(Distributed 01/28/11) The LSU AgCenter’s Jefferson Parish office will hold an open house on Wednesday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

(Distributed 01/19/10) Recent cold weather in south Louisiana will cause this year’s strawberry crop to come in a little later, but the damage is not as bad as the industry first believed, LSU AgCenter experts say.

(Distributed 01/25/10) Ag Adventures, an educational experience in agriculture for third- through fifth-graders, will be held Feb. 23-24 at the Northeast District Livestock Show Barn and Civic Center in Delhi.

(Distributed 01/14/10) The LSU AgCenter’s LaHouse Home and Landscape Resource Center will offer a class on ways to improve residential landscape on February 6, 13, 20 and 27 in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 01/22/10) LAKE CHARLES, La. – Rice farmers and a Lake Charles rice mill are donating rice for Haitians to eat after the massive earthquake hit last week. The Louisiana Rice Growers Association (LRGA) has agreed to buy two tons of rice, and Farmer’s Rice Mill is donating five tons in addition to providing a 10 percent match to any other rice donated for the cause.

Photo gallery of Master Farmers recognized at a luncheon during the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts Annual meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge on Jan. 14.

(Distributed 01/04/10) Although the new year just arrived, Louisiana photographers only have until the end of the month to submit photos for the LSU AgCenter’s 2011 Get It Growing Lawn and Garden Calendar. The deadline for all submissions is Jan. 29. Those photos then will be reviewed for potential use in next year’s calendar.

(Distributed 01/05/10) A roaring fire in the fireplace may sound like the perfect escape from the bitter cold weather in Louisiana. But while a fireplace can offer ambiance, it won’t raise the temperature much in your home, and it could raise your energy costs, says Claudette Reichel, LSU AgCenter housing specialist.

(01/15/10) WEST MONROE, La. – More than 1,800 first and fourth graders from seven northeast Louisiana parishes heard about agriculture commodities at Ag Alley in special showings Jan. 13-14 at Ag Expo.

(Distributed 01/15/10) BATON ROUGE – A group of 23 Louisiana farmers, including one married couple, recently attained 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 01/26/10) POLLOCK, La. – One hundred campers from across Louisiana gathered around their sewing machines to create several items at the annual 4-H Fashion Camp Jan. 23-24.

(Distributed 01/15/10) Master Farmers were recoginized at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge on Jan. 14, 2010.

(Distributed 01/20/10) BATON ROUGE – Youth from across Louisiana are preparing to compete in the 75th annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show next month at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

(Distributed 01/12/10) Twenty-five men and women from across Louisiana began a two-year venture in the LSU AgCenter’s Agricultural Leadership Development Program when they attended their first class last week (Jan. 5-7) in Baton Rouge. Established in 1988, the Ag Leadership Program provides educational opportunities for potential leaders involved with agriculture and agribusiness in Louisiana.

(Distributed 01/07/10) Well-below-average temperatures in January will influence the crawfish harvest significantly, according to LSU AgCenter researcher Ray McClain. “Catch is related to water temperature. Cold weather cuts down on the catch, and extended cold weather negatively affects the growth rates of crawfish,” he said.

(Distributed 01/25/10) The public can learn the latest about the greenhouse tomato industry at the LSU AgCenter Red River Research Station’s 14th annual greenhouse tomato seminar Feb. 26 in Bossier City.

(Distributed 01/29/10) CROWLEY, La. – Farmers attending the 2010 joint annual meeting of the Louisiana Rice Council and the Louisiana Rice Growers Association heard an optimistic report from a Washington, D.C., agriculture journalist recently (Jan. 26).

(Distributed 01/21/10) RAYVILLE, La. – Farmers learned ways to improve the quality and yield potential of cotton from LSU AgCenter experts at the Northeast Louisiana Crop Forum Jan. 19. Each year, scientists evaluate cotton varieties and publish guidelines for cotton production practices associated with planting time and variety selection, said Donald Boquet, agronomist.

(Distributed 01/29/10) BUNKIE, La. – Rice farmers could be facing challenges in the marketplace this year, but the outlook is countered by positive news, an LSU AgCenter economist advised them.

(Distributed 01/28/10) The LSU AgCenter has scheduled training sessions across the state to certify contractors, painters and others who perform renovation projects that disturb lead-based paint in housing and other child-occupied facilities built before 1978.

(Distributed 01/26/10) BOSSIER CITY, La. – Your soil is alive, and you need to feed it, Dr. Grace Peterson, an LSU AgCenter agent, said at the monthly Lunch and Ag Discovery session held at the LSU AgCenter Red River Research Station Jan. 20.

(Distributed 01/15/10) Sugarcane growers are nearing the end of the harvest season with the last mill set to shut down around Jan. 16.

(Distributed 1/15/10) Photos and caption for Master Farmers recognized in Baton Rouge at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Jan. 14, 2010