(Distributed 01/09/09) LAFAYETTE – Twenty-seven farmers, including three couples, have achieved the status of Master Farmer – a title that means they have not only learned the latest in conservation practices, but they are implementing them on their farms.

(Distributed 01/12/09) Ag Adventures, an educational experience in agriculture for third- through fifth-graders, will be held Feb. 10-11 at the Northeast District Livestock Show Barn and Civic Center, both in Delhi.

(Distributed 1/13/09) Identifying stink bugs and choosing the right variety are important issues, crop production experts told soybean producers at a recent meeting.

(Distributed 1/13/09) To get ready for the 2009 crop, many Louisiana rice farmers have been in the classroom learning from LSU AgCenter scientists.

(Distributed 1/15/09) The LSU AgCenter launched a leadership-development program Jan. 8 in Tensas Parish to be followed by classes in Catahoula Parish in February, Richland Parish in March and Concordia Parish in April.

(Distributed 1/16/09) North Louisiana farmers can get updates from LSU AgCenter experts on the latest information for growing rice and grain crops at two meetings on Jan. 29.

(Distributed 01/16/09) Photographers have until the end of the month (January) to submit photos for the LSU AgCenter’s 2010 Get It Growing Lawn and Garden Calendar. The deadline for all submissions is Jan. 30. Those photos then will be reviewed for potential use in next year’s calendar.

(Distributed 01/16/09) The LSU AgCenter will host the 2009 Agricultural Outlook Conference Feb. 26 in Baton Rouge. Designed to continue addressing the current issues facing the state’s farmers, agribusinesses and others, the theme of the conference is “Keeping Louisiana’s Agriculture Competitive.”

(Distributed 01/21/09) Nearly every speaker at the Ag Expo Forestry Forum sponsored by the LSU AgCenter Jan. 17 said youth are important to forestry.

(Distributed 1/22/09) Youth from across Louisiana are preparing to compete in the 74th annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show next month at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

(Distributed 1/23/09) Vegetable growers can learn the latest about greenhouse tomato production at the LSU AgCenter’s 13th annual greenhouse tomato seminar on Feb. 27 at the Red River Research Station in Bossier City.

(Distributed 1/23/09) With nutrition-related diseases like obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer on the rise, the LSU AgCenter is developing ways to improve the eating habits of food stamp recipients.

(Distributed 1/22/09) Kindergarten students will learn about farming and agriculture in the Ag Adventures program sponsored by the LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Farm Bureau Feb. 2-3 at Burton Coliseum.

(Distributed 1/23/09) More than 1,800 first- and fourth-graders attended special showings of the LSU AgCenter’s Ag Alley Jan. 14-15 to learn about farm commodities grown in Louisiana.

(Distributed 1/23/09) Farmers, consultants and others involved in agriculture heard about the latest in research designed to influence the growth and yield of crops at the Northeast Louisiana Crop Forum Jan. 21 at the Delhi Civic Center.

(Distributed 1/26/09) The LSU AgCenter, the Southern University Ag Center and the Louisiana Department of Economic Development will offer e-business training at three Louisiana locations.

(Distributed 1/26/09) LSU AgCenter scientists will conduct a cotton and feed grain production meeting for Natchitoches and Red River parish growers on Feb. 20 in Natchitoches.

(Distributed 1/27/09) Falling futures prices for farm commodities combined with a general economic effect on demand and the leftover effects of hurricanes Gustav and Ike will put Louisiana farmers in a bind for 2009, according to economists in the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 01/27/09) A community meeting to plan Vélo Dendro S, a leisurely bicycle tour of Shreveport’s most significant trees, brought law enforcement, elected officials, bike club members and representatives of the LSU AgCenter to Columbia Café Jan. 20.

(Distributed 01/27/09) A mobile classroom that offers free business classes will set up shop in Homer March 24-26.

(Distributed 01/21/09) New planting techniques have Louisiana strawberries coming in earlier this year despite recent cold snaps.

(Distributed 01/28/09) Almost immediately after the holidays, south Louisiana consumers start thinking about crawfish. Crawfish boils aren’t uncommon the first warm weekend of the year.

(Distributed 01/30/09) The LSU AgCenter is joining with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry to develop a livestock show ethics and animal welfare task force, according to LSU AgCenter officials.

(Distributed 01/29/09) The LSU AgCenter’s Operation: Military Kids program has joined with I CARE-Baton Rouge to provide Valentine’s Day cards to Louisiana’s deployed military personnel and their children.