(For Release On Or After 05/25/07) You can recycle yard waste back into the landscape through the process of composting, which benefits your gardens, your budget and the environment. Returning these organic materials to the garden maintains natural biological cycles and is an ecologically sensible means of recycling organic waste.

(For Release On Or After 05/11/07) Proper watering can make the difference between life and death to newly planted lawns, trees, shrubs, bedding plants, vegetable transplants and ground covers during the summer. With their root systems still limited to a relatively small area of soil, they are especially vulnerable to drought stress.

(For Release On Or After 05/18/07) We generally are interested in something to eat when we grow vegetables. In some cases, however, certain vegetable cultivars have been bred and selected for their ornamental characteristics rather than food quality.

(For Release On Or After 05/04/07) Successfully creating colorful flower beds and container plantings for summer depends a lot on which plants you choose. Fortunately, we have many attractive and colorful heat-tolerant plants to do the job.

(For Release On Or After 06/29/07) The heat is on, and we can expect daytime highs around 90 or above and nighttime lows in the 70s from now until September.Trees that shade the house during the summer can lower air-conditioning bills by blocking the sun from the windows, exterior walls and roof.

(For Release On Or After 06/22/07) There is still time to add colorful bedding plants to your landscape, but it’s important for you to choose plants that are able to thrive in the intense heat of a Louisiana summer.

(For Release On Or After 06/15/07) Adequate moisture is critically important to landscape plants during hot weather, but too much rain or excessive watering also can bring problems. Wet soil combined with high temperatures can create stressful conditions for bedding plants, vegetables, shrubs and even trees – especially those just planted this year.

(For Release On Or After 06/08/07) One of the most popular summer bedding plants is the periwinkle or vinca. Known for its prolific and long blooming season, it is heat- and drought-tolerant and thrives in our climate.

(For Release On Or After 06/01/07) June marks the beginning of hurricane season, and it’s important to understand powerful hurricanes can affect the entire state – not just the southern portions. As you make your plans, remember there are things that need to be done to prepare a landscape for the possibility of storm and things to do when a storm threatens.

(For Release On Or After 05/25/07) You can recycle yard waste back into the landscape through the process of composting, which benefits your gardens, your budget and the environment. Returning these organic materials to the garden maintains natural biological cycles and is an ecologically sensible means of recycling organic waste.

(For Release On Or After 05/18/07) We generally are interested in something to eat when we grow vegetables. In some cases, however, certain vegetable cultivars have been bred and selected for their ornamental characteristics rather than food quality.

(For Release On Or After 05/11/07) Proper watering can make the difference between life and death to newly planted lawns, trees, shrubs, bedding plants, vegetable transplants and ground covers during the summer. With their root systems still limited to a relatively small area of soil, they are especially vulnerable to drought stress.

(Distributed 05/01/07) The LSU AgCenter introduced a financial education program for K-12 school system employees at a financial educators’ summit April 27. The program called SAIL, Saving and Investing for Life, will be offered across the state to educators and support staff.

(Distributed 05/01/07) Economists, sociologists and policymakers from federal, state and local governments will be attending the second national forum on socioeconomic research in coastal systems this month in New Orleans. Sponsored by the LSU AgCenter’s Center for Natural Resource Economics and Policy, the conference will be held May 20-23.

(Distributed 05/03/07) Volunteer leaders from across the state will gather for the 18th Louisiana Community Economic Development Seminar May 8-9 at the Louisiana Emerging Technology Center on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 05/03/07) A great deal of attention has been focused on the immediate and lingering effects of hurricanes Katrina and Rita on agricultural commodities, but the hurricanes also affected processors and marketers of those products. According to Dr. Matthew Fannin, agricultural economist with the LSU AgCenter, the total value-added created by the overall food and fiber system in Louisiana declined just over 3.5 percent during the time frame of the storms

(Distributed 05/09/07) Work by the LSU AgCenter was instrumental in a U.S. Department of Agriculture program that has compensated sugarcane producers with $40 million for losses caused by hurricanes Rita and Katrina. LSU AgCenter sugarcane expert Dr. Ben Legendre said payments were recently distributed, and he said several individuals in the AgCenter and other agencies worked to provide information that helped farmers.

