(Distributed 07/31/12) The LSU AgCenter’s work to showcase the nature-based tourism assets of rural Louisiana has paid off in the form of a $235,313 grant from the Walton Family Foundation.

(Audio 07/30/12) Chinch bugs are leading insect pests that attack our lawns. A sign of injury is a brown section of the lawn where the grass is straw-like and grass blades are rolled up. Chinch bugs tend to be worse later in the summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/30/12) It is popular to plant tomatoes in spring, but gardeners can get a fall crop as well. Buy different types of tomatoes such as heat-tolerant and standard varieties for the best chance of success. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/30/12) Gardeners can plant a wide variety of vegetables in August. Even though it is still really hot, we can plant cool-season vegetables alongside ones that prefer warmer conditions. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/30/12) A mild winter and early spring have led to pest problems. Many insects showed up early and in larger numbers. Look for signs of insect damage in your yard. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/30/12) By late summer many plants have gone through a long growing season. Pruning these plants can help revive them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 07/27/12) Missouri and Kentucky have joined the list of states approved by the the U.S. Department of Agriculture for sales of an anaplasmosis vaccine marketed by University Products LLC of Baton Rouge, La.

(Distributed 07/27/12) A tough plant that will keep blooming through summer and into fall, gomphrena likes really high temperatures. Sometimes called globe amaranth, legend has it that the original planting was at the gates of Hades.

(Distributed 07/25/12) Recently completed laboratory and animal handling space at the LSU AgCenter Isolation Facility is now available to any researcher who has a need for containment and isolation, said Phil Elzer, assistant vice chancellor for research.

(Distributed 07/24/12) “Louisiana’s Frontline: 125 Years of Agricultural Research,” a 60-minute documentary, will be broadcast on Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) and its statewide PBS affiliates Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.