Agriculture is a multi-billion dollar industry in Louisiana. To acknowledge the exceptional contributions of its farmers, the Louisiana Radio Network, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry will honor the 2012 Louisiana Farmer of the Year.

Nominations for the award are being accepted now through Dec. 19, 2011.  Application forms can be obtained at any parish LSU AgCenter extension office or online at www.lsuagcenter.com/farmeroftheyear. Producers from all areas of agriculture are eligible to enter.

“Even in the tough times such as this year’s drought, our farmers were able to produce an abundance of food and fiber,” says Bill Richardson, LSU AgCenter Chancellor. “Louisiana farmers are a resilient group and continue to be an essential economic engine for the state.”

Three finalists will be recognized at White Oak Plantation in Baton Rouge on Feb. 23, 2012, with the winner receiving a cash award and other prizes.

This is the fifteenth year of presenting the Louisiana Farmer of the Year award.  Last year’s winner was Charles Gravois, a sugarcane farmer from Vacherie in St. James Parish.