Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast

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. 

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. 

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! 

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.

On this episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, host Karl Wiggers sits down with LFBF Legislative Specialist Joe Mapes, Sabine Farm Bureau President David Mains, and Avery Davidson for an in-depth look at the 2025 Louisiana Legislative Session. From the growing debate over carbon capture and eminent domain to sweeping insurance reform proposals and the "Make America Healthy Again" bills, we unpack some of the legislation that affects every Louisiana landowner and farmer. With real boots-on-the-ground insight, this conversation brings politics home to the people it impacts most.

What happens in Ohio doesn’t stay in Ohio—at least not when it comes to rainfall. As waters rise on rivers in Louisiana and hurricane forecasts are published, Jay Grymes joins us to explain why Louisiana’s weather future is shaped by forces far beyond our borders. This episode connects the dots between past disasters and present warnings, offering a clear-eyed outlook for the season ahead.

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. 

Tariffs are back— turning a lot more eyes to Louisiana agriculture and our customers worldwide. In this episode, Andy Brown joins Karl Wiggers to unpack how new trade actions are shaking the ag economy, from soybean prices to crop loans and farm bankruptcies. It’s a wake-up call from the global chessboard to the fields of Louisiana, and farmers aren’t flinching—they’re planting through the chaos.

In this episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, Beauregard Parish farmer and Farm Bureau Parish President David Smith shares his journey from a young, uncertain farmer to a confident grassroots leader. He and host Karl Wiggers discuss the power of community, leadership, and advocacy through Farm Bureau, and how connections—even in the most rural corners of Louisiana—can shape agriculture policy and build lifelong friendships.

In this episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, we visit Tensas Parish to chat with Melanie Netterville Beavers about her journey in agriculture. From growing up surrounded by agriculture to her current role as a full-time farmer, Melanie shares her experiences, challenges, and the values that drive her passion for the industry. Whether it’s balancing farm life, leadership roles, or community involvement, Melanie’s story is a testament to the dedication of women in agriculture.

In this episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, host Allie Shipley sits down with Amelia Kent—a dynamic leader in Louisiana agriculture who’s redefining what it means to be a modern farmer. Amelia opens up about her journey from early agricultural roots to taking on leadership roles, discussing the challenges and rewards of balancing family, community, and life on the farm. Her insights and passion for advancing agriculture in Louisiana provide both inspiration and practical advice for farmers and ag professionals alike.

In this episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, we spotlight Raquel Manuel's inspiring journey from suburban life to becoming a passionate advocate and leader in Louisiana agriculture. Raquel shares how her background in communications and her love for agriculture shaped her family's farm, her leadership roles in the Farm Bureau, and her commitment to representing Louisiana farmers. This conversation dives deep into the challenges, values and community spirit that define modern farming life.

This week, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast begins our celebration of National Women’s History Month, highlighting the impactful contributions of women in agriculture. Allie Shipley is stepping in to host some engaging conversations with women involved in Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation. In this episode, LFBF Women's Leadership Committee Chair, Michele Simoneaux shares her journey into Louisiana Farm Bureau, how getting involved helped her grow in leadership, community involvement, and the importance of passing on the family farm tradition.

In this episode, Karl Wiggers sits down with Dr. Tara Smith, Director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service at the LSU AgCenter. They explore how innovative extension programs—from youth initiatives and internships to the state livestock show and AgMagic—are shaping the future of Louisiana agriculture. Discover how these efforts are not only educating the next generation but also driving lasting impact across the state.

This week is National FFA Week. As part of the celebration, the Louisiana FFA state officer team came to visit Louisiana Farm Bureau to film an episode of This Week In Louisiana Agriculture. That's a tradition that started when Cade LeJeune, then the Executive Secretary of Louisiana FFA, began working with the team at Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation to promote the great work of the organization. This week, Karl Wiggers sits down with Cade to discuss his new job with Louisiana FFA and how he came to find his career in agriculture education.

Louisiana again has a voice on the national stage. Racheal Duncan of Rapides Parish grows cut flowers, helps her husband, Robert, on their soybean and cattle farm and is a mother to three daughters. She is now on the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. Karl Wiggers sat down with Duncan at the recent AFBF Annual Convention in San Antonio to discuss this big step and how serving in Louisiana Farm Bureau opened doors for her to grow in leadership.

The weather is warming up and so is crawfish production in Louisiana! This week, Karl Wiggers  visits with rice and crawfish farmer Dylan Benoit at his field in Jeff Davis Parish. They discuss the outlook on this year's crawfish season, Benoit being raised on the farm, as well as what works and what doesn't in crawfish economics.