Louisiana agriculture commissioner signs up to run for reelection

Photo caption: Agricultural Commissioner Mike Strain signed up to run for his elected position for a fifth term Tuesday. Photo courtesy the Strain campaign.

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain signed up Tuesday to seek his fifth term in statewide office. A veterinarian from St. Tammany Parish, Strain won his first election to run the Department of Agriculture and Forestry in 2007.

The commissioner, a Republican, currently has no major opponents, but candidates have until 4:30 p.m. Thursday to qualify to run against him.

At a press conference after qualifying Tuesday, Strain emphasized his commitment to run the state agriculture department efficiently. He reduced the agency’s staff and equipment budget when he took it over 16 years ago from Bob Odom, a Democratic political juggernaut who was accused of using the office for personal gain.

Strain said he would focus on the agriculture industry’s challenges over food production.

“I believe it is our fundamental duty to work, to feed mankind,” he said. “We’ve reached a point in the world where the world is now consuming agricultural products faster than we’re growing them.”

“The greatest challenge of our lives is to feed the world in the next 30 years,” Strain said.

Strain said doesn’t believe solar farms will compete with food crops in Louisiana for land, despite recent disputes between farmers and energy companies over rural land use.

The high price of sugar makes it difficult for solar companies to price traditional farmers out of land leases for that crop currently, but “marginal” farm property  might be appropriate for solar panels, Strain said. Solar farms may also be able to share space with crops who thrive in the shade and could grow under solar panels or even grazing cattle, he said.

The commissioner also doesn’t believe local Louisiana farmers will pivot toward growing marijuana, even if a recreational version becomes legal in Louisiana.

California and Oregon already have a “glut” of marijuana on the commercial market, and the product is being sold at below cost right now, he said.

Louisiana farmers can also grow hemp – which can be infused into consumable, intoxicating products – though few locals are choosing to cultivate it, according to The New Orleans Times-Picayune.

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