Lafourche Parish Educator Wins Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award

By Frankie Gould

LSU AgCenter

An educator from Lafourche Parish is this year’s recipient of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Excellence in Agriculture Award. Randi Lyn Toups took the top prize at the 103rd annual convention held in New Orleans, La.

This prize is awarded to young farmers and ranchers who do not earn the majority of their income from an owned agricultural operation but contribute to the industry.

L-R: Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee Chair Nicholas Gerace, Excellence in Agriculture Award Winner Randi Toups, Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot, Louisiana Land Bank CEO Stephen Austin and Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance Companies Vice-President of Sales and State Sales Manager Kirk Hendry.

“I am honored to represent the Central Lafourche High School Agriculture program and the agriculture industry as a whole through my work,” said Randi Toups. 

Randi grew up and worked on her parent’s cow-calf operation and was a member of FFA and 4-H. She earned an Agricultural, Extension Education degree from LSU with a minor in Animal Science. She is currently working a Master’s in Ag Education.

Her passion for being an advocate for agriculture led her to a position with the LSU AgCenter as a livestock and forage agricultural agent and then to Central Lafourche High School as its Agricultural Science educator.

Randi believes that as an agricultural community, we need to address industry issues locally, statewide and nationally. First, there are very few animal processing facilities in the state for producers to take their livestock to market. Second, statewide, land loss needs to be managed, both from erosion and urban/industry sprawl. Third, nationally, agricultural education needs to be expanded so more people know where their food and fiber come from.

2025 Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award winner Randi Toups.

Randi was a parish Farm Bureau Queen, a Farm Bureau member since 2021 and is very active in the Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers program.

“I want to thank the Farm Bureau for providing this award to recognize agricultural advocates for their passion for building awareness of our food and fiber production.” 

Randi’s future goals are to complete her master’s degree, be a part of the FFA state administration team, become more involved in the Farm Bureau YF&R, Women’s Leadership Committee and Ag in the Classroom leadership.

She is active in the Louisiana Ag Teachers Association and would like to become a state officer.