Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast

What happens to a crop after it leaves the farm can be just as important as what happens while it is growing.

Avery Davidson sits down at the Port of New Orleans with U.S. Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Michael Rutherford, Port NOLA Chief Commercial Officer Kristi App and Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain to follow agriculture from the farm gate to the global marketplace.

They discuss the Mississippi River and America’s inland waterways, the growing role of containerized agriculture, the future Louisiana International Terminal, new efforts to improve freight visibility and security, and why every delay, bridge, lock, rail line and port eventually affects the farmer’s bottom line.

It is a look at the massive transportation network working behind the scenes to keep Louisiana agriculture — and American agriculture — moving.

Show Notes:

Host: Avery Davidson

Guests:

Michael Rutherford
Assistant Secretary for Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy
U.S. Department of Transportation

Kristi App
Chief Commercial Officer
Port of New Orleans

Mike Strain, D.V.M.
Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry

In This Episode

The conversation explores:

• Why inland waterways remain essential to agricultural exports
• How transportation costs ultimately affect the farm gate
• The Mississippi River’s role in connecting the Midwest and Louisiana to global markets
• How barge, rail, truck and ocean freight work together
• The growth of containerized agricultural exports
• Why containers may create new opportunities for smaller agricultural businesses
• Port NOLA’s Louisiana International Terminal
• Why larger container vessels are changing port infrastructure
• Freight Logistics Optimization Works, or FLOW
• The American Supply Chain Sovereignty Initiative
• Supply chain security and foreign logistics platforms
• Why better data can make freight movement more predictable
• Federal investment in ports, bridges and freight infrastructure
• The importance of cooperation among agriculture, transportation and port agencies
• Learn more about thePort of New Orleans
• Learn more about the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy
• Learn more about the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
• Learn more about Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers here
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

Kam Harper grew up on a cotton farm, but his road back to agriculture took him through the Marine Corps, law enforcement and an unexpected business opportunity. In this episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, Karl Wiggers visits the Franklin Parish farmer and owner of Macon Ridge Specialty Drones to discuss how a magazine article sparked a spray drone business and how a conversation with a longtime farmer opened the door to farming for himself. Along the way, Kam shares how faith, family and his agricultural community keep him going through the toughest days.

Show Notes:

• Learn more about Macon Ridge Specialty Drone Services.
• Here's the first story I did with Kam in 2023 about the new drone business.
• A recent story with Kam Harper about the 2026 crop -- Second-Chance Corn: Northeast Louisiana Farmer Harvests Replanted Crop.
• Learn more about Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers here
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

Louisiana duck hunters have a new opportunity this October, and concerns from rice farmers helped move the conversation forward.

On this episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, Karl Wiggers visits with Vermilion Parish rice farmer Allen McLain, Louisiana Farm Bureau Commodity and Public Policy Director Andy Brown, and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Waterfowl Program Manager Jason Olszak. They explain how black-bellied whistling ducks damage young rice, why grain facilities have raised concerns of their own, and how farmers, researchers and wildlife officials have worked together to address the issue.

The conversation covers Louisiana’s new experimental hunting season, why it took years of coordination and how hunter participation and reporting can help shape what comes next. The guests also discuss the connection between productive rice farms and healthy waterfowl habitat.

Show Notes:

• LDWF: Special black-bellied whistling duck season announcement — Official announcement and season details.
• LDWF: Season information and free permit — Primary listener resource for participating.
• Louisiana Outdoors — Licensing portal mentioned in the episode.
• LSU AgCenter: Impacts of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks on the Louisiana Rice Industry — Producer survey relevant to Andy’s discussion, with the complete report available to download.
• Louisiana 2026–2027 Hunting and WMA Regulations — Full regulations.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

Louisiana is Sportsman’s Paradise, and Hunters for the Hungry Louisiana is giving hunters and fishermen another way to put that tradition to work.

Host Avery Davidson sits down with Hunters for the Hungry Louisiana Executive Director Julie Grunewald to talk about how the organization turns donated deer, hogs, fish and other protein into meals for people in need. Julie explains the upcoming Clean Out Your Freezer Day, how hunters can donate freshly harvested game at participating processors at no cost to them, and how those donations are kept as local as possible to help feed neighbors in communities across Louisiana.

