Helping People Help the Land

10.18.2011

Collecting Acorns to re-establish Natural Coastal Forests
Little Leaf Louisiana, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to reforesting Louisiana, is working in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the
St. Bernard Wetlands Foundation, and Southeastern Louisiana University to lead an acorn drive to help re-establish natural coastal forests that were lost or damaged by hurricanes.

Schools, clubs, and organizations across the state are being asked to collect acorns to plant in St. John the Baptist and Plaquemines Parishes. Live oak acorns are preferred, however, acorns of any Louisiana native oak will be greatly appreciated. If an abundance of acorns are collected, additional coastal areas may also be planted.

Soil and Water Conservation Districts across Louisiana are recruiting groups of acorn collectors (schools, clubs, etc.) in support of this year's acorn drive. If you are part of an organization that would be interested in collecting acorns to reforest coastal Louisiana, contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District for more information.

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

The deadline for bringing in acorns for this year's drive is January 10, 2012.

When a collection has been made, contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District to arrange a pick-up or contact one of the following:

Peggy McClain
(225) 802-0608
peggy@littleleafla.org

Joey Breaux
(225) 922-1269
joey_b@ldaf.state.la.us

Michael Schooler
(318) 387-8683, ext. 19
michael.schooler@la.nacdnet.net

Commitment to Equality
USDA believes every farmer and rancher should be treated equally and fairly, and we are committed to resolving all cases involving allegations of past discrimination by individuals.

Referral Guide for USDA Settlements and Claims Adjudication Process

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Women and Hispanic Farmers and Ranchers Claims Adjudication Process
If you believe that USDA improperly denied farm loan benefits to you for certain time periods between 1981 and 2000 because you are a female or because you are Hispanic, you may be eligible to apply for compensation. To request a claims package by telephone, call 1-888-508-4429. To request a claims package online, please visit www.farmerclaims.gov

Native American Farmer and Rancher Class Action Settlement (Keepseagle v. Vilsack)
If you are a Native American who was denied a farm loan or loan servicing by the USDA between January 1, 1981, and November 24, 1999, you may be eligible for benefits from a Class Action Settlement. To request a claims package by telephone, call: 1-888-233-5506. To request a claims package online, or for more information, please visit: www.indianfarmclass.com

African American Farmer and Rancher Class Action Settlement (Pigford II)
If you are an African American farmer (a) who submitted a request to file a late claim on or between October 13, 1999, and June 18, 2008, under the 1999 USDA settlement in the earlier class action known as Pigford v. Glickman ("Pigford") and (b) who did not receive a merits determination on your discrimination claim, you may be eligible for benefits from a Class Action Settlement. To hear information by telephone, call 1-866-950-5547 or 1-866-472-7826. To find information online, please visit: www.blackfarmercase.com

USDA NRCS Access Opportunity Equity Partnerships

To find out more about this conservation opportunity and more, contact your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Office Locator