Louisiana
Louisiana Nursery: A Testament to Local Growth and Community Connection
In the heart of Prairieville, Louisiana lies a beacon of local business and horticultural expertise: Louisiana Nursery. Celebrated for its dedication to the community and the advancement of gardening knowledge, this nursery stands as a testament to the resilience and growth of local enterprises. I had the pleasure of speaking with Les Rivet, a familiar face in the local gardening community, who has been with Louisiana Nursery for over four decades.
From Humble Beginnings to Horticultural Haven
Lesâs journey with Louisiana Nursery began 41 years ago, starting with manual labor tasks such as unloading trucks and operating forklifts. Today, he oversees the day-to-day operations of the Prairieville location, a four-acre site that has been serving the community since its opening in 2006. This facility, along with two other locations in Baton Rouge, showcases the nurseryâs commitment to providing a wide variety of plants and gardening supplies to its customers.
Facing Challenges with Resilience
Louisiana Nursery has seen its fair share of challenges, from extreme weather conditions to the evolving needs of the community. Yet, through it all, the nursery has remained a steadfast provider of beauty and growth. Les attributes his love for the job to the ever-changing nature of the work and the joy of adapting to each new season. From the bustling spring season to the festive Christmas tree season, thereâs always something new and exciting on the horizon.
A Community of Gardeners
At the heart of Louisiana Nursery is its people. Les speaks fondly of the relationships heâs built with customers over the years, many of whom have become friends. This sense of community is what makes Louisiana Nursery more than just a place to buy plants; itâs a place where success in gardening is nurtured, and customers are encouraged to return season after season.
Embracing Technology and Innovation
Over the years, Louisiana Nursery has embraced technological advancements, both in the plants they offer and in their operations. The nursery now utilizes computers and databases to improve ordering efficiency and accuracy, a significant leap from the days of paper records. This adoption of technology has allowed Louisiana Nursery to continue offering the latest in plant varieties and gardening solutions.
A Personal Touch
When asked about his favorite plant, Lesâs answer was immediate: azaleas. His preference for the larger varieties, such as the Formosa, reflects his deep appreciation for the beauty and diversity of the plant world.
Supporting Local: A Call to Action
As we wrapped up our conversation, the message was clear: supporting local businesses like Louisiana Nursery not only contributes to the local economy but also fosters a sense of community and shared growth. With three locations to serve the gardening needs of Louisiana, Les and his team at Louisiana Nursery invite everyone to experience the joy of gardening and the satisfaction of supporting local.
In a world where the pace of change is ever-accelerating, Louisiana Nursery stands as a reminder of the value of local expertise, the importance of community, and the enduring beauty of nature.
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Louisiana ranks among the top 10 most affordable states to retire, according to a new study from Retirement Living, a national journal of retirement research.
Researchers analyzed each state’s housing costs, living expenses and tax friendliness to compile the ranking. Louisiana, they say, is the eighth most affordable state for retirees.
In Louisiana, the median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $932, the median home sale price is $255,000, monthly grocery spend per capita is $272, the average price per gallon of regular gas is $4, the average Medicare Advantage monthly premium is $13.35 and the average effective property tax rate is 0.55%.
West Virginia is the most affordable state to retire, followed by Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Louisiana, Indiana and Kansas. Researchers describe the South as “the sweet spot for an affordable retirement.”
The most expensive state to retire, meanwhile, is California, followed by Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Utah, New York and Minnesota.
Read Retirement Living’s full report here.
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – With hurricane season approaching, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority is bringing the community together to prepare before a storm forms.
“We can’t stop disasters from happening. We can’t stop hurricanes from happening. But what we can do is equip our communities with the resources that they need to prepare for these storms ahead of time,” said Jayda Morris, CPRA outreach manager.
The agency hosted an event featuring interactive storm simulations and a full model of the Mississippi River.
“If you do it now, like on a sunny day like today, you’re ready to go for the rest of the season,” Jay Grymes said.
El Niño may reduce storms, but Louisiana still at risk
State Climatologist Jay Grymes said an El Niño pattern may reduce the number of storms in the Atlantic but warned against a false sense of security.
“In those 25 years, Louisiana, some part of the state has been impacted by 29 storms. That’s one a year, regardless of El Niño. So that should tell you something,” Grymes said.
He said the bigger concern is storms that can form in the Gulf with little warning.
“If we’re going to get a storm, it very possibly could be one that bubbles up in the Gulf and doesn’t give us five or seven days to track it coming our way. It gives us 40 hours to get ready for a landfall. So it’s imperative that you go ahead and do it now,” Grymes said.
Preparation goes beyond stocking water
Preparing now includes walking through yards, checking trees, and knowing whether everyone in the family can survive two weeks without power.
PhD students with the LSU College of the Coast and Environment gave the community a virtual reality experience that puts users inside a storm.
“If they wear the goggles or play with the Apple Vision Pro, they can understand how high will the flood be, and they can know how dangerous is the hurricane scenario,” said Yixuan Wang.
The VR simulation uses real historical data to show users what compound flooding looks like in New Orleans and surrounding areas. The goal is to make the science real for people who can’t picture what a flood map means.
“It’s just to let you understand the environment. We will add the audios, the different sound of the wind and the storm. And you can see how tense of the rainfall around you,” Wang said.
Organizers said the event is about making sure that when a storm threatens the area, families already know their plan.
Information from the event is available on CPRA’s website. Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.
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BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Louisiana homeowners can get financial help to upgrade their roofs and ensure they can better stand up to strong storms.
According to the Louisiana Department of Insurance, registration for next Louisiana Fortify Homes Program lottery opens at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 1. The registration period will stay open through 5 p.m. on Friday, June 19.
Under the latest round of the program, 3,000 grants of up to $10,000 will go out. After applying, homeowners will get placed into a lottery and will be randomly selected.
There are many specific benefits of having a roof upgraded through the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program. Officials said the roofs have stronger shingles that can protect against hail up to two inches wide, sealed roof decks to help prevent water damage, and stronger edges to keep wind from getting underneath.
Homeowners with a fortified roof can also get a certificate to receive a discount on insurance premiums.
“At the end of the day, this program is about more than just roofs,” said Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple. “It is about protecting families, it is about strengthening communities, and it is about putting Louisiana in a stronger position—both physically and economically—to face the challenges ahead.”
Only people living in Ascension Parish, Livingston Parish, Assumption Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, Acadia Parish, Calcasieu Parish, Cameron Parish, Iberia Parish, Jefferson Parish, Jefferson Davis Parish, Lafayette Parish, Lafourche Parish, Orleans Parish, Plaquemines Parish, St. Bernard Parish, St. Charles Parish, St. James Parish, St. John the Baptist Parish, St. Martin Parish, St. Mary Parish, St. Tammany Parish, Terrebonne Parish, and Vermilion Parish are eligible to apply for the latest round of the program.
People living in a newly built home, mobile home, or condominium are not qualified.
For a detailed list of eligibility requirements, click here.
If a person registered for the program previously, he or she must do so again. The person will also need to provide the following information:
- A homestead exemption on the primary residence.
- A policy of insurance that provides wind coverage for the primary residence.
- A flood insurance policy on the primary residence if it is in a special flood hazard area.
For more information about applying, click here.
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Watch the latest WAFB news and weather now.
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