Louisiana AgriPOWER

February brought our last AgriPOWER XI session to the great state of Louisiana, and it didn’t disappoint. While we toured so many great places during our time, I’m going to highlight some of my favorites.  

Cargill, LouisianaOur adventure started at the Cargill port. Although it was cold and pouring rain, it didn’t stop us from seeing everything that makes this place important to international grain shipping. The ships can haul anywhere from 1 million to 2.5 million bushels of grain internationally. The efficiency that goes into loading and unloading was equally impressive. This tour highlighted the importance of maintaining and updating our water way infrastructures in the United States. Our final stop of Thursday took us to St. James Parish where we toured a farm with multiple diverse crops such as sugar cane, crawfish and Perique tobacco which has been grown, harvested and sold over three generations. 

Friday brought us to the Angola Prison, the largest maximum security prison in America. The director of agriculture for the prison system guided us around the 18,000 acres, showing how diversified their sustainability is for Louisiana’s prison system. Cattle are raised and sold at auction, vegetables are grown and consumed by the prisoners, and grain is grown. A prisoner rodeo, where civilians and their families come to enjoy the day of rodeos, carnival rides and food was my favorite. Prisoners sell wood crafts and other hobby items during the fair to earn money for their commissary, while paying the prison a percentage of their commission for religious maintenance. A tour of The Water Campus, which is focused on reduction of land loss in Louisiana, finished out the day. 

Fellowship was had by all students as we finished out our tour of New Orleans, with grand parades celebrating Mardi Gras, while also enjoying local foods and flavors of the NOLA culture.

Online Extra

AgriPOWER takes on Louisiana–Session 6 blog by Vicki Vance

The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
Kevin Holy's avatar
Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
Ryanna Tietje's avatar
Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau connections
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman's avatar
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

Henry County

10-year campaign for safer roads
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
Suggested Tags: