(Distributed 11/15/06) When Louisiana cooks shop for their Thanksgiving meal, they’ll find the cost of the basic dinner items will average $38.11 for 10 people, according to an LSU AgCenter survey. That’s up by $1.31 from last year’s national average of $36.80 as reported by the American Farm Bureau Foundation.

(Distributed 11/16/06) The LSU AgCenter’s 2006 Poinsettia Open House is set for Dec. 8 at its Burden Center in Baton Rouge. The annual event provides poinsettia growers and the public with an opportunity to view some of the latest poinsettia varieties and to see results of LSU AgCenter research with the plants. (EVENT CANCELED AFTER NEWS RELEASE ISSUED)

(Distributed 11/28/06) Five Louisiana 4-H’ers were among those winning national championship honors this month at the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, Ky. The national championship honors for Louisiana went to a judging team and an individual, who all were from Lafourche Parish.

(Distributed 11/28/06) Inaccurate acreage estimates could be leading some farmers to spend too much or too little on producing their crops, according to an LSU AgCenter watershed agent, who says the cost of more accurate surveys may be worth the investment.

(Distributed 11/28/06) The LSU AgCenter recently selected a 25-year veteran of its 4-H program to serve as the new head of its youth development efforts. Dr. Mark Tassin will move into the position of department head for 4-H Youth Development Dec. 1.

(Distributed 11/22/06) It’s the time of year when many people go shopping for trees to decorate their homes during the holiday season. LSU AgCenter expert Dr. Don Reed offers a few tips on selecting and caring for a tree that may help you get the most enjoyment from it.

(Distributed 11/21/06) Five Louisiana 4-H members attended the first Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference earlier this month at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, Ga.

(Distributed 11/22/06) Consumers must be cautious of identity thieves when shopping during the holiday season, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker. "Be on your guard all the time. By taking certain precautions, you can save yourself hours of time recovering from identity theft," she advises.

(Distributed 11/21/06) Many people use poinsettias to decorate their homes during the holiday season. The plants you purchase now can be a beautiful part of your decorations, but they’re probably only good for this season, the experts say.

(Distributed 11/21/06) The LSU AgCenter recently brought beef producers from around the state together at the Bald Cypress Cattle Co. in Amite for a field day designed to demonstrate scientifically based and environmentally sound management practices they could implement.

(Distributed 11/21/06) Louisiana’s pecan crop this year is excellent. The harvest forecast is 19 million pounds, which is 5 million pounds above Louisiana’s average of 14 million pounds, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. John Pyzner.

(Distributed 11/21/06) This year’s plentiful Louisiana pecan crop is a pleasant surprise following last year’s hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It is unusual to have a good pecan crop following a hurricane, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. John Pyzner.

(Distributed 11/17/06) The LSU AgCenter’s 2007 Get It Growing calendar provides a variety of helpful information tailored to Louisiana gardeners, and it’s available for holiday gift-giving. The calendar, now in its third year of publication, features advice and photos tailored to Louisiana’s growing conditions and climates.

(Distributed 11/16/06) Twenty-one members of the most recentt LSU AgCenter Community Leadership and Economic Development class in Livingston Parish were on hand for the final session and presentation of certificates Monday (Nov. 13). Known as CLED, for short, the program is designed to help volunteers learn leadership skills that can help them work to improve their local economies and make their communities better places to live.

(Distributed 11/15/06) Four LSU AgCenter employees were recognized Tuesday (Nov. 14) for their outstanding service to the university. The LSU AgCenter winners – Joseph Alexis, Cheryl Duplechain, Nona Everett and Joan Gobert – were among 13 people honored as LSU Foundation Staff Outstanding Service Award winners.

(Distributed 11/09/06) Tree farming is a good alternative for landowners to consider in making long-term investments in their land resources. That was one of the messages heard recently at a meeting coordinated by the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 11/08/06) A first-time festival involving more than 2,000 visitors and about 100 volunteers usually takes an experienced committee of adults to plan and manage. The success of the recent "Up With Kids" event, however, was due to a group of Baton Rouge teenagers.

(Distributed 11/06/06) The LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station has established the Margie Yates Jenkins Azalea Garden in recognition of one of Tangipahoa Parish’s most widely known nursery owners.

(Distributed 11/06/06) The annual Deep South Fruit and Vegetable Conference and Trade Show will be Dec. 6-7 in Mobile, Ala. About 500 people are expected to attend this multistate meeting, including growers from Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi.

(Distributed 11/02/06) Linda Hatcher was looking for a way to boost morale at the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. She found it through collaboration with the LSU AgCenter.