Burden Museum & Gardens

The Challenge

Burden Museum & Gardens includes the Louisiana State University (LSU) Rural Life Museum, LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens and Windrush Gardens. While the organizations maintain separate missions, they were in need of plans to unify operations, programming, physical connectivity, and the implementation of new and exciting destinations for visitors and stakeholders.

How Carter Helped

In this multi-organizational engagement, Carter worked with the organizations’ Boards and leadership to develop forward-thinking strategic plans for each organization, as well as a comprehensive intersection that serves the entire physical property and collective organization.

The Results

The planning process was instrumental in assisting leadership from across the organizations in soliciting stakeholder feedback, collaborating, and thinking strategically together towards unified goals. The recommendations and clear objectives and action steps that resulted from the plan for both the Rural Life Museum and Botanic Gardens continue to serve them, guiding all facets of organizational success, from financial sustainability and marketing to governance and physical infrastructure.

“Carter helped us navigate very complex discussions and moved us through the Strategic Planning process effortlessly. The Carter team’s ability to engage diverse stakeholders – including faculty, staff, donors, and community leaders – ensured that the final plan is not only robust and forward-thinking but also truly reflective of our shared values and goals. I would recommend Carter to any university that seeks expert, collaborative, and results-oriented strategic planning services.”
– Jeff Kuehny, PhD, Ola Cook Holmes Professor of Horticulture and Director, LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens