(Distributed 02/23/07) Gov. Kathleen Blanco and several area officials joined a Massachusetts company in a groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremony recently (Feb. 16) for two facilities that will use agricultural wastes to make ethanol.

Photos from 2007 LSU AgCenter Livestock Show, including grand champion winners in these categories: Steers, Lambs, Goats, Hogs and Broilers.

Thousands of 4-H and FFA youth from across the state had participated in the 72nd Annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show. AgCenter photographers capture the excitement and activity at the show.

(Distributed 02/17/07) The LSU AgCenter honored an outstanding volunteer leader and six 4-H and FFA members Saturday (Feb. 17) for their work with youth livestock projects.

(Distributed 02/15/07) Farmers Dan Bedgood and Erick Cherene of Madison Parish have a quick answer when asked to describe the upcoming growing season in North Louisiana. "A lot of corn," they said in unison. The farming partners were among more than 200 people who attended the LSU AgCenter Corn and Soybean Forum Tuesday (Feb. 13) at the Rayville Civic Center.

(Distributed 02/15/07) Students at Arlington Preparatory Academy in Baton Rouge are learning both responsibility and life skills through the school’s unique part of the Louisiana 4-H program. In the past two weeks, goats have been born, bulbs have been planted and livestock has been shown at livestock events on the parish and district levels.

(Distributed 02/12/07) LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says following food safety practices can help to ensure you don’t suffer the consequences of foodborne illnesses this Mardi Gras season. Reames says many people often think they have the flu or a 24-hour virus when they actually are suffering from food poisoning.

(Distributed 02/09/07) More than 200 4-H and FFA members participated in the Northeast Louisiana District Livestock Show held recently (Feb. 1-3) in Delhi. Those young people were similar to hundreds more across the state who participated in district livestock shows and a variety of educational activities as they prepared for the state championship competition beginning Saturday and running through the week (Feb. 10-17) at the 72nd annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show in Gonzales.

(Distributed 02/09/07) Photographers still have a few more days to submit photos for possible use in the LSU AgCenter’s 2008 Get It Growing lawn and garden calendar. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 28.

(Distributed 02/09/07) Southwest Louisiana farmers who are looking for an alternative crop should consider growing sugarcane to meet the increasing demand created by the syrup mill at Lacassine. That was the message Thursday (Feb. 8) at a sugarcane and ethanol forum held in Lake Charles by the LSU AgCenter.