Louisiana Agricultural Financial Authority

Spurring economic development in Louisiana's agriculture industry

In 1983, the Louisiana legislature formed the Louisiana Agricultural Finance Authority (LAFA) to provide financial assistance to Louisiana's agriculture industry. LAFA's original mandate was to address the lack of capital and credit available for agricultural investment by offering financial assistance to Louisiana businesses at affordable interest rates.

Today, LAFA enhances Louisiana's agriculture industry by providing capital investment, spurring economic development, administering grants to agriculturally related Louisiana businesses, and managing and maintaining all department properties. 

Services

Certified Louisiana program

In addition to the services outlined above, LAFA promotes and markets agricultural businesses across the state through our Certified Louisiana program. Through our application process, this program invites companies with products sourced, grown, processed, and produced within Louisiana to use the  Certified Louisiana  logo in their product labels and marketing campaigns. The program aims to support Louisiana businesses by letting consumers know their product is authentically—Certified—Louisiana.

For more information on how your business can incorporate the Certified Louisiana logo on your product, please contact: (225) 922-2903.

LAFA's authority is granted under the Louisiana Agricultural Finance Act of 1983 (La.R.S 260, et seq.), according to the LA. Revised Statutes, Title 3, Section 262, Paragraph C (La. R.S. 262.C.).

Louisiana Agricultural Workforce Development program

The LAWDP provides businesses a monetary incentive to establish intern programs to train students for careers in the agriculture and forestry fields. Participating businesses may be reimbursed for up to 50 percent of the cost of hiring an intern. A maximum of $5,000 per internship is allowed.

Applications accepted July 1- September 1.

A qualified agricultural business includes agricultural producers or a person or legal entity who engages in agriculture or provides support activities, products, or services to an agricultural producer and such products or services that are directly related to the planting, growing, production, harvesting, or processing of Louisiana products.

Businesses may submit applications by mail. Once approved, the applicant will be required to submit an intern application to be completed by the intern or beginning farmer. Students currently enrolled at a Louisiana secondary or postsecondary institution or a young and beginning farmer or rancher employed by an agricultural business are eligible to participate in the program.

For more information on the program, call 225-922-1277.