(Distributed 06/21/05) The Louisiana County Agricultural Agents Association honored several LSU AgCenter agents and specialists during its annual conference earlier this month in Sulphur.

(Distributed 06/27/05) An Asian soybean rust training session and field tour are set for July 7 at the LSU AgCenter’s facilities near Alexandria. The meeting will feature one of the world’s leading authorities on Asian soybean rust.

(Distributed June 2004) After a disaster strikes, you don't want to be caught saying, "I wish I had..."

(News You Can Use for May 2004) With hurricane season around the corner, it’s a good time to begin preparing the landscape for storms, according to LSU AgCenter agriculture and natural resources expert Barton Joffrion.

(Distributed July 2004) We may be only half way through 2004, but many Louisiana residents feel like they have already experienced more than a year's worth of weather, according to LSU AgCenter climatologist Jay Grymes.

(Distributed July 2004) Although Louisiana summers are predictably hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms, Mother Nature still can throw a curve ball at the Sportsman's Paradise. That curve ball is tropical weather, says LSU AgCenter climatologist Jay Grymes.

(Distributed 05/20/05) With hurricane season approaching, Louisianians are becoming concerned about how to protect themselves from the strong winds that come with hurricanes and the tornados they spawn.

(For Release On Or After 06/03/05) Successfully creating colorful flowerbeds and container plantings for summer depends a lot on which plants you choose. Fortunately, a lot of attractive and colorful heat-tolerant plants are available to do the job.

(For Release On Or After 06/24/05) When people take summer vacations, they often make arrangements to have someone take care of everything from their pets to the newspaper. It’s also important to have someone look after the plants and home grounds during an extended absence.

(For Release On Or After 06/17/05) Fire ants inflict painful stings and create unsightly mounds in our landscapes, so most of us would be happier if there were no fire ants around. It’s interesting to note, however, that fire ants are excellent predators and help control such pests as fleas and ticks in lawns.

(For Release On Or After 06/10/05) Violent thunderstorms can occur across the state during the summer, and in South Louisiana high winds from hurricanes are a concern in summer and fall. Although trees add immeasurably to our home grounds, trees with problems can be a liability during storms or hurricanes.

(Distributed 06/10/05) Hundreds of Louisiana 4-H’ers will converge on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge June 21-24 for the LSU AgCenter’s annual 4-H University events.

(Distributed 06/27/05) Continuing looks at new sugarcane varieties will highlight the LSU AgCenter’s annual sugarcane field day July 20 at the Sugar Research Station in St. Gabriel.

(Distributed 06/22/05) Spores like those associated with Asian soybean rust have been found in a trap set up by the LSU AgCenter in a field near the Northeast Louisiana town of St. Joseph.

(Distributed 06/21/05) A group of Louisiana 4-H’ers were recognized as scholarship winners Tuesday (June 21) during 4-H University in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 06/21/05) For Release After 7 p.m.Ten adults were cited for their contributions to the Louisiana 4-H program at a banquet Tuesday (June 21) during the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H University event.

(Distributed 06/29/05) Officials say they believe the meat goat industry is one with "nothing but growth" in its future. That was the message heard during the 2005 Goat Extravaganza Saturday (June 25) at the LSU AgCenter’s Calhoun Research Station.

(Distributed 06/17/05) The LSU AgCenter will host the 2005 Goat Extravaganza June 25 at the AgCenter’s Calhoun Research Station.

(Distributed 06/22/05) About 600 4-H and FFA members will come to Northeast Louisiana in July for the first LSU AgCenter State Horse Show to be held in the area.

(Distributed 06/27/05) A natural resources symposium targeted toward land managers, foresters, land owners, researchers and anyone interested in the management and conservation of Louisiana’s natural resources will be held July 18-20 in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 06/29/05) The LSU AgCenter and other partners in a financial literacy coalition are offering an educational session this summer in Baton Rouge that’s designed to help people jump-start their financial smarts.

(Distributed 06/16/05) The LSU AgCenter’s 2005 Rice Field Day will be held June 30 at its Rice Research Station near Crowley. The annual event provides visitors with a look at ongoing research at the LSU AgCenter facility.

