(Distributed 02/06/04) A group of Jefferson Parish 4-H Club members are working to make their school a little brighter and their community a better place – thanks, in part, to a $1,000 grant from Wal-Mart Corp.

(Distributed 02/27/04) This year’s planting of rice in Louisiana could exceed 500,000 acres, according to an LSU AgCenter economist.

(Distributed 02/27/04) It's difficult now to picture 11-year-old Valerie Guidry as a withdrawn child too afraid to go outside. But there was a time two years ago when she was too fearful to walk alone to the barn.

(Distributed 02/27/04) The 19th Annual Louisiana Nursery Festival is slated for March 19-21 in Forest Hill.

(Distributed 02/27/04) Students across Louisiana are learning what it takes to "make ends meet" through programs offered by the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 02/20/04) A variety of speakers challenged participants from across the country to respect and honor diversity during the LSU AgCenter’s 2004 Diversity Conference this week in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 02/23/04) Twenty-five men and women from across Louisiana have been accepted into the two-year Agricultural Leadership Development Program sponsored by the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 02/20/04) The LSU AgCenter presented three major awards Friday (Feb. 20) recognizing faculty members for their contributions to its diversity initiatives.

(Distributed 02/20/04) Shearita Thomas of Ruston wants to make a better life for herself and her children – and she believes an LSU AgCenter program designed to help participants find better jobs will help.

(Distributed 02/20/04) More than 2,500 4-H’ers from across the state will venture to New Orleans next week as the New Orleans Hornets show their support for the LSU AgCenter youth development program.

(Distributed 02/19/04) The LSU AgCenter will help to encourage Louisiana residents to obey a different kind of "LAW" to observe national nutrition month during March.

(Distributed 02/18/04) Students in Judy O’Neal and Daina Jackson’s second-grade classes at Tensas Elementary School in St. Joseph are taking a portion of their day to fight childhood obesity thanks to the LSU AgCenter and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

(Distributed 02/16/04) Louisiana forest products companies have a new way to reach customers worldwide with the recent launch of an Internet Web site.

(Distributed 02/16/04) The LSU AgCenter will host the 20th Annual Ark-La-Tex Forestry Forum March 11 at the Holiday Inn Airport Financial Plaza in Shreveport.

(Distributed 02/14/04) Scholastic awards in excess of $44,000 were presented Saturday (Feb. 14) to the top exhibitors of market animals at the 69th Annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show.

(Distributed 02/14/04) Hundreds of youth from across Louisiana were named as state champions before the 69th Annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show wrapped up Saturday (Feb. 14).

(Distributed 02/14/04) Six students received top honors Saturday, winning the Gerry Lane Premier Exhibitor Awards at the 69th Annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show.

(Distributed 02/14/04) The LSU AgCenter recognized outstanding volunteer leaders and 4-H and FFA members Saturday (Feb. 14) for their involvement in and contributions to youth livestock programs.

(Distributed 02/13/04) Cotton farmers and farm leaders gathered here last week to learn about the cotton situation and the new technology available to help grow the crop during the Central Louisiana Cotton Information Day.

(Distributed 02/12/04) Those engaged in the battle with red imported fire ants will gather in Baton Rouge March 21-23 for a conference focused on the latest research in managing the pests.

(Distributed 02/06/04)The LSU AgCenter is helping Louisiana residents and companies prepare for the 21st century business climate through its community economic development programs.

(Distributed 02/05/04) Thousands of youngsters from across the state are headed for the LSU AgCenter’s 69th annual Livestock Show starting this weekend and running throughout next week.

(Distributed 02/04/04) The father of Louisiana 4-H will be inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame on March 22 at the National 4-H Center in Maryland.

(Distributed February 2004) Although this year's LSU AgCenter Livestock Show was held at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, participants were given opportunities to maintain a connection to the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 02/04/04) Louisiana lawmakers and others involved in public decision making will have another source of information to use in developing public policy as a result of a new research unit in the LSU AgCenter.

(Distribtuted 02/04/04) Rice growers soon will have one less weapon in their arsenal to fight the rice water weevil. After this year, the international company Bayer CropScience will no longer manufacture the seed treatment Icon for rice grown in the United States.

(Distributed 02/04/04) Scientists studying plants’ resistance to insects will gather in Baton Rouge next month.

(Distributed 02/04/04) More than 125 private landowners, loggers and forest industry leaders attended the LSU AgCenter’s Central Louisiana Forestry Forum recently to learn about the challenges facing the industry.

