(Distributed 10/19/11) POLLOCK, La. – AT&T Louisiana donated $25,000 on Oct. 14 to the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center Multipurpose Building Project.

(Distributed 10/24/11) SHREVEPORT, La. – The pecans may be smaller this year because of the drought, but the quality should be good, according to Randy Sanderlin, LSU AgCenter pecan specialist. The 2011 drought caused some trees to shed nuts in August. Yield will be affected statewide, but particularly in northwest Louisiana where the drought was more extreme.

(Distributed 10/20/11) Even though it’s early in the citrus season, producers say they have had a good growing season and expect an above-average crop this year.

(Distributed 10/31/11) ABBEVILLE, La. – Jayla Campbell, an eighth-grader from North Vermilion Catholic School, had never carved a pumpkin before the 4-H workshop held Monday (Oct. 31) at the Vermilion Parish Extension Office.

(Distributed 10/31/11) The LSU AgCenter’s 2011 poinsettia open house is set for Dec. 2 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Burden Center located at 4560 Essen Lane near the junction of I-10 in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 10/31/11) Landscapers, grounds crews, nursery staffs and others heard updates on research projects at the Hammond Research Station landscape field day on Oct. 18.

(Distributed 10/26/11) BATON ROUGE, La. – Socioeconomic status, rather than race, has the strongest effect on student achievement, according to a recent study conducted in the LSU School of Human Resource Education and Workforce Development.

(Distributed 10/27/11) Baton Rouge area students learned about the importance of wetlands as part of Louisiana Wetlands Exploration Day on Oct. 20 at the Hilltop Arboretum.

(Distributed 10/27/11) MOUTON COVE, La. – Vermilion Parish 4-H leaders have been teaching two new words to 4-H Club members throughout the parish: resilient and subsidence.

(Distributed 10/25/11) BATON ROUGE, La. – In an effort to promote healthful eating habits and to provide food for those struggling in poverty, students at Westdale Heights Academic Magnet School learned about making the right choices related to food selections and conducted a food drive for the Baton Rouge Food Bank.

(Distributed 10/19/11) The LSU AgCenter’s 4-H Youth Wetlands Program will host a Louisiana Wetlands Exploration Day at Fairview-Riverside State Park in Madisonville on Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

(Distributed 10/14/11) The LSU AgCenter School of Animal Sciences will hold its “From Cow to Cone” dairy education day at the 4-H Mini Farm Building on Nov. 2.

(Distributed 10/13/11) Forage research and the importance of protein for dairy cattle will be highlighted at the LSU AgCenter dairy field day Dec. 8 at the Southeast Research Station in Franklinton.

(Distributed 10/10/11) JENA, La. – Nineteen LaSalle Parish residents and elected officials have graduated from Lead LaSalle, a leadership and community development program of the LSU AgCenter and the LaSalle Economic Development District.

(Distributed 10/10/11) ZWOLLE, La. – About 250 third-graders from eight schools in Sabine Parish learned about forestry, wildlife and furs, horses and gardening at the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta on Oct. 7.

(Distributed 10/07/11) Fall is not complete without a visit to a corn maze or pumpkin patch. People in Louisiana who are looking for these activities can find them on the Internet, according to LSU AgCenter public relations and information specialist Pam Hodson.

(Distributed 10/07/11) JENNINGS, La. – Five agricultural aviation companies that serve the agricultural industry in Louisiana got their equipment tested recently (Oct. 4) at the Jennings airport with the help of the LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

(Distributed 10/06/11) MARSH ISLAND, La. – Herry Utomo, molecular geneticist at the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station, looked over his crop of lush spartina, or smooth cordgrass, with satisfaction.

(Distributed 10/05/11) The LSU AgCenter’s LaHouse will host two fall-themed events called “Haunted LaHouse” Thursday, Oct. 27, and Saturday, Oct. 29.

(Distributed 10/05/11) The LSU AgCenter’s 4-H Youth Wetlands Program will host a Louisiana Wetlands Exploration Day at the LSU Hilltop Arboretum in Baton Rouge on Thursday, Oct. 20, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

(Distributed 10/04/11) The Louisiana 4-H Foundation has joined an online shopping mall hosted and sponsored by nonprofit organizations for the purpose of raising funds.

(Distributed 10/04/11) Some people may be wondering if they should ever eat cantaloupe again. But LSU AgCenter food scientist Marlene Janes says she certainly plans to, although she recommends taking precautions.

(Distributed 10/04/11) MONROE, La. – Expanding the outdoor recreation industry on agricultural lands brings in revenue to help local economies, experts said at a paddling and canoeing business opportunities workshop.

(Distributed 10/04/11) Former Baton Rouge resident Kellett Hathorn will be posthumously inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame on Oct. 7 for his lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H.

(DIstributed 10/04/11) The LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station will hold their annual landscape horticulture field day for nursery, landscape and garden center professionals on October 18.

(Distributed 10/03/11) The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded the LSU AgCenter a five-year $17.2 million grant to speed up the process for developing biofuels and biochemicals from sugarcane and sweet sorghum.

(Distributed 10/03/11) With an eye to the future of bioenergy, the LSU AgCenter will offer four workshops for forest landowners and agricultural producers to help them identify opportunities in emerging markets for converting wood or agricultural crops into energy.

(Distributed 10/03/11) The LSU AgCenter is strengthening its programs on human nutrition, Chancellor Bill Richardson said during a forum on childhood obesity in New Orleans Sept. 29.