The Louisiana Agricultural Workforce Development Program (LAWDP) has opened its application period for the 2024-2025 program year. Qualified agricultural and forestry businesses are invited to apply for participation in this initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of agriculture professionals.
The LAWDP offers businesses a significant monetary incentive to establish internship programs, reimbursing up to 50 percent of the cost of hiring an intern, with a maximum reimbursement of $5,000 per internship. This initiative aims to address the challenge of finding qualified individuals in the agriculture and forestry sectors while providing valuable hands-on training opportunities for aspiring professionals.
“This program benefits our agriculture and forestry businesses that are struggling to find qualified individuals while simultaneously providing quality, hands-on training opportunities to people pursuing careers within the agriculture and forestry sectors,” said LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, DVM. “These interns are the future of Louisiana agriculture and forestry. When we invest in them, we invest in Louisiana.”
Eligible businesses include agricultural producers or entities that provide support activities, products, or services directly related to the planting, growing, production, harvesting, or processing of Louisiana products. Internships must offer at least 130 hours of work experience, not exceeding one year in duration, and interns must be compensated at least the minimum wage rate as per the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
The application period is open online from July 1 through August 31. Once a business is approved, they will need to submit an intern application, to be completed by the intern or beginning farmer. Eligible interns include students currently enrolled at a Louisiana secondary or postsecondary institution or young and beginning farmers or ranchers employed by an agricultural business.
For more information about the program, interested parties can call 225-952-8084. To access the program application, guidelines, and additional details on how to apply, please visit https://www.ldaf.la.gov/business/grants-funding/louisiana-agricultural-workforce-development-program.