1. A. Participating businesses and prospective intern(s) must receive approval by the LAFA director in order for a qualifying internship to be eligible for reimbursement.

   1. 1. Agricultural businesses interested in participating may apply for the program during the open application period from July 1 through September 1 of every year. Eligible applications will be reviewed and funded on a first-come, first-serve basis. An agricultural business must complete and submit the necessary application to LAFA within the application period. Only application forms prepared by LAFA for this purpose may be used. If funds remain, the director of LAFA will consider business applications on a rolling basis after the close of the open application period.

      1. a. Eligible business applications will be reviewed upon receipt by LAFA staff. Decisions will be based on the needs of the program, legislative intent, applicable statute, and these rules.
      2. b. Acceptance and rejection notifications will be sent via email within 30 days of completion of application review.
      3. c. An agricultural business applicant shall submit a separate application for every internship position that it is requesting.

   2. 2. Upon approval of the agricultural business applicant, the intern candidate(s) selected by a participating business must complete and submit an intern application to the LAFA Director. Only application forms prepared by LAFA for this purpose may be used.

      1. a. In addition to the internship application, intern candidates must also submit a statement of career goals to the LAFA director.
      2. b. Intern applications will be reviewed by LAFA staff and a determination of approval will be sent via email to the participating business within 10 business days of receipt of a fully completed intern application and statement.

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 3:266 and 3:285

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Finance Authority, LR 47:851 (July 2021).