(For Release On Or After 12/01/06) This time of the year deciduous trees drop tons of leaves. Most people rake them up, put them in bags and place the bags on the curb to be picked up with the trash. What a shame!

(For Release On Or After 12/08/06) Paperwhite and amaryllis are two bulbs popular for "forcing" in Louisiana during the winter. Forcing bulbs means growing them to bloom earlier than they would under normal landscape conditions.

(For Release On Or After 12/15/06) An easy-to-make garland might be just what you need to spruce up your front entrance before your holiday company arrives, and you may be able to make one from the "trimmings" you have from pruning trees and bushes this time of year.

(For Release On Or After 12/22/06) The winter solstice occurred this week, and it marks a turning point in the length of our days and nights. Why is that important for gardeners? Mainly because it reminds us that changing of the seasons affects the way our plants perform.

(For Release On Or After 12/29/06) The next few weeks are an important time for planting tulips, hyacinths and other bulbs you previously stored in your refrigerator to get them ready for planting. Won’t it be great to get the refrigerator space back!

(Distributed 12/22/06) In Louisiana, 2006 likely will be remembered as the year after the hurricanes. But a relatively ordinary year was a welcome relief to many, including farmers. While the hurricanes in 2005 took a toll on many agricultural producers, production this year was good for most commodities, according to LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Kurt Guidry.

(Distributed 12/20/06) The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced the opening of the sign-up period for disaster assistance programs made available through the Emergency Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2006, according to LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Kurt Guidry.

(Distributed 12/20/06) Rice farmers in Southwest Louisiana will have a chance to catch up on the latest techniques and recommendations for the upcoming growing season in a series of four clinics being held by the LSU AgCenter in early January.

(Distributed 12/20/06) Working with volunteers to restore New Orleans’ City Park has become an ongoing labor of love for two LSU AgCenter employees.

(Distributed 12/20/06) The LSU AgCenter will host the 2007 Agricultural Outlook Conference Jan. 22-23 in Baton Rouge. Designed to continue addressing the current issues facing the state’s farmers, agribusinesses and others, the theme of the conference is "Keeping Louisiana’s Agriculture Competitive."

(Distributed 12/20/06) The LSU AgCenter is once again offering photographers an opportunity to contribute to its popular Get It Growing calendar. Professional or amateur nature photographers from Louisiana or the surrounding areas are invited to submit photos to be considered for publication in the 2008 Get It Growing gardening calendar.

(Distributed 12/19/06) The LSU AgCenter honored four individuals and three teams with its top awards for faculty members, as well as two staff members for their outstanding service, Monday (Dec. 18) during its Annual Conference in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 12/15/06) The foods many people enjoy this time of year are much more than just good eatin’ for the holidays. From rice dressing to sweet potatoes and poultry to pecan pies, the treats you enjoy from Thanksgiving through New Year’s are part of a food and fiber sector that means billions to the state’s economy.

(Distributed 12/14/06) Developing disease-resistant varieties is the best approach to help farmers fight diseases that afflict rice, said Don Groth, LSU AgCenter plant pathologist at the Rice Research Station in Crowley.

(Distributed 12/12/06) Livestock and forage producers and officials from across the state gathered here earlier this month to learn about more efficient ways to produce and market forage.

(Distributed 12/01/06) Exceptional service projects were key to 13 Louisiana 4-H members receiving Good Provider awards recently at LSU’s Lod Cook Conference Center.

(Distributed 12/08/06) A 4-H’er from South Louisiana and a leader in the state’s rice industry were among those honored at the USA Rice Federation’s 2006 Outlook Conference here.

(Distributed 12/04/06) Eric Eskew, a native of Jennings, La., joined the LSU AgCenter in November as the new executive director of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation.

(Distributed 12/01/06) Sitting in a hospital all day long is not much fun for the typical child, especially Jackson, a 3-year-old with big brown eyes and Batman pajamas. When 4-H’ers Jessica Windham and Myles Morris asked if he wanted to make a keychain, he was glad to make a "butterfly one for my mom."

