(Distributed 11/06/09) SHREVEPORT, La. – AgMagic, a new exhibit at the State Fair of Louisiana, can be likened to opening a fun encyclopedia. Only all of the five senses are involved while learning takes place.

(Distributed 11/25/09) All eight students in Sabine Parish who received the Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders awards, a program sponsored by Chesapeake Energy, are members of 4-H. Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders is designed to recognize and reward local school students for their citizenship and community involvement.

(Distributed 11/25/09) Sugarcane farmers are taking advantage of good weather and improving prices as they progress into the more productive phase of this year’s harvest. “Farmers are optimistic that their yields will be better than normal,” said Ben Legendre, LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist. “We have some of the best yields we’ve seen in terms of tons of cane per acre.”

(Distributed 11/25/09) Tom H. Scott, a fixture in Louisiana agriculture and long-time support of 4-H during his lifetime, was inducted posthumously into the National 4-H Hall of Fame for 2009. Scott was one of 15 individuals across the country inducted. His daughter, Betty Cummins of Mangham, accepted the honor for the family. Scott died in 2001.

(Distributed 11/23/09) HOMER, La. – The LSU AgCenter will open two poultry demonstration houses in early 2010 in which real-life operations will help improve management practices for the industry.

(Distributed 11/24/09) FOLSOM, La. – Growing citrus on a commercial level is not something you expect to see north of Covington, but one grower is proving it can be done – if the weather is favorable. Sherwood Loyd from Folsom said he saw an opportunity in the wake of Hurricane Katrina that has proven to be a wise decision that’s beginning to pay off.

(Distributed 11/23/09) Nine 4-H’ers represented Louisiana at the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, Ky., on Nov. 18-19, according to Dr. Theresia Lavergne, LSU AgCenter poultry specialist and leader of the 4-H poultry project.

(Distributed 11/20/09) LSU AgCenter has been awarded a $2.84 million research and extension grant for improving sweet potato production efficiency, quality and food safety.

(Distributed 11/20/09) SHREVEPORT, La. – Rain has delayed the pecan harvest across the state by two to three weeks, but plenty of the crop should be available for the holiday season.

(Distributed 11/19/09) Louisiana’s dairy industry continues to struggle. The high costs for feed, fuel and fertilizer have cut into potential profits. And while these costs have gone down somewhat this year, so have the prices farmers get for their milk, said LSU AgCenter extension dairy specialist Charlie Hutchison at a field day on Nov. 12 at the Southeast Research Station in Franklinton.

(Distributed 11/13/09) OAK GROVE, La. – Three West Carroll Parish high school students were able to create digital fire district maps using Global Information System (GIS) technology, which they learned in a special training offered through the LSU AgCenter’s Delta Rural Development Center here. The result is a safer parish.

(Distributed 11/10/09) A Bossier Parish 4-H’er was recognized as a Louisiana Leader of Tomorrow by the Special Olympics of Louisiana. Amanda Pittmon, 19, of Benton, was named Entrepreneur of the Year.

(Distributed 11/09/09) The LSU AgCenter is seeking photos for its 2011 Get It Growing Lawn and Garden Calendar. Louisiana photographers can submit their photos of flowers, plants and gardens for an opportunity to have their work selected for the calendar.

(News Distributed 11/06/2009) HAMMOND, La. – Landscape and nursery professionals heard about the latest plant varieties and LSU AgCenter plant evaluations at a plant materials conference here Oct. 29.

(Distributed 11/04/09) CARENCRO, La. – Having bulls tested for reproductive soundness is a simple precautionary measure that could prevent a disastrous year for a cattle producer, said Stan Dutile, LSU AgCenter extension agent in Lafayette Parish, who was among the speakers at a cattle field day here on Oct. 31.

(Distributed 11/03/09) CROWLEY, La. – Three LSU AgCenter scientists have been named to F. Avalon Daggett Professorships in Rice Research. Dr. Chuck Rush, Dr. Don Groth and Dr. Eric Webster were recognized at a reception at the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station Oct. 27.

(Distributed 11/02/09) SHREVEPORT, La. – While 2,000 students tour the LSU AgCenter’s AgMagic at the State Fair on Nov. 4-6, another 1,500 will have participated in an education program focused on germs and hand washing, according to Cathryn Robinson, assistant extension agent in Caddo and Bossier parishes.

(Distributed 11/02/09) CROWLEY, La. – Saving Louisiana’s coast with vegetation was the focus of a coastal plants field day at the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station Oct. 28.

(Distributed 11/02/09) After two major hurricanes in 2008, most Louisiana agricultural producers were hoping for a much-improved production environment in 2009. Unfortunately, 2009 has once again been a challenging one for the agricultural sector, according to an LSU AgCenter agricultural economist.