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FAMILY FEATURES

It’s all over the news, and you are likely painfully aware that we are in a major drought right now in Louisiana. The Mississippi River is at its lowest level in more than 100 years. Your lawns are probably toast if you have not been watering, and your landscape trees and shrubs are likely showing signs of stress. Extended droughts like the one we are experiencing now can cause damage to trees if we do not step in and assist or get some rainfall soon. Despite the fact that we had daily rain in late July and August, these severe fluctuations in heavy rains followed by extended droughts can do a number on the long-term survivability and health of trees.

Recently, Jennings Kiwanis Club gathered to introduce four new members and vote in a new board at the club’s installation luncheon at Mike’s Seafood in Jennings.

Clockwise from top left: Ron Yule of DeRidder, Wilfred Lutrell of DeRidder, Donovan Borque of Beaumont, Texas, and Mary Harris of Breaux Bridge compete in Saturday’s Battle of the Bows Cajun Fiddle Competition held at the Strand Theatre.

If you don’t go to church, you won’t understand this column. I grew up in the First Baptist Church of my small Alabama town. Since my father was one of the pillars of the church, we were there as a family every time the doors opened.

Implementing sustainable practices aimed at sequestering carbon, or carbon farming, can help farmers and ranchers increase their bottom line while managing environmental impact in numerous ways, including keeping the soil covered year-round, reducing or eliminating tillage and effectively managing range and pasture lands.