Archive

In this week’s show, Karl Wiggers traveled to Cocodrie and shows us why farmers took to the water for a good cause. Our newest TWILA intern, Alexandra Kling got the inside scoop on LSU’s new Dairy Store. We meet the founder of the Bayouland Young Farmers Association and help celebrate their 50-year anniversary. We also head to Maurice, Louisiana to introduce you to the next finalist for the 2024 Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, Amanda Duhon. Plus, a look at Louisiana’s charming coastline in a picture-perfect TWILA Boost.

From record high rainfall in one corner of the boot to a fishing tournament in another—we're covering some ground in this week’s episode of TWILA! Avery Davidson takes us to northeast Louisiana where continuous rainfall is delaying hay harvest for ranchers. Neil Melancon travels to the Southern Forest Heritage Museum, where the past meets modern forestry. Karl Wiggers has gone fishing... for a good cause he says. We also introduce you to the first 2024 Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Rancher Achievement Award finalists, Wyatt and Arrin Bolding, who grow soybeans and corn in West Carroll Parish.

The end of May marks two things for Louisianians—the end of peak crawfish season and the beginning of hurricane season. In this week’s episode of TWILA, Neil Melancon looks at what the 2024 hurricane season has in store for us. Avery Davidson gets some insight on the latest Farm Bill update-The Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024 proposed by House Ag Committee Chair GT Thompson. Karl Wiggers takes us to Deshotels Crawfish in Avoyelles Parish to meet a farmer who is still harvesting crawfish and shipping it across the south. Josh Meeks shows us how the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank is working with local farmers to tackle summer hunger. Plus, a new Farmer’s Forecast and a disgustingly delicious, or just disgusting, TWILA Boost!

The unofficial start to summer is upon us and you can certainly feel it in this week’s episode of TWILA— from the bugs to farmers markets and wine tastings! Neil Melancon takes us to the USDA Sugarcane Research Facility in Schriever, Louisiana to show the sugarcane borer is something farmers are constantly on the lookout for. Louisiana Farm Bureau National Affairs Director, Andy Brown joins us to explain how crawfish farmers have found some much needed relief after major losses suffered in 2023. Avery Davidson stops by Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry’s office to talk with Dr. Mike Strain about his recent to visit to Cuba and what it could mean for Louisiana agriculture. Josh Meeks takes us to the Red Stick Farmers Market in Baton Rouge to get a look at what’s in season. Plus, Kristen Oaks-White pours a glass for you in a brand-new Feasting on Agriculture!

From a classroom garden in central Louisiana to shrimp boats in the Gulf, we’re covering some ground in this week’s episode of TWILA! Neil Melancon tells us why tough economic times may mean fewer shrimp boats in Louisiana's waters. In honor of Mental Health Month, Josh Meeks shines a light on the unique struggles farmers and their families face and the resources available to help overcome them. Avery Davidson introduces us to the 2024 Louisiana Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year. Before bidding us farewell, Keely Ana Strickland brings us along on the Louisiana Farm-to-School Program Retreat. Karl Wiggers shows us why appreciation was flowing at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee Capitol Day.

Farm Bill, Constitutional Convention, and House Bill 7-16... we’re talking a lot about politics in this week’s episode of TWILA! Governor Jeff Landry stopped by our studio to record an episode of LA Politics Podcast with Jeremy Alford, and discussed how a Constitutional Convention may impact agriculture. Louisiana Farm Bureau Legislative Specialist Joe Mapes gives an update on other bills in Louisiana legislature. Karl Wiggers takes us to Acadia Parish where Congressman Clay Higgins gives a group of local farmers and ranchers an update on the Farm Bill. Josh Meeks introduces us to the new director of the Invasive Species Research Center. Neil Melancon takes us to Fontenot Beef Farm, where beef isn't just what's for dinner, it's a way of life. We also get a look inside Wisner Minnow Hatchery in Franklin Parish. All that plus, a brand-new Farmer’s Forecast from Meteorologist Nick Mikulas and TWILA Boost!

Bee hives, crawfish traps and cattle auctions—that is a taste of what you can expect in this week’s episode of TWILA! Neil Melancon takes us to a Louisiana research facility that is leading the globe in the fight to save bees. Keely Ana Strickland is in Gonzales for the 11th Annual Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Youth Livestock Show. Josh Meeks brings us behind the screens of the annual Superior Livestock Gulf Coast Classic. Karl Wiggers shares what Louisiana 3rd District Congressman Clay Higgins had to say to farmers and ranchers in Acadia Parish earlier this week. And Kristen Oaks-White heads to Crawfish Haven Bed and Breakfast in Kaplan for a brand-new Feasting on Agriculture.

From the southeast corner to the northeast corner of Louisiana, we’re covering some ground in this week’s show! Neil Melancon takes us to Barcelo Gardens in New Orleans where two transplants to the city are helping feed their community. Karl Wiggers brings us to northeast Louisiana where men and women of all ages enjoyed the Louisiana Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Committee Spring Leadership Conference. Keely Ana Strickland takes us to the state Capitol for the Louisiana Egg Commission’s Omelet Breakfast. We meet the last Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction inductee, Dr. Leodrey Williams, and Meteorologist Nick Mikulas has a new Farmer’s Forecast.

Strawberries, crawfish and severe weather—it seems like we’re seeing red in this week’s episode of TWILA! Neil Melancon shows us how labor shortages and costs are starting to affect the Louisiana strawberry industry. Josh Meeks learns more about the newly released forecast predicting 11 named storms in the Atlantic this hurricane season. In a new edition of "How You Grow Louisiana," Karl Wiggers takes us to a farm in Lake Providence that's run by a new generation of young farmers. Meteorologist Nick Mikulas explains in this week’s sever weather may cause some problems for farmers’ planting. Plus, we meet Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction inductee, Steve Crawford.

Spring is in the air! Avery Davidson shows us what help is out there for those in the crawfish industry and why it may not be enough. Josh Meeks followed along as more than a hundred people competed for first prize at the annual Farm Bureau Sporting Clays Shoot. Keely Ana Strickland takes us to one of Louisiana's most popular strawberry patches. Karl Wiggers shows us how female producers are networking and grow at the Louisiana Women in Agriculture Conference. Plus, Avery is exploiting his children on television for this week’s TWILA Boost!