Louisiana Officials Prepare for Rose Parade Appearance

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, local tourism leaders, and Louisiana entertainers are in Southern California making final preparations for Monday’s Rose Parade through the streets of Pasadena.

The group is putting final touches on Louisiana’s “Explore Louisiana” float, which will feature the state’s agriculture and tourism. One hundred volunteers from Louisiana will place over 100,000 roses on the float.

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Louisiana Farm Bureau Rooted in Leadership Conference Deadline Approaching

Louisiana Farm Bureau members still have time to register for the inaugural Rooted in Leadership Conference, scheduled for January 23–24, 2026, in Baton Rouge, but the registration deadline is quickly approaching. Registration closes Monday, January 5.

The Rooted in Leadership Conference is a joint leadership event hosted by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation’s Women’s Leadership Committee, Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, and Michael Danna Leadership Planning Committee.

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USDA Projects $37 Billion Ag Trade Deficit Next Year

The USDA is forecasting that the agricultural trade deficit will shrink in 2026 more than previously anticipated. Agri-Pulse said USDA expects the trade deficit to drop from $43.7 billion in fiscal year 2025 to $37 billion in fiscal year 2026. That’s according to the Quarterly Trade Forecast published last Tuesday.

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How Does US Rice Production Compare To South America?

Rice is a staple food across much of the globe, and different regions have varied preferences in cooking characteristics, taste and texture. In the Latin American rice market, customers favor high-quality, loosely cooked rice, and countries in this region are known for high rice consumption per capita. 

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Lawmakers Eye More Farm Aid on Top of USDA Bridge Assistance

Agriculture Committee leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives are looking to provide at least an additional $10 billion in farmer aid to supplement the recently announced Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program. That additional aid would likely have to be driven by Congress, as a USDA undersecretary says it’s unlikely the agency will provide a second farmer aid package.

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LITE Center Receives $200K Grant to Bring Support to Rural Businesses

Rural businesses in Acadiana could receive more technological and expert support with a $200,000 grant.

The Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise, or LITE, Center in partnership with the Louisiana Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, or LEED, Center and the Office of Innovation Management at the University of Louisiana Lafayette received the grant recently from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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The Louisiana Purchase: How Thomas Jefferson Secured America’s Agricultural Future

In the early years of the United States, few decisions carried as much long-term impact as the Louisiana Purchase. While often remembered for dramatically expanding the nation’s borders, the acquisition was driven by practical concerns—especially agriculture, trade, and access to markets. As explained by Mark Oppold in this American Agriculture History Minute, President Thomas Jefferson recognized that the future of American farmers depended on one strategic location: the port of New Orleans.

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Trump’s $12 Billion Payment to Farmers Comes in Rough Time for Louisiana Farmers

With about half of Louisiana’s — and the nation’s — farmers facing dire financial straits, agricultural communities are hoping the $12 billion short-term relief ordered by President Donald Trump earlier this month will be enough to offset losses from trade wars, tariffs, depressed commodity prices, and increased planting costs.

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