(Distributed 10/25/05) Gerald Roberts, an LSU AgCenter and Southern University county agent in St. Landry Parish, said being chosen as 2005’s Mr. Yam punctuates his 29-year career of service to sweet potato growers in the area.

(Distributed 10/25/05) Louisiana citrus is another of the state’s agricultural crops heavily damaged by the hurricanes this year. Officials say some Louisiana citrus will be available despite the devastation brought by Hurricane Katrina to southeastern Louisiana, but they warn it will be at a premium.

(Distributed 10/25/05) The LSU AgCenter’s Louisiana House Home and Landscape Resource Center is giving the public opportunities to see aspects of its stronger, safer and smarter construction.

(Distributed 10/21/05) The LSU AgCenter soon will begin comprehensive tests for salt contamination in areas of Vermilion Parish hit by Hurricane Rita’s storm surge, but officials this week said the problem may not be as bad as originally feared.

(Distributed 10/21/05) There will be trees from the Shady Pond Christmas Tree Farm northeast of New Orleans this year – thanks in large part to some help from fellow growers from North Carolina.

(Distributed 10/20/05) Don’t give up was the message from one state’s 4-H’er to those in Louisiana who were affected by the recent hurricanes. To stress that message, 4-H’ers from across North Carolina collected school supplies, toiletries and stuffed animals for victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The items were packed into "Boxes of Hope" that arrived in Louisiana Monday (Oct. 17).

(Distributed 10/20/05) Many lawnmowers, string trimmers, leaf blowers and other lawn and garden equipment with small engines were underwater during the flooding from hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

(Distributed 10/20/05) Recent hurricanes may have obliterated your house, your job and likely even the property values in your area – leaving you with the feeling that the only things still intact are your mortgage and other debts.

(Distributed 10/19/05) The LSU AgCenter recently established a toll-free phone system to help Louisiana citizens obtain information about recovering from the disasters and damages created by recent hurricanes. The LSU AgCenter Disaster Recovery Hotline can be reached by dialing 866-573-0178.

(Distributed 10/19/05) The LSU AgCenter will present several workshops in South Louisiana to help farmers recover from hurricanes Rita and Katrina, with the first sessions set for Tuesday (Oct. 25) in Acadia and Calcasieu parishes.