From the fields of Evangeline Parish to the halls of Louisiana's Capitol, we're bringing you the biggest stories in Louisiana agriculture this week! Crawfish farmers are seeing a much better season than last year, and rice farmers are finally seeing sales on the horizon. We highlight the incredible impact of Caroline Dorman, a pioneer in forestry conservation, and honor the legacy of longtime TWILA host Mike Danna. Plus, we follow members of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee into the classroom to see how they helped celebrate Louisiana Ag Week.

It’s been a warm and busy week in Louisiana! This week on This Week in Louisiana Agriculture, we take a look at how tariffs are impacting Louisiana rice farmers and what it means for the future of the industry. Backyard chicken coops are becoming increasingly popular with rising grocery prices, so we share what you need to know before starting your own flock. We also see the unique ways Louisiana youth are getting involved in agriculture—from a traditional boucherie at a local high school to a farm tour in Concordia Parish where 4-H students are showcasing their skills in livestock projects and culinary demonstrations. Plus, we take a look at crawfish prices across the state and introduce you to another woman leading in Louisiana agriculture in honor of Women’s History Month.

It may be a slower time on most farms in Louisiana, but that doesn’t mean Louisiana farmers aren’t busy. In this week’s show, Avery Davidson takes us to Washington, D.C., where a group of Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers traveled to Capitol Hill to discuss tariffs with lawmakers and advocate for policies impacting the agricultural community. We also explore how the new administration's changes could impact farmers, particularly with the H-2A labor program and federal job cuts affecting weather forecasting services. Plus, we kick off our Women’s History Month segment, highlighting women in agriculture, starting with Louisiana Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee Chair Michele Simoneaux.

We’ve got young farmers on the Hill and young people on the farm this week! We get a preview of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers' recent trip to Washington, D.C. Karl Wiggers visits Jeff Davis Parish Ag Safety Day to show us how the Jeff Davis Farm Bureau is helping make their communities safer while fostering a deeper connection between students and agriculture. Josh Meeks heads to Kaplan High, where students are learning about farm-to-table production by raising and processing chickens and preparing classic Louisiana dishes. Plus, Kristen Oaks-White brings us a new Feasting on Agriculture with a royal twist!

Usually when we talk about disasters in Louisiana this time of the year it is a hurricane. However, it's the extreme heat and drought wearing on Louisiana farmers.  This week we learn how lack of rain and high temperatures are impacting grain crops, sugarcane, timber and cattle in every corner of the state and how farmers can make their voices heard. Plus, we get an update on the upcoming Farm Bill. 

This week we take you to the streets of downtown Baton Rouge, the forests of Vernon Parish, and a lot of places in between. 

 Karl Wiggers shows us how the triple digit temperatures are impacting Louisiana’s beef industry. Trevor Williams takes us to the Red Stick Farmers Market where farmers are bringing their bounty to community tables. Neil Melancon tells us about an archaeological discovery in the forests of Vernon Parish. Plus, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the 2023 Louisiana Harvest.

In this special episode of Louisiana Farm Life, TWILA’s Avery Davidson sits down with third generation farmer and American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall and his new bride Jennifer. Zippy tells us about his upbringing family’s dairy farm, and how a conversation with his father grew into a life-long passion for Farm Bureau. They also talk about how Jennifer and Zippy connected after losing their first loves, and the importance of mental health in agriculture.

Each member of our team was tasked with preparing a dish for a Christmas dinner—ideally, something they traditionally eat during the holidays that features a Louisiana commodity. Luckily, everyone came up with a dish that created a perfectly balanced holiday menu! We had a main course, bread, several side dishes, and a dessert—all highlighting the bounty of Louisiana agriculture.

Now, it was time to get busy in the kitchen!

Irish writer Jonathan Swift once wrote, “He was a bold man that first ate an oyster.”

And maybe he was right. Heck, it took me 37 years to muster up the courage to take the plunge—into raw oysters, at least.

If you’re going to cross this cultural bridge into the world of oyster slurping, there’s no better place than the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, which is where I found myself for this month’s Feasting on Agriculture.

When you think of wine country, I doubt northeast Louisiana is one of the first places that comes to mind.  But, Ouachita Parish is quickly becoming a unique, must-see destination for wine lovers in the Bayou State.

This week, I traveled north, to my hometown of Calhoun, LA to visit one of the newest vineyards, growing just miles from my childhood home.  

Early Monday morning, I headed south to Kaplan, LA to shoot this week’s Feasting on Agriculture segment, but I had no idea that I would literally be working for my meal! 

Barry Toups owns Crawfish Haven/ Mrs. Rose’s Bed and Breakfast and also offers crawfish excursions for his visitors.  Nestled in the heart of Cajun Country, Barry says his bed & breakfast is the only place where you can “catch, cook, and sleep!”