Frontierland

Frontiers aren’t just about the Wild West or outer space. They’re about discovery—whether it’s navigating a bayou or reshaping industry. Some frontiers lead us into nature, others to the grocery store aisle.

For Janenne DeClouet, she seeks out frontiers for peace. She is the owner of Duc in Altum Kayaking, a kayaking adventure business with a spiritual twist. What started as a personal search for strength became a career spent helping others discover the beauty of the outdoors.

Janeene DeClouet, owner of Duc in Altum Kayaking. What started out as a get-fit regimen has turned into a get-peace aquatic meditation and a booming business

Janenne DeClouet, owner of Duc in Altum Kayaking. What started out as a get-fit regimen has turned into a get-peace, paddle-centered aquatic meditation and a booming business

A native of New Iberia, Janenne grew up in a large family and has always had a love for nature. She first discovered kayaking in 2006 when she was caring for her mother, who was suffering from dementia. Looking for a way to stay physically strong for the demanding role of caregiving, she and her husband took a guided kayaking trip through Pack & Paddle. The experience was transformative, offering both peace and a sense of empowerment. The couple gifted each other kayaks for Christmas, and Janeene found herself paddling regularly.

What began as informal group outings turned into a business when friends started offering to pay her for guided excursions. Encouraged by the demand, she made it official in 2008, naming her business Duc in Altum—Latin for “draw into the deep.” Today, Janenne leads small-group kayak tours throughout the region, averaging three trips per week.

Michael Fruge, Owner of Parish Rice, is looking for peple who for health reasons have ditched rice in favor of other options like quinoa to come back to his low-glycemic rice

There might not seem like much left to explore in the rice business, unless you’re Michael Fruge. Michael is a second-generation rice farmer from Eunice, but he’s not just growing any rice—he’s growing Parish Rice, a high-protein, low-glycemic variety.

Michael graduated from LSU with a degree in agronomy with a minor in agricultural business, and rather than return to the family farm, he spent 14 years as a sales rep in the rice industry. The job allowed him to travel extensively, learning from other farmers and gaining insight into the broader agricultural market.

When he returned to farming full-time, Muchael set his sights on creating a branded rice product that could compete with larger national and international producers. Working with the LSU Ag Center, he selected a variety of rice known as “Frontier Rice” for its increased protein content. When dietitians tested the rice, they pointed out that it had a much lower glycemic index than traditional white rice.

And that’s the Aha! moment when Michael saw a unique marketing opportunity. Parish Rice was born in 2019, and today, it’s available in stores across Louisiana and Texas, with online sales reaching customers nationwide.