Joe Mapes: Could There Be Another Special Session?
Recently, there’s been speculation about whether there will be another special session of the Louisiana legislature in 2024. It brings to mind the question of how many licks it takes to reach the center of a Tootsie Pop, with the answer being three.
Interestingly, this legislative body has already gone through three sessions in 2024, and we are only halfway through the year. The legislators, who want to spend time with their families, are reluctant to return to Baton Rouge for another session. A second reason to not convene again is that the leges are exhausted from these three sessions, and the most obvious reason is, "for what?"
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New DOL Rules for Seasonal Agricultural Workers: What Employers Need to Know
On June 28, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) implemented a new final rule to enhance protections for agricultural workers, both American and foreign, particularly those employed under H-2A status. This rule strengthens enforcement measures to ensure compliance with federal labor laws, boosting worker protection obligations in several key areas.
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Kaplan High Graduate Wins Farm Bureau Crown
Twenty-four of Louisiana’s most poised and talented ladies representing various parishes competed for the coveted crown. Eager to represent the organization for the upcoming year, this year’s slate of contestants participated in multiple rounds of competition, which included both interviews and evening gown presentations.
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Parks Woman Wins at 2024 Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention
Parks native Hannah Devall takes home a title at the 2024 Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention held in New Orleans.
What started out as Devall’s high school passion led her to win the Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet Contest which focuses on cooperation, teamwork and critical thinking.
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Rice Farmer Elected Louisiana Farm Bureau President
On Sunday, fourth-generation rice farmer Richard Fontenot of Ville Platte was elected the 13th president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau.
Fontenot, who in addition to rice farms soybeans and crawfish, succeeds Jim Harper of Cheneyville, in leading the more than 100-year-old organization.
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The Farmer's Forecast: Watching Beryl
All eyes are on Hurricane Beryl. Here’s how I see things going for Louisiana.
Beryl will likely maintain major hurricane status as it approaches Jamaica. There will be some weakening over the next few days, but it looks like a Jamaica landfall, or very close call will happen, causing some big problems there today. After that the forecast track takes Hurricane Beryl just south of Cancun and Cozumel sometime Thursday night. If that happens, Beryl would spend around 12 hours over land, and would likely weaken to a strong tropical storm, or minimal hurricane.
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Solar Power, Farm Bill, Sugar Program Affects Louisiana Sugarcane
Landowners need to be very careful when approached by solar power developers and do their due diligence before signing on the dotted line, advised an energy expert attorney at the June 29 sugar commodity meeting at the 102nd Annual Louisiana Farm Bureau convention at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel.
Only about 25 percent of all the proposed solar projects will ever come to fruition said Emory Belton, an energy attorney from Baton Rouge.
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Louisiana Farm Bureau Just Wrapped Up Its Annual Meeting to Discuss State Industry Issues
Many state Farm Bureau organizations are holding their annual meetings.
The Louisiana Farm Bureau just wrapped up theirs where everything from crawfish to row crops are discussed.
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Vermilion Parish Couple Named Louisiana's Top Young Farmers
Aaron and Jamie Lee of Vermilion Parish have been named the 2024 Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award Winners, the highest honor given by the Louisiana Farm Bureau to individual farmers each year.
The Lees won the award during the organization’s 102nd Annual Convention here at the Marriott on Canal St. Thursday night during the Organizational Awards. The young couple are sixth-generation sugarcane, livestock, rice, and crawfish farmers who will now go on to compete for the national title in January 2025 at the American Farm Bureau convention in San Antonio, Texas.
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Vermilion Parish Wins Big at 102nd Annual Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention
The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation culminated the opening night of its 102nd Annual Convention with Vermilion Parish Farm Bureau capturing the President’s Award for the fifth straight year.
The President’s Award recognizes the parish Farm Bureau that excels in membership, advocacy and communications over the past year. Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper presented the award to Vermilion Parish Farm Bureau President Bryan Simon Thursday night at the New Orleans Marriott.
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102nd Annual Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention Underway
The 102nd Annual Convention of the Louisiana Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general farm organization, is underway here at the Marriott Hotel on Canal St.
The convention will see 1,500 farm families attend during the four-day event, which includes contests, commodity conferences, youth activities and a host of guest speakers, including politicians. Expected to attend this year is U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., Commissioner of Ag and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain and Commissioner of Insurance Tim Temple.
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The Farmer's Forecast: It's Convention Time!
It’s convention time, so let’s jump in with a New Orleans forecast for everyone that will be gathering down there this weekend! It looks like a very New Orleans weekend with loads of humidity, plenty of heat, and daily rain chances. Rain should keep highs around 90 each day, with lows only falling into the upper 70s. Some of the most refreshing moments will be the time immediately after thunderstorms in the afternoon.
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Challenges in Farming: Mental Health Struggles Among Farmers
Farming is a vital occupation that helps to ensure fresh produce on our tables, but at the same time comes with immense pressures that often go unnoticed.
According to the American Farm Bureau, farmers are 2.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the national average.
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Rescue Tubes Can Prevent Suffocation Deaths in Grain Bins
Nearly 200 people have suffocated in grain bins in the U.S. in the past 30 years, according to Texas A&M.
The Louisiana Farm Bureau and the Louisiana Fire and Rescue Academy have compiled a list of all grain safety rescue tubes in the state. There are 25 in the state and only one here in Southwest Louisiana.
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Louisiana Farm Bureau and LFETA Compile List of All Grain Bin Rescue Tubes in the State
Louisiana Farm Bureau and the Louisiana Fire and Emergency Training Academy have compiled a list of all grain bin rescue tubes in the state and their locations.
There are currently 25 grain bin rescue tubes in the state. Seventeen are owned by fire departments. The remaining eight are owned by companies that operate grain elevators.
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