Louisiana farmers, ranchers and agribusiness professionals are encouraged to attend informational meetings in Lafayette, Lake Charles, Jonesville, Hammond and Bastrop to learn how to qualify for grants and low interest loans to aid in their recovery from Hurricane Gustav.

Media is invited and welcome.

Members of the Louisiana Agriculture Finance Authority will conduct the informational meeting in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium located inside LDAF headquarters at 5825 Florida Blvd.

The venues and meeting times are as follows:

July 20: Belle Chasse, Belle Chasse Auditorium, 8398 Hwy 23, 6 p.m.

July 20: Mansura, LSU AgCenter, Avoyelles Ext. office meeting room, 8592 Hwy.1, 6:30 p.m.

July 20: Armistead, Red River Livestock, 7 p.m.

July 21: New Roads, Cottonport Community Center, Main Street, 10 a.m.

July 21: Rayville, Rayville Civic Center, 827 Louisa Street, 9 a.m.

July 21: Jackson, Louisiana Technical College, Folkes Campus, 3337 Hwy. 10, 2 p.m.

July 22: Raceland, Lafourche Agriculture Building, 115 Texas Street, 6:30 pm

July 23: Port Allen, LSU AgCenter, West Baton Rouge Extension office, 210 Turner Road, 9:30 a.m.

July 23: Oak Grove, LSU AgCenter, Thomas Jason Lingo Center, 10284 Hwy. 17, 10 a.m.

July 24: Natchitoches, Natchitoches Arts Center, 716 Second Street, 2 p.m.

The application period for the program is July 13 through Aug. 21. Completed applications must be postmarked or hand delivered and date stamped to a LDAF district office no later than 5 p.m., Aug. 21.

For more information, contact Randy Rogers or Roy Johnson at (225)922-1277 or (866)295-0081.