(Video News 03/20/12) What you put on your plate will influence what your children want on theirs. Serving up healthful options is the goal during National Nutrition Month. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that changing what’s on your plate can help set up children for a healthier lifestyle. (Runtime: 1:48)

(Video News 03/28/12) Louisiana farmers have gotten a good portion of the corn crop planted early. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard says warm weather created ideal conditions for planting. (Runtime: 1:34)

(Video News 03/12/12) Wet, warm conditions are affecting the state’s wheat crop. Planted back in the fall under drought conditions, the crop has seen its share of rain this winter. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the story. (Runtime: 1:35)

(Video News 03/23/12) Curious questions and muddy hands were part of a youth wetlands event in Tangipahoa Parish. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard attended the program where fourth- through seventh-graders learned about the importance of Louisiana’s wetlands. (Runtime: 1:50)

(Video News 03/02/12) Temperatures rarely dipped below freezing in many areas of Louisiana this winter. While the warmer weather is a welcome for some, it could cause problems for farmers. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that crop diseases could be worse this year because of the above-average temperatures. (Runtime: 1:32)

(Video 03/19/12) Are you ready for some brilliant colors? Well, you’ve got them with petunias. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains that it’s important to plant those pretty petunias right now.(Runtime: 1:30)

(Video 03/26/12) Spring is a time that conjures images of the pinks and purples of azaleas. Well, in this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how one misunderstood plant -- that happens to be gray -- can provide a striking enhancement to azaleas and trees in your landscape. (Runtime: 1:29)

(Video 3/5/12) Now is a transitional time for plants. So when you visit your nursery, it’s important to ask some questions. Is this plant a cool-season annual, a warm-season annual, or is it a perennial? LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains on this edition of Get It Growing. (Runtime: 1:36)

(Video 03/12/12) During the spring, it’s a great idea to stop and smell the flowers. And in this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist Dan Gill explains why the banana shrub might be one of the perfect plants to perk up those olfactory senses. (Runtime: 1:31)

(Distributed 03/05/12) The LSU AgCenter’s Bob R. Jones-Idlewild Research Station near Clinton will hold a wildlife field day on March 17.

(Distributed 03/06/12) Identifying insects as native or invasive species just got easier with help from the LSU AgCenter entomology department.

(Distributed 03/30/12) A field day for wetland plant producers, agencies and private companies that specify smooth cordgrass in restoration projects throughout Louisiana is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 24 at the LSU AgCenter Burden Center in Baton Rouge.

(Radio News 03/30/12) The seven principles of healthy housing can help homeowners live better. Diane Scimeca, LSU AgCenter healthy homes coordinator, says having a healthful home can lower health care costs. Scimeca will present a workshop on creating a healthful home environment. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Distributed 03/29/12) LSU AgCenter Macon Ridge Research Station will conduct a wheat and oat field day on April 11 at the station south of Winnsboro, La.

(Distributed 03/30/12) As the peak of the spring bedding plant season arrives, you may want a few warm-season flowers in the shady areas around your landscape. Most of our warm-season flowers prefer full sun or at least more sun than shade. But many great bedding plants will provide desirable flowering and foliage for those shaded areas in your landscape through fall.

(Distributed 03/26/12) A one-day comprehensive workshop on how to make biodiesel from used vegetable oil will be offered in Baton Rouge on April 25 at the W. A. Callegari Environmental Center, a unit of the LSU AgCenter.

(Radio News 03/26/12) Agriculture was worth $10.7 billion to the state’s economy last year according to numbers from the LSU AgCenter’s 2011 Ag Summary. This was up seven percent from 2010 and represents a strong improvement in agricultural production in Louisiana over the past few years, says John Westra, LSU AgCenter economist. (Runtime: 1:50)

(Distributed 03/26/12) Gregg Henderson, the Paul K. Adams Professor of Urban Entomology at the LSU AgCenter, recently received the 2012 Recognition Award in Urban Entomology from the Southeastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America.

(Radio News 03/23/12) The start of cotton planting is still a few weeks away, and acreage is expected to be down. LSU AgCenter cotton specialist John Kruse says the strong prices that hit close to $1 a pound have moderated. (Runtime: 1:10 seconds)

(Distributed 03/23/12) As we enter late March, we are enjoying the blooms of our main traditional southern garden shrub – the azalea. These plants are abundantly planted and represent a large percentage of landscape plants in Louisiana.

(Distributed 03/23/12) The faculty from both the LSU and SU AgCenters met recently in the East Baton Rouge Metro Council Chambers to give their progress report for the year’s activities along with reports from their clientele.

(Radio News 03/21/12) Farmers in Louisiana took advantage of warm weather to get an early start to their corn planting. Planting began back in February, and LSU AgCenter corn specialist John Kruse says about 35 percent of the crop has been planted. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 03/21/12) The LSU AgCenter’s LaHouse-Home and Landscape Resource Center is sponsoring a Spring Garden Day on Friday, April 20, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

(Distributed 03/21/12) Farmers in Louisiana took advantage of warm weather to get an early start to their corn planting. Planting began back in February, and LSU AgCenter corn specialist John Kruse says about 35 percent of the crop has been planted.

