Register Now for Annie's Project in Jennings

Deborah Cross-Young, Annie's Project Lousiana State Coordinator, has announced the next round of Annie's Workshop scheduled for Saturday, March 4th and Saturday March 18th at the Jeff Davis Parish LSU AgCenter Office at 1006 South Lake Arthur Ave., Jennings, LA For more information contact Mrs. Cross-Young at 225-281-9470 or e-mail her at dcross1@outlook.com

Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program Webinar

Register today for the webinar to learn more about grant funds available.

LA Women in Agriculture Conference, Feb. 9-10

Special Guest Speaker, Kim Bremmer from Wisconsin is a true “ag-vocate”! You can find more information about her on her website, Ag Inspirations.

Meeting Location: Holiday Inn Downtown 701 4th Street, Alexandria, LA 71301 (Special room rates available if reserved up to 30 days before event) 

Registration: Registration - $50 - www.LAWomeninAG.com

Contact: Please email info@LouisianaWomeninAG.com with any questions.

Facebook Helps Swedish Group Find McKowen Farm

In a recent post, I shared that Amelia Kent and a group of Swedish youth were touring America. Quite by accident Keller McKowen, husband of Roberta McKowen, met them while they were at the Richland Tractor Equipment store. Keller invited them to the farm and later learned that they had been following their farm's Herding Facebook page and Louisiana Ranchers and Growers Association's page.

The McKowen farm is in lambing season so that came to see.

These young  Swedish women are touring the world examining Ag practices because they will take over their family businesses one day. 

Roberta showed them fiber arts, cheese making  and  no till agriculture . 

Swedish Youth Farm Tour

The Swedish Youth Farm Tour made a stop at Roberta McKowen, DVM's Grass Fed Lamb and Beef  Agritourism Operation. They  showcased , Louisiana Ranchers and Growers Association, farm management strategies promoting  wildlife and sustainable soil; and diversified income streams  through agritourism.

Attorney will Speak at Upcoming Workshops on Liability Issues

Attorney Rusty Rumley with the National Agricultural Law Center will be the featured speaker at two upcoming workshops on agritourism.  Call today to reserve your spot; see details below:

November 8, 2016

9:00 a.m – 3:00 p.m.

LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station

1373 Caffey Road, Rayne, Louisiana

November 10, 2016

9:00 a.m – 3:00 p.m.

LSU AgCenter Red River Research Station

262 Research Station Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana

Plan to arrive about 8:45 a.m. local time. Presentations will begin at 9:15 a.m. and end by 3:00 p.m. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

REGISTRATION

Registration is required. Pre-registration ends November 3, 2016 and is needed for meal accommodations. The registration fee is $15 per person. When you register, please indicate the workshop you are interested in and make checks payable to “LSU AgCenter” with your name, address, email address, and phone number to Dr. Maria Bampasidou, LSU Campus, 234 Martin Woodin Hall, Baton Rouge, La. 70803.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Dora Ann Hatch

318-927-9654 x229

dhatch@agcenter.lsu.edu

Dr. Maria Bampasidou

225-578-2367

mbampasidou@agcenter.lsu.edu

An agenda, general information on agritourism,

and associated material are available at

www.lsuagcenter.com/agritourism

Growers learn ways to profit from pumpkin patches

Vegetable growers looking to grow pumpkins for fun or profit learned strategies to select varieties and increase yields at a recent workshop at the LSU AgCenter Northeast Research Station.

Taking an agritourism approach is one way to enhance profits on the farm, Kiki Fontenot, LSU AgCenter specialist, said at the Oct. 18 event. Farmers can earn more per pumpkin by operating a corn-type maze and pumpkin patch to attract families and school groups, she said.

Louisiana’s harsh climate with heat, humidity and insects produces challenges for pumpkin growers, Fontenot said. She recommended three varieties from the first-year trials for pumpkin growers in the northern part of the state.  For complete article, click here.