(Distributed February 2006) February starts the Louisiana vegetable gardening season. This is especially true for the southern parishes.

(Distributed February 2006) Snap beans are adapted to a wide range of soils in Louisiana and make an excellent crop for the home garden. Their freshness is a real treat at the dinner table.

(Distributed February 2006) Louisiana gardeners are getting "itchy green thumbs" about now, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. They want to jump-start their spring gardens.

(For Release On Or After 02/10/06) Although our lawns are still dormant this month, you can begin to plan your strategy to have an attractive, healthy lawn this summer.

(For Release On Or After 02/17/06) February weather often includes heavy and frequent rain, and this should remind us that Louisiana has a relatively wet climate. It is important for gardeners to realize that plant selection and the gardening techniques we use are largely influenced by the generous amount of rain we get during other parts of the year.

(For Release On Or After 02/24/06) Using ground-cover plantings in landscapes is becoming increasing popular, and early spring is a good time to plant them. Planting ground covers now will provide them with a chance to settle in and become somewhat established before hot weather arrives.

(For Release On Or After 02/03/06) Some plants have public relations problems through no fault of their own. The worst situation exists when a plant becomes associated with an event that is sad or distressing. For example, the lovely calla lily has almost become a cliché for funerals.

(Distributed 02/22/06) A Vermilion Parish 4-H’er recently was recognized as the Louisiana winner of the Prudential Spirit of Community Award, which honors young people for outstanding volunteer service to their communities.

(Distributed 02/18/06) The LSU AgCenter honored a group of outstanding volunteer leaders and 4-H and FFA members Saturday (Feb. 18) for their work with youth livestock projects.

(Distributed 02/18/06) Top exhibitors of market animals received scholastic premiums of more than $44,000 Saturday (Feb. 18) at the conclusion of the 71st Annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show.The scholastic awards, which ranged from $1,500 to $5,500 for individual winners, went to 4-H and FFA youth who showed champion market animals during the Feb. 11-18 events that included competition for beef and dairy cattle, goats, hogs, poultry and sheep.

(Distributed 02/10/06) Two members of the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H program will show America they can be "Iron Chefs” when a show featuring the teens cooking alligator dishes airs on the Food Network Feb. 28. Claiborne Parish 4-H'ers Christopher Burch and Shelby Harper, students at Haynesville High School, were taped Saturday (Feb. 4) and said they enjoy everything about being in 4-H, including learning beneficial life skills.

(Distributed 02/21/06) "I’ve never won anything in my life," cried Tasha Miller. But her day had come. Miller, a 4-H volunteer from New Orleans who lost her home in Hurricane Katrina, was one of 10 who won a 2006 Toyota Prius hybrid from NBA star Amare Stoudemire.

(Distributed 02/15/06) Owners of South Louisiana property affected by last year’s hurricanes may need to evaluate the termite protection for their homes and other buildings but won’t necessarily need to treat again, according to an entomologist with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 02/21/06) With most of the citrus groves in Plaquemines Parish destroyed by last fall’s hurricanes, growers in the Lafourche-Terrebonne area are preparing to fill part of that market niche.

(Distributed 02/18/06) Six exceptional Louisiana teen-agers were recognized Saturday (Feb. 18) for their knowledge, skills and communication abilities when they were named winners of the Gerry Lane Premier Exhibitor Awards at the 71st annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show. Now in its ninth year, the premier exhibitor program recognizes 4-H and FFA members who may or may not have champion animals but who have a thorough understanding of animal science.

(Distributed 02/23/06) Where are the crawfish this year, especially after last year’s good crop? That’s the question a panel of LSU AgCenter experts attempted to answer recently (Feb. 22) in meetings held in LSU AgCenter extension offices in Avoyelles, Evangeline and St. Martin parishes. Their short answer is that a large percentage of crawfish died from last summer’s drought, particularly in August and September.

(Distributed 02/01/06) The LSU AgCenter is hosting informational sessions Feb. 10 to assist Louisiana residents interested in applying for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Value-added Producer Grant program.

(Distiributed 02/03/06) Corn producers should think about early-season insect control to help establish healthy stands, says LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Jack Baldwin.

(Distributed 02/23/06) Azalea enthusiasts will have an opportunity to take a guided tour of the LSU AgCenter’s azalea collection at the Burden Center in Baton Rouge from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. March 5.

