(Video News 02/21/13) Cows, chickens and pigs are popular show animals among youngsters participating in livestock shows. But a growing number of 4-H and FFA members are showing pygmy goats. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard visited with one teenager who is raising and breeding these little animals. (Runtime: 1:19)

(Video News 02/07/13) Before the azaleas bloom or the crawfish start boiling, you can get your first taste of spring with Louisiana strawberries. Growers started picking berries a few months ago, and LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that a mild winter could improve the crop. (1:36)

(Video News 02/05/13) Louisiana’s biofuels industry is growing, and the LSU AgCenter is fueling that growth. A new pilot plant will process crops that can be turned into bioproducts. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the story. (Runtime: 1:51)

(Video News 02/21/13) When the Mardi Gras parades stop rolling, and Louisiana settles into Lent, thoughts turn to crawfish. Rain in 2012 is helping this year’s harvest. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the story. (Runtime: 1:36)

(Video 02/18/13) Purple shamrock is an incredibly unique accent or border plant with spectacular purple foliage and small lavender-white flowers. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to this tough, beautiful ornamental that’s perfect for flower pots or garden beds. Runtime: 1:43

(Distributed 02/08/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter has scheduled 12 field days at off-campus research stations during 2013, according to John Russin, vice chancellor and director of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station.

(Video 03/04/13) Now is a great time to plant vegetables like broccoli and cabbage in your garden. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains a crucial , but sometimes overlooked, part of vegetable production — harvesting at the right time. (Runtime: 1:49)

(Distributed 02/28/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – As the garden show season begins across south Louisiana, questions about insect and disease damage on plants will continue to increase.

(Distributed 02/27/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Soybean and Feed Grains Research and Promotion Board has awarded $1.8 million to the LSU AgCenter for research and extension projects in 2013.

(Distributed 02/27/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – Gray mold, a fungal disease common to tomatoes grown in greenhouses, has been showing up in operations from East Feliciana to Terrebonne parishes in recent months.

(Distributed 02/26/13) BOSSIER CITY, La. – The Northwest Beef and Forage Field Day will be held April 16 at the LSU AgCenter Red River Research Station.

(Distributed 02/25/13) The 14th annual Southwest Louisiana Garden Festival will be held March 22-23 at Burton Coliseum.

(Distributed 02/25/13) A weekend full of food, flowers and fun is scheduled for Baton Rouge on March 9-10 when the LSU AgCenter presents the 11th annual Baton Rouge Spring Garden Show, the 7th annual Louisiana State and Regional Chili Cook-off and the 4th annual Baton Rouge Spring Car Show.

(Distributed 02/25/13) The LSU AgCenter and the St. Tammany Master Gardeners will hold their annual Northshore Garden Show and Plant Sale March 15-16 at the St. Tammany Fairgrounds in Covington.

(Distributed 02/25/13) CROWLEY, La. – The faculty at the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station conducted a day-long rice farming clinic Thursday, Feb. 21, for employees of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Ducks Unlimited to learn the basics of growing rice.

(Distributed 02/25/13) The Hammond Spring Garden Day is set for March 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station.

(Distributed 02/22/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Direct Seafood Academy will be held in February, March and April across coastal Louisiana with a series of programs focusing on marketing techniques, improving product quality, safety and getting new business. Sponsors are Louisiana Sea Grant and the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 02/22/13) HAMMOND, La. – Home gardeners need to increase their knowledge and awareness of management practices recommended for roses in our landscapes.

(Distributed 02/21/13) WEST MONROE, La – The LSU AgCenter will host a Connect My Louisiana Summit on March 6 to explain options for access to high-speed Internet connections in rural areas.

(Video 02/25/13) Now’s a great time to plant peach trees in Louisiana. Established ones need proper care, like pruning, to produce lots of mouth-watering fruit. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill points out some crucial tips for maintaining both young and mature peach trees. (Runtime: 1:39)

(Distributed 02/21/13) The 24th Annual Florida Parishes Forestry Forum will be held in the University Center at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond on March 15.

(Distributed 02/20/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – Insect researchers from across the Southeast will gather in Baton Rouge early next month to discuss the pests that can kill crops, harm livestock and make life uncomfortable for people. The Southeastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America will hold its annual meeting March 3-6.

(Distributed 02/20/13) WELSH, La. – A meeting to explain options for high-speed access to the Internet in rural areas will be held at the Welsh Community Center on March 5. The meeting, starting at 9:30 a.m., will provide consumers, business owners and government officials information on broadband connectivity in rural Louisiana, according to Deborah Cross-Young, LSU AgCenter extension agent.

