LAC 7:III.705. Eligibility Requirements of Applicants

A. Agricultural businesses must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to be considered for the program. Agricultural business applicants shall: 1. be physically located within the State of Louisiana; 2. provide an internship with a place of work located within the state of Louisiana; 3. have the ability to effectively supervise an intern; 4. offer the intern an opportunity to obtain meaningful work experience, including, but not limited to: a. at least one hundred thirty hours of work experience; b. not to exceed one year in duration or May 31 of the year following the date of approved application; and c. an hourly wage rate that is no less than the state’s prevailing minimum wage rate. 5. Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws including, but not limited to, the Fair Labor Standards Act as well as any other applicable labor and /or occupational safety laws and regulations. In such instances when both federal and state laws apply, the more stringent standard must be observed 6. be in good standing with the Secretary of State unless exempted or not required to register their business with the state of Louisiana. 7. have proof of annual revenue over $25,000. B. Intern applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to be considered for the program. 1. Intern applicants shall be: a. be a student enrolled in a Louisiana secondary or postsecondary institution; or b. be a beginning farmer or rancher, as defined by this Chapter, employed by an agricultural business. 2. Intern applicants shall not be: a. a current or past employee of the participating agricultural business for which he or she will be an intern; or b. an immediate family member of the participating business applicant as defined in this Chapter.