(Distributed 02/15/06) The LSU AgCenter is providing landowners and others with answers they need to face today’s conditions in the forest industry by offering forestry forums across the state this spring.

(Distributed 02/17/06) Hurricane Rita destroyed homes, schools and barns when it ripped through Cameron Parish last fall. It also bruised and battered the hopes of hundreds of 4-H’ers looking forward to showing livestock.

(Distributed 02/21/06) Will the South American rice leaf miner be affected by salt water pushed ashore by Hurricane Rita? LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Boris Castro said it’s possible the rice pest’s population could have been weakened by the high salinity, but there’s no way of knowing yet.

(Distributed 02/21/06) South Louisiana rice fields contaminated with salt from Hurricane Rita’s storm surge have shown some improvements, although not as much as expected, and salinity levels actually have increased in some sugarcane fields.

(Distributed 02/18/06) 4-H and FFA members from across Louisiana participated in the 71st annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show Feb. 11-18. The competitors qualified for the 2006 show by winning awards at parish and district livestock shows across Louisiana, and, in all, more than 3,000 young people came to Gonzales to compete with 5,300 animals.

(Distributed 02/20/06) Hundreds of young people from across Louisiana were named state champions during a week of competition at the 71st Annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show.

(Distributed 02/01/06) Farmers are facing uncertainty with expected changes in U.S. farm policy, high energy costs and World Trade Organization talks, a Washington agricultural analyst told rice producers last week (Jan. 26).

(Distributed 02/22/06) The LSU AgCenter’s Baton Rouge Spring Garden Show will bloom again March 25-26 at the John M. Parker Agricultural Coliseum on Highland Road on the LSU campus.

(Distributed 02/10/06) An LSU AgCenter program that tests the performance of bulls benefits cattle producers and the state’s beef industry, according to experts. Known as the Bull Performance Testing Program, the effort operates out of the LSU AgCenter’s Dean Lee Research Station south of Alexandria.

(Distributed 02/02/06) The LSU AgCenter has a variety of resources designed to help agricultural producers with farm management chores, and among those are publications to help them with record keeping on everything from money spent to fertilizer bought to pesticides used.

(Distributed 02/01/06) They can travel across a country or even traverse continents in a suitcase or shoe, and they’re infamous for infesting intimate locations – beds. Now the fabled bedbug is infesting beds around New York City, and some people are concerned if the bugs will spread.

(Distributed February 2006) The answer to the hungry question, "Is it Done Yet?" is the basis of a national campaign to encourage the use of food thermometers when preparing meat, poultry and egg dishes, to prevent foodborne illness.

(Distributed February 2006) March is National Nutrition Month and is sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association. This year’s theme is "Step Up to Nutrition & Health."

(Distributed February 2006) The 4-H livestock show season is upon us and offers an opportunity for the showcasing of the youth exhibitors and their animals. Parish shows are the first step of the journey followed by the district and state shows.

(Distributed February 2006) February is American Heart Month. Women throughout America will again "Go Red for Women" by wearing red to raise awareness of heart disease, women’s No. 1 killer.

(Distributed February 2006) Take advantage of the fact that this year Valentine’s Day occurs a couple of weeks before Mardi Gras and share your heart with others. That’s the advice of LSU AgCenter family resource management specialist Dr. Karen Overstreet.

(Distributed February 2006) Getting the right start in the spring is especially important for a productive garden, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

(Distributed February 2006) February and March signal the beginning of spring in many parts of Louisiana – at least in terms of home landscape activities.

(Distributed February 2006) February is the best time to prune most fruit trees in Louisiana. The coldest part of winter is usually over, and trees will soon be growing and can heal pruning injuries.

(Distributed February 2006) Don’t let food poisoning be a memento of the Mardi Gras season," says LSU AgCenter nutritionist and food safety expert Dr. Beth Reames. "By following some simple practices, you can enjoy the festivities without suffering from foodborne illnesses."

(Distributed February 2006) Millions of Americans are on the latest fad diets to lose weight. The problem is, most of these diets don’t provide lasting results, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed March 2006) Louisiana may soon have a new way for you to determine how well your child-care program measures up. LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe says the state is on a mission to develop a child-care rating system that could help you compare the quality of one center to another.

(Distributed March 2006) Older adults who consume nearly three servings of whole-grain foods daily are significantly less likely to have "metabolic syndrome," a condition that increases the chances of developing diabetes and heart disease.

(Distributed March 2006) Shopping for a riding mower or mowing tractor requires several choices – including the transmission, according to an engineer with the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station.

(Distributed March 2006) A number of tax benefits are available to volunteers. Donors and volunteers can deduct out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the services given to a charitable organization if they itemize deductions on their tax returns.

(Distributed March 2006) March is a critical month in our vegetable gardens - early for some things and late for others, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

(Distributed March 2006) Special rules for victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma will ease the eligibility requirements for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).

(Distributed March 2006) "Go fly a kite!" Although the expression is usually derisive, it could be good advice, according to LSU AgCenter family resource management specialist Dr. Karen Overstreet.

(Distribtued March 2006) Many homeowners have several small engines in the garage or tool shed on equipment like a lawnmower or string trimmer. Some may also have a garden tiller, a hedge trimmer, a lawn edger or a chainsaw. Most of these small engines have an air filter.

(Distributed March 2006) Six C.E. Byrd High School students have won honors in the national Foundations for Life character essay contest.

(Distributed March 2006) A Newellton resident won Best of Show at the 20th annual Louisiana State Pecan Show held January 20-21.

(Distributed March 2006) Eating well and being physically active are keys to better health. Following the Dietary Guidelines can help Americans "Feel better today. Stay healthy for tomorrow," according to a slogan of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

(Distributed March 2006) A huge pool of potential volunteers and social activists in the United States – 26 million young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 – remains untapped.

(Distributed March 2006) More than half of all taxpayers pay a tax preparer to file their tax returns. Before using a commercial preparer, however, find out if there is a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site nearby that can help you prepare your taxes for free, advises LSU AgCenter family economics professor Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed March 2006) It happens often when children receive a gift. The youngsters often are happier playing with the box than the present. Although amused at first, the gift-givers may soon suspect that their money was ill-spent.

(Distributed March 2006) Many ways are available to contribute to the economic well-being of your family, parish, state and country. Producing fresh, healthy garden produce is just such a way, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

(Distributed March 2006) The Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005 and the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005 provide certain tax breaks to help victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

(Distributed March 2006) Consumers who make only the minimum payment on their credit card bill each month can expect to write bigger checks. That’s because many credit card issuers are increasing their minimum payment amounts.

(Distributed March 2006) Although homeowners have a wide choice of products to use in their lawns and gardens, sometimes a hand-cranked spreader for granular fertilizers and pesticides is more practical than a wheeled model, according to an engineer at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station.

(Distributed March 2006) Louisiana farmers and agricultural researchers now can obtain estimates of daily evapotranspiration, thanks to a new tool available through the LSU AgCenter's Louisiana Agriclimatic Information System.

(Distributed March 2006) You can eat healthy and watch your weight when dining out if you know how. Most restaurants are glad to prepare food the way you want it. You can even call ahead to make sure that the restaurant can accommodate your special requests.

(Distributed March 2006) On March 28 the American Diabetes Association will issue its annual alert to locate the millions of Americans with undiagnosed diabetes. The event is a one-day call-to-action held on the fourth Tuesday every March for people to learn if they are at risk for diabetes.

(Distributed March 2006) Gardening can be a great learning experience for children, even the very young. It gives them an opportunity to watch life unfold and develop, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

(Distributed March 2006) One of the things that separate good gardeners from those who are not such good gardeners is experience, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

(Distributed March 2006) Many people likely think that excessive eating and zero exercise are the sole culprits for weight gain. The reality is that as few as 100 calories a day can make a major difference in weight gain or loss, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed March 2006) It is easy for parents to get so busy they neglect to carve out some "fun time" with their kids. Building a little family time into daily life isn’t easy, but it can be done if parents allow themselves the freedom to relax with their kids, according to LSU AgCenter family development professor Dr. Rebecca White.

