Fontenot Talks Planting Season, Policy Pressure and Grassroots Engagement on Latest Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast

By Karl Wiggers

Louisiana Farm Bureau News

Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot says farmers are entering the 2026 growing season with uncertainty on several fronts, from weather delays in the field to ongoing policy and labor concerns in Washington.

Fontenot joined host Karl Wiggers on the latest episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast from his farm, where the two discussed spring planting, the need for a new farm bill and the importance of keeping agriculture’s voice strong at every level. 

“We got some crop in but at the same time, still traveling to DC, still working with the House Ag Committee, you know, brought out the farm bill 2.0,” Fontenot said. “That is something they're working on getting to the House floor.” 

Fontenot said producers are also watching input costs and the broader instability affecting agriculture.

“There’s a lot of moving parts, a lot of different dynamics in a very unstable agricultural sector from an economic standpoint, because there’s a lot of uncertainty out there,” he said. 

The episode also highlighted activity closer to home, including Louisiana Farm Bureau’s recent Rooted in Leadership Conference, which brought together state leadership, parish leaders, the Women’s Leadership Committee and Young Farmers and Ranchers under one roof.

“That's the first time we’ve done it in Louisiana,” Fontenot said. “We saw an opportunity to make a more robust conference, bringing in more keynote speakers and more relevant topics.” 

Wiggers said the event had the feel of a “miniature convention,” with tours and a broad range of participants. Fontenot said the goal was to bring members together around common challenges and opportunities.

The conversation then turned to a recent trip to Washington with Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers and Ranchers, where timing allowed participants to witness key policy discussions firsthand.

“One of our industries, our crawfish industry in particular, has some real struggles as it relates to H-2B labor,” Fontenot said. “The inability to get enough H-2B workers in to help finish processing a crop is really a good story for the YF&R to share with their constituents.” 

Fontenot said the visit reinforced the importance of farmers telling their own stories directly to policymakers.

“You got to have a story. It has to be a personal story, and you must give them the tools to succeed in their jobs,” he said. 

The episode also focused on Membership Monday, an upcoming initiative designed to rally parish leaders, board members, office staff and others around a shared goal of increasing Farm Bureau membership and awareness.

“We’re a membership-based organization,” Fontenot said. “This Membership Monday drive is just one day we’re going to pick during the year where everyone has — we’re going to do a little contest — but have a contest to see who can generate the biggest percentage of increase in their membership within that parish.” 

Fontenot said membership is about more than insurance products or discounts. It is also about being part of an organization that advocates for food, fiber and rural communities.

“If even if you’re not in production agriculture, you ate today and food is important to you,” he said. “To be part of something that shares those values and principles, I think that’s the message.” 

Looking ahead, Fontenot said he is also encouraged by efforts to strengthen support systems for farmers, including a growing focus on mental health awareness.

“We want to celebrate the wins. We want to be there in the challenges and be supportive throughout,” he said. “When you have that, then you have the network. Then you’re never alone.”