(Distributed 05/10/07) Louisiana’s forest product sectors have remained vigorous despite the lingering effects of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, according to Dr. Matthew Fannin, an agricultural economist with the LSU AgCenter. "While value-added food and fiber sectors, such as the food product manufacturing sector, were adversely affected by the hurricanes, forest product sectors were only minimally affected" Fannin said.

(Distributed 05/09/07) A new foreign insect is making itself known to Louisiana residents. The brown widow spider, which experts believe has migrated from Florida to Louisiana in the past couple of years, is becoming more common, according to entomologists with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 05/14/07) Late spring through early summer is the best time to attack several weed species that infest pastures, according to Dr. Ron Strahan of the LSU AgCenter. An LSU AgCenter weed scientist, Strahan gave an overview of weed control at an LSU AgCenter Model Farm field day May 4.

(Distributed 05/17/07) A poultry demonstration facility at the LSU AgCenter’s Hill Farm Research Station at Homer is moving closer to completion as equipment is arriving and being installed in two new commercial-sized broiler houses. The houses, which are being built and equipped with funds from the LSU AgCenter, poultry companies and other donors, will be used to test and demonstrate different types of equipment.

(Distributed 05/08/07) Farmers, ranchers and rural businesses are being encouraged to apply for grant and loan funding through two of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development programs – the Value-Added Producer Grant Program and the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program, according to Kay Lynn Tettleton, LSU AgCenter community development agent. The deadlines are May 16 and May 18.

(Distributed 05/17/07) Nearly 1,000 4-H members and volunteer leaders will convene in Baton Rouge on Tuesday, June 5, at 10 a.m. as part of the sixth annual 4-H Day at the Capitol. The event will give 4-H’ers an opportunity to visit with their legislators and see how state government conducts its business while the legislature is in session.

(Distributed 05/15/07) The LSU AgCenter will host a free workshop on corn drying and storage at the West Carroll Parish Extension Office located at the Thomas Jason Lingo Community Center in Oak Grove from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 12.

(Distributed 05/10/07) The Northwest Louisiana Master Gardener Association has completed the first phase of a project to enhance the gardens at the Randle T. Moore Center, a majestic home built in the 1920s that now is a senior citizens center. They showed off their work at an open house May 9.

(Distributed 05/15/07) Terri Crawford, a 21-year veteran of the LSU AgCenter, has been named the new regional nutrition agent for the nine-parish Northeast Region. Her office is at the Scott Research and Extension Education Center in Winnsboro.

(Distributed 05/21/07) Having his farm chosen as one of the 13 model farms across the state in the LSU AgCenter’s Master Farmer program helps Gary Lirette of Marthaville “do the right things.”

(Distributed 05/22/07) The LSU AgCenter’s annual field day at the Northeast Research Station in St. Joseph will be Wednesday, June 13.

(Distributed 05/23/07) Southwestern Electric Power Co. of Shreveport has pledged a $10,000 endowment with the Louisiana 4-H Foundation that will positively impact 4-H’ers in six parishes. SWEPCO 4-H Leadership Scholarships will be given annually to select 4-H members to attend 4-H Camp at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center near Pollock, said Eric Eskew, executive director of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation.

(Distributed 05/24/07) As hurricane season begins, the leaders in the Louisiana Water/Waste Water Response Network are traveling the state urging utilities to form partnerships that could help avert service outages.

(Distributed 05/24/07) Organizations collaborating in the America’s Wetland Conservation Corps celebrated the kickoff of the effort recently (May 18) with a coastal restoration planting project.

(Distributed 05/24/07) The LSU AgCenter will again sponsor free educational seminars on gardening during the Sixth Annual Daylily Festival and Garden Show on Saturday, June 2.