(Audio 03/26/12) Lawns are waking up across the state, and it's time to take our mowers out. This is a good time to have your lawn mower serviced - have it checked out, have blades sharpened to make sure everything is in good working order. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/26/12) Gardeners often wait until roses are in bloom to go to the nursery and buy them. Planting them while they are blooming is stressful to the plant. Plant them earlier to get the best results. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/26/12) Hydrangeas are popular shrubs for shady areas. These plants are deciduous and soon will be sending out new leaves. You can manipulate the color of your hydrangeas by adding lime or aluminum sulfate, depending on what color you want, to the soil now and again in October. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 03/21/12) Mindy McCallum Brooks does not mind doing the dirty work or any heavy lifting. Because she helps restore wetlands through native vegetation plantings, it is simply part of her job, and she does it very well. For her efforts, Brooks will be one of five recipients of the 2012 Coastal Stewardship Awards presented by the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.

(Audio 03/26/12) Thrips are tiny insects that invade the flower buds of roses and feed on the petals, causing damage. Controlling them is difficult because they are inside the flower, but there are two insecticides that can control them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/26/12) Louisiana gardeners across the state use tropical plants in their landscapes. They may not look their best right now. You can trim them back, but if you are considering new tropical plants, wait until April or May to plant them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 03/20/12) Are you at risk of diabetes? Tuesday, March 27, is American Diabetes Alert Day, an annual event sponsored by the American Diabetes Association to alert Americans of their risk of developing diabetes.

(Distributed 03/20/12) Recent LSU AgCenter Forestry Forums provided landowners with information that will help with future plans for their operations.

(Distributed 03/20/12) A joint field day for forest landowners in East Baton Rouge and the Feliciana parishes is scheduled for Friday, March 30 in Zachary.

(Distributed 03/20/12) Food safety and value-added food processing and its potential for economic growth in Louisiana were featured at the 10th Louisiana Food Processors Conference March 14-15 in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 03/20/12) Parents could find it easier to convince their children to eat vegetables, and coaches could find it easier to rehydrate their athletes if a new discovery from the LSU AgCenter Department of Food Science makes it way into the marketplace.

(Distributed 03/19/12) CLINTON, La. – New research that may lead to combating the disease bluetongue in deer was featured at the LSU AgCenter’s wildlife field day at the Bob R. Jones – Idlewild Research Station in Clinton on March 17.

(Distributed 03/16/12) It’s mid-March, and spring bedding-plant time is here for most of us. We have been eager to plant flowers this spring with our warm winter weather and the early arrival of springlike conditions in the landscape.

(Radio News 03/16/12) Students dipped their nets into a pond, scooping up muddy water and a variety of tiny aquatic insects. The students were participating in the Louisiana Wetlands Exploration Day at the Shell Robert Training Facility. LSU AgCenter’s youth wetlands team, which includes Mindy McCallum Brooks, helped organize the event. (Runtime: 1:50)

(Audio 03/19/12) Your local nursery or garden center probably stocks many different types of fertilizers. You don't need a different fertilizer for each plant. A general-purpose fertilizer will work for most plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 03/15/12) LSU AgCenter experts say the mild winter may or may not cause increased pest problems for the 2012 rice crop.

(Audio 03/19/12) Deadhead is an odd term gardeners use to talk about removing faded flowers from plants. This helps the plant look neat and can encourage additional flowering. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/19/12) The buck moth caterpillar, typically found on live oaks, has black stinging spines on its body. Usually by late March you can see caterpillar masses in trees. If you've had problems with them in the past, consider having your trees sprayed. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/19/12) Buyers typically have a home inspected before the purchase. It is a good idea to have an arborist inspect the trees on the property as well. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/19/12) When it comes to spraying fruit trees, it's important to remember this has to be done preventively. Start a spray program well before problems show up. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 03/14/12) The New Orleans 2012 Spring Garden Show will be held at the City Park Botanical Garden on April 14-15 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day.

(Distributed 03/13/12) The LSU AgCenter will present the “magic” of agriculture again this spring as its annual “AgMagic” event unfolds April 23-29 in the Parker Coliseum on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. The successful event is in its ninth year and is designed to help children and adults understand that food, clothing, lumber and other products all are part of the complex agricultural system. It will be open for scheduled tours by school groups April 23-27 and to the public April 28-29.

(Distributed 03/12/12) Springtime losses in fish ponds are common throughout the southeast, and especially in Louisiana, according to an LSU AgCenter scientist.

(Distributed 03/12/12) CROWLEY, La. – The Louisiana Rice Growers Board of Directors chose John Owen, of Rayville, president and Jeffrey Sylvester, of Whiteville, vice president at its March 6 meeting.

(Distributed 03/09/12) Many home gardeners have an interest in native plants. We are fortunate in Louisiana to have a vast abundanace of native plants for home landscape use. These include our native wildflower, the native Louisiana iris, our state flower, the Southern magnolia, and our state tree, the magnificent bald cypress.