(Radio News 2/27/06) Now is the time for taxpayers to consider how to use their tax refunds. LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker says the No. 1 priority should be paying off consumer debts. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/13/06) An agricultural economist warns there are some people who want to change the direction of farm policy without understanding that agriculture and food are different from other commodities. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/20/06) Evidence of drowned termites exists near floodwalls, but entomologists believe some Formosan subterranean termites survived the flood. They are using monitors to watch for termite activity. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/20/06) An agricultural economist with the Office of Energy Policy and New Uses at USDA says it’s easier to produce ethanol from sugar than from starch. But Dr. Hosein Shapouri, who spoke at the LSU AgCenter’s Ag Outlook Conference, says it’s not being done in the U. S. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio 2/27/06) Hurricane Katrina may have badly damaged the city of New Orleans, but it didn’t damage its spirit. Mardi Gras parades still will roll through the Crescent City and in cities and towns around Louisiana. Picnics on the parade routes always aare part of the celebrations, and LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says to be mindful of food safety. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/13/06) Heart disease kills more than 500,000 women each year. That’s more than the next seven causes of death combined. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says February is American Heart Month. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/20/06) Can termites damage a levee? LSU AgCenter entomolgist Dr. Gregg Hendersom first posed that question when he found Formosan termites feeding on a sidewalk near the New Orleans Convention Center in August of 2000. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/20/06) The United States’ ethanol industry is growing, according to Dr. Hosein Shapouri, an ag economist in the Office of Energy Policy and New Uses with the USDA. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/13/06) Early in a new year people strive to lose weight, but shedding a few pounds shouldn’t be the only goal. Living a healthy life should be the ultimate goal, an LSU AgCenter nutritionist says. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/20/06) The floodwalls built around New Orleans are attractive to termites. Bagasse, an organic material LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Gregg Henderson describes as a favored food source for Formosan termites, was used for spacers in the seams of the walls. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/13/06) To answer the question of whether it's done yet, LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says to consult a food thermometer. That message is part of an effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to encourage home cooks to use food thermometers when cooking meat and egg dishes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/6/06) Strawberry growing practices have changed in recent years. Growers used to spray their berries with water to protect them during a freeze, but farmers now prefer to use row covers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(TV News 02/06/06) Louisiana strawberries already are at produce stands, grocery stores and farmers markets. Some growers have been picking berries for more than a month now. Mild weather has produced a sweet and early crop. (Runtime: 1 minute 16 seconds)

(TV News 2/27/06) When investigating hurricane damage in New Orleans, the trails lead to the levees. Two LSU AgCenter entomologists are following a trail of termites that led to the levees more than five years ago. (Runtime: 2 minutes 10 seconds)

(Radio News 2/6/06) Changes are on the horizon for farm policy as the 2007 Farm Bill takes shape. The agricultural industry is wondering how this new farm bill will differ from the two previous bills in 1996 and 2002. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/6/06) The fabled bedbug is infesting beds around New York City. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet says even though the major infestations are more than a thousand miles away, he is getting calls from people worrying and wondering about these pests. While bedbugs deserve their bad reputation, there is a misconception surrounding them, Pollet says. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(TV News 2/20/06) Globalization and technological developments have changed the face of agriculture. Farmers are wondering if new farm policies will help them deal with these changes or ultimately hurt them. (Runtime 1 minute 11 seconds)

(Radio News 2/6/06) If an early strawberry season sounds sweet, it is. Louisiana growers are producing berries that are ripening early and are very sweet. Consumers can find Louisiana strawberries at produce stands, grocery stores and farmers markets. Some growers have been picking berries for more than a month now. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/13/06) An agricultural economist warns there are some people who want to change the direction of farm policy without understanding that agriculture and food are different from other commodities. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/27/06) LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker encourages taxpayers to take advantage of opportunities to minimize their tax bills. Tax forms such as the 1040EZ and 1040A are simple to use, but using other forms and itemizing deductions may produce better results and greater savings. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(TV News 02/13/06) Producing ethanol from sugarcane would be a boost for Louisiana’s sugarcane farmers. But is it a viable option? The issue was addressed at the LSU AgCenter's Ag Outlook Conference. (Runtime: 1 minute 31 seconds)

(Audio 2/6/06) There are two factors that could weigh heavily in the 2007 Farm Bill - the federal budget and requests from the World Trade Organization. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/27/06) Consumers who make only the minimum payments to credit card companies can expect to write bigger checks. LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker says credit card issuers are increasing their minimum payment requirements. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/13/06) You’ll likely see the bites before you see the bugs. The first signs of a bedbug infestation often are bites on the body. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet say people often will mistake bedbug bites for mosquito bites. (Runtime: 60 seconds)