Farm to Table and Cocktail

The bulk of Louiaisna's population, living in cities like Baton
Rouge and New Orleans, probably don’t think much about it, but
farming is a significant sector of the state’s economy. Nearly
one-third of the state’s land is farmland!


There are 27,400 farms in Louisiana, though it’s a rapidly
changing and challenging way to make a living. Even given the
obstacles though, there is opportunity for a new generation of
creative cultivators who are practicing new ways of raising
livestock, growing crops, and creating new products with the
output.


Galen Iverstine is founder and co-owner of Iverstine Farms and
Butcher. The name of the company refers to a farm in Kentwood,
Louisiana that uses sustainable farming practices in raising its
cattle, and a full-service butcher shop, smokehouse and "eatery"
in Baton Rouge.


At the Baton Rouge outlet Galen sells local, farm-raised meats,
and supports local farming partners who prioritize land-healing
methods.


Galen started the business in 2010, when he purchased his 65 acre
farm. It grew out of his experience senior year at LSU, when,
trying to figure out what to do with his life, he took an English
class that focused on food writing and in doing so learned all
about food policy, industrial agriculture models and subsistence
farming. It might be the most unique introduction to farming,
ever!


Nathalie Noel's connection to Louisiana agriculture is through
our sugracane crops. Nathalie is CEO of Noel Family Distillery, a
company based in Donaldsonville that uses locally sourced
sugarcane to distill ultra premium spirits. Not only do they make
tequila, rum and vodka, they also blend their spirits with
natural flavors to produce a line of ready-to-drink, canned craft
cocktails.


Nathalie founded the Noel Family Distillery with her dad, Chip,
who was inspired to open a distillery by his travels as a pilot,
where he discovered Caribbean style and Central American rums.


Out to Lunch is recorded live over lunch at Mansurs on the
Boulevard. You can find photos from this show by Brian Pavlich at
itsbatonrouge.la.


See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.