Following up on past stories

What does lumber, oyster mushrooms and compost have in common? Success!

The other day…
By Donna Culotta

There are times I like to look back on some of the stories I’ve written on those who have started a small and local business to see how things are going.

Riverside Timber Co.

In the fall of 2022 I met Aaron Bakies who started the Riverside Timber Company on Hwy 1, north of Fifth Ward.

Aaron had moved from Forest Hill to specifically open a timber company. When I first talked to him his wood lot was full of scattered tree trunks and needed organization. That was only because he hadn’t had time to accomplish the layout of his brand new timber company.

If you regularly pass down Hwy. 1 between Marksville and Alexandria, you probably have noticed the same thing I have, Aaron’s business is growing. He now has a large storage shed at the front of the property full of stacked lumber.

In the beginning he worked with more types of timber than he does now. “I only specialize in pine and cypress,” he said.

His desire to have a kiln to dry lumber is now a DIY project. “I’m going to build my own,” he said with confidence.

Aaron is shipping 18-wheeler loads of lumber to places like Dallas, Houston and Oklahoma.
Besides all that, Aaron remodeled the inside of his house and added a room. “I just figure it out as I go.”
He was proud to say that Riverside Lumber Company is getting better every year.

Parco Farm Mushrooms

E.J. and Denise Cox of Parco Farm in Plaucheville grow white and pink oyster mushrooms in a controlled environment in a building behind their house.

I discovered them at a farmers market back in 2023 when they were mainly selling to a local restaurant.

Today their product line has expanded since Denise has experimented with dehydrated mushrooms. “They will last six months to a year,” she explained.

The Coxes will also pressure can their mushrooms and that product will last three to four years.

And who doesn’t love cream of mushroom soup? Denise and E.J. now have a container of dried mushroom soup base that will make as much as eight cans of the red can. Just add water to the soup base for your own bowl or get creative.

As Denise said, “Experiment, try different ingredients and add your favorite seasonings. Replace all or part of the water with broth or white wine.”

Bayou Gold Compost

Ken Poche of Spring Bayou spent a lot of time perfecting his Bayou Gold compost. It’s a rich addition to any struggling garden and Ken believes in his product.

I had seen Ken’s booth at local farmers markets and finally stood still to listen about how gold his Bayou Gold is.

His original intent was to make something to help his dad’s garden. On the way to that goal he realized he had a winner.

Buyers are now coming from all over for Bayou Gold compost and his other product of worm castings.

Ken is now working with a company in Kilgore, Texas to give presentations on the art of making compost.

“The company wanted someone who knew about composting and could answer questions,” he said.

It also helps that Ken has been certified by LSU in composting.

There have also been times when he will work with 4-H. In the spring when it’s time to plant in the home garden, Ken sells tomato and pepper plants as a way to demonstrate the power of his Bayou Gold.

As much as these three products are different they are the same in that it takes work, belief and perseverance to succeed. Remember, MacDonald’s started with only one hamburger.