(Distributed 12/22/06) If you are looking for ways to spend quality time with your family during the holiday season, volunteering together can be beneficial to your family as well as someone in need, says LSU AgCenter family resource management expert Dr. Karen Overstreet. But the holidays aren’t the only time you can take part in such activities, Overstreet points out, saying community groups also need volunteers and donations all year long to perform worthwhile services in your area.

(Distributed 12/21/06) Healthful eating is key to looking good, feeling great and being your best all year long, stresses LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. Reames points out that millions of Americans turn to the latest fad diets to lose weight every year, but she stresses living a healthy lifestyle is about much more than dieting – and that food is essential to life.

(Distributed 12/18/06) This holiday season let your children share in planning and preparing food for special occasions, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames, who stresses that kids enjoy being "holiday helpers" as well as helping you all year long.

(Distributed 12/12/06) Books make great holiday gifts for your preschooler. They can be fun and engage your child’s developing mind.

(Distributed 12/12/06) Gaining weight during the holidays is a fear most people face this time of year, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 12/12/06) Every year thousands of Americans go into debt over the holidays because Santa and his elves went a little over budget. With holiday shopping, rising gas prices and hosting holiday parties, it is no wonder we have trouble staying out of debt.

(Distributed 12/11/06) The holidays can be a tough time to try to manage or lose weight, but you can keep it on track, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Annrose Guarino.

(Distributed 12/08/06) During the holidays we often indulge in rich foods we might not normally eat at other times of the year. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy says there are ways to enjoy these bountiful foods during this season and still maintain a healthy lifestyle.

(Distributed 12/08/06) Poinsettias are one of the most popular holiday plants in the United States. Colored leaves called bracts are the main attraction of poinsettias, and an ever increasing range of colors are available – from the traditional red, to white, pink, peach, yellow, marbled and speckled.

(Distributed 12/08/06) Many New Year’s resolutions are long forgotten by the first of February. However, resolving to take control of your family finances can have a positive effect on your financial position in the coming months and on your long-term goals, according to LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 12/08/06) Overly enthusiastic holiday spending can push a family into financial difficulty. The challenge of managing holiday spending is to enjoy the spirit of the season without paying for it months or even years later, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 12/08/06) Problems occasionally occur with items purchased as holiday gifts, but being prepared to handle those problems can go a long way in making the season more festive for you, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 12/07/06) The hustle and bustle of the holidays may make even the most responsible of pet owners neglectful of certain dangers to cats and dogs among the food, events and decorations, says Dr. Christine Navarre, LSU AgCenter veterinarian.

(Distributed 12/07/06) Online shopping in the United States rises approximately 30 percent each holiday season, because it can save time, money and effort. But sizing up your finds on the Internet is a little different from checking out items at a mall or shop, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 12/06/06) When families gather for the holidays, gifts are exchanged and relationships are renewed. Gifts don’t have to come in packages. They can be delivered through words and actions.

(Distribtued 12/06/06) "Mom, I want a …" is typically heard more often this time of year followed by the name of the latest toy advertised with lots of splash and dash on TV or in stores.

(Distributed 12/06/06) Holidays are among the special occasions to preserve the memories of people, scenes and events you won’t see the same way again. To help make the most of recording this season for future enjoyment, LSU AgCenter photographers Mark Claesgens and John Wozniak have pooled their recommendations.

(Distributed 12/06/06) Sixty-six percent of shoppers are planning to purchase a gift card this year, with sales expected to top $55.5 billion. Gift cards are great for holiday giving – recipients love the option to pick out the exact item, color and size that they want, and givers enjoy their one-size-fits-all convenience and easy availability.

(Distributed 12/05/06) Cooks across Louisiana are now making their grocery lists and checking them twice in preparation for those holiday meals. An LSU AgCenter nutritionist says food safety should be high on the list while those preparations are being made.

(Distributed 12/01/06) The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can cause stress for people trying to please family and friends, even under the best circumstances, says LSU AgCenter family life specialist Dr. Diane Sasser. Even more, holiday stress can be particularly difficult to manage when it occurs within "blended" families, or families in which one or both parents have children from former relationships, the LSU AgCenter expert says.