(Radio News 03/09/12) What’s on your plate? What about your child’s? Those are questions nutritionists want you to consider this month during National Nutrition Month as they encourage people to get their plates in shape. (Runtime: 1:45)

(Audio 03/12/12) March and April are active months in the Louisiana landscape. Before you begin planting, make sure beds are prepared adequately. This includes removing weeds, turning the soil and spreading amendments such as organic matter and fertilizer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/12/12) Brown patch is a common fungal disease that attacks lawns. St. Augustine grass is particularly vulnerable to the disease. Symptoms include a yellowish brown spot in the lawn that can enlarge rapidly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/12/12) Lawns are waking up early around the state, but that doesn't mean you should fertilize yet. Fertilizing too early will compromise the lawn's new root system. Wait until April to fertilize. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/12/12) Perennials can live from year to year in our landscapes. They can outgrow their area and may need to be divided. This should be done before they put on too much new growth. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/12/12) Mulches are materials that are applied over the soil surface around flower beds, shrubs or vegetables. Organic mulches will decay over time, so this might be a good time to add new mulch to your gardens. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/05/12) March is a good month to fertilize shrubs in your landscape. You don't have to fertilize shrubs that are in good condition, but consider fertilizing newly planted shrubs or ones that have low vigor. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/05/12) Vegetable transplants purchased at nurseries this time of the year have been grown in greenhouses. They have led a sheltered life and must be toughened up before you can plant them out in your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/05/12) You may see plants like petunias and pansies blooming in flower beds and consider planting some this time of year. The best of those were planted in fall or winter, however. Beds planted with these flowers this month will never achieve the look of earlier planted beds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/05/12) Perennials are grown for their beautiful foliage or flowers and can live for many years in our landscapes. This gives them an advantage over annuals. Look for perennials growing in gallon containers at nurseries. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 03/02/12) HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Dustin Harrell and Brenda Tubaña, LSU AgCenter agronomists, were among seven scientists honored on Feb. 29 by the Rice Technical Working Group (RTWG) with a team award for their collaborative work on a nitrogen soil test for rice. The RTWG held its 34th gathering Feb. 27-March 1 with rice experts from across the United States and world.

(Distributed 03/05/12) “It’s been a long time coming,” said dairy science professor Chuck Boeneke concerning the sale of bottled milk in the LSU AgCenter Dairy Store.

(Distributed 03/05/12) The 12th class of the LSU AgCenter’s Agricultural Leadership Development program completed its two-year course of study with graduation February 25 at the LSU Union in Baton Rouge.

(Audio 03/02/12) Wet weather isn’t good for wheat, and Louisiana has had a rainy winter. Wheat grown on poorly drained soils likely will suffer this season, but LSU AgCenter wheat specialist Ed Twidwell says the wheat on well-drained soils is in good condition. (Runtime: 1:30)

(Distributed 03/02/12) With all of the negative messages about recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) in dairy cattle, some consumers are concerned about the safety of the hormone for animals and humans, but LSU AgCenter dairy scientists say there is no safety issue.

(Distributed 03/02/12) Silverbells comprise several species of native trees that are attracting increased interest in the southeastern United States. The two-winged silverbell (Halesia diptera) is one of our many smaller-growing native tree species that should be considered for inclusion in a native landscape plan.

(Distributed 03/01/12) As we get more warm, sunny days across south Louisiana, gardeners will start looking for outdoor chores to complete. The LSU AgCenter has announced a lineup of garden shows that will provide the tools, plants and information needed to bring spring in beautifully.

(Distributed 03/01/12) The Southwest Louisiana Forestry Association will hold its annual meeting at the Southern Forest Heritage Museum in Longleaf on Sat., March 17, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

(Audio 03/05/12) Louisiana home gardeners plant many different vegetables during March and April. Some gardeners may wonder about pollination of their vegetables. Learn more in this Get It Growing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 03/30/12) The cucumber family, properly known as the Cucurbitaceae (cu-cur-bit-A-cee-ee), provides a wide variety of vegetables popular for the spring, summer and fall home vegetable garden.

(For Release On Or After 03/23/12) Scale insects are one of the more common groups of insects that attack plants. You may find them feeding on trees, shrubs and even indoor plants.

(For Release On Or After 03/16/12) I am often asked about low-maintenance landscaping. After a brief conversation, I get the feeling that what the person is actually looking for is a no-maintenance landscape. Unfortunately, if you are going to have a landscape with trees, a lawn, shrubs and flowers, maintenance is going to be involved.

(For Release On Or After 03/09/12) Yard and garden pest problems will become more common as we move into the warmer summer months. Some gardeners still feel that they should immediately get an insecticide and begin spraying when they see insects or some apparent insect damage in their gardens.

(For Release On Or After 03/02/12) Lawns have their purpose in the landscape. They create a restful contrast to flowerbeds and other elements in the landscape. Lawns are also often needed for outdoor activities and are indispensable if you have kids.