July Agritourism Newsletter Available Online

The latest edition of The Agritourism Connection, a quarterly newsletter on agritourism  is available now on the LSU AgCenter's website.

Find a Farmers Market Near You on MarketMaker

Approximately 149 farmers markets or road-side stands selling fresh produce are listed  on MarketMaker; find one near you and enjoy fresh produce grown close to home. On the MarketMaker homepage select find a "farmers market."  Refine the search by choosing a zipcode. A listing will pop up and you will be on your way to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.

MarketMaker connects producer to consumer and consumer to producer. So if you are a producer, locate a market and set up a stand and sell your produce.

Travel to a Blueberry Farm

Nineteen blueberry farms are listed on MarketMaker; find one near you and enjoy those delicious dark berries that are so good for you. On the MarketMaker homepage find a farmer, refine your search by choosing "fruit and nuts," further refine your search by selecting "blueberries." A listing will pop up.

Recently, I visited a blueberry farm and got to see the blueberry picker in action. The picker gently shook the blueberries from the bush and as you can see a farmer rides along the picker and switches out trays and removes green berries as the picker goes down the row. It was fascinating to watch.

LEC promotes Horseback Riding

The Louisiana Equine Council (LEC) according to its website, "Is an organization established to create a unified voice for all breeds and disciplines, to address industry issues, and to provide for the growth and development of the entire Louisiana equine industry."

Horseback riding is just one of the many agritourism ventures included in the Louisiana Agritourism Limited Liability Legislation passed in 2008.  Earlier today, I talked with Maurice Tyne, a member of the LEC.

Maurice and LEC have been working with the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism to locate places where equestrians can ride, stable and overnight on trail rides.

Anyone with horses and interested in agritourism should visit the LEC website and learn more about their activities. A complete listing of members is attached to the website; call someone in your area and find out more.

Can I make jams and jellies in my home and sell them?

A special Louisiana law, La R.S. 40:4.9, passed in 1991 and amended in 1995 and 1997, provides an opportunity for an individual to make jams and jellies in their home instead of a commercial kitchen if their sales do not exceed $5,000 in a year. The state sanitary codes do not apply to these individuals, but the law should not be construed to imply that any unwholesome foods should be sold.


Louisiana has lots of luscious berries that can be used to make jellies and jams. Recently at the Sunflower Trail in Gilliam, LA I had an opportunity to see lots of people selling homemade jams and jellies.

Making the jams and jellies in your home and then selling at farmers markets is a great way to start a small business.

Sunflower Festival in Gilliam, LA on Saturday, June 4th

This festival is for friends and family. Get a chance to pick sunflowers and make some great pictures. For more information, call Gilliam Mayor Helen Adger at 318-296-4393 or Karen Logan at 318-296-4303.


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Blueberries for Sale

It's blueberry season and if you don't have a blueberry bush, check where you can purchase blueberries by logging onto MarketMaker. Select find a "farmer." Then further define your search by selecting "fruits and nuts" then click on "fruit product type" and select "blueberries." A listing of farms that sell blueberries will appear.