Archive

National FFA Week is a time to share the impact FFA has on its members, the community and the agricultural industry. And what better way to do that than letting Louisiana FFA take over TWILA? In this special episode of TWILA, we highlight the impact of FFA across Louisiana. From FFA members developing leadership skills and gaining real-world experience to advisors fostering the next generation of agricultural leaders, this episode shows how FFA continues to drive success in Louisiana agriculture.

We’re out of the studio (and the state) in this special edition of TWILA as we bring you coverage from the 2025 American Farm Bureau Convention in San Antonio, Texas! We cover pressing issues facing Louisiana farmers, including the push for a new Farm Bill, labor challenges, and rising beef prices. Louisiana delegates made a strong impact through policy discussions and competitions. Plus, meet Louisiana transplants in Texas keeping their roots alive with a unique farm and award-winning Cajun cuisine.

Our first epsiode of 2025 is live! We've got the latest on the new disaster relief package, a recap of Louisiana's sugarcane harvest and coverage from a recent trade mission to Cuba. Plus, so much more!

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.