Helping People Help the Land

11.01.2011 Organic Agriculture

Training and Listening Sessions
A series of organic agriculture training and listening sessions will be hosted across Louisiana to provide agricultural producers an overview of National Organic Program standards and information on organic production in Louisiana, the organic certification process, organic marketing techniques, and current topics being discussed by the National Organic Board.

Schedule of Training and Listening Sessions:

November 29, 2011	November 30, 2011	December 1, 2011
Alexandria	Ruston	Baton Rouge
Louisiana State University at Alexandria Dean Lee Research Center 8208 Tom Bowman Drive Alexandria, Louisiana 71302	Louisiana Tech University Lomax Hall 201 Lomax Drive Ruston, Louisiana 71272	Southern University and Ag Center Ashford O. Williams Hall B.A. Little Drive Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70813

There is no cost and no registration for these sessions.

For more information regarding these training and listening sessions, contact Chris Coreil, (318) 473-7805 or chris.coreil@la.usda.gov.

For more information on the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service or Soil and Water Conservation Districts, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office or Soil and Water Conservation District.

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

Training sessions feature:

Organic Certification: History, Roles, and Process
Organic Production: Principles, Standards, and Practices
Organic Production: Utilizing Cover Crops and High Tunnels
Organic Marketing and National Organic Board Update
Organic Production: NRCS Programs

Each training session will be followed by a listening session to give attendees an opportunity to discuss
organic agriculture issues.

Click here for an agenda.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

To request special accommodations, contact Chris Coreil at (318) 473-7805 or chris.coreil@la.usda.gov at least ten days prior to the date of the workshop you plan to attend.

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