Show Notes:

• Hunters for the Hungry Louisiana - https://www.h4hla.org/
• Clean Out Your Freezer Day — Aug. 23, 2026 - https://www.h4hla.org/freezer-day
• Find a participating deer or hog processor - https://www.h4hla.org/processors
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

When a member of U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s staff asked to learn more about Louisiana cattle production, Louisiana Farm Bureau knew exactly where to take him. Then Johnson noticed the visit on his calendar and asked to come along.

In this episode, Karl Wiggers talks with Andy Brown, director of Commodity and Public Policy at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, about the resulting roundtable at Marty Wooldridge’s farm near Oil City. Brown explains how farmers used the opportunity to discuss high input costs, difficult commodity markets, trade, forestry, poultry, livestock disaster programs and the stalled farm bill.

The conversation also offers a behind-the-scenes look at grassroots advocacy and why relationships built long before a major policy vote can give Louisiana farmers a meaningful seat at the table.

Show Notes:

• Watch the related TWILA story about Speaker Johnson’s farm visit here.
• Read Andy Brown’s USA Rice Daily article about the meeting.
• Learn more about Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers here
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

Before Jean Treas ever stepped onto a convention stage, she was folding produce boxes, helping customers at her family’s roadside market and learning the work behind a fifth-generation farm.

Now, the 19-year-old Tangipahoa Parish native is carrying that agricultural experience into her new role as the 2026 Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen.

Host Allie Shipley—herself a former Louisiana Farm Bureau queen—sits down with Jean to discuss growing up on a produce farm, working directly with consumers, studying occupational health and safety at Southeastern Louisiana University and preparing for a year of representing farmers and ranchers across the state.

Jean also explains why the Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen’s Contest is about much more than dresses and a crown. For her, the title is an opportunity to advocate for agriculture, connect consumers with the people growing their food and help build a culture that supports local and generational farms.

Jean will spend the coming year attending agricultural events and festivals across Louisiana and representing the state in Washington, D.C. The official contest includes agricultural and Farm Bureau interviews, a style show, an evening gown presentation and an onstage question.

• Follow the Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen on Instagram
• Follow the Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen on Facebook
• Learn more about the Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen’s Contest
• Follow Liuzza Family Farm
• Watch Jean’s TWILA profile
• Subscribe to Louisiana Farm Bureau on YouTube
• Learn more about Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation

Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot joins Karl Wiggers for a post-convention conversation following the 104th Annual Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention in New Orleans.

Fresh off his reelection to a third term, Fontenot reflects on a convention marked by record attendance, strong energy, youth involvement, policy discussions and the multigenerational Farm Bureau family that continues to shape Louisiana agriculture. He shares what stood out from the week, from the great youth competitions to the lawmakers, USDA leaders and industry stakeholders who came to listen, learn and work alongside farmers.

The conversation also turns to the serious challenges facing producers across the state, including flooding impacts in parts of central Louisiana, tight margins, input costs, labor concerns, the Farm Bill and the importance of strong agricultural policy. Through it all, Fontenot points back to the people, families and volunteers who make Louisiana Farm Bureau “the voice of Louisiana agriculture.”

Show Notes:

• Learn more about Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers here
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

Josh Meeks takes over the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast from the road during the 2026 LFBF Beef Tour in Texas. He sits down with longtime tour participant and Louisiana cattleman Gilbert Boudreaux to talk about his cow-calf operation, why he keeps coming back on the Beef Tour and what producers can learn from seeing how others approach the same challenges in agriculture.

Gilbert shares his honest perspective on cattle, legacy, markets, sustainability and the importance of getting away from the day-to-day work long enough to learn from other farmers and ranchers. From feedlots and universities to conversations on the bus, this episode is about the value of fellowship, curiosity and “getting outside the trees” to see what agriculture looks like beyond your own operation.

Show Notes:

• See coverage from this year's beef tour here.
• Learn more about Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers here
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

Katie Nunez grew up in Iberville Parish as part of a fourth-generation sugarcane farming family, with Farm Bureau woven into nearly every part of her life. Today, she serves in several leadership roles with Louisiana Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau, while also helping farmers navigate H-2A labor paperwork and supporting workers who are often facing their own stress far from home.

In this episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, Allie Shipley sits down with Katie as part of our Mental Health Month series and the Cultivating Connection initiative. Katie opens up about the pressure farming families carry, the pain of her family’s farm changing, the stress of business ownership, motherhood, adoption and raising a child with special needs. She also shares how therapy, medication and honest conversations have helped her better understand her own mental health.

Katie’s message is simple but powerful: farmers are used to calling someone when a truck breaks down, and that same Farm Bureau family is there when a person is breaking down, too. Everyone’s story is different, and everyone’s solution may look different, but nobody has to carry the weight alone.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Show Notes:

• Louisiana Farm Bureau's Cultivating Connection website with mental health resources.
• American Farm Bureau's Farm State of Mind website
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

Beauregard Parish Farm Bureau President David Smith has spent a lifetime around agriculture. Today, he grows corn, soybeans, wheat and other crops near DeRidder, while also serving on the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation state board and the Cultivating Connection Mental Health Committee.

In this episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, Smith joins us from the field to talk about the weight farmers carry during tough economic times, unpredictable weather and the pressure of keeping a family farm going for the next generation. He reflects on growing up during the farm crisis of the 1980s, watching his father carry the stress of farming, and how those same pressures show up in different ways today.

Smith says farmers are often “fixers,” but that does not mean they have to carry everything alone. His message is simple: check on each other, listen, and do not be afraid to talk about what is really going on. This conversation is part of Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Cultivating Connection effort, encouraging farmers, ranchers and rural communities to have honest conversations about stress, mental health and the importance of staying connected.

• Listen to David's last episode on the podcast here.
• Louisiana Farm Bureau's Cultivating Connection website with mental health resources.
• American Farm Bureau's Farm State of Mind website
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

In this episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, Allie Shipley sits down with Courtney Gerace to talk about mental health in agriculture and the personal journey that led her to help launch Louisiana Farm Bureau’s new initiative, Cultivating Connection. Gerace shares her own experience with anxiety and depression, explains why farm life can intensify stress and isolation, and discusses how this effort hopes to connect people with resources and encourage honest conversations across rural Louisiana.

• Louisiana Farm Bureau's Cultivating Connection website with mental health resources.
• American Farm Bureau's Farm State of Mind website
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

Jamie and Aaron Lee of Vermilion Parish join the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast to talk about how Young Farmers & Ranchers helped shape their path in agriculture and leadership. They share how Farm Bureau gave them confidence, connections, and encouragement to grow as farmers, advocates, and volunteers. From parish involvement to leadership at the state level, their story is a reminder that sometimes simply showing up can change everything.

• See a story about Aaron & Jamie as YF&R Achievement Award finalists here.
• Learn more about Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers here
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot joins the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast from his farm to talk about the realities of spring planting, the uncertainty facing agriculture in 2026, and the work being done on behalf of farmers at every level. From Farm Bill conversations in Washington, D.C., to the success of Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Rooted in Leadership Conference and the upcoming Membership Monday push, Fontenot shares why engagement, relationships and grassroots advocacy matter more than ever. He also looks ahead to convention season and previews new efforts to support farmers through mental health awareness.

• Learn more about Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers here
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers recently traveled to Washington, D.C., for their annual fly-in, meeting with members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation and advocating for issues affecting agriculture back home.

In this episode, host Karl Wiggers visits with Andy Brown, Director of Commodity and Public Policy at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, about the trip and the issues discussed on Capitol Hill. Brown explains how the young farmers shared their personal stories about challenges facing their farms, including agricultural labor shortages and the need to pass a new Farm Bill.

They also discuss the latest developments in Washington, including movement on Farm Bill 2.0, labor issues impacting Louisiana’s crawfish industry and the importance of grassroots advocacy in shaping agricultural policy.