(Distributed 05/24/07) For many years pine needles have been the fuel for getting rid of underbrush in pine stands or the potential fuel for wildfires. But now the pine straw, which once was regarded only as waste, is proving to be a product with money-making potential.

(Distributed 05/25/07) Restoring the Gulf Coast comes down to questions involving finances, political will and social sciences, John M. Barry told a conference on natural resources economics and policy Monday (May 21).

(Distributed 05/25/07) Crawfish producers learned at a meeting on May 23 that investigators have few answers to questions about how the White Spot Syndrome Virus infected four crawfish ponds in South Louisiana. Officials from several agencies said they have yet to come up with a key factor.

(Distributed 05/16/07) Farmers growing soybeans this year should be on alert, but not panicked, after last week’s discovery of Asian soybean rust in a kudzu patch in Iberia Parish. “Right now, it’s just sit and watch and wait,” said Dr. Clayton Hollier, LSU AgCenter plant pathologist.

(Distributed 05/09/07) Professionals told cattle producers attending the recent LSU AgCenter Rosepine Research Station field day that they should keep animals healthy and check them frequently during the year to avoid reproductive problems.

(Distributed 05/08/07) Farmers, ranchers and rural businesses are being encouraged to apply for grant and loan funding through two of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development programs – the Value-Added Producer Grant Program and the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program, according to Kay Lynn Tettleton, LSU AgCenter community development agent. The deadlines are May 16 and May 18.

(Distributed 05/10/07) The Northwest Louisiana Master Gardener Association has completed the first phase of a project to enhance the gardens at the Randle T. Moore Center, a majestic home built in the 1920s that now is a senior citizens center. They showed off their work at an open house May 9.

(Distributed 05/01/07) Seven in 10 Americans are not regularly active, even during their leisure time. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says that most people can enjoy greater health benefits with longer and more vigorous physical activity than they typically do.

(Distributed 05/01/07) Nearly one in three American adults has high blood pressure. During May, National High Blood Pressure Education Month, LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames urges people to learn more about the importance of preventing and treating high blood pressure.

(Distributed 05/01/07) The 8th annual National Women's Health Week kicks off on Mother's Day, May 13, and continues with National Women's Checkup Day on the 14th.

(Distributed 05/04/07) Some Louisiana families can get assistance with the cost of child care through programs administered by the state, according to LSU AgCenter child care associate Cheri Gioe.

(Distributed 05/08/07) The LSU AgCenter has named the top performing petunias, violas and pansies in its evaluation of 200 cool-season cultivars tested between September, 2006 and May, 2007 at the Burden Center in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 05/09/07) The creators of Louisiana’s Quality Rating System chose four criteria on which to evaluate the state’s child care centers – administration practices, family and community involvement, staff qualifications and programs. The article focuses on program evaluation.

(Distributed 05/24/07) A major rose project at the LSU AgCenter is a cooperative effort with Texas A&M University and Texas nurseries to study Earth Kind roses.

(Distributed 05/24/07) By June, many of the final harvests of spring vegetables are under way, and some spring rows are bare from earlier picking. This month, however, still offers opportunities before summer gets so hot you have second thoughts about yard work, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

(TV News 05/14/07) Growing roses doesn’t have to be hard work, and busy gardeners are getting the message. Knock Out is a low-maintenance landscape shrub rose. It is a release of the Earth Kind rose program, which focuses on testing and recommending roses that require little attention. These varieties are perfect for gardeners who want to plant roses but don’t have the time to tend to hybrid teas or grandifloras. (Runtime: 1 minute, 38 seconds)

