(Distributed 06/03/09) If a hurricane is forming or looks as though it may be headed our way, experts say there are a variety of actions you can take to help protect your family and property. “If you’ve got a family disaster plan, that’s the time to pull it out and start following it,” says Pat Skinner of the LSU AgCenter. “And, even if you don’t have a family disaster plan, there are still plenty of things you can do!”

(Distributed 06/03/09) The Louisiana Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences presented its highest award along with others at its annual conference in Lafayette May 6. New officers also were chosen.

(Distributed 06/12/09) Educators who want to learn how to teach high school students about money management may take free workshops from the LSU AgCenter during July.

(Distributed 06/30/09) DOYLINE, La. – Scientists with the LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are combining their efforts in an attempt to control giant salvinia – a noxious aquatic weed that is spreading across Lake Bisteneau in northwest Louisiana.

(Distributed 06/30/09) CROWLEY, La. – The LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station is celebrating a century of operation this year, making it the oldest facility of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.

(Distributed 06/05/09) Agricultural producers aspiring to be Louisiana Master Farmers can choose among 11 events scheduled for 2009 to help them meet the requirements for the program, according to Donna Morgan, LSU AgCenter agent in Alexandria, La.

(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 06/25/09) 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 06/26/09) BATON ROUGE – Louisiana youth took home honors as state contest winners and alternates as the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H University concluded Thursday night (June 25) on the LSU campus.

(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) BOSSIER CITY, La. – Normally, people think of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) as a problem for humans, but there’s one that’s emerged in the past few years as a problem for cattle in Louisiana. It’s called trichomoniasis, or trich, for short. LSU AgCenter scientists offered ideas for managing this disease among cattle as well as more productive and efficient ways to raise forage for cattle at the Red River Research Station field day on June 18.

(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 06/24/09) 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 06/23/09) 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 06/24/09) 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 06/22/09) 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 06/19/09) 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).

(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 06/17/09) The current spate of dry weather approaching drought conditions has Louisiana farmers in a bind, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 06/10/09) Finding solutions to the low prices producers receive for their milk will a topic of discussion at this year’s St. Helena/Tangipahoa Dairy Day June 11 at Henry Capdeboscq Jr.’s dairy farm near Husser.

(Distributed 06/17/09) Twenty members of the LSU AgCenter Communications and Information Technology staffs were honored at the annual conference of the Association for Communication Excellence, an international professional organization, which was held June 6-10 in Des Moines, Iowa.

BATON ROUGE, La. – More than 200 people learned how to update their homes and make them safer during hurricane season at the Hurricanes, Homes and Yards event at the LSU AgCenter’s LaHouse on June 13. LaHouse is an educational and demonstration center built as a residential home near the Alex Box Baseball Stadium on the LSU campus.

(Distributed 06/08/09) Your plans for a storm or other disaster need to include what you’ll do about any pets and livestock you own, as well as all the other measures to protect your family and property. LSU AgCenter experts say to make your plans early, so you can put them into play the minute a potential disaster threatens.

(Distributed 06/05/09) Asian soybean rust has been found in a soybean sentinel plot maintained by agricultural consultant Blaine Viator in St. Martin Parish near Coteau, according to LSU AgCenter plant pathologist Dr. Clayton Hollier.

(Distributed 06/04/09) LSU AgCenter Vice Chancellor Paul Coreil recently took over as the leader of a national policy group for the nation’s land-grant universities. Coreil was appointed chair of the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy for 2008-09.

(Distributed 06/04/09) SCOTT, La. – The Louisiana County Agents Association honored five LSU AgCenter extension employees with awards at the organization’s annual convention Tuesday (June 2).

(Distributed 06/04/09) HAYNESVILLE, La. – Jannah Loyd has found that things she learned in 4-H have helped her with the life skills she needs to face Down syndrome.

(Distributed 06/03/09) A regional conference focusing on enhancing current tourism resources and creating new ones in rural areas will be held Aug. 11-13 at the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, La.

(Distributed 06/02/09) Power outages often accompany summer storms, but there are steps you can take before a storm to give the food in your refrigerator or freezer a little more time. “After a disaster, electrical power may be disrupted for hours, sometimes days,” says LSU AgCenter nutritionist and food safety expert Dr. Beth Reames. “There are things you can do to prepare for an outage which may extend the life of foods in your refrigerator or freezer.”

(Distributed 06/02/09) Twelve new members of the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame will be inducted at the grand opening of the Louisiana 4-H Museum in Mansura from 2-4 p.m. on July 18.

(Distributed 06/02/09) A review of new sugarcane varieties and field tours on weed control, insect management and disease management will be featured at the annual sugarcane field day July 15 at the LSU AgCenter’s Sugar Research Station in St. Gabriel.

(Distributed 06/01/08) It’s no surprise that experts say hurricane season is a time for planning. Making the appropriate arrangements and having good emergency plans can reduce damage to your home, help you cope during the storm and help you recover more easily after the storm, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 06/01/09) BATON ROUGE – Participants in 4-H are known for their prize-winning animals and giving back to their communities through ambitious service projects. But at 4-H University, these students will compete in contests ranging from computer simulation to sports broadcasting.