(Distributed 08/14/08) Why is my neighbor’s yard greener? That’s the most common phone call LSU AgCenter agent Troy Menard receives about lawn care.

(Audio 08/25/08) When you buy transplants from your local nursery or gardening center, it is important to remember that those transplants have lived a very sheltered life. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/25/08) Intense heat in mid-August is stressful for our landscape. This may, however, be a good time to go around your garden and take notes on how your plants are doing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/25/08) You have been mowing your lawn all summer. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulurist Dan Gill talks about what to do with the grass clippings. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/25/08) Gardeners all across Louisiana are using palms in their landscapes. A big part of maintaining a palm tree is pruning it properly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/25/08) Late August is an extremely hot time of the year. It is far too hot to add new plants to your garden. It is a good time, however, to add new plants to your aquatic garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/18/08) In much of the country, rose growers generally prune back once in the spring and do light pruning throughout the growing season. But in Louisiana we have two rose flowering seasons. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/18/08) Summer's intense heat makes it a poor time to plant most types of plants in our landscapes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/18/08) Gingers are among many popular tropical plants for Louisiana landscapes. Their lush foliage and bright flowers are very attractive during the summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/18/08) August is the final month of the year in which we apply fertilizers. If your lawn already looks healthy, then this treatment may be optional. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/25/08) Many young adults are preparing to leave home for college. Parents need to be sure their children don’t fall prey to credit card debt says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/25/08) It’s hot out there, and staying hydrated can help you avoid heat-related illness. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says this is especially important for senior citizens. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/25/08) Employment during college can have its advantages and disadvantages. LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker says working can help students gain a sense of responsibility and self-worth. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/25/08) Often many parties are involved in financing a college education from the students and their families to lending agencies and scholarship providers. LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker encourages students to make a college financing strategy. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(TV News 08/25/08) Kandi Wilson’s wooded property near Anacoco in Vernon Parish appears quiet and serene, but just below the surface is a flurry of activity. Not long after moving in, Wilson and her husband began noticing large ant mounds on their property, occupied by unusual ants. And worse, sink holes began appearing on the land. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(TV News 08/18/08) If you are looking for ways to save money on your home energy bill, a visit to a demonstration home on LSU’s campus may help you cut costs. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports the energy-efficient and hurricane-resistant LaHouse is open to the public. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Distributed 08/26/08) 4–H and FFA goat exhibitors from across Louisiana took part in the second 4-H goat educational trip in Louisiana and Mississippi Aug. 3-8.

Reading ingredients labels on the packaging may reveal that some bad fats have sneaked into your snack foods.

(For Release On Or After 08/01/08) Months of hot, humid weather make summers in Louisiana a challenge to many of the plants in our gardens. As other plants languish in the heat, a wonderful group of plants called gingers thrive and delight us with bold foliage and attractive flowers.

(For Release On Or After 08/08/08) There is something particularly satisfying about putting quality, nutritious food on the table as a direct result of your gardening efforts. August is a transitional time in the vegetable garden.

(For Release On Or After 08/15/08) Growing plants outdoors in containers is popular for a variety of reasons. In-ground beds are not always available where you would like to grow plants.

(For Release On Or After 08/22/08) You must be careful with several things you may do in your yard or garden to avoid damaging your plants. Here are a few things to be aware of.

(For Release On Or After 08/29/08) Plants under heat stress are weakened, and we generally see an increase in disease and insect problems at the end of the summer. Keep your eye out for pests.

(Distributed 08/01/08) Squire Creek Country Club, a private course nestled in the rolling Louisiana hills near Ruston, will be the site of a 4-H benefit golf tournament Sept. 29.

(Distributed 08/01/08) Fourteen Bienville Parish 4-H’ers learned about the world of work in professional jobs this summer in a new program that’s a joint venture between the LSU AgCenter and the Bienville Parish Police Jury. Called Jurors Empowering Teens, or JET, the six-week program was an experiment to see if investing in young people would pay off.

(Distributed 08/01/08) The LSU AgCenter will hold a field day Aug. 14 at its Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase.

(Distributed 08/04/08) The 4-H team representing Louisiana at the national Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program walked away from the event with two pieces of good news – they placed second out of 18 state teams, and their state will host the event in 2009.

(Distributed 08/12/08) A U.S. Department of Agriculture-sponsored youth literacy program is being presented in three Louisiana parishes by the LSU AgCenter and the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

(Distributed 08/12/08) A fire ant treatment being touted on radio and on the Internet is a sham, LSU AgCenter experts say. The treatment – pouring two cups of club soda directly in the center of a fire ant mound – won’t control the insects.

(Distributed 08/14/08) Participating in Marsh Maneuvers was like “boot camp” for 16-year-old Austin Mouton, a 4-H student from Erath High School, who said the activities meshed with his career plans in wildlife management.

