(Distributed 02/24/12) YOUNGSVILLE, La. – The prosperity of many small, rural communities rises and falls with agriculture, and that sector of the economy had a $7.3 billion impact in Louisiana last year, according to Mike Salassi, LSU AgCenter economist.

(Distributed 02/24/12) The Louisiana delta is known for its sprawling and fertile fields, and it’s where Hank Rabb has spent a lifetime working the land watching corn, cotton and soybeans grow into a bountiful harvest. For his dedication, Rabb was chosen as the 2012 Louisiana Farmer of the Year.

(Distributed 02/23/12) Thirty men and women from four parishes graduated from the inaugural Leadership North program in New Roads on Feb. 16.

DELCAMBRE, La. – A free workshop sponsored by the LSU AgCenter to help seafood producers get their products to market and to comply with regulations will be March 1 at the Shrimp Festival building.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – The 13th annual Southwest Louisiana Garden Festival will be held March 23-24 at Burton Coliseum from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

(Distributed 02/20/12) GONZALES, La. – Hundreds of young people from across Louisiana were named state champions during the 77th Annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show Feb. 11-18 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

(Distributed 02/20/12) GONZALES, La. – Six exceptional Louisiana youths were recognized Saturday (Feb. 18) for their knowledge, skills and communication abilities as they were named winners of the Gerry Lane Premier Exhibitor Awards at the 77th annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center.

(Distributed 02/17/12) The LSU AgCenter and the St. Tammany Master Gardeners will hold their annual garden show and plant sale March 16-17 at the St. Tammany Fairgrounds in Covington.

Distributed 02/17/12) The Hammond Spring Garden Day is set for March 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station.

(Distributed 2/18/12) The LSU AgCenter honored several Louisiana 4-H and FFA participants Saturday (Feb. 18) for their work with youth livestock projects. The awards to one volunteer and five young people were presented during ceremonies that concluded the 77th annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. The event ran Feb. 11-18 and attracted approximately 2,500 young people who exhibited about 7,000 animals.