In this episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot and Louisiana Farm Bureau Commodity and Public Policy Director Andy Brown discuss the critical need for a new Farm Bill. Fresh off a recent trip to Washington D.C., they share insights from their meetings with lawmakers, highlighting the essential risk management, nutrition, and conservation programs the Farm Bill provides for Louisiana's farmers and rural communities. With the future of agriculture at stake, they urge Congress to take swift action to ensure the stability and success of our state's farms.
Read MoreThis week, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Commodity and Public Policy Director, Andy Brown sits down to discuss the top priority for Louisiana farmers and the Farm Bureau -- a new Farm Bill. Andy offers some history to help us understand why we still don't have a new Farm Bill and why there's such a sense of urgency now as we approach the end of September. We finish the episode with a little peak ahead to the coming weeks where Farm Bureau will be urging our members to engage and help bring Congress to action.
Read MoreDuring the August recess for Congress, Louisiana Farm Bureau hosted a number of visits for Congressional staff to get some hands-on experience in the field. Madison Plaisance from the LFBF Commodity and Public Policy department helped arrange these tours and joins us on the podcast today to discuss the value of that experience for the farmers and staff alike. Also, we get to know Matthew Waguespack, the newest member of the Commodity and Public Policy team at Louisiana Farm Bureau.
Read MoreFor a while, we've been updating listeners about the crawfish season that has been a tough year for many who count on the mudbugs for a crucial part of their annual production. This week, we have exciting news for those hit hard by drought and excessive heat impacting production of crawfish on their farms. Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation has secured some assistance for Louisiana crawfish farmers in the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program with the help of Gov. Landry, Louisiana's Congressional delegation, the LSU AgCenter, and, most importantly, countless volunteer leaders. LFBF National Affairs Director, Andy Brown, joins the podcast this week to tell us how this happened and what it means for the Louisiana crawfish industry.
Read MoreIn this episode, LFBF Lobbyist, Joe Mapes joins Avery and Karl to discuss what's been happening at the state capitol since a new crop of lawmakers were elected in the fall. Governor Landry and the legislature have been busy with multiple sessions and there is now a bill filed that calls for a constitutional convention. We also discuss the recent Young Farmers & Ranchers capitol day and the importance of those members learning how to participate and advocate on behalf of the issues that affect them back on their farms.
Read MoreThis week, a handful of Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers headed to Washington D.C. to advocate on behalf of the ag industry and issues they face on their farms. In this episode, Karl visits with Andy Brown who's helping lead this trip to the Capitol, as well as Josh Meeks, who's going to help cover the trip for Farm Bureau. We cover the issues they're going to be addressing, the value of these trips, and what Josh can expect on his first trip to the nation's capitol.
Read MoreFor the first time, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives is a Louisiana Congressman -- Mike Johnson from Louisiana's 4th District. In this episode, Brian Breaux and Andy Brown of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Commodity and Public Policy Department join us to share what this means for Louisiana farmers and ranchers and the issues important to Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, most importantly a new farm bill.
Read MoreNew name, same content! This week, Andy and Joe join Avery and Karl in the studio to discuss how Louisiana Farm Bureau helped kill a bill that would harm the Louisiana dairy industry and some potential improvements to the way grain crops are graded at the elevators when they’re delivered to the market.
Read MoreThis week, Avery and Karl chat with LFBF Lobbyist, Joe Mapes, about a few bills Farm Bureau is keeping a close watch on at the state's capitol this legislative session. One issue Mapes is excited to see through the process is a bill to help beginning farmers get their Farmer's Card so they can purchase crucial inputs for their farm or ranch, just like every other farmer who has already filed taxes at least once as a farmer. Listen to this episode to learn more about that small distinction.
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