(Distributed 08/15/08) Trends in the sweet potato industry are showing a shift toward more processed products, LSU AgCenter experts said at a field day at the AgCenter’s Sweet Potato Research Station Aug. 14.

(Distributed 08/18/08) Louisiana’s oldest living 4-H’er, Elaine Marchand Edmonston, and the Louisiana 4-H organization have some notable things in common.

(Distributed 08/18/08) A new horticulture lecture series titled Reflections in the Garden will be presented at the LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center the first Monday of each month starting in September.

(Distributed 08/19/08) Businesses and local governments have an opportunity to join together to market their rural communities as a destination for regional tourism, experts told those attending a tourism conference Aug. 12-14.

(Distributed 08/20/08) Students attending the camp at the LSU AgCenter’s Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center had the chance to take classes in science – learning about rockets, robots and other high-tech subjects.

(Distributed 08/21/08) The Louisiana timber industry could get a financial boost from the results of research to create new value-added products from small-diameter trees.

(Distributed 08/25/08) The LSU AgCenter recently announced the appointment of Dr. John Russin as associate vice chancellor.

(Distributed 08/25/08) The remnants of Tropical Storm Fay have put Louisiana farmers in a wait-and-see mode. They are waiting to get back into their fields to plant and harvest crops while seeing the quality of crops ready for harvest being diminished by the wet weather, say LSU AgCenter experts.

(Distributed 08/26/08) Bobby H. Fletcher Jr. has been named assistant director of the LSU AgCenter’s Extension Service.

(Distributed 08/27/08) ALEXANDRIA – Corn with improved resistance to aflatoxin and soybeans that won’t lose quality from Louisiana’s heavy rains are two of the crop breeding goals of an LSU AgCenter researcher at the Dean Lee Research and Extension Station in Alexandria. And Dr. Steve Moore is making progress on both fronts, which was good news for the 150 farmers and agricultural industry representatives gathered for a field day there on Aug. 21.

(Distributed 08/27/08) An insecticide will be available soon for homeowners to use to treat their citrus trees for the Asian citrus psyllid, according to Alan Vaughn, LSU AgCenter extension agent in Plaquemines Parish. “We’ve been told a product called Merit 2F will be available in a few weeks. Homeowners should be able to obtain it from their local garden centers.”

(Distributed 08/29/08) Homeowners face many issues after a hurricane. If the home has escaped major structural damage, one of the first problems encountered may be the loss of electrical power.

(Distributed 08/29/08) With Gustav bearing down on the Louisiana coast, homes that have been stripped for repair since hurricanes Katrina and Rita – and those that are now elevated on columns – may be subject to high winds for the first time.

(Distributed 08/27/08) The LSU AgCenter has a wealth of information on preparing for hurricanes and other storms as well as what to do in the aftermath of a storm.

(Distributed 08/14/08) Participating in Marsh Maneuvers was like “boot camp” for 16-year-old Austin Mouton, a 4-H student from Erath High School, who said the activities meshed with his career plans in wildlife management.

(Distributed 08/01/08) The LSU AgCenter will hold a field day Aug. 14 at its Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase.

(Distributed 10/25/07) More than 350 people attended the recent (Oct. 10-12) Louisiana Master Gardener State Conference.

(Distributed 08/01/08) Fourteen Bienville Parish 4-H’ers learned about the world of work in professional jobs this summer in a new program that’s a joint venture between the LSU AgCenter and the Bienville Parish Police Jury. Called Jurors Empowering Teens, or JET, the six-week program was an experiment to see if investing in young people would pay off.

(Distributed 08/01/08) Squire Creek Country Club, a private course nestled in the rolling Louisiana hills near Ruston, will be the site of a 4-H benefit golf tournament Sept. 29.

(Distributed 08/29/08) With Gustav bearing down on the Louisiana coast, homes that have been stripped for repair since hurricanes Katrina and Rita – and those that are now elevated on columns – may be subject to high winds for the first time.

(Distributed 08/29/08) Homeowners face many issues after a hurricane. If the home has escaped major structural damage, one of the first problems encountered may be the loss of electrical power.

(Distributed 08/25/08) The LSU AgCenter recently announced the appointment of Dr. John Russin as associate vice chancellor.

(Distributed 08/26/08) Bobby H. Fletcher Jr. has been named assistant director of the LSU AgCenter’s Extension Service.

(Distributed 08/27/08) An insecticide will be available soon for homeowners to use to treat their citrus trees for the Asian citrus psyllid, according to Alan Vaughn, LSU AgCenter extension agent in Plaquemines Parish. “We’ve been told a product called Merit 2F will be available in a few weeks. Homeowners should be able to obtain it from their local garden centers.”

