(Distributed 08/30/06) New Orleans City Park has gone through a lot since last summer, but park officials say they are gearing up for the annual New Orleans Fall Garden Show on Oct. 21-22.

(For Release On Or After 08/04/06) August is a month when gardeners should think about two important aspects of landscape maintenance – fertilizing and pruning. This month is the latest time in the year when we fertilize lawns, hardy shrubs and ground covers in the landscape. It’s also the time to finish pruning many shrubs, cut back overgrown tropicals and trim some bedding plants.

(For Release On Or After 08/18/06) Reading garden books has always been a favorite pastime of mine, and I still keep my most useful references close at hand. But I have to admit that more and more I find myself doing research on my computer.

(For Release On Or After 08/11/06) I was recently asked what should be done in the garden in August, and I replied, "As little as possible!" Seriously, though, there is at least one important task you can perform, and that’s evaluating how well your plants are doing.

(For Release On Or After 08/25/06) Bromeliads are a wonderful group of tropical or semi-tropical plants that are popular container plants. Because they are easy to grow, colorful and stay in bloom for a long time, they also are commonly used by florists as gift plants. As a result, even people who are not familiar with bromeliads sometimes find themselves the owners of plants they do not know how to grow.

(Distributed 08/31/06) Independent lab tests have confirmed a sample of 2003 foundation seed rice of the variety Cheniere grown by the LSU AgCenter contained a trace amount of genetic material from LL601 – a Liberty Link genetically modified rice.

(Distributed 08/25/06) Participants heard about a variety of studies involving cotton, corn and soybeans during the Dean Lee Research and Extension Center Row Crop Field Day Thursday (Aug. 24).

(Distributed 08/25/06) A year after being ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, southeast Louisiana’s commercial and recreational fishing industries are still in the rebuilding stages – and the pace of progress is dramatically different for each of them.

(Distributed 08/24/06) Louisiana’s fisheries resources affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita will benefit from fisheries restoration funding in the 2006 Federal Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, according to state officials.

(Distributed 08/22/06) The LSU AgCenter’s Idlewild Research Station near Clinton will host its annual Wildlife Field Day Sept. 16. Dr. Don Reed, LSU AgCenter associate professor at the station, said the Quality Deer Management Association will help coordinate the event, which also is sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

(Distributed 8/22/06) Flashbacks, feelings of grief or depression and other symptoms can be attributed to the anniversary of a traumatic event such as the loss of a loved one, an accident or a natural disaster. LSU AgCenter family life professor Dr. Diane D. Sasser expects many people will suffer the "anniversary effects" of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

(Distributed 08/18/06) Weather conditions are leading to spikes and declines in crop prices, and those changes affect Louisiana farmers, as well as others across the country, LSU AgCenter experts say.

(Distributed 08/18/06) With the 2006 rice harvest more than half complete in Southwest Louisiana, results are varied, according to LSU AgCenter agents and area farmers.

(Distributed 08/18/06) The LSU Board of Supervisors Friday (Aug. 18) approved the appointment of a new associate vice chancellor for the LSU AgCenter. Dwight Landreneau, who now serves as secretary for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, will move into the post as associate vice chancellor and associate director of extension for the LSU AgCenter Sept. 1.

(Distributed 08/16/06) A mild hurricane season so far shouldn’t be a reason for letting your guard down, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter. Make sure you're prepared long before you hear a storm might be headed your way.

(Distributed 08/15/06) After participating in a three-day Citizenship Louisiana Focus conference in Baton Rouge, students from across the state returned home filled with community service ideas. Juanita Johnson, the LSU AgCenter’s coordinator for the conference, said the ideas and commitment to civic involvement grew from the program – which is designed to reinforce the youngsters’ dedication to and skills in making their communities better.

(Distributed 08/14/06) The LSU AgCenter is providing mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) to the New Orleans area in an effort to suppress mosquito populations in the many abandoned swimming pools in the city.

(Distributed 08/11/06) The LSU AgCenter’s efforts to help with the cleanup and recovery in New Orleans continue to take on national dimensions. One of the latest projects targeted Bayou Metairie in City Park and included 200 volunteers. Although most were local, some came from as far away as Boston.

(Distributed 08/04/06) The beginning of the school year is right around the corner – meaning many children will be boarding school buses to get to and from school. Others will be riding bikes, walking or riding in automobiles. No matter what the mode of transportation, LSU AgCenter associate Cheri Gioe says safety should be on everyone’s mind.

(Distributed 08/03/06)The end of summer is quickly approaching, and the new school year is close at hand. LSU AgCenter associate Cheri Gioe says getting back into the swing of school activities can be easy and just may be the key to a successful school year.

(Distributed 08/02/06) Starting the year at a new school can be difficult for youngsters, but that’s exactly the situation many students are facing this year, says LSU AgCenter associate Cheri Gioe.

(Distributed 08/02/06) A team of four 4-H’ers from Louisiana took sixth place at the 27th annual National 4-H Forestry Invitational held recently (July 23-27) in West Virginia.

(Distributed 08/28/06) If you plan to celebrate Labor Day with a cookout or picnic, LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says to keep your holiday meal safe by following these guidelines.

(Distributed 08/28/06) In observance of September as National Cholesterol Education Month, LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames notes that one out of every two men and one out of every three women will develop heart disease sometime in their lives.

(Distributed 08/04/06) If your child is spending more time sitting around than moving about, VERB can help her or him discover that nothing replaces the rush and exhilaration of physical activity.