• Learn more about Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers here
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

Recorded at the LSU State Livestock Show, Karl Wiggers sits down with Madison DeKeyzer and Macy Rushing to talk cattle-show life, Farm Bureau connections, and what’s ahead on the Louisiana Farm Bureau Livestock Advisory Committee Beef Tour (March 22–27). Madison shares what makes the tour special—top-notch ranch visits, educational stops, and the real value: the relationships you build along the way. Macy brings the “new producer” perspective, talking about jumping into cattle as a first-generation operation and why she’s excited to learn from others on the trip.

Sign up here: https://lafarmbureau.org/calendar/2026/3/22/2026-louisiana-farm-bureau-beef-tour

Guests
- Madison DeKeyzer – Louisiana Farm Bureau Commodity & Public Policy Specialist
- Macy Rushing – Lucky 5 Land & Livestock

Key topics
- What the Beef Tour is (ranches + educational stops + networking)
- Why the best learning happens between stops (bus conversations)
- Macy’s operation: backgrounding / stocker calves
- Farm Bureau connections that turn into real-world help

Beef Tour dates
- Deadline to register: March 11th
- March 22–27, 2026

• Learn more about Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers here
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

Louisiana’s been dry. But what does that mean for farmers across the state? This week, Avery Davidson sits down with State Climatologist Jay Grymes to unpack the ongoing drought conditions, why the Mississippi River is running low, and how Louisiana managed to dodge tropical storms this hurricane season. Jay also opens up about a personal battle he’s recently won — his fight with throat cancer — and shares a powerful reminder for everyone to take their health seriously.

Links

• Louisiana Office of State Climatology Facebook Page
• U.S. Drought Monitor – Louisiana
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

This week on the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, Karl sits down with Matt Sirgo, Farm Bureau safety specialist and motorcycle instructor with the Louisiana State Police. Matt shares his journey from dirt bikes and four-wheelers as a kid to teaching safety courses that save lives today. They dive into ATV and UTV safety, the importance of helmets, how Louisiana Farm Bureau trains farmers and first responders on grain bin rescue, and why safety should always come first on the farm. Whether you’re in the field, on the road, or teaching the next generation, this conversation highlights practical tips and powerful stories that every farm family needs to hear.

• Find all the resources from National Farm Safety & Health Week here.
• To find the map of grain bin rescue resources, visit this site.
• Here is the playlist of stories from past grain bin entrapment trainings.
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

Louisiana 4-H took more than 140 students, leaders, and parents across the Atlantic for a 10-day agricultural and cultural tour of Ireland—and the lessons went far beyond farming. In this episode, host Karl Wiggers sits down with 4-H leader Hannah Devall and TWILA’s Josh Meeks to talk about the stunning landscapes, the farm visits, and the unforgettable moments that brought the group closer. From planting cauliflower in rich Irish soil to learning the art of oyster farming, hear how these experiences helped young people grow life skills, friendships, and new perspectives on agriculture.

Links:

• See photos from the trip here.
• See the first week of TWILA coverage here.
• Read blog posts from the trip here.
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

In this episode, Karl Wiggers sits down with Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot and Director of Public Policy and Commodities Andy Brown to break down the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which includes more than $65 billion in agriculture investment that strengthens the farm safety net, boosts crop insurance, and delivers long-overdue updates to reference prices and base acres. They also reflect on unprecedented access to top decision-makers in D.C. and what that means for Louisiana farmers. From the convention floor to the White House, hear how years of grassroots advocacy just paid off—and what Farm Bureau is working on next.

Show Notes:

• Watch a TWILA on the One Big Beautiful Bill here.
• Read the American Farm Bureau Market Intel report about the legislation here.
• Read the Louisiana Farm Bureau report on the One Big Beautiful Bill here.
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

What does 40 years of Farm Bureau leadership look like? Former president Ronnie Anderson joins the podcast to share stories from his journey—from growing up on a dairy farm to leading the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation for over three decades. He opens up about how he was introduced to Louisiana Farm Bureau, the policy battles that shaped Louisiana agriculture and the enduring values that still guide the organization today.

Show Notes:

• Watch the TWILA story Karl filmed with Ronnie in 2016 here.
• Watch the American Farm Bureau Founder's Award video honoring Ronnie Anderson.
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.