(Distributed 10/23/07) Every October, around 10,000 children wander through Perilloux’s Pumpkin Patch in St. Charles Parish in search of the perfect pumpkin. The operation started by accident 24 years ago with one Girl Scout troop and a small wagon. Today, school children and groups from across Southeast Louisiana board large trailers and make their way through Timmy Perilloux’s farm to the pumpkin patch.

(Distributed 10/23/07) Cattle producers got a look at South Louisiana’s possible answer to alfalfa during a recent LSU AgCenter cattle field day in Vermilion Parish.

(Distributed 10/22/07) To recognize the outstanding contributions made to Louisiana agriculture, the Louisiana Agri-News Network, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, the LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry are seeking nominations for the 2008 Louisiana Farmer of the Year.

(Distributed 10/22/07) Since 2000, nearly 450 pest control operators and technicians have completed two days of either basic or master training programs on treating for termites and other wood-destroying insects at the Lois Caffey Termite Training Center at the LSU AgCenter in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 10/19/07) The LSU AgCenter is helping bring day care centers back to the Greater New Orleans area.

(Distributed 10/18/07) LSU AgCenter Chancellor Bill Richardson is determined to lose weight, and you can watch his progress in a blog on the Internet.

(Distributed 10/17/07) Children are getting fatter, and the solution to long-term obesity is to improve nutrition education of children, a leading nutrition expert told a packed lecture hall at the LSU AgCenter on World Food Day, Oct. 16.

(Distributed 10/17/07) Thirteen associates at the Wal-Mart in Minden who documented their weight at the beginning and end of an eight-lesson LSU AgCenter class on healthy eating lost a total of 32.64 pounds collectively.

(Distributed 10/16/07) Tailgating at an SEC football game is listed No. 27 in ESPN columnist Jim Caple’s list of 101 Things Sports Fans Must Experience Before They Die.

(Distributed 10/15/07) The LSU AgCenter’s Department of Food Science has named an advisory board that includes state, national and international leaders in the food industry, according to John Finley, department head.