Our Purpose

The American Sugar Cane League of the U.S.A., Inc. is a non-profit organization of Louisiana sugar cane growers and processors. Incorporated in 1922, the Louisiana sugar industry was, at that time, threatened with extinction by cane diseases. The primary purpose of the organization at its inception was to provide the industry with an adequate research program to combat the decline of sugar cane yields.

Today, the League's main functions continue to be research, along with legislation, product promotion, education and public relations.

Research is the "life blood" of the sugar industry. The League has a long standing cooperative relationship with the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service and the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station. There are a number of memoranda's of agreement covering various research projects in which all three agencies participate. An agreement dating back to 1926 under which new cane varieties are developed is still in effect.

The League is active in legislative matters on both national and state levels. In the nation's capital, the League works through its Washington Representative. When sugar legislation is to be considered by Congress, the various segments of the domestic sweetener industry meet, negotiate and upon reaching an agreement, make recommendations to Congress to collectively work for passage of favorable legislation. The League also represents Louisiana sugar cane growers and processor in other matters on the Federal level. State legislative matters which affect the sugar industry are monitored by the League's Baton Rouge Representative. The League works in cooperation with other agricultural and business interests to effectively enact state legislation beneficial to the industry.

Product promotion has recently become an important phase of the League's efforts. As a member of The Sugar Association, a Washington-based organization, the League works with other sugar interests to set forth the true health facts of sugar. The Sugar Association provides nationwide advertising through both print and television media to produce the correct sugar message to consumers.

Education and public relations are ongoing activities of the League. "The Sugar Bulletin" is a monthly publication which goes to all members. Articles relating to research, farming and factory practices, a Washington legislative report, a Baton Rouge legislative report and many other articles of interest to the members are carried. The League staff, as well as League members, appear on television and radio broadcasts on behalf of the sugar industry. They also make presentations to schools, civic, professional and fraternal organizations.

The staff of the League is relatively small, since much of the work is done by committees composed of cane growers and processors who willingly give of their time in search of solutions to problems of the Louisiana sugar industry. The League is financed by dues paid by its cane grower, cane processor, landlord and commercial members. The League maintains its office at 206 East Bayou Road, Thibodaux, Louisiana 70301.