(Distributed 08/04/06) Food date labels are worded in various ways, and interpreting them can be confusing. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames hopes to clear the fog for shoppers who want to understand what the food labels mean.

(Distributed 08/02/06) Hot weather is bigger problem for older people than others, since senior adults’ ability to respond appropriately to the summer heat becomes less efficient with advancing years.

(Radio News 08/28/06) While recent rains have offered relief to the dry start of summer, the effects of the dry weather persist in the insect populations. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet says the dry weather definitely affected honey production. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/28/06) Large populations of a threatening-looking insects are alarming some area residents. But LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet says you really don't have much reason to worry. These wasp-looking insects get their name because they prey on cicadas. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 8/28/06) Homeowners may notice thin webbing forming on the trunks of their trees. This webbing and the tiny insects causing it are appearing a little earlier than normal this year, according to LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet, who says these signs of bark lice usually aren't seen until later in September. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio New 08/28/06) Lately varieties are a top concern of sugarcane growers. For a decade growers relied on one variety to perform well for them and the variety called LCP 85-384 did. But in recent years it has become vulnerable to the serious disease sugarcane rust. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/28/06) The sugarcane variety development program is the primary research at the LSU AgCenter’s St. Gabriel Research Station. Even though breeders have developed outstanding varieties in the past, their pursuit continues. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio New 08/21/06) The weather has played a significant role in crop prices this year. LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Kurt Guidry says dry weather early in the season hurt corn and soybean production but helped prices. Then favorable weather moved into parts of the Midwest and improved the outlook for the crops but lowered prices. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/21/06) The start of a new school year can cause anxiety in youngsters, but this year it can be especially hard on students who were displaced following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/21/06) Students are returning to classrooms, and LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe says parents can help youngsters get excited about the new school year. She says following a routine will help children adjust to their new school schedules and staying organized will help ease the transition. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/21/06) Weather conditions are leading to spikes and declines in crop prices. Dry, hot weather has persisted in some areas of the country, and LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Kurt Guidry says the cotton crop is suffering. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/21/06) Bright yellow school buses have returned to our streets, and everyone can do their part to make sure students get to and from school safely, says LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe. She points out that school bus transportation is safe, but motorists need to be extra vigilant when school is in session. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/14/06) After what was hopefully a relaxing summer, high school athletes have to get back in shape for competition. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames say proper nutrition can help them get back into the swing of things. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radion News 08/14/06) Student athletes are be hitting the practice and playing fields. But before they do, LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says they must make sure they are properly hydrated. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/14/06) Breakfast can get lost in the back-to-school morning rush. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says breakfast is necessary for students to succeed and do well in school. Students who eat breakfast are more creative and energetic. Those who don’t can be irritable, fidgety and tired. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/14/06) Having bullies around can take the fun out of school, and bullying is a problem that affects many children, says LSU AgCenter family life specialist Dr. Diane Sasser. Parents can help children understand what makes another child a bully and let the children know it is not their fault they are being bullied. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/14/06) Teachers are returning to the classrooms, but parents did not stop teaching over the summer break. In fact, parents are a child’s first teachers. LSU AgCenter family life specialist Dr. Diane Sasser says parents should answer a child’s questions and encourage the child’s curiosity. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/07/06) LSU AgCenter rice breeder Dr. Steve Linscombe and his team are working on both conventional and hybrid rice lines. One experimental variety, named 2097, is a semi-dwarf, long-grain variety. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/07/06) Rice breeders at the LSU AgCenter’s Rice Research Station are working with a Clearfield variety called CL 171. The Clearfield line allows growers to use Newpath herbicide to control weeds in their fields without harming the rice. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/07/06) For sugarcane growers in areas hit by Hurricane Rita’s storm surge last year, the recent rains likely are too late to help their crops. Many fields were inundated with salt water. Growers took a chance on the stubble crop of the cane that was standing at the time of the flood, but LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Dr. Ben Legendre says those fields probably should have been plowed out. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/07/06) Two varieties make up a large portion of the rice acreage planted in Louisiana. But as more Clearfield varieties are released, this line that helps growers control the red rice weed is increasing in acreage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/07/06) Sugarcane fields in some ares of the state are crowded with tall, lush stalks of cane. In others, the stands are relativcely short. The difference is whether the areas received sufficient rainfall over the past few months. Fortunately, though, recent rainfalls have quenched the state, and that's helping the cane to grow. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(TV News 08/28/06) Cotton likes dry, hot weather, but the weather Louisiana saw in July was so hot and so dry that even the cotton started to suffer. Experts say timely rains have helped the state's crop rebound, but drought conditions persist elsewhere, and the crop in those parts of the country still is suffering. (Runtime: 1 minute, 21 seconds)

(TV News 08/21/06) Sugarcane growers have two new options when planting cane. Two varieties were released this year, allowing growers to diversify their fields. (Runtime: 1 minute 34 seconds)

(TV News 08/14/06) Rice breeding is the backbone of the LSU AgCenter's rice research. The scientists continuously strive to improve upon existing varieties, and they currently are working on conventional and Clearfield lines. (Runtime: 1 minute, 40 seconds)

(TV News 08/07/06) You can tell how much rainfall an area of the sugarcane belt has received so far by how tall the cane is. LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Dr. Ben Legendre says the crop is mixed right now, but if rain continues to fal like it has been lately, the shorter sugarcane could catch up. (Runtime 1 minute, 24 seconds)