(Distributed 03/28/08) Gov. Bobby Jindal has issued a proclamation declaring March 31-April 4 Youth Wetlands Week in Louisiana, according to Paul Coreil, vice chancellor for the LSU AgCenter. “Our Youth Wetlands Week educational program reaches across the state,” Coreil said. “More than 55,000 youth will be involved this year. We appreciate the governor’s endorsement of this effort.”

(Distributed 03/27/08) An LSU AgCenter web log, or blog, that features rice farming in Southwest Louisiana has begun its second year. The blog is following a commercial rice field near Lake Arthur being grown by farmer Ronnie “Blue” Zaunbrecher. The 39-acre field is in the Rice Verification Program under the direction of Johnny Saichuk, rice specialist.

(Distributed 03/26/08) The LSU AgCenter’s Hill Farm Research Station’s annual field day for beef, poultry, dairy, forage and forestry producers will be held April 24. Registration and exhibits by agribusiness companies begin at 11 a.m. followed by a 1 p.m. program.

(Distributed 03/26/08) The LSU AgCenter’s annual wheat and oat field day will be held April 17 at the Macon Ridge Research Station in Winnsboro.

(Distributed 3/25/08) Louisiana companies that produce and market wood products now have an accredited testing facility available to them in the state.

(Distributed 03/25/08) BOSSIER CITY – A soil analysis is the first thing to consider when planting fruit trees, said Dr. Charles Graham, research horticulturist, at the monthly Lunch and Ag Discovery talk at the LSU AgCenter’s Red River Research Station March 18.

(Distributed 3/24/08) – A Southwest Louisiana farmer has found his niche by growing aromatic rice, and he’s eager for the release of a new LSU AgCenter variety to compete with rice imported from Thailand.

(Distributed 03/20/08) The LSU AgCenter invites you to "An Afternoon of Roses" at its Burden Center in Baton Rouge April 27. The Sunday afternoon event, hosted by the Burden Horticulture Society, will provide an opportunity for participants to view the rose garden at the Burden Center as well as to learn from experts about caring for roses. It runs from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and is free to the public.

(Distributed 3/20/08) SHREVEPORT – Conducting a family meeting with open discussions to establish and maintain legacies and groom successors is an important part of maintaining family forestlands, Dr. Allen Nipper said at the 24th annual Ark-La-Tex Forestry Forum held March 13.

(Distributed 3/19/08) The LSU AgCenter honored 14 individuals who made significant contributions to 4-H when they were inducted into the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame at the Destrehan Plantation March 6.