Beauregard Parish Farm Bureau President David Smith has spent a lifetime around agriculture. Today, he grows corn, soybeans, wheat and other crops near DeRidder, while also serving on the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation state board and the Cultivating Connection Mental Health Committee.

In this episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, Smith joins us from the field to talk about the weight farmers carry during tough economic times, unpredictable weather and the pressure of keeping a family farm going for the next generation. He reflects on growing up during the farm crisis of the 1980s, watching his father carry the stress of farming, and how those same pressures show up in different ways today.

Smith says farmers are often “fixers,” but that does not mean they have to carry everything alone. His message is simple: check on each other, listen, and do not be afraid to talk about what is really going on. This conversation is part of Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Cultivating Connection effort, encouraging farmers, ranchers and rural communities to have honest conversations about stress, mental health and the importance of staying connected.

• Listen to David's last episode on the podcast here.
• Louisiana Farm Bureau's Cultivating Connection website with mental health resources.
• American Farm Bureau's Farm State of Mind website
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

In this episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, Allie Shipley sits down with Courtney Gerace to talk about mental health in agriculture and the personal journey that led her to help launch Louisiana Farm Bureau’s new initiative, Cultivating Connection. Gerace shares her own experience with anxiety and depression, explains why farm life can intensify stress and isolation, and discusses how this effort hopes to connect people with resources and encourage honest conversations across rural Louisiana.

• Louisiana Farm Bureau's Cultivating Connection website with mental health resources.
• American Farm Bureau's Farm State of Mind website
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

Jamie and Aaron Lee of Vermilion Parish join the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast to talk about how Young Farmers & Ranchers helped shape their path in agriculture and leadership. They share how Farm Bureau gave them confidence, connections, and encouragement to grow as farmers, advocates, and volunteers. From parish involvement to leadership at the state level, their story is a reminder that sometimes simply showing up can change everything.

• See a story about Aaron & Jamie as YF&R Achievement Award finalists here.
• Learn more about Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers here
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot joins the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast from his farm to talk about the realities of spring planting, the uncertainty facing agriculture in 2026, and the work being done on behalf of farmers at every level. From Farm Bill conversations in Washington, D.C., to the success of Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Rooted in Leadership Conference and the upcoming Membership Monday push, Fontenot shares why engagement, relationships and grassroots advocacy matter more than ever. He also looks ahead to convention season and previews new efforts to support farmers through mental health awareness.

• Learn more about Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers here
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers recently traveled to Washington, D.C., for their annual fly-in, meeting with members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation and advocating for issues affecting agriculture back home.

In this episode, host Karl Wiggers visits with Andy Brown, Director of Commodity and Public Policy at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, about the trip and the issues discussed on Capitol Hill. Brown explains how the young farmers shared their personal stories about challenges facing their farms, including agricultural labor shortages and the need to pass a new Farm Bill.

They also discuss the latest developments in Washington, including movement on Farm Bill 2.0, labor issues impacting Louisiana’s crawfish industry and the importance of grassroots advocacy in shaping agricultural policy.

• Learn more about Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers here
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

Recorded at the LSU State Livestock Show, Karl Wiggers sits down with Madison DeKeyzer and Macy Rushing to talk cattle-show life, Farm Bureau connections, and what’s ahead on the Louisiana Farm Bureau Livestock Advisory Committee Beef Tour (March 22–27). Madison shares what makes the tour special—top-notch ranch visits, educational stops, and the real value: the relationships you build along the way. Macy brings the “new producer” perspective, talking about jumping into cattle as a first-generation operation and why she’s excited to learn from others on the trip.

Sign up here: https://lafarmbureau.org/calendar/2026/3/22/2026-louisiana-farm-bureau-beef-tour

Guests
- Madison DeKeyzer – Louisiana Farm Bureau Commodity & Public Policy Specialist
- Macy Rushing – Lucky 5 Land & Livestock

Key topics
- What the Beef Tour is (ranches + educational stops + networking)
- Why the best learning happens between stops (bus conversations)
- Macy’s operation: backgrounding / stocker calves
- Farm Bureau connections that turn into real-world help

Beef Tour dates
- Deadline to register: March 11th
- March 22–27, 2026

• Learn more about Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers here
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

Louisiana’s been dry. But what does that mean for farmers across the state? This week, Avery Davidson sits down with State Climatologist Jay Grymes to unpack the ongoing drought conditions, why the Mississippi River is running low, and how Louisiana managed to dodge tropical storms this hurricane season. Jay also opens up about a personal battle he’s recently won — his fight with throat cancer — and shares a powerful reminder for everyone to take their health seriously.

Links

• Louisiana Office of State Climatology Facebook Page
• U.S. Drought Monitor – Louisiana
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.

This week on the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, Karl sits down with Matt Sirgo, Farm Bureau safety specialist and motorcycle instructor with the Louisiana State Police. Matt shares his journey from dirt bikes and four-wheelers as a kid to teaching safety courses that save lives today. They dive into ATV and UTV safety, the importance of helmets, how Louisiana Farm Bureau trains farmers and first responders on grain bin rescue, and why safety should always come first on the farm. Whether you’re in the field, on the road, or teaching the next generation, this conversation highlights practical tips and powerful stories that every farm family needs to hear.

• Find all the resources from National Farm Safety & Health Week here.
• To find the map of grain bin rescue resources, visit this site.
• Here is the playlist of stories from past grain bin entrapment trainings.
• Find a Louisiana Farm Bureau office in your parish here.
• Become a member of Louisiana Farm Bureau today.