Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Cameron Parish near Lake Arthur, LA, has cooperative agriculture opportunities for farming 433 acres on the Refuge for waterfowl.
Agriculture producers may farm the units on a minimum 80%/20% split share with the producer retaining 347 acres and 86 acres left standing for the refuge share. Other arrangements can be made for work in kind or seeding a stand of Millet after crops have been harvested. The primary crop to farm is rice and crawfishing is not allowed. GMO crops are approved for use however, no neonicotinoids are allowed. Cooperative farming agreements may be renewed annually and may be extended up to five years.
To be considered, applicants must complete and submit the bid form available upon request from Shane Baxter at shane_baxter@fws.gov or 1-337-403-9933. Applications must be received by January 05, 2026. Applications may be submitted by email to shane_baxter@fws.gov or in person at Lacassine NWR, 209 Nature Rd, Lake Arthur, LA 70549.
Successful applicants will be selected through an open and competitive process. Applications will be scored and ranked using objective criteria described in the application/bid form. All applicants will be notified by January 9th, 2026.
Visit Us
From hiking and hunting to fishing and boating, there is something for everyone at Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge. If you enjoy simply getting outdoors and looking for wildlife, consider the three-mile auto tour with interpretive signs at the Lacassine Pool. Fall and winter are best times for waterfowl observation and photography. Visitors are encouraged to remain in their vehicles to minimize disturbance of wildlife and to enhance viewing.
Learn more about our hunting regulations here: Southwest Louisiana Hunting Regulations
Learn more about our fishing and boating regulations here: Southwest Louisiana Fishing and Boating Regulations