Beginner Net Wire Fencing Workshop

On April 24, 2026, the Louisiana Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative hosted a beginner fencing workshop at Baker 4 Farm in Jena, LA. A small group of producers and agriculture professionals gathered for a hands-on workshop, focused on installing net wire fences. This workshop was geared toward those who had little to no experience with net wire fence installation.

Brandon Streetman (Triple S Fencing) led the instruction for the workshop. The attendees began with a blank slate, in a pasture that did not have any existing permanent fence. Brandon walked the attendees through the process, start-to-finish, and the workshop ended with about 50 yards of fence built for the pasture.

The farm hosts, Chip and Becky McLaurin of Baker 4 Farm, raise grass-fed sheep and cattle on their pastures. They’ve previously had trouble with nutrients, soil hardness, and drought in this area. Before they purchased the land, it was previously used as a hay field. 

Before deciding to install a permanent fencing structure, the McLaurins were using poly wire and electric net wire to rotate their animals through the pasture. They recently received a cost-sharing program to build net wire fences to divide their pastures. They also utilize a feral swine fencing exclusion program through LaSalle Parish to help with the cost of installing permanent fencing.

Six producers, four NRCS employees, and one Conservation District employee observed, listened, and were guided by Brandon as he explained the steps to net wire fence installation. Attendees used tools such as drills and chainsaws, and learned how to accurately measure fence posts and build H-braces. Louisiana GLCI is dedicated to providing practical, hands-on instruction, so everyone got to actually participate and stretch the net wire and use a staple gun to attach it to the post. Registration was kept small for this workshop on purpose, so that each attendee could receive individualized quality instruction.

During his demonstration, Brandon spent ample time explaining the “why” behind his instructions, such as why it mattered which side of the post the wire went on. There are a lot of details that are important to proper fence installation; details that many of the attendees said they hadn’t considered prior. 

Brandon also taught everyone how to read the net wire labels and how to choose the best materials. He also explained some alternative building methods and supplies that were not used as part of the workshop. 

The well-rounded instruction from Brandon allowed attendees to listen, observe, and then actually practice the concepts he discussed. He explained the “why”, “how-to”, and also encouraged questions to further the discussion. By the end of the half-day workshop, there was a completed working fence, standing with wire stretched tight.

In addition to the practical knowledge shared from Brandon, the peer-to-peer networking opportunity provided a value to attendees. Everyone was encouraged to share their own challenges and concerns with each other. 

Louisiana GLCI is planning to host another beginner fencing workshop later this year, with the main focus of that day being electric fencing. Details for that workshop will be available at LouisianaGLCI.org/Events. 

Special thanks to Brandon Streetman from Triple S Fencing for being the instructor for this workshop, Southern SARE and LSU Ag Center for helping provide tools, Louisiana NRCS, and Chip and Becky McLaurin at Baker 4 Farm for hosting everyone at their farm.