Internet Marketing: Just About As Important As a Tractor!

I love the title of this seminar! We all know that in today's world it's all about having that online presence. Jane Eckert will be leading this seminar. To register, click here. This webinar is on Monday, December 3rd; register now.

Recreational Horseback Riding Workshop

Mark your calendar for Friday, January 18, 2013 to attend the "Recreational Horseback Riding for Fun and Profit" workshop. The workshop will be held during the Ag Expo at the Ike Hamilton Center in West Monore. Guest speakers will discuss revenue potential associated with horses, general horse training, horse psychology, selection and use of tack, managing liability and using social media as a marketing tool. Registration fee is $10 in advance (payable on or before Jan. 11, 2012) or $15 at the door. For information, contact: Dora Ann Hatch, LSU AgCenter, Agritourism Coordinator, at (318) 927-9654 x 229 or e-mail her at: dhatch@agcenter.lsu.edu Visit our webpage: www.lsuagcenter.com/agritourism

Nominations Open for Farmer of the Year

Nominations for the 2013 Louisiana Farmer of the Year award are being accepted now through Jan. 4. Application forms can be obtained at any LSU AgCenter parish extension office or online at www.LSUAgCenter.com/farmer of the year. Contest sponsors are Louisiana Radio Network, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.Producers from all areas of agriculture are eligible for nomination. To learn more click here. For more information, contact Don Molino at Louisiana Network at (225) 291-2727, ext. 210, or don@louisianaradionetwork.com.

Use MarketMaker to Shop for the Holidays

Whether you are shopping for meat, veggies or flowers, MarketMaker is the place to search. MarketMaker will direct you to those who can supply you with fresh produce or show you where farmers markets are in your area. This website is a one-stop shop when it comes to finding Louisiana grown products. Give it a try today by logging onto: http://la.marketmaker.uiuc.edu/

Louisiana Sweet Potatoes Showcased on Delivery Trucks

Talk about creative advertising, the Louisiana Sweet Potato Commission is displaying their product on delivery trucks from November through March. the Louisiana Sweet Potato Commission’s logo and products, along with the “Be Loyal, Buy Local” tagline and the Commission website can all be found on the side panels. These trucks will travel to grocery stores located in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria, Lafayette and Lake Charles, with deliveries being made in front of stores, rather than at loading docks located in the back in order to ensure ultimate point of purchase visibility. For more information regarding Louisiana sweet potatoes, as well as for delicious sweet potato recipes, visit the Louisiana Sweet Potato Commission’s website at www.sweetpotato.org. Perhaps other growers should consider similar strategies.

Why Do People Travel to Farms?

If you own or operate an agritourism venture, you should understand what motivates travelers. According to research by Shaw and Williams (1994) people are motivated to travel for the following reasons: • Enhanced kinship relations • Escaping • Resting and relaxing • Improving health and well-being • Celebrating a special occasion To learn more read: "Agritourism: An Economic Opportunity for Illinois" by Bruce E. Wicks and Christopher D. Merrett included in the Rural Research Report published by the Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs.

Paddling in the Moonlight

This weekend while traveling I saw Norris Outfitters sign and canoes near Minden, LA. Mr. Norris is offering moonlight paddles. Paddling in Louisiana is becoming increasingly popular and landowners whose land is adjacent to a beautiful bayou, river or lake have an asset they can turn into revenue by offering canoes for rent. With the assistance of grant funding, the LSU AgCenter has been exploring waterways in northeast Louisiana. As a result of these explorations, paddling brochures are now available for the Tensas River, The Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Macon and Bayou Bartholomew. All the brochures are available online by going to Explore Louisiana North and clicking on the parishes: Tensas, Richland and Morehouse.