Managing Legal Risk on Forestlands

Mark your calendars for the "Managing Legal Risk: A Workshop for Landowners and Foresters," scheduled for March 16th in Shreveport at Holiday Inn, 5555 Financial Plaza.

Sessions include:
-Wildlife Management
-Insurance
-Leasing Contracts
-Landowner Liability
-Agritourism

This workshop is sponsored by LSU AgCenter, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, National Agricultural Law Center and the Louisiana Forestry Association.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; conference is 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Registration is $20 for one person or $30 per couple.

To register contact Rusty Rumley at rrumley@uark.edu

Latest Addition of The Louisiana Agritourism Connection Available

The latest agritourism newsletter, "The Louisiana Agritourism Connection

" is now available on line. This edition contains the following topics:

-Participate in Agritourism Survey by Jan. 27
-Food Trends That Could Impact the Way We Do Business
-Nature-based tourism, Ecotourism and Agritourism-Are They Related?
-MarketMaker Can Link Local Chefs to Local Markets
-Adding the Internet to Your Business Recipe
-Connect My Louisiana – Free Classes on Internet Use
-FREE Online Webinars from eXtension

USDA Certification May Be Necessary if You Use Animals in Your Agritourism Operation

Agritourism operators who use animals as part of their agritourism venture are be subject to the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act regulations.

If your agritourism venture charges people to see animals, pet them or feed them you need a license as an exhibitor. If you do not have a license from USDA and are engaging in this practice, you could be subject to a $10,000 fine.

To safeguard your operation, you should call Dr. Lynn Bourgeios, veterinary medical officer with USDA animal care. Dr. Bourgeois can be reached by calling his office at (985) 537-0691 or by calling his cell at (240) 461-9182. He travels the state, so please leave a message. In the event that none of these numbers work call Mike Long at (970) 494-7471 to learn how to become certified. If no answer, call the main number (970) 494-7478 and ask to speak with someone concerning USDA certification under the Animal Welfare Act.

The process requires completion of an application and an inspection. During the inspection, officials will check on husbandry issues, veterinary care program, where animals live and review how animal food is stored.

So, if you have a petting zoo, race pigs, have a goat walk, ride horses, etc. you need to contact USDA and see if you need to become certified.

Louisiana Agritourism Survey Complete by Jan. 27th

After the passage of the 2008 Limited Liability Agritourism Law in Louisiana, the LSU AgCenter began providing more information to farmers, ranchers and other agricultural landowners about diversifying their operations to include agritourism.

Click here to participate in our online survey. The LSU AgCenter wants to hear from you about your experience with our program and your future needs.

Survey closes on Jan. 27th.

If you have questions contact: Dora Ann Hatch, LSU AgCenter Agritourism Coordinator, dhatch@agcenter.lsu.edu or by call her at (318) 927-9654 x 229.

A Webinar on Apps and Maps-Get Connected to a New Audience this Year

It's a new year and time to learn new things. If you have not tried webinars, you should try this one on "Maps, Apps and Mobile Media Marketing."

The time is 1 pm central time on January 12th. To access the webinar go to:

https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/etc-cop

This webinar is the first in a series dedicated to helping small business owners use online tools to reach new audiences. Just perfect for us agritourism folks.

This webinar will help you take advange of your customer's use of smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices.

No pre-registration is required and there is no fee to participate. About 10 minutes prior to the start time simply go the Adobe Connect Pro meeting room at https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/etc-cop. You will be presented with a login screen that has an "Enter as Guest" option. Enter your full name then click "Enter Room" to join the conference. You will be able to hear the audio directly from your computer’s speakers.

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