(Radio News 05/07/07) As corn acres rise, cotton acres are plummeting. Many farmers who typically plant cotton are planting corn this year because of the high corn prices. Louisiana farmers planted 620,000 acres of cotton last year, but experts say they may only plant half that much this year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/14/07) LSU AgCenter entomologists are encouraging people to treat for fire ants this month if they haven’t already. Dr. Linda Hooper-Bui says the population of these pests grows this time of year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/07/07) It is not June yet, but June bugs are showing up early this year. The first signs of these insects are the immature white grubs that feed on the roots of several lawn grasses. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/07/07) Louisiana cotton farmers don’t typically "double crop" with wheat. Wheat generally is harvested in mid-May, and Louisiana cotton farmers like to finish planting before that time because of potential late-season insects. New technologies, however, could make a wheat crop followed by cotton possible. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio 05/07/07) Last year Roundup Ready Flex technology was introduced in cotton, and a small number of Louisiana cotton farmers used the variety. But LSU AgCenter cotton specialist Dr. Sandy Stewart believes more growers will plant Roundup Ready Flex cotton this year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/07/07) Outbreaks of armyworms are occurring around the state, according to LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet. Many Louisiana sugarcane farmers have reported seeing armyworms in their fields. Pollet says the worms won’t cause serious damage to sugarcane and that growers shouldn’t spray their fields for these pests. But armyworms can cause problems in other areas.

(Radio News 05/14/07) High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it usually doesn't have immediately noticeable symptoms. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says some people may not know they have high blood pressure until they experience problems with their heart, brain or kidneys. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/14/07) Mother’s Day ushers in women’s health week. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says the week encourages women to take steps toward longer, healthier and happier lives. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/14/07) Seven out of 10 Americans don't regularly participate in enough physical activities. May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, and LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames urges people to get out of their chairs and get moving. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/14/07) There was one set of residents New Orleans didn’t want back after the hurricanes – red imported fire ants. Last year, LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Linda Hooper-Bui and the city’s mosquito and termite control board made a push to get the city fire ant free. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/21/07) The LSU AgCenter's Burden Research Center in Baton Rouge is home to horticultural and agronomic research, but one of its treasures is its rose garden. Steele Burden, whose family donated the land for the center, was a rose enthusiast. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/21/07) This time of the year parents are making decisions about what to do with their youngsters during the summer months. Park and recreation departments in towns and cities often offer summer camp options. LSU AgCenter child care associate Cheri Gioe talks about other options. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/21/07) Parents should consider several issues before signing their children up for a summer camp program. Among those, LSU AgCenter child care associate Cheri Gioe recommends parents find out how many adults will be supervising. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/21/07) The Earth Kind rose program focuses on testing and recommending roses that require little attention. The LSU AgCenter tests Earth Kind varieties at its Burden Center in Baton Rouge. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/21/07) Growing roses doesn’t have to be hard work, and busy gardeners are getting the message. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings explains how varieties such as Knock Out – a low-maintenance landscape shrub rose – are capturing a portion of the modern rose market. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(TV News 05/07/07) There will be a significant drop in cotton acres this year. In recent years growers have planted more than half a million acres. But several factors are discouraging farmers from planting cotton this year. (Runtime: 1 minute, 27 seconds)

(Radio News 05/28/07) Unseasonably cold weather in April did not affect Louisiana’s large wheat crop. But other wheat-producing states did not fare as well. LSU AgCenter wheat specialist Dr. Ed Twidwell says that gives Louisiana growers an advantage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/28/07) Wheat producers have several varieties to choose from when planting wheat. LSU AgCenter wheat specialist Dr. Ed Twidwell says there are 10 recommended varieties and that planting several is preferred. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/28/07) A group of volunteers from across the state has committed to a combined total of nearly 26,000 hours of service to Louisiana’s wetlands. The group is part of America’s Wetland Conservation Corps, a joint effort of AmeriCorps, America’s Wetland Foundation and the LSU AgCenter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/28/07) Much of the wetland conservation and restoration is centered on the coast. But wetlands are scattered across the state. Melissa Hylan is an America’s Wetland Conservation Corps member working out of Caddo Parish. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/28/07) The wheat harvest has started across Louisiana, and this year the state's growers have a large crop on their hands. Growers planted more than 220,000 acres of wheat – twice as much as last year. High prices encouraged farmers to plant, and the weather worked in their favor. (Runtime: 60 seconds)