A Christmas tree farm in Ethel is ready for the holiday rush and happy to keep Christmas traditions alive for families across the state.
Lisa Brabham and her husband Ricky Peairs own Windy Hills Farm and have been growing trees since the 1990s. Last year's historic lack of rain spooked the couple.
Read MoreA few parishes lifted burn bans as of Thursday morning, including Natchitoches and Winn.
More than half the parishes in the state had burn bans in place before rain swept through much of the state over the past week.
Read MoreThe Society of American Foresters recognized 22 of their members this past year after each had been nominated for “longstanding service to forestry” and “advancement of the forestry profession.” After more than 50 years of being a part of the forestry industry, work across multiple states and even a foray into Canda, LSU AgCenter School of Renewable Natural Resources professor Cornelis De Hoop was more than deserving of this recognition.
Read MoreAccording to sources close to the matter, Governor Jeff Landry is expected to declare an official “state of emergency” on the pine beetle infestation in Louisiana.
In the order, it directs the Department of Environmental Quality to issue a set of emergency rules aimed at easing regulations previously identified by the emergency beetle subcommittee as burdensome.
Read MoreMore cool and dry weather is in the forecast as a cold front moves through the state Louisiana. And it should be less windy on this Friday. National Weather Service (NWS) forecaster Hannah Linsey says the state is in the midst of an unseasonal dry spell. “We don't have any rain in the forecast, so we are definitely going to start to get into that time where we worry about drought for sure.” Linsey says much of Louisiana should stay dry through next week at least. But drought conditions aren’t as bad as last year at this point in the season.
Read MorePeter Williams ran for Congress in 2016 and was called “the irrelevant candidate” by a news outlet. Eight years later, he says his experience, work ethic, and ability to lead can earn him a seat in the 6th Congressional District.
He moved into the world of agriculture. He became a tree farmer and learned the importance of agriculture’s role in Louisiana’s economy.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is reminding Wildlife Management Area (WMA) hunters and outdoorsmen of a burn ban in many parishes due to extremely dry conditions.
The bans include the burning of trash and vegetation, as well as any other open burning. For this reason, LDWF is restricting open fires, including campfires, on WMAs in these parishes until conditions improve and the burn bans are lifted.
Read MoreAPA - Engineered Wood Association Board of Trustees announces Scott Poole as its newest member. Poole is the president and chief operating officer for Martin Sustainable Resources, L.L.C. He joined Martin Companies in December 1986 as a member of the forestry team and has since held various roles in forestry, land and timber, manufacturing, and sales. In 2003, he became the highest-ranking non-family member in the company’s history.
He currently serves on the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) boards and the Louisiana Landowners Association.
Read MoreA strong autumn cold front has swept through delivering a real taste of fall.
Unfortunately, that front pushed through as a 'dry' front. Given the current state of dryness/drought across Louisiana, conditions after the frontal passage will set that stage for increased wildfire threats.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Logging Council, Drax Biomass, Hunt Forest Products, LaSalle Lumber Co. and Kisatchie National Forest are offering an opportunity for loggers to learn about Complimentary Forest Management, At-Risk Species, Timber Extraction and Restoration efforts on the Calcasieu District.
Read MoreIt's that time of year again! The West Louisiana Forestry Festival returns to Leesville October 2nd through the 6th at the Vernon Parish Fairgrounds located at 276 HM Stevens Blvd.
Festivities include a Junior, Teen, and Miss pageant held the two weekends preceding the festival. The Vernon Parish 4-H Club will have their horse show on September 29, 2024 beginning at 9:00 AM. On September 30, 2024 beginning at 5:30 PM the Woodsman Skills competition takes off and continues on October 1, 2024 at the same time.
Read MoreWoodland Biofuels, Inc., announced a planned $1.35 billion investment at the Port of South Louisiana to establish one of the world’s largest renewable biofuels production facilities. The Toronto-based company would utilize waste biomass to produce sustainable biofuel used in transportation, heating and electricity generation.
If the project moves forward as outlined, the company expects to create 110 direct new jobs with an average annual salary of more than $90,000. Louisiana Economic Development estimates that the project would result in 259 indirect new jobs for a total of 369 potential new jobs in the Southeast Region. Woodlands Biofuels estimates that the project would create approximately 500 construction jobs.
Read MoreBrooks Mendell, founder, president and CEO of Forisk Consulting, was one of the guest speakers at the 77th annual convention of the Louisiana Forestry Association.
His company does extensive research in the industry throughout the United States and Canada. During the late August event, Mendell sat down with us to talk about the forest productions industry in Louisiana for the September episode of Minding the Forest, LFA's podcast.
Read MoreUncontained wildfires can quickly engulf homes and infrastructure, leading to significant economic losses, displacement of communities, and health risks due to smoke. They also present significant threats to forests, grasslands, and other natural habitats, leading to the death or displacement of countless animals and plants.
Providing firefighting teams with the best technology improves their chances of containing wildfires before they cause widespread damage.
Read MoreOn the night of August 24, Vernon Parish volunteer fire departments and Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) fire crews were dispatched to the area off Highway 465 north of Simpson. Investigators say that on August 23, after the logging crew left for work, several pieces of logging equipment and timber caught fire.
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