(Distributed 04/28/09) The Friday before Mother's Day each year honors child care providers, teachers and other educators of young children.

(Distributed 04/29/09) OIL CITY, La. – Wearing nametags featuring their “personalitree,” 135 Oil City Elementary Magnet School fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders learned about forestry at Jeems Bayou Hunting and Fishing Club on Caddo Lake on Earth Day, April 22.

(Distributed 04/29/09) SHREVEPORT, La. – About 600 4-H’ers from 18 elementary schools learned how to stay safe at the 2009 Caddo 4-H Extravaganza April 24 at the Bill Cockrell Community Center.

(Radio News 04/27/09) The LSU and City Park lakes are popular destinations for recreation in the Baton Rouge area, but the lakes popularity can lead to litter problems. Youth Wetlands Week Coordinator Ashley Mullens kicked off the week of wetland awareness by holding a trash bash around the lakes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 04/27/09) Unfavorable weather and increased costs didn’t stop Louisiana agriculture from contributing billions to the state’s economy in 2008. Commodities in the animal, forestry, fisheries, plant and wildlife industries racked up more than $5.3 billion at the farm gate and “value added” in excess of $4.1 billion – for a total economic contribution of nearly $9.5 billion in 2008.

(Distributed 04/27/09) You can’t get swine flu from eating pork or pork products, says an LSU AgCenter extension nutritionist. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence that a person can get swine flu from touching raw pork or from eating pork that has been properly prepared, says Beth Reames.

(Distributed 04/27/09) One of the most popular warm-season annual bedding plants is vinca or periwinkle. It is well-known for its prolific and long blooming season.

(Audio 04/27/09) Ever wonder why crape myrtles seem to always mist on your head? Well, it’s not water. The moisture actually is coming from aphids. In this week’s Get It Growing segment, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill shows you how to control aphids on your crape myrtles. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/27/09) Among favorite spring wildflowers are the amazingly beautiful native Louisiana irises. In gardens and landscapes, hybrids of our native species bloom in a rainbow of colors with large, showy flowers on tall stems. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/27/09) Vines are wonderful plants for Louisiana landscapes. Vines can decorate walls, soften fences and create privacy. For vines to be effective in your landscape, however, they must be trained properly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)