(Distributed 12/01/06) The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can cause stress for people trying to please family and friends, even under the best circumstances, says LSU AgCenter family life specialist Dr. Diane Sasser. Even more, holiday stress can be particularly difficult to manage when it occurs within "blended" families, or families in which one or both parents have children from former relationships, the LSU AgCenter expert says.

(Distributed 12/05/06) Cooks across Louisiana are now making their grocery lists and checking them twice in preparation for those holiday meals. An LSU AgCenter nutritionist says food safety should be high on the list while those preparations are being made.

(Distributed 12/06/06) When families gather for the holidays, gifts are exchanged and relationships are renewed. Gifts don’t have to come in packages. They can be delivered through words and actions.

(Distributed 12/06/06) Holidays are among the special occasions to preserve the memories of people, scenes and events you won’t see the same way again. To help make the most of recording this season for future enjoyment, LSU AgCenter photographers Mark Claesgens and John Wozniak have pooled their recommendations.

(Distributed 12/06/06) Sixty-six percent of shoppers are planning to purchase a gift card this year, with sales expected to top $55.5 billion. Gift cards are great for holiday giving – recipients love the option to pick out the exact item, color and size that they want, and givers enjoy their one-size-fits-all convenience and easy availability.

(Distributed 12/07/06) The hustle and bustle of the holidays may make even the most responsible of pet owners neglectful of certain dangers to cats and dogs among the food, events and decorations, says Dr. Christine Navarre, LSU AgCenter veterinarian.

(Distributed 12/07/06) Online shopping in the United States rises approximately 30 percent each holiday season, because it can save time, money and effort. But sizing up your finds on the Internet is a little different from checking out items at a mall or shop, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 12/08/06) Problems occasionally occur with items purchased as holiday gifts, but being prepared to handle those problems can go a long way in making the season more festive for you, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 12/08/06) During the holidays we often indulge in rich foods we might not normally eat at other times of the year. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy says there are ways to enjoy these bountiful foods during this season and still maintain a healthy lifestyle.

(Distributed 12/08/06) Many New Year’s resolutions are long forgotten by the first of February. However, resolving to take control of your family finances can have a positive effect on your financial position in the coming months and on your long-term goals, according to LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 12/08/06) Poinsettias are one of the most popular holiday plants in the United States. Colored leaves called bracts are the main attraction of poinsettias, and an ever increasing range of colors are available – from the traditional red, to white, pink, peach, yellow, marbled and speckled.

(Distributed 12/08/06) Overly enthusiastic holiday spending can push a family into financial difficulty. The challenge of managing holiday spending is to enjoy the spirit of the season without paying for it months or even years later, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 12/11/06) The holidays can be a tough time to try to manage or lose weight, but you can keep it on track, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Annrose Guarino.

(Distributed 12/12/06) Every year thousands of Americans go into debt over the holidays because Santa and his elves went a little over budget. With holiday shopping, rising gas prices and hosting holiday parties, it is no wonder we have trouble staying out of debt.

(Distributed 12/12/06) Gaining weight during the holidays is a fear most people face this time of year, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 12/12/06) Books make great holiday gifts for your preschooler. They can be fun and engage your child’s developing mind.

(Distributed 12/18/06) This holiday season let your children share in planning and preparing food for special occasions, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames, who stresses that kids enjoy being "holiday helpers" as well as helping you all year long.

(Distributed 12/21/06) Healthful eating is key to looking good, feeling great and being your best all year long, stresses LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. Reames points out that millions of Americans turn to the latest fad diets to lose weight every year, but she stresses living a healthy lifestyle is about much more than dieting – and that food is essential to life.

(Distributed 12/22/06) If you are looking for ways to spend quality time with your family during the holiday season, volunteering together can be beneficial to your family as well as someone in need, says LSU AgCenter family resource management expert Dr. Karen Overstreet. But the holidays aren’t the only time you can take part in such activities, Overstreet points out, saying community groups also need volunteers and donations all year long to perform worthwhile services in your area.