✨ Experience the Magic of the Holiday Season at Poinsettias & Prosecco ✨
Be among the first to experience the breathtaking Louisiana Lights at our exclusive 21+ preview party, hosted by the Friends of LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens.
Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Location: Burden Museum & Gardens (4560 Essen Ln, Baton Rouge, LA 70809) Event Venue: Windrush Gardens, enter through Rural Life Museum
Step into a winter wonderland as the Windrush Gardens sparkle with dazzling lights. Savor delicious small bites and expertly paired drinks from Baton Rouge’s favorite local restaurants. Enjoy live music on the porch of the historic Burden family home and indulge in decadent desserts as you toast to the season.
Tickets: $100 per person Friends of the Gardens Members: 20% off up to 4 tickets
All proceeds directly support the Friends of the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens, helping us keep these gardens thriving and beautiful for years to come.
Become a member now to get your discounted tickets!
Poinsettias & Prosecco Raffle
Enter to Win a $2,500 Diamond Set! Don’t miss your chance to win a stunning 14kt yellow gold & diamond dragonfly earring and pendant set, valued at $2,500, donated by Boudreaux’s Fine Jewelers. Raffle tickets are just $25 and you do not need to be present to win.
Purchase your raffle ticket here and add a little sparkle to your season!
December Reflections in the Garden
Topic: The Economic Impact of Tourism: Visit Baton Rouge’s Role in Driving Growth
Visit Baton Rouge’s mission is to increase visitation and elevate awareness of our region — driving economic growth, creating jobs, and enhancing quality of life in our capital city.
“We believe in investing in experiences that elevate our city’s profile and boost our local economy. That’s why we’ve made a 10-year sponsorship commitment to Louisiana Lights — aligning with our mission to drive economic growth by increasing visitation in East Baton Rouge.” — Jill Kidder, President/CEO, Visit Baton Rouge
Speaker: Jill Kidder, President/CEO at Visit Baton Rouge
About the Speaker:
Jill Kidder brings more than 40 years of hospitality, tourism, marketing, management, and economic development experience to her role as President and CEO at Visit Baton Rouge. She leads a team of sales, marketing and hospitality professionals to increase visitation and economic impact of tourism in Baton Rouge.
Prior to her role at Visit Baton Rouge, she spent 10 years as a Co-Executive Director for the Louisiana Travel Association and 5 years as President/CEO. Her skills were built in hotel sales and executive management positions from throughout the Southeast, with convention and visitors bureau (CVB), convention center and downtown development experience in between. She’s had the privilege of serving on numerous tourism and non-profit boards over the years and recently served as Chair of the Southeast Tourism Society. Jill’s passion for her community is infectious, and her multitasking skills are indispensable to Visit Baton Rouge. She has a way of taking care of the details while never losing sight of the goal at hand.
Event Details: December 1, 2025 from 12 pm to 1 pm at the Ione Burden Conference Center (4560 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809)
Reflections in the Garden is a monthly "lunch and learn" series presented by the Friends of LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens. The lectures are generally held on the first Monday of the month at noon at the Botanic Gardens.
Reflections in the Garden is live-streamed to members of the Friends of the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens through Microsoft Teams. In-person attendance is open to both members and nonmembers with registration.
January Reflections in the Garden
Topic: Native Tree Preservation
Speaker: Lee Rouse, President of the Louisiana State Horticulture Society
Lee Rouse brings more than 20 years of horticulture, landscape design, and educational outreach experience to his work as Owner and Lead Consultant at Rouse’s Horticulture in Baton Rouge. He partners with homeowners, organizations, and community groups to design sustainable landscapes, conduct full-yard assessments, and inspire people to garden with confidence.
Before launching Rouse’s Horticulture, Lee served as an LSU AgCenter agent, where he taught the Louisiana Master Gardener program for eight years and helped train hundreds of gardeners across South Louisiana. He holds a Master’s degree in Plant and Soil Systems from Louisiana State University and currently serves as President of the Louisiana State Horticulture Society. Lee also shares his expertise as a monthly gardening columnist for InRegister Magazine and speaks regularly at garden clubs, nurseries, and regional horticulture conferences.
Known for his practical, science-backed approach, Lee’s presentations are clear, engaging, and tailored for all skill levels—from new homeowners to seasoned growers. His demonstrations include native plant selection, seasonal pruning, yard evaluations, and sustainable closed-loop systems that incorporate aquaponics and backyard chicken coops. Lee’s passion for making horticulture accessible is evident in every workshop, and his ability to translate science into simple, actionable guidance is what sets him apart.
Event Details: January 5, 2026 from 12 pm to 1 pm at the Ione Burden Conference Center (4560 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809)
Friends of the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens is a 501(c)5 non-profit organization. 4560 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