(Distributed 08/27/08) The LSU AgCenter has a wealth of information on preparing for hurricanes and other storms as well as what to do in the aftermath of a storm.

(Distributed 08/27/08) ALEXANDRIA – Corn with improved resistance to aflatoxin and soybeans that won’t lose quality from Louisiana’s heavy rains are two of the crop breeding goals of an LSU AgCenter researcher at the Dean Lee Research and Extension Station in Alexandria. And Dr. Steve Moore is making progress on both fronts, which was good news for the 150 farmers and agricultural industry representatives gathered for a field day there on Aug. 21.

(Distributed 08/26/08) 4–H and FFA goat exhibitors from across Louisiana took part in the second 4-H goat educational trip in Louisiana and Mississippi Aug. 3-8.

(Distributed 08/25/08) The remnants of Tropical Storm Fay have put Louisiana farmers in a wait-and-see mode. They are waiting to get back into their fields to plant and harvest crops while seeing the quality of crops ready for harvest being diminished by the wet weather, say LSU AgCenter experts.

(Distributed 08/21/08) The Louisiana timber industry could get a financial boost from the results of research to create new value-added products from small-diameter trees.

(Distributed 08/20/08) Students attending the camp at the LSU AgCenter’s Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center had the chance to take classes in science – learning about rockets, robots and other high-tech subjects.

(Distributed 08/19/08) Businesses and local governments have an opportunity to join together to market their rural communities as a destination for regional tourism, experts told those attending a tourism conference Aug. 12-14.

(Distributed 08/18/08) A new horticulture lecture series titled Reflections in the Garden will be presented at the LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center the first Monday of each month starting in September.

(Distributed 08/18/08) Louisiana’s oldest living 4-H’er, Elaine Marchand Edmonston, and the Louisiana 4-H organization have some notable things in common.

(Distributed 08/15/08) Trends in the sweet potato industry are showing a shift toward more processed products, LSU AgCenter experts said at a field day at the AgCenter’s Sweet Potato Research Station Aug. 14.

(Distributed 08/14/08) Why is my neighbor’s yard greener? That’s the most common phone call LSU AgCenter agent Troy Menard receives about lawn care.

(Distributed 08/14/08) Participating in Marsh Maneuvers was like “boot camp” for 16-year-old Austin Mouton, a 4-H student from Erath High School, who said the activities meshed with his career plans in wildlife management.

(Distributed 08/12/08) A fire ant treatment being touted on radio and on the Internet is a sham, LSU AgCenter experts say. The treatment – pouring two cups of club soda directly in the center of a fire ant mound – won’t control the insects.

(Distributed 08/12/08) A U.S. Department of Agriculture-sponsored youth literacy program is being presented in three Louisiana parishes by the LSU AgCenter and the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

(Distributed 08/04/08) The 4-H team representing Louisiana at the national Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program walked away from the event with two pieces of good news – they placed second out of 18 state teams, and their state will host the event in 2009.

(Distributed 08/08/08) If your child slips into the blahs, take him or her to an online activity called VERB, recommends an LSU AgCenter nutritionist. The site contains fun games and interesting facts that help kids become active.

(Distributed 08/26/08) Note: LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker was among the thousands of victims of a recent massive cyber theft of Louisiana and Mississippi restaurant databases. Here is her story and the actions she took.

(Distributed 08/26/08) Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, with outdoor grilling a popular way to celebrate the occasion. Cookouts require extra care to prevent foodborne illness, and LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames offers several extra-care steps.

(Distributed 08/27/08) If you don't know your cholesterol number, now is a good time to get your blood cholesterol checked and take steps to lower it if it is high, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. September is National Cholesterol Education Month.

(Distributed 08/27/08) A commonly asked question LSU AgCenter extension agents face every year is, “Why is my neighbor’s yard greener?” The answer can be simple or quite complex, depending on what's wrong. “If there are many issues interacting, sometimes it's just better to kill it all off and start all over,” said Tom Koske, LSU AgCenter turfgrass specialist.

(Distributed 08/28/08) If you're planning to tailgate this football season, a strong defense is your best protection against foodborne illness, says LSU AgCenter food safety “coach” Dr. Beth Reames. Microorganisms that cause foodborne illness are all around and, given the right conditions, can grow in foods and make us sick.

(Distributed 08/29/08) Sustainability and “green” are commonly used words in mainstream media. We think of gardening and yard care as green activities, but many of our practices are not green at all, such as overusing pesticides and fertilizers.

(Distributed 08/29/08) Adults are urged to assemble a “grab-and-go” box of important papers in case of a hurricane evacuation. How about making a “to-go kit” for your child? Assembling a few treasured items can help your child in times of disaster, according to LSU AgCenter family development professor Dr. Rebecca White.