Cultivating Connection with Katie Nunez
In this episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, Allie Shipley sits down with Katie Nunez 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.
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Cultivating Connection with David Smith
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.
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Cultivating Connection with Courtney Gerace
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.
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Aaron & Jamie Lee: Growing Through Farm Bureau
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.
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On the Farm with Richard Fontenot: Spring Challenges and Strong Leadership
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.
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From the Farm to Capitol Hill: Louisiana Young Farmers in D.C.
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.
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The Road to Better Beef in Louisiana
Recorded at the LSU State Livestock Show, Karl Wiggers sits down with Madison DeKeyzerand 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.
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TWILA — October 24, 2025
From sugar mills in New Iberia to city gardens in New Orleans, it’s a pretty sweet episode of TWILA! We take a look at how drought conditions are tightening their grip on the state and how Louisiana Farm Bureau is connecting lawmakers and farmers ahead of the special session. We’ll tour the historic M.A. Patout sugar mill, share harvest road safety tips, and see how SPROUT NOLA is growing fresh food in the heart of the city. Plus, we visit Liuzza Land for some fall fun, stop by the first-ever Livestock Connection event, and join Farm Bureau as they give back through Pat’s Coats for Kids.
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State Climatologist Says Dry Fall Ahead For Louisiana
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.
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TWILA -- October 17, 2025
From the classroom to the countryside, this week’s TWILA dives into the stories shaping Louisiana agriculture. Farmers are feeling the pinch from record-low cotton acres, a federal shutdown, and shifting global trade. Meanwhile, students across the state are getting a firsthand look at where their food comes from through Farm City Day and the Farm to School Conference. We’ll also explore Louisiana’s forestry roots in Longleaf and stop by Champagne’s Marché for a taste of Cajun tradition.
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