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We’re home for the holidays… well, sort of. We’re at Kristen’s home for this special holiday edition of TWILA! This week, the TWILA team is serving up a holiday feast featuring the best of Louisiana agriculture. From crawfish and rice to beef, sugar, and sweet corn, we’re showcasing the ingredients that make our state unique, along with the special family recipes that fill our plates. From our families to yours, happy holidays!

From the hills of Washington, D.C., to the valleys of Utah and every corner of Louisiana, the TWILA Team has covered a lot of ground—and important issues—this year. In this special edition of TWILA, we're taking a look back at some of our favorite stories from 2024. And while this is usually our last show of the year, we have an extra-special holiday episode coming your way next week!

Ag policy, grocery store shelves and farm-to-table meals—we're got all kinds of agriculture in this week’s episode of TWILA! Avery Davidson takes us to Washington D.C. where Louisiana Farm Bureau Leaders were recently advocating for immediate action on the new Farm Bill and supplemental assistance for farmers and ranchers. Neil Melcancon takes a look at the 2024 Thanksgiving Dinner Survey and how Thanksgiving dinner costs are trending across the country and in Louisiana specifically. In a brand-new Feasting on Agriculture, Kristen Oaks-White visits the historic Myrtles Plantation, where farm-to-table meets fine dining at Restaurant 1796. Plus, a look at the 2025 crawfish season and life behind the rice dryers! We hope you enjoy this week’s show and have a happy Thanksgiving!

From The Hill in Washington, D.C., to the waters of Cameron Parish, we’ve got a little bit of everything in this episode of TWILA! Avery Davidson joins Louisiana Farm Bureau leaders in our nation’s capital as they advocate for urgent action on the Farm Bill and FARM Act. We celebrate the opening of Jackson Parish Farm Bureau’s new office, a testament to their dedication to growth and service. From seafood workshops introducing underutilized fish species to Uncle Larry’s Certified Louisiana Stew in a Few, culinary creativity takes center stage. Finally, Kristen Oaks-White visits Cameron Parish’s Salt Revival Oyster Company to showcase innovative oyster farming and the delicious dishes served at their Lake Charles restaurant.

From the push for a new Farm Bill to rising saltwater threats, we’re covering a lot of ground in this episode of TWILA. The Louisiana Farm Bureau continues its push for a new Farm Bill to provide relief as farmers face ongoing losses. We also examine how rising saltwater in the Mississippi River is threatening coastal water supplies and how the Army Corps of Engineers is working on long-term solutions. Josh Meeks travels to Tensas Parish, where children are being educated on farm hazards. Avery Davidson visits Kennedy Rice Mill, which is boosting efficiency through upgrades with Entergy Solutions. Neil Melancon is at the Yellow Rails and Rice Festival, where birdwatchers get a chance to see the rare Yellow Rail.

From policy to pines, we’re exploring many different facets of Louisiana agriculture this week! U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy visits Louisiana farms to discuss the urgent need for a new Farm Bill and additional support for farmers. We then turn to East Feliciana Parish, where drought and wildfire threats put local ranchers on high alert. TWILA’s Neil Melancon explores the hidden biodiversity of Kisatchie National Forest, showcasing Louisiana’s unique ecosystems. We also wrap up Italian American Heritage Month with a look at Italian farming traditions in the state. Finally, we head to St. James Parish for Ag Day, where students learn firsthand about farming and food.

From the grain bins in Franklin to an alligator farm in Vermilion, we’re covering some ground in this week’s show! Karl Wiggers takes us to northeast Louisiana, where firefighters recently completed a successful grain bin rescue. Neil Melancon reports from the LSU campus in Baton Rouge to take a closer look at Mike the Tiger’s life and game-week tradition of eating meals shaped like LSU’s football opponents. Keely Ana Dillon accompanied the Kansas Farm Bureau on a trip to an alligator farm in Vermilion Parish. We also see how a dairy farm in North Carolina helped bottle fresh water for Hurricane Helene victims and learn about the agricultural practices of Italian immigrant descendants in Louisiana.

In this episode of TWILA, we journey across history, agriculture, and culture. Neil Melancon takes us to Poverty Point, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore how early indigenous people lived in what was once the most populous area in North America. Karl Wiggers travels to Franklin Parish to tell us why one young farmer is banking on cotton despite the state's dwindling acres. We also see how farmers are stepping up in the wake of Hurricane Helene, showcase the LSU Ag Center’s Farm to School Conference and celebrate Louisiana’s Italian farming heritage!

In honor of National 4-H Week, Louisiana 4-H State Officers have taken over the TWILA desk to share their own stories about this outstanding organization. From livestock and vocational programs, to fashion and health- the 4-H program offers something for everyone, and equips youth with skills for the future while meeting them where they are today. Take a look at this week’s special episode to learn how the 4-H organization inspires families, shapes careers, and impacts communities across the country!

Soybeans, cypress, Sugarcane and Crossfit— we have a jam-packed new TWILA show for you this week!  Karl Wiggers takes us to Madison Parish, where soybean harvest is delivering dismal results for one farmer.  We continue our coverage of Hurricane Francine’s damage to Louisiana agriculture and bring you up to date with the latest news on the Farm Bill front.  Neil Melançon shows us how Louisiana Cypress is growing the state’s economy.  Josh Meeks shows us why Louisiana teachers are in the classroom to learn about agriculture, and we introduce you to a young woman who is staying fit on the farm!  Watch all that and more the latest episode of This Week in Louisiana Agriculture.