Gardening Seminar Part of Ag Expo 2015 in West Monroe January 17, 2015

Master Gardeners in northeast Louisiana will hold their 5th annual gardening seminar at the West Monroe Convention Center from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Jan. 17.

Speakers:

The keynote speaker will be Peter J. Hatch, a professional gardener and historian with 38 years of experience in the restoration, care and interpretation of historic landscapes.

Other speakers include: William Welch, professor and Texas AgriLife Extension Service landscape horticultural sciences professional, and  Chris Wiesinger, owner of The Southern Bulb Company near Tyler, Texas.

Admission for the seminar is $20.

The Convention Center is located at 501 Ridge Avenue, West Monroe.


For additional information on the seminar, contact Heafner at 318-323-2251 or kheafner@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Annie's Project Coming to Lafayette in February

Annie’s Project, an educational program dedicated to strengthening women's roles in the modern farm enterprise in Louisiana, is planned for February 24-25, 2015 in Lafayette. The location is Hilton Garden Inn, 2350 W. Congress St., Lafayette, LA 70506

The workshop will address the following topics: risk assessments, human factors in farming, grain marketing, insurance for family and farm business, crop insurance, farm programs, farm transition planning, financial statement, farm tax issues and accounting, legal issues, retirement planning and business planning. As part of the business planning session we will discuss agritourism.

The cost to attend is $75 and registration ends on February 21, 2015. To register, contact:

Deborah Cross-Young- State Coordinator for Annie’s, at dcross@agcenter.lsu.edu or call (225) 281-9470; or

Angie Fogleman President Acadiana RC&D, angie@acadianarcd.com (318) 240-0107

National Geographic Features Wes Mar Farms on Television Show

On December 29, 2014 National Geographic featured WesMar Farms in its “Eric Greenspan Is Hungry” television series. National Geographic describes the series as following “Chef Eric Greenspan on an American road trip documenting his gastronomic quest for the quintessential meat experience.”  

WesMar Farms  owners, Wes and Marguerite Constantine, are to be congratulated. Read more by clicking here.

NAFDMA Tour Stop Seven

During the NAFDMA Conference participants will board buses and travel to agritourism destinations. There are seven farm stops planned. Choose the bus number that has the stops you prefer.

One of seven of the stops is described below

Honeysuckle Hill Farm www.honeysucklehillfarm.com Honeysuckle Hill Farm takes great pride in the role they play as a wholesome family entertainment destination. They give farm tours to about 15,000 school children and entertains weekend guests with their exciting and unforgettable fall experience. The Farm offers plenty of outdoor recreational activities and seasonal attractions all year long. During autumn, they feature haunted attractions at night and plenty of activities involving pumpkins during the day! Guests can learn more about how daily life works on a farm, and enjoy various outdoor games and activities. Visitors looking for a more physical experience can check out their zip lines, a massive seven-acre corn maze, a new Bungee Trampoline, 30ft Rock Wall, and 2 large jumping pillows. Honeysuckle Hill Farm has an abundance of animal exhibits, including a petting farm and competitive farm animal racing: the ever popular Hillbilly Pig Races.

NAFDMA Tour Stop Six

During the NAFDMA Conference participants will board buses and travel to agritourism destinations. There are seven farm stops planned. Choose the bus number that has the stops you prefer.

One of seven of the stops is described below

Lucky Ladd Farms www.luckyladdfarms.com
In 2007, the Ladds began inviting local schools and church groups out to their home in the country giving them the opportunity to see and pet the animals on the farm. In 2008, they opened Lucky Ladd Farms, and they now have over 60 acres of excitement including Tennessee’s largest petting farm, farm themed playgrounds, mega slides, wagon rides, pedal karts, tire climbs and our popular corn maze and pumpkin patch. The Ladds also provide fun and interactive educational adventures allowing students to explore their natural world with an emphasis on agriculture. They hope to continue to provide an affordable entertainment destination in Tennessee and are working hard to grow their operation by adding new attractions and improving their existing ones so that every guest gets a new and unique experience year after year.

NAFDMA Tour Stop Five

During the NAFDMA Conference participants will board buses and travel to agritourism destinations. There are seven farm stops planned. Choose the bus number that has the stops you prefer.

One of seven of the stops is described below

Green Door Gourmet  http://www.greendoorgourmet.com/
Green Door Gourmet is a unique farm to fork venture that produces and provides local artisan foods and plants in a farm-cooperative community setting.  Hidden Valley Farm also serves as the perfect spot for agritourism and special farm events ranging from small picnics and weddings to an outdoor BBQ for 1000 people. The on-farm market is a true culinary cooperative where visitors can learn about food and get great products from the local area, the region and across the country.  They support work-trade, host field trips, have cutting gardens and a flower program. They are a multi-faceted agritourism, agritainment, and working farm business.

NAFDMA Tour Stop Four

During the NAFDMA Conference participants will board buses and travel to agritourism destinations. There are seven farm stops planned. Choose the bus number that has the stops you prefer.

One of seven of the stops is described below

Grandaddy’s Farm www.grandaddysfarm.com
Starting with great-grandfather Charles Dixon, the Dixon family has been farming at this location since May 1951. They continue to row crop throughout the year while producing all of the fruits and vegetables that are sold on their farm.  Nine years ago, this traditional farming family decided to open their doors to the world of agritourism. Today, visitors not only come to buy their Fall produce and decorations for their home, but they can also enjoy a variety of activities such as the 5 acre corn maze, the 150ft. Landslide, Hilltop Hopper, Hillbilly Downs’ bouncy ponies, pig and duck races, tire mountain, and a variety of farm animals. They also host a Hillbilly 5k on opening weekend in September, support Breast Cancer Awareness with their pink pumpkins in October, and close out their season the first week in November with their Pumpkin Demolition.