(Distributed 02/12/04) The second Louisiana Food Processors Conference is scheduled for March 3-4 at the Lod Cook Conference Center on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed February 2004) Although competition was part of the process of vying for top honors with beef and dairy cattle, goats, hogs, poultry and sheep at the 2004 LSU AgCenter Livestock Show, the events were about much more.

(Distributed February 2004) Although competition was part of the process of vying for top honors with beef and dairy cattle, goats, hogs, poultry and sheep at the 2004 LSU AgCenter Livestock Show, the events were about much more.

(Distributed February 2004) Ever dream of winning the lottery? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people believe this is the only way they will ever achieve financial security, says LSU AgCenter family economics professor Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed February 2004) One of the most frequently asked questions parents have when interviewing a child-care program operator is "What type of discipline do you use?"

(Distributed February 2004) Directing a child-care program is exhausting, not to mention complicated, so it is paramount that a dedicated, knowledgeable person oversees these operations, according to LSU AgCenter associate Cheri Gioe.

(Distributed February 2004) Did you know your child-care provider must have a variety of written policies and that they must provide a copy to you?"The Louisiana Department of Social Services is responsible for publishing licensing standards for child-care programs," said LSU AgCenter associate Cheri Gioe, explaining that the state department regulates and supervises any program providing care for young children.

(Distributed February 2004)You may have encountered a variety of terms while looking for a child-care program. But just what do Class A, Class B or NAEYC-accredited mean?

(Distributed February 2004) Adults often bemoan their lack of financial training and all the money management skills they learned the hard way. To help future generations from repeating this mistake, LSU AgCenter family economics specialist Dr. Jeanette Tucker shares 12 principles every young person should know.

(Distributed February 2004) Would you like to reduce the time and money required to repay your debts without increasing the total amount being paid monthly to creditors? LSU AgCenter family economics professor Dr. Jeanette Tucker says there's a computerized debt reduction analysis program that will help you do just that.

(Distributed February 2004) Financial security in retirement doesn’t just happen, according to LSU AgCenter family economics specialist Dr. Jeanette Tucker. It takes planning, commitment and, of course, money.

(Distributed February 2004) Both obesity and being overweight have increased significantly in the recent years with nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults being one or the other. Whether this weight gain has resulted more from an increasing sedentary lifestyle or from less exercise is under debate, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

(Distributed February 2004) February is American Heart Month. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says this year’s campaign is a call to action for women to take charge of their heart health.

(Distributed February 2004) Each year, heart disease and stroke kill more than 500,000 women. "That equates to about one death a minute," calculates LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed February 2004) March is National Nutrition Month sponsored by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and its Foundation. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says the observance reinforces the importance of nutrition as a key component of health, along with physical activity.

(Distributed February 2004) Want to lose weight and keep it off? LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says a combination of healthy eating and physical activity promotes successful long-term weight control.

(Distributed February 2004) February is Children’s Dental Health Month. LSU AgCenter nutrition expert and dentist Catrinel Stanciu says now’s the time to ask yourself about your children’s oral hygiene.

(Distributed for February 2004) Following its recent consumer alert about ephedra, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will issue a rule to ban the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says consumers should stop buying and using ephedra products now.

(Distributed February 2004) Mardi Gras is a time with lots of colorful beads and other throws that children like. LSU AgCenter Family Development professor Dr. Diane Sasser offers some tips to help keep kids safe during Mardi Gras parades.

(Distributed February 2004) Understanding the numbers on a bag of fertilizer helps you apply the right amount and ratio of fertilizer your yard and garden need, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. Fertilizers come in different strengths and blends, with the three numbers on the bags showing the percentage by weight of the three major nutrients.

(Distributed February 2004) The LSU AgCenter's 8th Annual Greenhouse Tomato Seminar and Field Day will be held Feb. 27 at the Red River Research Station in Bossier City. Running from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., the free-of-charge Friday afternoon program will cover what is new in the industry, production problem solutions, pest control and a tour, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

(Distributed February 2004) The last five to 10 years have seen a tremendous increase in the number of annual bedding plant species and varieties available for residential and commercial landscape use. The LSU AgCenter has conducted landscape trials on annual bedding plants for a number of years, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings.

(Distributed February 2004) Springtime often sees large outbreaks of a little lawn weed with stickers on it. And although some call it "sticker grass," it's not a grass, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske

(Distributed February 2004) February is the ideal month for Louisiana gardeners to plan, prepare and plant roses, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings. At this time of year, new rose bushes can be planted, and established bushes can be given the maintenance they need to get off to a good start this spring.

(Distributed February 2004) It’s time for early spring planting of spinach. "Spinach enthusiasts celebrate their love of the vegetable every spring and fall here in Louisiana," says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske, himself a hopeless addict.