image: Students dig up sea oats] Hundreds of sea oat plants bent in the breeze on a sandy beach as LSU AgCenter researchers walked among them, looking for plants with potential to help stem erosion on Louisiana’s Gulf Coast. The Louisiana Master Farmer Program [Image: 2011 Certified Master Farmers] The Louisiana Master Farmer Program helps agricultural producers voluntarily address the environmental concerns related to production agriculture, as well as enhancing their production and resource management skills that will be critical for the continued viability of Louisiana agriculture. Louisiana Conservation Tillage Handbook [Image: conservation tillage] The purpose of this publication is to provide up-to-date information on agronomic and pest management practices for southern row crops in conservation tillage systems. Many of these recommendations will help producers and private crop consultants implement conservation tillage and other soil-conserving practices to maintain efficient and economical production while minimizing negative effects on soil and water quality. (PDF format only) Faces of Louisiana Agriculutre: Charles Staples [Image: Picture] (Video) 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 in the morning to begin his day that involves milking approximately 100 head of Holstein dairy cattle. And he does plan to retire anytime soon. (Runtime: 3:50)  more articles... Faces of Louisiana Agriculture: Hank Rabb [Image: picture] (Video) Hank Rabb is a fourth-generation farmer from Tensas Parish. This St. Joseph resident grows primarily corn and cotton and is experimenting with his first wheat crop. While he grows more than 2,000 acres of corn, he is most fond of seeing white bolls of cotton glistening under a harvest moon. (Runtime: 3:24) Faces of Lousiana Agriculture: Bobby Morris [Image: picture] (Video) Bobby Morris is a West Baton Rouge Parish farmer who grows sugarcane on nearly 1,500 acres of land. Morris’ family grew grain crops when he was very young but made the switch to sugarcane after they saw a greater opportunity. He serves as a provider of seed cane for area farmers, and he sees farming as a great way to spend time with family. (Runtime: 4:02) Swine Production Best Management Practices [Image: swine bmp] Best management practices (BMPs) are a set of practices used by farmers to reduce the amount of soil, nutrients, pesticides and microbial contaminants entering surface water and groundwater while maintaining or improving the productivity of agricultural land. This list of BMPs is a guide for selection and implementation of practices that will help swine farmers conserve soil and protect water and air resources by reducing pollutants. (PDF format only) 2011 Certified Master Farmers [Image: David Bergeron] A total of 135 agricultural producers are now certified Master Farmers in the Louisiana Master Farmer Program. Eleven producers from around the state were certified at the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting in Lafayette on January 12, 2012. SPCC Factsheet [Image: SPCC Factsheet] The goal of the EPA's SPCC program is to prevent oil spills into waters of the United States and adjoining shorelines. Oil spills can cause injuries to people and damage to the environment. A key element of this program calls for farmers and other facilities to have an oil spill prevention plan, called an SPCC plan. These plans can help farmers prevent oil spills, which can damage water resources needed for farming operations. Example Tier 1 SPCC Plan for Agriculture [Image: SPCC Example Plan] Attached are copies of an Example SPCC plan and a template that can be completed for farms wishing to self-certify their own plan instead of hiring a company to assist them. Only Tier 1 farms may develop their own plan without the approval from a professional engineer. Tier 1 farms have a fuel/oil storage capacity less than 10,000 gallons, no underground tanks and no single tank greater than 5,000 gallons. List of SPCC Plan Developers in Louisiana [Image: Fuel tank] Attached is a list of professional engineering and planning firms that have experience in developing SPCC and SPC plans. Producers and companies needing plans are greatly encouraged to contact these companies and seek their guidance in implementing the practices required by SPCC/SPC. Firms that are not listed, and would like to be included in this list, are requested to contact Dr. Ron Sheffield at rsheffield@agcenter.lsu.edu. Introduction [Image: Conservation Tillage] Introduction to the Louisiana Conservation Tillage Handbook prepared by the LSU AgCenter and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). West Carroll Parish West Carroll Parish Master Farmer Participants Jefferson Davis Parish Jefferson Davis Parish Master Farmer Participants Click for more information...