Equipping Producers to Take the Next Step Toward Better Grazing
Louisiana GLCI Awarded Federal Funding to Expand Producer-Led Grazing Education and Technical Assistance
[BATON ROUGE, La. — October 27, 2026] — The Louisiana Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (LGLCI) has been selected to receive one of 21 subawards as part of the National Grazing Lands Coalition's (NatGLC) Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) Grant.
According to NatGLC, "the funding, provided through the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), will support 21 organizations working directly with farmers, ranchers and grazing land stewards to provide practical education, technical assistance and locally relevant resources that strengthen grazing operations and improve the stewardship of America's grazing lands."
LGLCI's project, Equipping Louisiana Producers to Take the Next Step Toward Improved Grazing, is anticipated to impact 288,000 acres of Louisiana's grazing lands with the $398,000 awarded.
Measurable Impact
Beginning with a needs assessment of 300 Louisiana producers, this project will reach an estimated 875 grazing lands managers with in-person benefits. Combined with digital technical assistance, the project is expected to generate more than 57,000 technical assistance engagements.
"One goal of this project is to create a self-sustaining cycle of technical assistance, mentor farmers, and resources that will continue to benefit producers well beyond the grant period," said Tara Morris, LGLCI Executive & Education Director.
More than half of the project's funding is allocated to payments and resources provided directly to Louisiana producers, with additional funding supporting technical services, education, and on-farm assistance.
Practical Deliverables
LGLCI will utilize its established farmer-to-farmer approach to equip and inspire Louisiana's ranchers to take the next best step toward healthy grazing by:
Producer-to-producer learning: 16 small-group farmer consultations, six pasture walks showcasing successful Louisiana grazing operations, and 12 continuing education scholarships for producers.
Hands-on education: Five technical workshops, two intensive educational events, and two grazing demonstration stations.
Professional technical assistance: 18 on-farm consultations with grazing specialists, 25 baseline grazing land health assessments, and CEMA 216 Qualified Individual training.
Resources for implementation: 30 producer mini-grants and 1,150 on-farm measurement tools to support improved grazing management and monitoring.
Digital education: A library of technical videos, webinars, podcasts, articles, and social media content to extend educational opportunities across Louisiana.
"Because awareness of why improved grazing management matters often precedes the desire to learn how, project deliverables intentionally progress from awareness and technical knowledge to implementation," said Morris.
This connected approach allows producers to enter at their current level and take the next step toward more resilient and improved grazing operations.
This work would not be possible without the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Grant, and the work of NatGLC and USDA-NRCS.
This funding will help LGLCI further its mission: to promote ecological and economical grazing management practices to landowners and managers, livestock producers, and the public, which results in improved grazing efficiency, profitability, livestock performance, carbon sequestration, and soil quality.
The Louisiana Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (LGLCI) is a producer-led and producer-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes, inspires, and teaches conservation-focused and profitable grazing practices across Louisiana through farmer-to-farmer education and networking. LGLCI is uniquely positioned to deliver this project through nearly three decades of connecting producers with grazing technical assistance and education, a board and staff both led by producers, and proven systems for delivering high-quality grazing programs.
Media Contact:
Caitlin Cooper
Louisiana Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative
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