(Audio 02/25/13) Ground covers are a popular part of Louisiana landscapes. We want evergreen ground covers, but sometimes they can have old foliage that needs to be trimmed back. This encourages the plant to grow new foliage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 02/19/13) NEW ORLEANS – The 34th Annual New Orleans Spring Garden Show will be held at the City Park Botanical Garden on April 6-7 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day.

(Audio News 02/20/13) Signs of spring are sprouting across the state, and with fairer weather comes crawfish. LSU AgCenter aquaculture specialist Greg Lutz says some crawfish-producing areas are having a normal to better-than-normal harvest, while other areas are seeing fewer crawfish. But overall, he expects a decent crop. (Runtime: 1:35)

(Distributed 02/19/13)GONZALES, La. – Hundreds of young people from across Louisiana were named state champions during the 78th Annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show held Feb. 9-16 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

(Video 02/11/13) It’s not too early to plant Louisiana iris in your landscape. They grow well across the state and add an elegant touch to any yard. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill provides tips for care of your Louisiana iris. (Runtime: 1:31)

(Distributed 02/19/13) MARKSVILLE, La. – Louisiana agricultural consultants met at their annual convention to hear expert advice from LSU AgCenter researchers on cotton, corn, soybeans and rice in preparation for the upcoming crop season.

(Audio 02/25/13) Gardeners use a variety of terms to describe the different amounts of light plants need to grow and be healthy. Hear more to learn the differences of full sun, part sun, part shade and full shade. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/25/13) Perennials are wonderful plants that live for many years in our gardens. Many of these plants are dormant this time of the year, making it a great time to divide them. Hear more to learn how. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/25/13) Gardeners may not think about planting warm-season vegetables in the month of February. They can, however, plant sweet corn as early as the last week of February. Planting early helps minimize problems with pests. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/25/13) Fertilizers provide nutrients to plants to help them grow. Gardeners may have fertilizers left over from previous seasons. That is still good to use. Fertilizers will stay potent indefinitely. Just be sure to store it properly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 02/20/13) FRANKLIN, La. – A 4-H project aimed at helping St. Mary Parish residents avoid troublesome encounters with black bears is being honored with an award from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation. Adriana Drusini and Jennifer Ducote, both 4-H agents, and Catherine Siracusa, black bear conflict officer, will receive the Governor’s Conservation Award in Baton Rouge on Feb. 23.

(Distributed 02/19/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Bob R. Jones-Idlewild Research Station near Clinton will hold a wildlife field day on Sat., March 16.

(Distributed 02/18/13) GONZALES, La. – Six exceptional Louisiana youths were recognized Saturday (Feb. 16) for their knowledge, skills and communication abilities as they were named winners of the Gerry Lane Premier Exhibitor Awards at the 78th annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center here.

(Distributed 02/18/13) GONZALES, La. – The LSU AgCenter honored several Louisiana 4-H and FFA members and one adult leader Saturday, Feb. 16, for their work with youth livestock projects.

(Distributed 02/15/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Southeast Region Extension office is conducting a pond management workshop on March 22 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the St. Tammany Parish Council Chambers in Mandeville.

(Audio News 02/15/13) Miley, Zoe, Bailey and Chloe sound like they could be Emma King’s classmates. But these are the names the Iberville Parish teen has given to a few of her prize-winning pygmy goats. King started raising and showing pygmy goats simply because they were cute. But she has helped that category grow at the LSU AgCenter Livestock Show and has grown closer to her dad, Jason, in the process. (Runtime: 1:25)

(Distributed 02/15/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – Seventy people filled the meeting room to capacity the day before Mardi Gras (Feb. 11) to find out about the new LSU AgCenter Food Incubator and how it can help them start or expand their food businesses.

(Distributed 02/15/13) HAMMOND, La. – Azaleas are Louisiana’s most popular shrub among home gardeners. Fall is the best time to plant azaleas, followed, in turn, by winter, spring and summer. The vast majority of azaleas are, however, planted in spring. This is, of course, when garden centers have the best selection and is the time of the year when gardeners see azaleas in bloom.

