Farmerville is a rural community with access to Lake D'Arbonne
Sitting on a nook of land tucked above Lake D’Arbonne, Farmerville is a small town in northern Louisiana defined by its surroundings. "It’s rural living,” says Brian Bendily, a Realtor with John Rea Realty. “It’s rolling hills and a lot of trees. It’s a timber-driven area.” Residents work in the countryside, but they have fun there, too. The lake’s waters are full of activities, and plenty of other green spaces are nearby. Annual events like the Louisiana Watermelon Festival bring the community together to take pride in what the region’s land has provided.
Fishing and boating on the lake, team sports facilities and golf
Lake D’Arbonne is known for its fishing, particularly for crappie, and tournaments are held there throughout the year. “The lake is the big draw,” Bendily says. “It’s beautiful.” West of the area, Lake D’Arbonne State Park has a boat ramp and fishing piers, plus tennis courts, a summer swimming pool, trails, a disc golf course and picnic pavilions. Photographers can take pictures from stands in the park’s pine trees. The Willie Davis Jr. Recreation Center is used for team sports and has basketball courts, a ballfield, weight rooms and a playground. The Arnett Smith Baseball & Softball Complex hosts youth sports games. A few miles east, Lake D’Arbonne Country Club’s nine-hole golf course is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday. The Union Museum of History and Art showcases Native American and World War I artifacts in order to tell the region's story.
New Traditional and ranch-style homes in the city and near the water
New Traditional homes, traditional ranch-style houses and custom luxury properties sit throughout the region. Homes near the city center can range from $80,000 to $300,000, while ones outside the city tend to be more expensive, often running from $200,000 to $675,000. Large parcels of land are also available for development, usually between $8,000 and $85,000 per acre. Area streets can be narrow, and neighborhoods lie in grid-like patterns. Yards are typically sparse but can feature small- or medium-sized trees and small bushes. A few roads use speed bumps and other deterrents to slow traffic flow. Outside the city center, grass fields and woods surround the streets.
The Louisiana Watermelon Festival brings people to town
The Louisiana Watermelon Festival brings visitors to Farmerville on the last weekend of July. The celebration includes a watermelon-eating contest, a seed-spitting competition and arm-wrestling matches. The city shoots off fireworks around the Fourth of July and throws a parade during Christmas on the Square, when Santa Claus also makes an appearance. Farmerville Methodist Church hosts an annual Chili Cook-Off for the community.
Southern and Cajun classics, fast-food options and Walmart
Hickory Pit, formerly Ol’ Hickory Cafe, serves Southern-style entrees and offers a seafood buffet Thursday through Saturday. Johnny’s Pizza House, a Louisiana-based chain, has traditional pies plus Cajun favorites like muffulettas. K&M, an American eatery combined with a hunting and fishing store, often hosts live music on the weekend. A handful of fast-food restaurants sit along North Main Street. The area has Brookshire’s, Walmart Supercenter and Dollar General locations.
Students are zoned for the Union Parish School District
Students are served by the Union Parish School District. They can attend Union Parish Elementary, which holds a C Niche grade. Union Parish High School, for grades 6-12, offers career pathways like carpentry and business management. It earns a C-plus score. D’Arbonne Woods Charter School serves kindergarten through 12th grade and receives an A-minus from Niche.
The state’s LA GATOR Scholarship Program creates education scholarship accounts for eligible families. These families are then awarded funds for private school tuition or other expenses. The private Union Christian Academy gets a B-plus grade.
Drivers can use State Route 33, and Monroe Regional is a short drive
Several state highways pass through the city, including Louisiana Highway 33. Union General Hospital has a 24/7 emergency room. Monroe is around 30 miles southeast, while Monroe Regional Airport is close to a 35-mile drive. Shreveport is about 90 miles west. Bendily says the area’s weather is typically mild, with heavy storms being rare.
