Agritourism workshop set for May 10 in DeSoto Parish

The LSU AgCenter's agritourism program and Mississippi State's natural Resource enterprises program will co-sponsor:

DeSoto Parish Agritourism Workshop

Keachi* Acres, LLC

9192 Hwy 5

Keachi, LA 71046

May 10th, 2016

*Also spelled Keatchie on navigation devices.

This one day workshop will provide a broad overview of agritourism. Successful entreprenuers will share stories about how they got started and continue to grow. Speakers will address these topics: agritourism liability, recreational enterprises, direct marketing of clean food, regional food system analysis, starting a bed and breakfast, developing nature trails and the Louisiana Natural Areas Registry program.

Download the brochure from this link and register today.

Briarwood Nature Preserve Annual Picnic, April 2nd

  SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

8:00 Birdwatching tour departs (bring your binoculars)

10: 00 General Registration, Tour Information and Coffee be sure to check in at the registration table

to be eligible for door prizes and get the latest information.

10:30 Morning Walking and Golf Cart Tours Depart the Education Building *

11:30 - 2:00 Music by the Back Porch Band in the Pavilion

11:30 – 1:30 Lunch is served in the Interpretive Center

1:00 Door Prizes/Raffle (Raffle grand prize is an overnight stay at the Writers Cabin so be sure to buy

your tickets at the registration for this rare opportunity)

1:30 Afternoon Walking and Golf Cart Tours Depart the Interpretive Center *

*PLEASE NOTE: The number of riders for the cart tours is limited. Cart seats are available in the order of arrival at

the start of the tour with preference to those who have limited walking mobility. We thank you for your understanding.

PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM by FRIDAY, MARCH 25TH. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO CAROLINE

DORMON FOUNDATION, INC. Mail to: Dormon Foundation, P.O. Box 226, Natchitoches, LA 71458

(Ticket requests received after March 25th will he held for you at the registration table)

NAME: ___________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________

PHONE NUMBER(S) ________________________________________________________

CATEGORIES OF GIVING: **ANGEL ($1,000.00) $____________________

**PATRON ($500.00) $____________________

*SPONSOR ($250.00) $____________________

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS #___________@ ($50.00) $____________________

WILL BE UNABLE TO ATTEND BUT WISH TO DONATE $____________________

TOTAL ENCLOSED $____________________

NUMBER ADULTS ATTENDING __________

NUMBER CHILDREN ATTENDING 13 – 18 ($10.00 ea.) __________

NUMBER CHILDREN ATTENDING under 12 (no charge) __________

Number ________ participating in the bird watching tour at 8:00 – tour briefing to take place at 7:45.

** INCLUDES FIVE (5) TICKETS (CALL FOR MORE AT NO EXTRA CHARGE)

* INCLUDES FIVE (5) TICKETS

Tour information: The Charlotte Collins train and Cow Oak Flats trails will once again be on the tour to enhance

your Briarwood experience; and we have added the Mallard trail along the north side of the Readhimer Pond.

Airbnb

Airbnb is trending among agritourism operators because it offers online booking through a reputable agency and provides liability insurance.  Agritourism operators who have lodging accommodations can join Airbnb and rent out their accommodations. To learn more go to Airbnb.

Lodging on agricultural lands is included in the 2008 Agritourism Limited Liability Law's activity list, to learn more click here.

Vegetable Gardening Guides for Louisiana Available Online

The LSU AgCenter offers a series of guides with tips on growing better vegetables.

The free guides located on the AgCenter website, provide information on selecting varieties that grow well in Louisiana and in the amount of space and soil type in individual gardens. Tips on when and how to plant and fertilize are included, along with remedies for common insect, disease and weed problems and advice on harvesting and storing vegetables.

Guides are available on beans, cabbage, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, lettuce, peppers, potatoes, squash, strawberries, tomatoes, onions, shallots and garlic.

“These guides are a great resource for both new and experienced gardeners,” said Melanie Lewis Ivey, an AgCenter plant pathologist. “We are continually updating the guides with new varieties and sustainable, earth-friendly practices for managing unwanted pests in the garden.”

The files can be downloaded at www.lsuagcenter.com and putting vegetable gardening tips in the search box.

Click here to see agriculture venues covered under the 2008 Agritourism Limited Liability Law. Check the activity list included in the law.

Time to Buy Plants at Spring Fest

Northeast Louisiana Master Gardeners will present Spring Fest 2016 and the eighth annual spring plant sale at the West Monroe Farmers Market from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on April 16.

LSU AgCenter horticulture agent Kerry Heafner said the sale will feature Louisiana Super Plants, vegetables, herbs, houseplants, tropical plants, flowing vines, flowering trees, butterfly garden plants, ornamental shrubs, shade garden plants and wildflowers.

The sale is a good place to find selections of plants not usually found locally, he said.

“Local Master Gardeners will be available to help you select the best plants for your yard and garden, answer questions, provide gardening tips and even help load your car,” he said.

A preview sale will be held on April 15 from noon to 6 p.m. for those who want to get started early.

The West Monroe Farmers Market is located at 1700 N. Seventh St. For additional information, contact Heafner at 318-323-2251.

Searcy County in AR using Agritourism to Market County

I recently liked the Searcy County Agritourism page on Facebook.https://www.facebook.com/searcycountyagritourism
they are using their assets in agriculture to bring tourists; with their posts they are showing others what they have.  Way to go Searcy!

Forestry Forum, March 11 in Hammond

The 27th annual Florida Parishes Forestry Forum is scheduled for March 11 at the University Center at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond.

The forum will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 2:45 p.m. The theme is Updating Forest Landowners, according to LSU AgCenter area forester Brian Chandler.

The forum, which is sponsored by the LSU AgCenter, will feature Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain and provide information on the status of EPA’s Waters of the U.S. and other forestry issues. There will be speakers on genetically improved pine seedlings, forestry development outside of Louisiana, problems facing loggers, herbicide issues, tax issues and a Louisiana forestry teacher tour.

“All of these topics affect local forest landowners,” Chandler said.

Registration is $25 per person before March 3 and $40 after. The fee includes lunch.

For more information or to receive a program with a registration form, contact Chandler at 225-683-3101 or bchandler@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Our forest lands offer many opportunites for agritourism, so attend this meeting to keep your forest healthy and give me a call to learn more about agritourism. Call (318) 927-9654 x229 or e-mail me at dhatch@agcenter.lsu.edu