(Distributed 06/25/09) Winners of 2009 4-H scholarships were among those honored during ceremonies at the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H University June 23-25 in Baton Rouge. The young adults from across Louisiana were honored at an awards banquet June 23 and at an assembly June 24 on the LSU campus.

(Distributed 06/25/09) The LSU AgCenter now is offering several of its highest-quality publications for sale through its online store. The move is part of an effort to be able to continue offering expanded publications to clientele who prefer a printed format while also balancing the limited funds available for printing.

(Distributed 06/25/09) Nearly 100 youth from across the country will converge at the Wildwood Resort on Toledo Bend in Zwolle July 19-23 for the 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program. Sixteen teams of six are expected from as far as Maryland, Wisconsin and Utah, according to Paul Morris, LSU AgCenter county agent in Sabine Parish and co-chair of the event.

(Distributed 06/24/09) The LSU AgCenter honored 12 adults Tuesday evening (June 24) for their service to the Louisiana 4-H youth development program. Among those honored were four 4-H alumni, two school system administrators, two LSU AgCenter faculty members, two secretaries from AgCenter offices and two volunteer leaders who were honored for their outstanding service to 4-H.

(Distributed 06/24/09) CROWLEY, La. – This year’s field day on July 1 at the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station will cap the centennial celebration of the facility’s existence. “This is a celebration of the past 100 years, and we’re going to have more of a historical perspective,” said Dr. Steve Linscombe, the station’s director. “Farmers and the general public will get a glimpse of how far agriculture in southwest Louisiana has advanced since 1909.”

(Distributed 06/24/09) Organizers expect 600 youth from across Louisiana to compete in the 40th annual Louisiana 4-H and FFA State Horse Show July 6-11 in West Monroe.

(Distributed 06/23/09) ST. JOSEPH, La. – So far, the chief crops in northeast Louisiana – cotton, corn and soybeans – are looking good, but they need rain, said Don Boquet, an LSU AgCenter cotton specialist at the Northeast Research Station and one of the speakers at the station’s annual field day June 17.

(Distributed 06/22/09) Briefings on agricultural issues and farm visits highlighted a study tour to Santa Barbara County, Calif., June 8-12, for the current class in the LSU AgCenter’s Agricultural Leadership Development Program.

(Distributed 06/22/09) The LSU AgCenter is offering a series of educational programs across the state, beginning July 21, to help people get into the agritourism business. Agritourism is a business venture on a working farm, ranch or agricultural enterprise that offers educational and fun experiences for visitors while generating supplemental income for the owner, according to Dora Ann Hatch, LSU AgCenter community rural development agent.

(Distributed 06/19/09) CROWLEY, La. – The current hot, dry weather could reduce the amount of fungicides needed for this year’s rice crop, an LSU AgCenter plant pathologist said at the Acadia Parish rice field day Thursday (June 18).