TWILA Podcast

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TWILA — July 18, 2025 Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

Big bills, big traditions, and big heart—that’s what this week’s TWILA is all about.

Avery Davidson breaks down what the newly signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act means for Louisiana farmers. Tammi Arender steps away from the Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention to give us a look inside Okra Abbey, a New Orleans garden transforming a neighborhood. Karl Wiggers reports from Fast Food Farm in Gramercy, where teachers are learning hands-on ways to bring agriculture into their classrooms. Neil Melancon takes us to the Coushatta Powwow in Kinder, where Native American culture and agriculture come together in powerful ways. And Alexandra Kling introduces us to Chapple Farms in Prairieville, where a horse boarding business has grown into a thriving agritourism venture.

SHOW LINKS

One Big Beautiful Bill: Notable Changes for Agriculture: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55f2e952e4b0ef7e0849a5a3/t/686d75f9cca64b501f9f8b7f/1752004089679/One+Big+Beautiful+Bill+Act+July+2025+Summary.pdf
Learn more about Okra Abbey: https://okraabbey.com/
Follow Fast Food Farm on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/educationalfarm/
Learn more about Louisiana Ag in the Classroom: https://aitcla.org/
Learn more about the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana: https://www.coushatta.org/
Learn more about the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation: https://lafarmbureau.org/
Learn more about Chapple Farms: https://chapplefarmsla.com/

Chickens, Crawfish & a Cow-Chasing Dachshund -- TWILA 6-13-25 Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

This week on TWILA, we take you from Evangeline Parish, where crawfish farmers are already prepping next year’s crop, to the marshes of Chauvin for the annual Farm Bureau Fishing Rodeo. We profile Dylan and Shelby Laster, Young Farmers & Ranchers finalists raising chickens, cattle, and kids with care, and we cheer on a Louisiana 4-H archer heading to the world stage. Plus, meet a miniature dachshund with a big job in this week’s TWILA Boost, and tour a dairy in Franklinton producing award-worthy cheesecakes, eggnog, and more.

🔗 SHOW LINKS

Louisiana Farm Bureau Fishing Rodeo — https://lafarmbureau.org/calendar/fishingrodeo
Farm Dog of the Year — https://www.fb.org/initiative/farm-dog-of-the-year
Certified Louisiana Program — https://certifiedlouisiana.org
TWILA Boost — https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1C62xenu6Z/?mibextid=wwXIfr

TWILA: Tracking SB244, alligators, and FFA kids' futures Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

Shrimp Industry Crisis & Ag Leaders at the Capitol - TWILA 5-30-25 May 30, 2025

Show notes

From the waters of Dulac to the vineyards of West Monroe, we’re covering a lot of ground in this week’s episode of TWILA!

Neil Melancon shows how low prices and high costs are driving Louisiana shrimpers out of business. We also highlight the Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee and FFA students making their voices heard at the State Capitol. Plus, learn how a simple invitation to a meeting led Nicholas Gerace to become chair of Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. Discover growing agritourism at Landry Vineyards and get a taste of Uncle Larry’s Certified Louisiana products in St. James Parish.

Show Notes:

• The MAHA Report: https://www.whitehouse.gov/maha/

• American Farm Bureau Statement on MAHA

◦ https://www.fb.org/newsline/maha-commission-report-undermines-confidence-in-food-system

◦ https://www.fb.org/news-release/farm-bureau-statement-on-maha-report

• See more Road to Leadership profiles: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVx4iWGOTYzVtndss4O-0VJlYWzbZoPpZ&si=XENVXlYvdQHiAG1c

Tradition, Leadership & Farm-to-Table Stories - TWILA: May 23, 2025 May 23, 2025

Show notes

From the coast to the Capitol, this week’s show explores the many ways Louisiana’s farmers are preserving tradition, shaping policy, and feeding the future.

Neil Melancon travels to Leeville, where a member of the United Houma Nation is honoring tradition while using modern farming methods to cultivate oysters. Avery Davidson heads to Lafayette Parish to introduce the 2025 Louisiana Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year. We also catch up with Louisiana Farm Bureau leaders—both at the Capitol and in the field. Plus, Kristen Oaks White gets her father-in-law and husband on camera to reveal the secrets behind perfect, farm-raised steaks in a new Feasting on Agriculture.

Show Notes

Learn more about Bayou Rosa Oysters.
See more Road To Leadership profiles here.
Learn more about Kristen's day with her husband at the farm here.
Subscribe to the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast.
Join Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
Learn more about Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention

Growing Soybeans and Leaders - TWILA 5-16-25 May 16, 2025

Show notes

This week’s episode of TWILA takes you from the muddy fields of spring planting to the spicy flavors of a Louisiana crawfish boil. Brothers Dallas and Reed Ardoin are working hard to beat the weather and get their soybeans in the ground. In Tensas Parish, 81-year-old Roy Smith shares a lifetime of farming wisdom. We also dive into coastal conservation with oyster shell recycling, follow Amelia Kent’s leadership journey in Farm Bureau, and sit down with former president Ronnie Anderson. Then, enjoy some cross-cultural cuisine as two Brits experience their first crawfish boil in our TWILA Boost!

Show Notes

See more Road To Leadership profiles here.
Subscribe to the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast.
Join Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
Learn more about Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention

Growing Corn, Watching Lawmakers & Building Leaders – TWILA 5-2-25 May 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of This Week in Louisiana Agriculture, we take you from the fields of Catahoula Parish to the cliffs of coastal California, highlighting some of the challenges and triumphs in agriculture.

Neil Melancon shows us that while Louisiana's corn crop is thriving, farmers are bracing for tough market conditions and rising input costs. While Louisiana avoided major flooding as the Mississippi River crested, Arkansas farmers are facing significant impacts from heavy rainfall and levee breaches. Grassroots leadership takes center stage at the Michael Danna and Women's Leadership Committee Leadership Conference, and international relations strengthen with a visit from Canada’s Consul General. You'll also meet Burch Pierce, Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Second Vice President, whose leadership journey started with a childhood connection. Plus, a van life blogger makes a daring calf rescue in California in this week’s TWILA Boost!

Catch all that and more in this week’s episode of TWILA!

Show Notes

Join Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
Learn more about Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention

Capitol Hill to Crawfish Ponds - TWILA 4-25-25 Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

This week on This Week in Louisiana Agriculture, we follow Congressman Troy Carter as he visits farmers in his district to hear firsthand about the urgent need for a Farm Bill. We also explore a new state-of-the-art sawmill revitalizing a small town, dive into Louisiana's booming agritourism scene, and continue our Road to Leadership series with Marty Wooldridge. Plus, we celebrate Black Farmers and Growers Day, stomp grapes at Landry Vineyards, and get a reality check on farming in the John Deere Challenge.

Catch all that and more in this edition of TWILA!

Show Notes

Contact your Senators and Representative
Sign up for Voter Voice
Learn more about Hunt Forests Products
View photos from the 2025 Louisiana Farm Bureau Sporting Clays Challenge
Visit Landry Vineyards
Watch this week’s entire TWILA Boost here

Innovation, Leadership, & Goating Around - TWILA: April 18, 2025 Apr 18, 2025

Show notes

Innovation, leadership, and good old-fashioned Southern hospitality that’s what you'll find in this episode of This Week in Louisiana Agriculture.

This week, we dive into the cutting-edge technology making waves in crawfish ponds, check in on the start of the 2025 Louisiana Legislative Session, and get an update on the latest tariff developments. We also take you behind the scenes of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Livestock Show and a Kentucky beef tour through Louisiana. Plus, we kick off our Road to Leadership series with LFB President Richard Fontenot and wrap it all up with goat milk, baby goats, and a lot of heart in Feasting on Agriculture.

Catch all that and more in our latest episode!

Show Notes

Learn more about the LSU AgCenter’s Water Analysis Vessel Program
View photos from the 2025 Louisiana Farm Bureau YF&R Livestock Show
Sign up for Voter Voice
Listen to the Understanding Tariff's Impact on Agriculture podcast
Read more from this week’s Feasting on Agriculture — From Pasture to Plate: The Udderly Delightful World of Dairy Goats and Goat Cheese at Circle M Farms- Southern Maids Dairy
Watch the show at twilatv.org

Tariffs, Corn Planting & Beef Tour - TWILA: April 11, 2025 Apr 11, 2025

Show notes

From international trade to hands-on ag education, this week’s show looks at the key issues and events shaping Louisiana agriculture. As new tariffs take shape and global trade shifts, what could it all mean for Louisiana farmers? We talk with grain producers and Farm Bureau leaders about what they’re watching — and why this moment could play a key role in the next Farm Bill. We’ll also introduce you to Mark Shirley, take you back to the Kansas plains for more coverage of the 2025 Louisiana Farm Bureau Beef Tour, and explore how AgMagic’s interactive approach is teaching kids about agriculture.

🔗 Show Notes Links

Locate your nearest grain bin rescue tube location.
Learn more about Louisiana Crawfish
Visit Hinkson Angus Ranch
Learn more about the LSU AgCenter’s Ag Magic events

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