(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) 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) 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.

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

(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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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.

(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.

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

(Distributed April 2006) Louisiana gets a lot of rain, but it isn’t spaced out uniformly. Sometimes there’s too much rain, and other times there are periods of drought. Plants do better, however, with a more uniform water supply.

(Distributed April 2006) Front-wheel-assist (FWA) is a popular option on many compact utility tractors, and it’s standard equipment on several models. It’s also available on some lawn and garden tractors.

(Distributed April 2006) Youth across the nation will observe National & Global Youth Service Day April 21-23 with service and civic activities.

(Distributed April 2006) If you have a small garden, or if you have a larger garden and are energetic, a powered rotary tiller is not always necessary, according to an engineer at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station.

(Distributed April 2006) Focusing on health and on changing behavior, instead of on weight loss, is the apparent key to better health, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed April 2006) Spring has sprung, and the grass is now growing. But, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske, there is usually no good reason to push early growth with lots of fertilizer.

(Distributed April 2006) Pecan trees are sometimes infested by dot-size insects called pecan phylloxera in April. The feeding of these minuscule insects can produce round galls ¼- to 1-inch in diameter on twigs and leaves in late April, May and early June.

(Distributed April 2006) Nearly a half million injuries occur each year from lawnmowers and garden equipment. Riding lawnmowers account for almost 6 percent of these injuries.

(Distributed April 2006) Starting a lawn from seed is a tough proposition even when all things are done right. Poor fertility, too much or too little moisture, rain washouts, ants, weeds and disease all can cause havoc during establishment.

(Distributed April 2006) National Volunteer Week, slated for April 23-29, is a perfect opportunity to recognize the contributions of volunteers, according to LSU AgCenter 4-H youth volunteer expert Dr. Janet Fox.

(Distributed April 2006) A new online table from Agricultural Research Service nutritionists lets users check the amount of "added" sugars in foods. The table contains information on added sugars, total sugars and carbohydrates in 2,041 common foods.

(Distributed April 2006) Eating only 100 more calories a day than you burn can lead to a weight gain of 10 pounds a year. With today’s larger portions, it’s easy to consume 100 extra calories, and more, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed April 2006) Dyeing and decorating eggs is a popular Easter tradition for many families. Because eggs are perishable, though, it is necessary to follow food safety precautions, advises LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed April 2006) Now is the time to begin working on a new lawn, and LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske has advice for those undertaking such a project.

(Distributed April 2006) Knowing the variety of child-care options available to you can help you choose the one that’s best for you and your family, experts with the LSU AgCenter stress.

(Distributed April 2006) Programs exist to help families make better decisions about child care, according to LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe. Known as Child Care Resource and Referral Programs, these local agencies provide free assistance to families who are actively searching for care and need help with making informed decisions about the best care for their children, Gioe explains.

(Distributed April 2006) Although many people already have completed this year’s tax returns, it’s not too early to start considering items that may help you save on next year’s taxes. Child-care costs are one of those areas, according to LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

(Distributed April 2006) With strawberry season in full swing, LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says to choose Louisiana strawberries for a nutritious, healthy treat.

(Distributed April 2006) One of the newest groups of zinnias catching on the last five years have been the Profusion series. These zinnias are rapidly gaining popularity among home gardeners and landscape professionals.

(Distributed April 2006) A relatively new category has been added to All-America Selections, home of the popular All-America Rose Selections, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings. That group is daylilies.