— The Louisiana Master Farmer Program has won the prestigious 2025 Conservation Innovation Award from the Soil and Water Conservation Society for its work in advancing conservation practices across the state.
The Louisiana Master Farmer Program has provided voluntary certification opportunities for producers and landowners across the state for more than 24 years. To date, more than 200,000 acres of farmland have been improved through the program, aligning with state soil and water conservation goals and requirements.
Developed in response to water quality concerns, the program engages more than 4,000 participants through a combination of educational modules, demonstrations sites and the implementation of best management practices.
LSU AgCenter Southeast Region agent and Louisiana Master Farmer coordinator Donna Gentry was on hand to receive the award. She said it’s an honor for the program to receive international recognition among conservation professionals.
“Receiving the Conservation Innovation Award is a tremendous achievement for the Louisiana Master Farmer Program and the LSU AgCenter, which serves as the lead agency,” Gentry said. “This recognition highlights our long-term commitment to equipping farmers with the tools and knowledge to implement conservation practices that protect Louisiana’s soil and water resources. It also reflects the strength of our partnerships with the USDA, university faculty and industry leaders in promoting sustainable agriculture across the state.”
The Louisiana Master Farmer Program also supports conservation research and outreach, using data collected from multiple on-farm projects to improve educational content and shares results through both peer-reviewed and other press publications.
Experts from universities and government agencies contribute to regular Master Farmer outreach events while targeted youth engagement helps connect the next generation to the importance of conservation practices.
“The Master Farmer Program is bringing a positive change to agriculture in the state,” said Jim Harper, former Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation president.
Gentry thanked Louisiana Master Farmer Program partners, which include the LSU AgCenter, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the Louisiana Cattleman’s Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service.
“In addition, working with the Louisiana Office of Soil and Water Conservation is also a critical part of conservation plan education and program implementation,” she said.
Gentry also thanked AgCenter agents who work in the program, including Justin Dufour, Jeremy Hebert, James Hendrix and Randall Mallette.
