To receive a notification through the Remind text messaging system when a Tangi-Washington Grower Update is posted, please contact Mary Helen Ferguson. Click here for links to previous Tangi-Washington Grower Updates.

Several announcements about upcoming events and other opportunities are provided.

Rainwater and Water Quality Workshop for Market Growers & Small Nurseries - June 26 (Violet)

This event is scheduled for 1-4 PM, at Docville Farm (5124 E. St. Bernard Hwy., Violet, LA).

From the organizer:

We will be covering hands on micro-irrigation building, cisterns and water catchment strategies, making a rain barrel and filtration system, solar water distillation, and water quality testing for growers to do on-site, including pH and salinity. Participants will receive some free take-home testing supplies also!

Register by June 12th by emailing Anna Timmerman.

Strawberry Grower Meeting - July 31 (Hammond)

We’re planning strawberry education meeting for Wednesday, July 31. Tentatively, topics that will be addressed include a Neopestalotiopsis update, strawberry fertilization, and possible future applications of precision agriculture in strawberry production. More details will be provided.

2024 Sweet Potato Field Day – August 29 (Chase)

See LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station Events for more information.

Neighborhood Farmers Market (Mt. Hermon)

A new farmer’s market is planned for the third Saturday of each month, from 9 AM till 1 PM, with the event first taking place on June 15. The location is the Vernon Community Center (25017 Vernon School Rd., Mt. Hermon). If you’re interested in being a vendor, please call 985-482-1193 or send an email to NCCofLa.1@gmail.com. The vendor fee is $20.

Washington Parish Watermelon Stickers

The Washington Parish Watermelon, Fruit and Vegetable Association is handling sales of Washington Parish Watermelon stickers. Before they sell you stickers, they may ask you for a letter from me, acknowledging my familiarity with you as a watermelon grower in Washington Parish. If you anticipate needing stickers, please let me know well in advance that you’ll need a letter, so I will have time to visit your field.

Specialty Crop Survey

A graduate student at LSU is conducting a survey of specialty crop (e.g., fruit, vegetable, ornamental plant, etc.) growers to gather more information about the challenges you face, so that we can better address them. Please consider completing this survey at your earliest convenience. From the student:

Dear Participant/Respondent,

Specialty crop production in Louisiana has been challenging in recent years. There are rising challenges that farmers like yourself are facing.

I am researching these challenges experienced by specialty crop growers in Louisiana and would like you to participate in this research study. Your response matters because my records indicate that you are a specialty crop producer in this state.

Your participation in this research study is anonymous. Your response will only be shared as part of an overall report that is not identifiable by person. Participation is completely voluntary. This survey will take approximately twelve minutes to complete.

To avoid possible issues with non-legitimate responses or responses from individuals outside of Louisiana/Mississippi, I am not pasting the survey link here. If you would like to respond to the survey, please contact Alessandro Holzapfel for the link.

Let me know if you have questions.

Contact Mary Helen Ferguson, Ph.D.

The LSU AgCenter and LSU provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.