(Distributed 06/09/05) Having the right answers before a storm comes your way can help you be prepared if a hurricane strikes, experts with the LSU AgCenter point out.

(Distributed 06/09/05) Having the right answers before a storm comes your way can help you be prepared if a hurricane strikes, experts with the LSU AgCenter point out.

(Distributed 06/17/05) The LSU AgCenter is helping teachers learn more about financial management again this summer, so they, in turn, can share what they’ve learned with students next year.

(Distributed 06/10/05) This year’s crawfish harvest is wrapping up, and Louisiana consumers enjoyed another good crawfish season in 2005.

(Distributed 06/23/05) Louisiana 4-H’ers are learning to be positive forces in their lives and for their communities. Examples ranging from assembling "hero packs" to learning more about community service were seen this week (June 21-24) as nearly 1,600 4-H Club members from across the state participated in the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H University events on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 06/08/05) LSU AgCenter agents and researchers recently met for a look at issues affecting the sugarcane industry and to review a new video for use in recertifying sugarcane farmers for burning cane.

(Distributed 06/22/05) Participants in the LSU AgCenter’s Master Farmer program got a firsthand look last week at best management practices used on a rice and crawfish farm in St. Martin Parish.

(Distributed 06/08/05) "Predatory lenders exploit people who are in a bind," Dr. Jeanette Tucker said. "They particularly target low-income and under-educated people." The LSU AgCenter family economics specialist was one of several presenters at Scam Jam Anti-fraud Workshops across the state sponsored by AARP Louisiana and several other Louisiana agencies and organizations.

(6/1/05) More than 800 Louisiana 4-H members and volunteer leaders convened at the state Capitol as part of “4-H Day at the Capitol” this month in Baton Rouge. The June 1 event was designed to help 4-H’ers learn more about the legislative process.

(Distributed 06/21/05)The final signing of Ascension Parish’s lease-purchase agreement on the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center also seals the fate of the LSU AgCenter’s 2006 Livestock Show at the facility, AgCenter officials said Tuesday (June 21).

(Distributed 06/23/05) Young people from across Louisiana were named state winners and alternates in various contests Thursday night (June 23) at the final session of the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H University in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 06/08/05) The LSU AgCenter will hold a Model Farm Field Day June 17 for rice and crawfish producers in the Teche-Vermilion watershed.

(Distributed 06/08/05) The LSU AgCenter has created a Dairy Initiative Team to help the Louisiana dairy industry face some of the most trying of times.

(Distributed 06/10/05) The LSU AgCenter is taking the learning process outside to teach volunteers how to make the state more beautiful by successfully planting flowers, shrubs, vegetables and other portions of the landscape.

(Distributed 06/09/05) Hurricane planning and preparation can make a difference in making it to safe shelter, reducing damage to your home, coping during a storm and recovering easily after one, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 06/09/05) Hurricane planning and preparation can make a difference in making it to safe shelter, reducing damage to your home, coping during a storm and recovering easily after one, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 06/08/05) Producers will be introduced to the latest in row crop research during the LSU AgCenter’s Northeast Research Station Field Day scheduled for June 29.

Approximately 1,900 people participated in the LSU AgCenter's 4-H University events June 21-24. The activities for youth and adults included competition for trips and prizes, educational activities and personal development sessions, as well as the election of state 4 H officers and district representatives. See photos from those events.

(Distributed 06/21/05) "Science really is my favorite subject," said Valerie Traylor. "This program helps me know what I’ll be doing in college." Traylor and her science teacher from Natchitoches High School are among those participating in the Biotechnology Education for Students and Teachers summer program sponsored by the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 10/14/02) The best advice for those cleaning up after storms or completing other maintenance tasks is to use a ladder safely or not at all, says LSU AgCenter safety specialist David Bankston.

(Distributed 07/01/01) If a hurricane or other natural disaster causes a power failure, frozen or refrigerated foods may not be safe to eat after just two hours once they've warmed above 40 degrees F, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. "Once foods reach 40 degrees, they need to be cooked and eaten within two hours," Reames says, "or thrown out."

(Distributed 10/02/02) When storms start to approach, one question some people have to ask is how do I prevent mold if my home floods?

