(Distributed 09/23/11) FARMERVILLE, La. – State Rep. Hollis Downs has established the first-ever endowment for a Louisiana parish 4-H program by donating $10,000 to Union Parish 4-H on Sept. 22.

(Distributed 09/28/11) SHREVEPORT, La. – Do you think food, clothing, lumber and other products only come from a store? Come to AgMagic at the State Fair to see and learn where your food and fiber really come from.

(Distributed 09/29/11) The LSU AgCenter will conduct a one-day comprehensive workshop on how to make your own biodiesel fuel from used vegetable oil on Nov. 12 at the W.A. Callegari Environmental Center in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 09/28/11) The LSU AgCenter’s Burden Research Center in Baton Rouge and the Burden Horticulture Society will sponsor their corn maze each Saturday through October, according to Jeff Kuehny, resident director at Burden.

(Distributed 09/27/11) Improved soil fertility could boost yields in crops such as corn and soybeans and reduce nitrogen runoff into local water bodies. That’s the premise behind the research of LSU AgCenter scientist Brenda Tubaña.

(Distributed 09/26/11) Food safety is increasing in global importance and complexity said David R. Lineback, senior fellow at the Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at the University of Maryland at College Park.

(Distributed 09/26/11) Louisiana soybean farmers are moving into the final stages of harvest with mixed results in their yields, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 09/22/11) The LSU AgCenter will host a roundtable discussion on Oct. 24, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to inform consumers about the importance of technology and how to make informed choices regarding the selection and use of wireless plans.

(Distributed 09/21/11) If you live in southern Louisiana and have noticed large numbers of tiny reddish-brown ants in or around your home running around in a crazy manner, then perhaps the hairy crazy ant has moved in with you, says LSU AgCenter scientist Victoria Bayless.

(Distributed 09/21/11) The LSU AgCenter is releasing the latest of its helpful resources for Louisiana gardening enthusiasts – the 2012 Get It Growing Lawn and Garden Calendar. The calendar is packed with photos, gardening hints and monthly tips from LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill that are specifically written for Louisiana’s growing conditions and climate.

(Distributed 09/20/11) CARENCRO, La. – Louisiana cattle owners stand to benefit from the Texas drought because ranchers in the Lone Star State are selling cattle and will eventually have to restock, cattle experts said at the Acadiana cattle field day held Saturday (Sept. 17).

(Distributed 09/20/11) The LSU AgCenter will participate in the implementation of the Food and Enterprise Development Program for Liberia, West Africa, through a recent award from the U.S. Agency for International Development Mission in Liberia.

(Distributed 09/20/11) Researchers from the LSU AgCenter are participating in a three-year, $12.2 million grant through the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) to evaluate the effects of the 2010 Macondo oil spill on coastal ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico.

(Distributed 09/20/11) Teachers, bankers and other community leaders met at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge on Sept. 15-16 to “Prepare Louisiana for Real Life” at the 2011 Financial Education Summit.

(Distributed 09/19/11) HOMER, La. – Recent droughts have forced producers to use carryover hay from previous years or purchase lesser-quality hay, and the LSU AgCenter is looking for ways to increase feed efficiency.

(Distributed 09/19/11) CROWLEY, La. – Farmers and agriculture industry representatives met Friday (Sept. 16) with Congressman Charles Boustany to express frustration with the increased burden of more federal regulations.

(Distributed 09/16/11) The LSU AgCenter is helping youngsters become healthier and more physically active, and children’s health is the focus during Childhood Obesity Awareness Month in September.

(Distributed 09/16/11) ABBEVILLE, La. – Vermilion Parish officials dedicated a traveling classroom Sept. 14 to teach children about the importance of conservation and Louisiana’s wetlands.

(Distributed 09/15/11) CROWLEY, La. – The Mexican rice borer continues to expand its territory in Louisiana after migrating from Texas.

(Distributed 09/15/11) MANSFIELD, La. – The International Paper Foundation contributed $5,000 toward Louisiana 4-H Camp educational programs at a breakfast reception Aug. 24.

(Distributed 09/13/11) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter 4 H program has received a second consecutive Walmart grant for teaching healthy living choices to youngsters.

(Distributed 09/09/11) The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations passed its version of a bill for federal funding to agricultural programs on Sept. 7 that puts back $1.2 million to the LSU AgCenter’s budget that had been taken away in an earlier U.S. House version.

(Distributed 09/08/11) GUEYDAN, La. – Timing of harvest aid application to a maturing soybean crop is critical, according to an LSU AgCenter expert.

(Distributed 09/07/11) Scientists have found that hiding a toxin within yeast and cellulose powder bait holds promise in destroying termite colonies.

(Distributed 09/06/11) HOMER, La. – LSU AgCenter scientists will present the latest information on the two new poultry demonstration houses, managing switchgrass in pine forests for the biofuels market, and beef cattle and forage management at the Hill Farm Field Day on Sept. 15. Registration is at 11 a.m., lunch will be served at noon, and the event starts at 1 p.m.

(Distributed 09/06/11) Sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois reports on the damage to Louisiana's sugarcane by Tropical Storm Lee.

(Distributed 09/01/11) One of the benefits weed scientists enjoy is the ability to evaluate various compounds or technologies prior to their commercialization. In addition to potential benefits, they also identify potential pitfalls. These can include crop injury, carryover effects to subsequent crops and effects from off-target applications.

(Distributed 09/01/11) A teacher gave instructions for a science experiment, watching as another teacher pushed a nail connected to a wire into an apple. The teacher wasn’t talking to her students. She was instructing other teachers.

(Distributed 09/02/11) Over the next several days, Tropical Storm Lee will drench most of Louisiana’s crawfish-producing parishes with rainfall ranging from several inches to possibly more than 20 inches in some isolated areas.