Central Louisiana News

BATON ROUGE – On Friday, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) met with farmers and others in Louisiana’s agricultural industry alongside U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), the highest-ranking Republican member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. They participated in discussions and tours regarding Louisiana’s agricultural needs in anticipation of a future Farm Bill.

“Senator Boozman and I met great Louisiana farmers who are feeding the world,” said Dr. Cassidy. “As they feed us, we can help them with crop insurance, ag research, hiring workers, cutting red tape, and protection from Joe Biden‘s radical climate agenda. I appreciate Senator Boozman listening to them before finishing the next Farm Bill.”

“I appreciate Senator Cassidy’s efforts to put together this excellent visit with the agriculture community of Arkansas’s southern neighbor. I truly believe that the best ideas come from the ground up, so hearing firsthand from Louisiana’s stakeholders will help us write a farm bill that better reflects their needs,” said Senator Boozman. “I’ve held these roundtables in over 20 different states during this listening tour and, while each state has unique agriculture profiles, farmers continue to share similar concerns – they want us to put more farm in the farm bill. I am committed to working with my colleagues to make that happen.”

First, Cassidy and Boozman visited the Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter Sugar Research Station in St. Gabriel. Located on 600 acres of land, the station develops new sugarcane varieties and integrated pest management systems for sugarcane. The station helps Louisiana’s sugarcane industry remain profitable which according to the American Sugarcane League produced more than two million tons of raw sugar in 2022 making Louisiana the number one cane sugar-producing state in America.

Cassidy and Boozman were greeted at the Sugar Research Station by Mr. Matt Lee, Ph.D., Vice President for Agriculture and Dean of the College of Agriculture for LSU.

“Thank you, Senator Cassidy and Senator Boozman, for your support of the LSU AgCenter Sugar Research Station,” said Mr. Lee. “Sugarcane is a vital crop for Louisiana playing an essential role in bolstering our state’s economy... These scientific advancements for the sugarcane industry yield an economic impact of nearly $1 billion annually for Louisiana growers.”

Afterwards, the senators went to the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation’s Baton Rouge headquarters to meet with officials from various agricultural associations including: American Sugarcane League; Louisiana Cotton and Grain Association; Louisiana Rice Growers; Louisiana Forestry Association; Louisiana Loggers Association; Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation; Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain D.V.M.; officials from LSU and Southern University; chairs of both Women’s Leadership Committee & Young Farmers/Ranchers Committee.

Welcoming Senators was Richard Fontenot President LA Farm Bureau Federation:

“Senators Bill Cassidy & John Boozman have uphill battle making Senate version look like House Ag Committee supported by LA Farm Bureau… It makes me proud they chose arm themselves knowledge from LA Farm Bureau volunteer leaders engaged informed fresh out annual meeting discussing policy priorities... Now it’s up Senators take knowledge back Washington D.C get passed good LA champions Southern confident lead charge.”

Finally visiting Liuzza Family Farms Tangipahoa Parish among other sites surveilled vegetable farm wedding venue surrounded by land converted farmland learning challenges hiring workers led tour Joey Liuzza owner:

“Senators came learn keep farms going need see H2A visa program strengthened staff farms appreciate listening request.”