Richard Fontenot can’t sit still. With more than 2,500 acres to farm, he can’t afford to. But his efforts and contributions to Louisiana agriculture led to his being named the 2008 Louisiana Farmer of the Year.

(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.

(TV News 03/03/08) Rising corn prices and other high costs are hurting Louisiana’s cattle industry. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux reports cattle producers may be facing some drastic changes in the near future. (Runtime 1 minute, 31 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 03/28/08) The cucumber family, properly known as the cucurbitaceae (cu-cur-bit-A-cee-ee), provides a wide variety of vegetables popular for the spring, summer and fall home vegetable garden.

(For Release On Or After 03/07/08) Gardening is no different from any other human endeavor. Whether you want to repair your own car or cook a fancy meal, there is information you must understand and techniques you have to learn and do properly.

(For Release On Or After 03/14/08) Almost every landscape has shady areas, and ferns are a great group of plants that are just perfect for shady spots.

(For Release On Or After 03/21/08) I am often asked about low-maintenance landscaping. After a brief conversation, however, I often get the feeling that what the person actually is looking for is a no-maintenance landscape. Unfortunately, if you are going to have a landscape with trees, a lawn, shrubs and flowers, maintenance is going to be involved.

(Distributed 03/07/08) After five successful years on the LSU campus, this year’s sixth annual Baton Rouge Spring Garden Show is set to burst on the scene in full color on March 29-30.

(Distributed 03/03/08) DERIDDER – Fifty forest landowners and industry leaders learned about the potential of using low-grade wood products to produce biofuels during the Beauregard Forestry Association annual meeting Feb. 23.

(Distributed 03/05/08) The Louisiana Association of Extension 4-H Agents touted accomplishments and expressed appreciation to those in attendance at the annual Louisiana School Boards Association Board of Directors and Superintendents’ Breakfast during LSBA’s 71st convention Feb. 29.

(Distributed 03/05/08) It is the beginning of another pecan season, and faculty at the LSU AgCenter Pecan Station in Shreveport greeted it Feb. 28 with a spring seminar attended by 35 growers.

(Distributed 03/07/08) Richard Fontenot can’t sit still for very long. With more than 2,500 acres to farm, he can’t afford to. But his efforts and contributions to Louisiana agriculture led to the Ville Platte farmer being named the 2008 Louisiana Farmer of the Year. Other finalists recognized were Tommy LaBorde of Hamburg and Eric Morrow of Ponchatoula.

(Distributed 03/14/08) Three-quarters of Louisianians have favorable opinions of farmers and farming in Louisiana, according to a recent statewide survey. The scientific study conducted by Market Research Insight for the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and the LSU AgCenter showed a full 75 percent of those polled said they had favorable or very favorable opinions about farmers and farming in the state.

(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.

(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 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 03/10/08) The 11th annual Louisiana 4-H Foundation Golf Tournament will be held April 4 at the Tamahka Trails Golf Club in Marksville. Proceeds from the golf tournament will be used to expand programs and renovate existing areas at the LSU AgCenter’s Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center near Pollock.

(Distributed 03/11/08) SHREVEPORT – Eleven people from Northwest Louisiana were inducted into the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame here on March 7.

(Distributed 03/11/08) The 2008 Spring Garden Show in New Orleans will be held at the City Park Botanical Garden April 5-6.

(Distributed 03/12/08) “Fun for a week – Memories for a lifetime!” That’s the theme of the summer 2008 4-H camping experience at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center near Pollock, La. The first of 10 weeklong camps won’t be until May 26-30. But registration for the camp, through LSU AgCenter parish extension offices, is going on now.

(Distributed 3/13/08) The fourth annual Louisiana Food Processors Conference will be held April 2-3 at the Lod Cook Conference Center and Hotel on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 3/13/08) After a successful first year, Youth Wetlands Week is expanding.

(Distributed 03/14/08) Three-quarters of Louisianians have favorable opinions of farmers and farming in Louisiana, according to a recent statewide survey. The scientific study conducted by Market Research Insight for the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and the LSU AgCenter showed a full 75 percent of those polled said they had favorable or very favorable opinions about farmers and farming in the state.

(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 03/05/08) It is the beginning of another pecan season, and faculty at the LSU AgCenter Pecan Station in Shreveport greeted it Feb. 28 with a spring seminar attended by 35 growers.

(Distributed 03/05/08) The Louisiana Association of Extension 4-H Agents touted accomplishments and expressed appreciation to those in attendance at the annual Louisiana School Boards Association Board of Directors and Superintendents’ Breakfast during LSBA’s 71st convention Feb. 29.

(Distributed 03/03/08) DERIDDER – Fifty forest landowners and industry leaders learned about the potential of using low-grade wood products to produce biofuels during the Beauregard Forestry Association annual meeting Feb. 23.

(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 03/07/08) Intermittent rains didn’t stop commercial tomato growers from viewing outdoor exhibits and touring the greenhouse tomato operation during a tomato field day at the LSU AgCenter’s Red River Research Station in Bossier City on Feb. 29.

(Distributed 03/05/08) The LSU AgCenter will bring the "magic" of agriculture back to its Parker Coliseum in Baton Rouge this spring as it presents its annual "AgMagic" event April 21-27. The successful interactive educational event on the university campus in Baton Rouge is in its fifth year and is designed to give children and adults a fun way to learn that food, clothing, lumber and other products all are part of the complex system involving agriculture and natural resources.

(Distributed 03/31/08) The LSU AgCenter’s wildlife research programs will benefit from a generous donation made by the Irene and C.B. Pennington Foundation. The $600,000 donation will lead to the establishment of the Pennington Chair for Wildlife Research, an endowed research position, at the LSU AgCenter’s Bob R. Jones – Idlewild Research Station.

(Distributed 03/31/08) Some Louisiana agricultural producers are being squeezed by rising energy costs and stagnant prices for their crops, while other producers are buoyed by rising commodity prices that offset those cost increases, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 03/31/08) Rob Ferguson has been appointed interim coordinator of the LSU AgCenter’s soybean, corn and grain sorghum extension education program.

(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 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.

(Distributed 03/14/08) Dyeing Easter eggs is fun, but because eggs are perishable, they require safe handling. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames details important safety precautions.

(Distributed 03/07/08) Whether you like them fried, boiled or in a stew, crawfish are a Louisiana favorite. And for the next few months, crawfish can be found on dinner tables and in backyard boils across the state. Crawfish not only taste great, they're good for you, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames.