SWLA Lawmakers Ask for Hold on Solar Project

Lawmakers in Southwest Louisiana say they share residents’ concerns over the solar project being proposed for Calcasieu and Jeff Davis parishes.

“We understand the potential impact this project could have on our community, and we take these matters very seriously,” a letter sent to 7NEWS Saturday evening stated.

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don molino
Showcase Your Creativity In National Rice Month Video Contest

The annual National Rice Month (NRM) Scholarship video contest is here! Creative students are challenged to shine a light on our favorite home-grown grain, and in a short video – three minutes or less – educate, entertain, and tell us why rice is special to you, to your state, or to the world.  

It’s easy to participate! ReelRiceContest.com has all the details about this year’s contest open to graduating high school students from Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, or Texas.

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Ricedon molino
EPA and USDA Staff Get a Taste of Cajun Rice

Last week, USA Rice hosted several scientists from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs and an agricultural economist from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Pest Management Policy for an in-depth educational tour of the U.S. rice industry based here in southwest Louisiana.  The tour’s objective was to provide attendees with a comprehensive overview of the Louisiana Gulf Coast rice producing and processing region to educate and build relationships in a friendly and comfortable environment.

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RiceAllie Shipley
Concordia Harvest Season Underway

Harvest season is officially underway, and early reports indicate a successful growing year for local farmers, according to Kylie Cater Miller, LSU AgCenter extension associate.

The corn crop was planted on time and benefited from ample rainfall, resulting in good yields this season.

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Cultivating Change: NRCS and Producers Pave the Way for Sustainable Agriculture

On June 26th and 28th, NRCS was invited to participate in farm tours for the No-Till Organic Market Garden (OMG) NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) project. The purpose of these tours was to collect soil samples and have discussions about soil health plans with producers who are committed to sustainable agriculture. The program supports a diverse group of small-scale, urban, beginning farmer and ranchers measuring their production over a three-year period with help from the NRCS. We visited several notable farms, including: James Price, 3P Farm; Samantha Starkey, Starkey Farmstead; Sierra Torres & Becks Hilliard, Cicada Calling Farm & Market; Donna Isaacs & Waylon Breaux, DeLaTerre Permaculture Farm; and Anthony Hoff, Heart & Harvest Homestead. They have all been embracing and implementing no-till and organic practices.

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