(Distributed 02/24/12) The LSU AgCenter is offering three updated guides online or printed about managing pests, plant diseases and weeds. The guides – the 2012 Louisiana Insect Pest Management Guide, 2012 Louisiana Plant Disease Management Guide and 2012 Louisiana Suggested Weed Management Guide – can be purchased for $12 per printed copy or downloaded free of charge.

(Distributed 02/29/12) A weekend full of food, flowers and fun is scheduled for Baton Rouge on March 24-25 when the LSU AgCenter presents the 10th Annual Baton Rouge Spring Garden Show, the sixth Annual Louisiana State and Regional Chili Cook-off and the third annual Baton Rouge Spring Car Show.

(Distributed 02/28/12) Thirteen youth from around the state have been selected for the LSU AgCenter’s 2012-2013 Louisiana Young Ag Producers Program.

(Distributed 02/28/12) HAMMOND, La. – The 23rd annual Florida Parishes Forestry Forum be held Friday, March 16, at the University Center at Southeastern Louisiana University.

(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 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.

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.

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

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 02/15/12) The LSU AgCenter and the Tangipahoa Parish Master Gardener Association will hold a home orchard workshop at the Hammond Research Station on Feb. 24, from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.

(Distributed 2/15/12) DENHAM SPRINGS, La. – For the past 10 years, first- through fifth-grade students at Southside Elementary School have shown their jump rope skills in support of the American Heart Association.

(Distributed 02/13/12) BOSSIER CITY, La. – The LSU AgCenter will conduct a free seminar on growing tomatoes in greenhouses on March 2 from 1-5 p.m. at the Red River Research Station. Topics include growing viable transplants, variety selection, innovative ideas for profitable production, and pests and physiological disorders.

(Distributed 02/10/12) Two former presidents and the current president of the Institute of Food Technologists will be featured at the 2012 Louisiana Food Processors Conference March 14-15 in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 0202/12) Students in Tallulah experience 4-H with a technology twist

(Distributed 02/09/12) ALEXANDRIA, La. – The LSU AgCenter will hold a forestry forum Feb. 23 at the evacuation shelter adjacent to the LSU-Alexandria campus.

(Distributed 02/09/12) As high-speed (broadband) Internet connections are being made available to rural areas of Louisiana, the LSU AgCenter is preparing residents to take advantage of this resource through the Connect My Louisiana educational program.

(Distributed 02/09/12) BATON ROUGE, La. – TransGenRx, a Baton Rouge biopharmaceutical manufacturing company started through licensing agreements with the LSU AgCenter, announced recently that it entered into an agreement with Novocyt, LLC to produce several members of a family of growth factor proteins intended for use in new human biopharmaceuticals.

(Distributed 02/09/12) Durel Romaine started harvesting crawfish in December, and so far the catch has been dismal. His ponds near Kaplan have been affected by drought and saltwater intrusion.

(Distributed 02/08/12) NEW ROADS, La. – More than 70 LSU AgCenter county agents, Master Gardeners, parents and teachers heard a California gardener tell about the benefits of school gardens and how to get them started and sustaining them.

(Distributed 02/05/12) By February many people may have abandoned their New Year’s resolutions to live healthier. LSU AgCenter food scientists can’t make you go to the gym or eat more fruits and vegetables, but they are trying to make foods more healthful.

(Distributed 02/03/12) The LSU Board of Supervisors approved the merger of the LSU AgCenter’s Department of Veterinary Science into the School of Animal Sciences at its meeting Feb. 3.

(Distributed 02/01/12) NAPOLEONVILLE, La. – Landowners and farmers learned about controlling animal pests, especially coyotes and wild pigs, at a field day held recently (Jan. 23) by the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant .

(Distributed 02/02/12) The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station plays a vital role in the horticulture and landscape industries of the state, according to Regina Bracy, resident coordinator at the station.