(Distributed 06/15/01) Recent high water in many areas of the state led to vehicles that were flooded when waters rose or when motorists unexpectedly drove into high water.

(Distributed 09/24/02) Preparing for a tropical storm or hurricane involves a variety of household chores – including protecting electronic items such as compact disc players and computers.

(Distributed 06/01/02) With hurricane season upon us, the last thing that you want to happen during an emergency evacuation is for your car to break down. "It not only can be expensive, but very frustrating and dangerous when time is of the essence," says LSU AgCenter engineering expert Dan Martin.

(Distributed 09/24/02) Hurricane planning and preparation can make a difference in making it to safe shelter, reducing damage to your home, coping during the storm and recovering easily after the storm, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 06/12/01) In Louisiana, floods happen. If your home was in the reaches of the recent flood, chances are you may get flooded again.

(Distributed 07/01/01) As the hurricane season peaks, don't wait until a hurricane is on its way to protect your home against damage, stresses LSU AgCenter housing specialist Dr. Claudette Reichel. "Once you get the alert, there is not enough time and often a shortage of supplies to protect your home as well as you could," the specialist warns.

(Distributed 08/01/02) "There is no way, except for complete enclosure, to protect trees from storm damage," says LSU AgCenter agriculture and natural resources expert Barton Joffrion. The LSU AgCenter extension agent from Terrebonne Parish looks at ways to minimize damage.

(Distributed 08/01/02) The most common repair homeowners can make on their trees following a storm or hurricane is pruning, according to LSU AgCenter agriculture and natural resources expert Barton Joffrion. The LSU AgCenter extension agent from Terrebonne Parish explains proper pruning procedures.

(Distributed 08/01/02) The first impulse of the homeowner after a major storm is to hurry up and clean up the mess. Making hasty decisions may result in removing trees that could have been saved, according to LSU AgCenter agriculture and natural resources expert Barton Joffrion.

(Distributed 07/01/01) Electrically powered equipment can be vulnerable to damage from hurricanes, either from electrical surges and outages or from water damage. LSU AgCenter engineering specialist Dr. David Bankston offers some simple steps to minimize or prevent the damage.

(Distributed 06/01/2002) With the start of the hurricane season, it’s time to take preventive steps to protect your home. "Many precautions are simple," says LSU AgCenter Disaster Programs Coordinator Pat Skinner.

(Distributed 09/13/04) If your boat is moored, docked or stored in a recreational harbor on the Gulf Coast, you need to take some precautions during hurricane season.

(Distributed 07/01/02) Besides the obvious property damage that floodwaters cause, the household food supply could end up a total loss. "Destroy all food that has been in contact with floodwaters," advises LSU AgCenter food safety expert Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 06/15/01) Certain insect problems increase dramatically after flooding, windstorms and other disasters, according to entomologists with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 09/24/02) Tropical storms and hurricanes are dangerous storms, with the potential to cause serious flooding along Louisiana's low-lying coastal plain and in other areas of the state where they dump heavy rains.

(Distributed 10/10/02) People working outside – whether with routine fall chores or cleanup after the recent storms – need to be cautious to avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

(Distributed 09/03/04) Wooden furniture damaged by water from a storm or flood can best be salvaged by slow drying and proper repair, according to LSU AgCenter housing specialist Dr. Claudette Reichel.

(Distributed 09/03/04) If you and your family experience stress after a storm, flood or other disaster, you aren't alone. Many people experience mental pain and stress after a disaster, according to LSU AgCenter family life specialist Dr. Diane Sasser.

(Distributed 09/03/04) Although children, as well as adults, cope with stress every day, disasters, such as floods, hurricanes and tornadoes, often are somewhat different, says LSU AgCenter family life specialist Dr. Becky White.

(Distributed 09/03/04) Many appliances get wet when flooding occurs or when other storm damage strikes. LSU AgCenter experts caution you should exercise care before putting those appliances back in service.

(Distributed 09/03/04) Certain insect problems increase dramatically after flooding, windstorms and other disasters, according to entomologists with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 09/03/04) Emergency generators are popular items in the aftermath of a hurricane or tropical storm that strikes southern Louisiana, but safety when using them is a major consideration, experts caution.

(Distributed 09/03/04) The loss of power from hurricane winds, fire or flood could endanger the safety of your food within as little as four hours, cautions an expert with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 09/03/04) The rains brought on by hurricanes and tropical storms can lead to more mosquitoes. That means Louisiana residents have even more reasons to protect themselves from mosquito bites and the diseases mosquitoes can carry if storms head our way, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 09/03/04) Don’t wait until a storm, flood or other disaster threatens to think about what you will do with pets or livestock, says LSU AgCenter veterinarian Dr. Steve Nicholson.

(Distributed 09/03/04) Hurricanes, fires, tornadoes and other disasters can strike suddenly – damaging or destroying your home and property, cutting your flow of wages and income or ruining valuable personal and financial records. An LSU AgCenter specialist says an "evacuation box" can be one way to at least protect your valuable paperwork.

(Distributed 09/03/04) If you don’t have the right answers to the following hurricane quiz, you may be flirting with disaster for your home or your family, cautions LSU AgCenter housing specialist Dr. Claudette Reichel.

(Distributed June 2005) Residents of Louisiana and other southern states may begin requesting their free credit reports on June 1, 2005, according to LSU AgCenter family economics professor Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed June 2005) June is either the tail of spring or the head of summer in Louisiana. It depends on whether you are near I-20 or near I-10 interstates, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

(Distributed June 2005) Summer is here, and outdoor play ranks as a favorite activity for most young children. But that means safety also should be a concern for parents and caregivers, according to LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

(Distributed June 2005) Southern peas are an option for Louisiana summer gardens, because they can take the heat and prefer less fertile soils, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

(Distributed June 2005) LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says to observe June Dairy Month by consuming the recommended servings of non-fat and low-fat milk and milk products.

(Distributed June 2005) Springtime fish fatalities in ponds are common throughout the Southeast, especially in Louisiana. LSU AgCenter aquaculture professor Dr. Greg Lutz explains that stress caused by abrupt temperature fluctuations, such as many parts of the state experienced in the past several months, often aggravates fish health problems by suppressing immune responses beyond normal seasonal changes.

(Distributed June 2005) Enjoy Louisiana blueberries. They can help protect against diseases, including certain cancers and heart disease, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed June 2005) The vegetable garden is a busy place. Plants grow, most develop flowers and then bear fruit. Proper nutrition is essential, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

(Distributed June 2005) Landscape plant evaluations at the LSU AgCenter regularly identify new plants worthy of increased use in Louisiana, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings.

(Distributed June 2005) Summer marks the beginning of picnic season and the challenge of food safety, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed June 2005) It’s the wedding season, and newlyweds are facing the reality of incredible changes that come with their new lives together. Some of the biggest changes couples face involve money, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed June 2005) Now is the time to take advantage of historical low student loan rates, says LSU AgCenter family economics professor Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed June 2005) Father’s Day is a good time to focus on men’s health. Although many people think of osteoporosis as a woman’s disease, it is also a serious health problem for men, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed June 2005) In an attempt to lose weight, some people try to eliminate all fats and oils from their diets. That’s a mistake, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed June 2005) If our dry spring months extend into the summer, we will need to remember some important considerations when watering home landscapes, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings.

(Distributed June 2005) Child care may not be what comes to mind when you think of economic development or the state’s major industries, but a recent study by experts from two Louisiana universities shows significant contributions.

(Distributed June 2005) Persistent drier-than-normal weather this spring has resulted in the onset of near-drought conditions over much of Louisiana, reports LSU AgCenter climatologist Jay Grymes.

(Distributed June 2005) Prescreened solicitations are now among the principal techniques creditors use to inform prospective customers of the availability of their products and to establish new or additional business relationships with them, according to LSU AgCenter family economics professor Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed June 2005) June Drop is a name that pecan growers have given to an event that occurs from mid June through early July. During this period, a large number of "nutlets" drop from pecan trees, explains LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. John Pyzner.

(Distributed June 2005) Bermudagrass may be the plague of flower beds and gardens, but is an important turfgrass species, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

(Distributed June 2005) C.E. Byrd High School students scored in every award category in the recent Foundations for Life national essay contest by the Josephson Institute of Ethics and Character Counts!