Farm Bill Update: It's Time To Support U.S. Farmers

This 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.

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The Value of Hands-On Experience for Congressional Staff

During 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.

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Road To Leadership: Marty Wooldridge

In this episode, Karl sits down with Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation 1st Vice President, Marty Wooldridge. They discuss how he first was introduced to the Farm Bureau as a young farmer. They also discuss how he found success in different areas in the organization's Young Farmers and Ranchers program that connected him to a network that reached across the country in American Farm Bureau. 

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ELAP Update: Crawfish Assistance Has Arrived!!

For 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.

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Louisiana 811: What Farmers Should Know About Louisiana Dig Law

It's National Safe Digging Month and Brent Saltzman from Louisiana 811 is on the podcast talking about why it's so important for everyone to "Call before you dig!" While everyone should make it a normal practice to dial 811 before doing yard work, construction projects, or any other types of digging, there are some exceptions for farmers and others in agriculture, and Brent explains those in this episode.

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Grassroots In Action: State Politics Update - April 1, 2024

In 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.

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Grassroots Leadership -- Louisiana YF&R Head to D.C.

This 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.

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Grain Bin Safety Workshops Preview

This week is National Grain Bin Safety Week. Joining us on this episode of the podcast are Wendell Miley and Matt Sirgo of Louisiana Farm Bureau. They are here to talk about the upcoming grain bin safety workshops and the story behind why they started these programs over a decade ago. 

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The Cost of Good Labor

Labor: it's a constant need on farms across the nation. In many cases, farmers will bring labor in through foreign worker programs to fill jobs that they're unable to fill locally. That's a lot easier said than done, thanks to constantly changing policies and requirements for farmers to bring these valuable workers to their farms. That's why the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation hosts the Mid-South Ag Labor Seminar -- it's an opportunity to get up-to-date on all things labor policy, law, and best practices.

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