Iberville students selected to state agriculture program

Iberville Math, Science and Arts Academy-West students Chad Blanchard and Blain Bush are among 10 high school juniors and seniors from around the state selected for the LSU AgCenter's 2011-12 Louisiana Young Ag Producers Program.

MSA-West Agriscience teacher Camille Brady said the program is an intensive classroom and hands-on program that includes mentoring for students to encourage them to consider careers in agriculture.

“Whether their journeys will take them to the open fields and pastures of our state's rural landscape or within smaller, yet still productive expanses within urban and suburban areas, the program will provide knowledge and resources that will ultimately lead young people in their fields of choice,” Brady said.

Blaine and Bush both applied for the program in beef production, she said.

They will attend a weeklong institute at LSU in July, and participate in activities in their field throughout the year.

Other students' interests include rice, crawfish, swine, goats, horses and vegetable crops.