Group plants seed for Feliciana flower destination

Native Louisianans and tourists are flocking to the Felicianas to see acres of wildflowers growing in fields, on roadways and across the rural countryside.

This field of dreams is still a seed nestled in the dirt, but alive nonetheless in the shared vision called the Feliciana Wildflower Project, set to sprout this summer.

The inaugural Feliciana Wildflower Festival, the brainchild of retired zoologist and biologist Paul Davidson, will be held June 1 between the communities of Clinton and Jackson.

Planners of the festival and project hope to replicate the flower power and excitement that has made wildflower-watching an economic boost and tourist attraction in Texas.

The Bluebonnet Trail and Festival held each April in Ennis, Texas, covers more than 40 miles of bright spring flowers and draws 35,000 visitors. Davidson sees wildflowers, unity and commerce about to bloom.

“We're going to make people start feeling better about this community in that we're going to build a better community,” he said. “This is a time in society where there's so much anger and polarization. You know, you can't say anything bad about flowers.”

Davidson grew up in Baton Rouge but is an organic farmer and conservationist in Clinton. For the past several years, he has been planting wildflower patches around East Feliciana.

He has brought together a planning group made up of local business owners, farmers and agricultural and environment professionals.

The organizers come from different worlds emphasizing community growth, therapeutic benefits of gardening, the importance of preserving personal connections to history and nature, and the potential economic benefits of community beautification and wildflower planting.

Nancy Matthews, a retired U.S. Department of Agriculture staffer who grew up in Clinton, is excited about planting positive seeds in her hometown.

“I did work for USDA for 33 years as an IT specialist, but I worked with plant specialists and biologists, and when they approached me about the Wildflower Festival, I thought it was something that I would like to see our kids start to be interested in again, because we lost that farming mentality or just planning and seeing the beauty of flowers,” she said. “I miss seeing honeysuckles and butterflies.”

Matthews said she feels bringing back a strong tie to nature will help creatures and the people who share the space.

“Anything to grow our little town to make Clinton recognizable in the world; that's why I took an interest in the project,” she said.

Rainee Dunham is not a native to Clinton but echoes Matthews interests and concerns.

“My biggest interest is pollinators and pollinator plants, and I've raised monarch butterflies for many years,” she said. “When I choose plants, I try to choose host plants for these butterflies, and also the nectar plants as well.”

The Dunham home is a registered way station for monarchs as they pass through milkweed and supportive items. Meeting Davidson helped her increase her interest and efforts.

“We've talked in meetings about educating children on pollinators and butterflies and the monarchs and their whole life cycle and you know how someone can register their own lawn,” she said.

The festival will include education for kids and adults, entertainment, food, discussion panels and shopping.

Events will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 1 during the Clinton Community Market in downtown Jackson.

Organizer and group publicist Arlene Culpepper said outreach stations will be set up at businesses and spots along the wildflower trail. Participants include the USDANatural Resources Conservation Service, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Pheasants Forever, East Feliciana 4-H, LSU AgCenter, Southern University AgCenter, Wisteria Alliance, Maypop Hill, McKowen Farms, H Mercantile, The Green Door at H Mercantile and Galvez Distillery.

Culpepper said attendees will be able to view wildflowers as they enter Clinton and Jackson and in front of businesses and residences throughout East Feliciana Parish. There will also be a Wildflower Photography Contest.

Organizers say other issues will be addressed by the project such as the importance of preserving agricultural land, sustainable forestry practices, legacy planning and building a stronger community.

Ginger Goudeau, owner of Blue Frog Antiques in Jackson, and Roberta McKowen, of McKowen Farms, emphasized community-building and growth. The festival will be an opportunity to highlight the local floral farms and the unique native plants they offer.

“They are a part of the citizens around here that want this community to be better and it's five different farmers who want to be a part of the community-building effort,” Mckowen said. “So, they are taking a day off from market to devote their resources to the June 1 event.”

Goudeau said they are expecting a party atmosphere.

“We are expecting flowers and friends and families out and about that day,” she said. “I think we felt added fellowship of doing this between the growers. Most people don't even know there's growers here in this area, which is an awesome opportunity.”

Goudeau is also helping to keep the Jackson community strongly tied to the festival. “We'll be right there around the East Feliciana War Memorial. So, it's going bring some attention to something a lot of people don't even those in Jackson,” she said.

Davidson is determined to bring the East Feliciana community back to nature and back together. He mentioned the recent tornado damage and how it focused people’s efforts.

“People have come out of the woodwork to help and that was so wonderful," he said. “We need to rally the troops and let's move forward starting in Clinton and it's going to grow from there.”