(Audio 02/18/13) Gladioluses are beautiful in the flower garden. The flowers don't last long, so you can get a longer blooming season if you do several plantings in two-week intervals. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/18/13) A lot of gardeners like to prepare their beds before it is time to plant flowers or vegetables. Our weather can be rainy in late winter, and this makes it hard to work the soil. Make sure your soil isn't too wet when you prepare beds, or you could damage the soil. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/18/13) Late winter is a great time to plant trees and shrubs into your landscape. It is easy to plant a tree, but you have to do it properly. Listen to learn how. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 02/14/13) HAMMOND, La. – Landscapes around the state are in various stages of their spring awakening, but it is still February.

(Distributed 02/11/13) ALEXANDRIA, La. – The LSU AgCenter will host the Central Louisiana Forestry Forum on March 12 at the evacuation center near the LSU at Alexandria campus.

(Distributed 02/11/13) JEANERETTE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Iberia Research Station will hold its Acadiana Beef Cattle Producers Field Day on March 9.

(Distributed 02/08/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden is holding a series of vegetable workshops on a variety of gardening topics beginning in February.

(Distributed 02/08/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – Value-added processing will be featured at the 2013 Louisiana Food Processors Conference on March 13-14 in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 02/08/13) HAMMOND, La. – Flowering trees add considerable color and beauty to our landscapes during late winter and early spring. Many of the trees that flower this time of year can be considered low-maintenance compared to the amount of joy we get from them.

(Distributed 02/08/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter is offering a three-day mold control and remediation training course March 26-28 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the LaHouse Resource Center on the LSU campus.

(Distributed 02/07/13) BRAITHWAITE, La. – An ecotourism workshop aimed at exploring potential business opportunities along the Gulf Coast will be held in Plaquemines Parish on March 12.

(Distributed 02/07/13) With more warm, sunny days across south Louisiana, gardeners will soon begin looking for outdoor chores to complete.

(Audio 02/18/13) Spring bulbs are up and growing. Some, like paperwhites, are already blooming. The foliage of spring bulbs is hardy, but if we get a freeze, the flowers can be damaged. Consider cutting them to bring indoors if a freeze is likely (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/18/13) Transplanting a tree or shrub may be desirable or necessary sometimes. Gardeners thinking about moving the plant should do it now while the plants are dormant. Doing it correctly will help the plant succeed in its new location. (Runtime: 60 seconds

(Audio News 02/05/13) Under ominous skies, workers pulled row covers over Kevin Liuzza’s strawberry fields. Rain is typical in January, but his fields were battered by 18 inches in the early part of the month leading to a lot of lost berries. Row covers are used to protect the crop from cold weather but can also shield against showers. (Runtime: 1:30)

(Distributed 02/05/13) BOSSIER CITY, La. – The LSU AgCenter will conduct a free seminar on growing tomatoes in greenhouses on March 1 from 1-5 p.m. at the Red River Research Station.

(Distributed 02/05/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter’s Center for Natural Resource Economics and Policy will hold its fourth national forum on Mar. 24-26 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans. The conference is titled, "Challenges of Natural Resource Economics and Policy (CNREP 2013): the 4th National Forum on Socioeconomic Research in Coastal Systems.”

(Distributed 02/04/13) BATON ROUGE, La – Two Baton Rouge middle school students are having papers published in a peer-reviewed journal as a result of their school science projects.

(Audio 02/11/13) Gardeners can alter the color of their hydrangeas by applying additives to the soil this month. Lime can turn blue hydrangeas pink, and aluminum sulfate can change pink hydrangeas into blue ones. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/11/13) Gardeners can fertilize shade trees in February. Large mature trees don't require fertilization, but trees in the first five to 10 years can use that boost. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/11/13) Gardeners interested in planting bare-root roses need to do so soon. Bare-root roses are more vulnerable than container roses, which can be planted throughout the spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 02/04/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – Most of us wouldn’t start something new without first gathering information and the necessary tools. Taking up a new hobby this year? Then you’re probably signing up for lessons or reading as much as you can about your new interest.

(Audio 02/11/13) Shady areas can get a boost with cool-season color. Plants such as cyclamen, forget-me-nots and foxgloves can thrive in the shade. For areas with part shade, consider pansies and violas. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 02/01/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – Jeff Bush, formerly with Tulane University in New Orleans, has been named the executive director of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation. He will oversee the fundraising for the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H and youth development program.

(Audio 02/04/13) The winter has been mild in Louisiana, but we have had a few frosts that could have damaged tropical plants. You can prune damage off herbaceous tropical plants such as gingers and elephant ears. Wait to prune woody damage until the plants start to sprout in spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/04/13) February isn't always frost-free, so gardeners can't yet plant spring vegetables. Anyone looking to put new vegetables into their gardens should plant cold-tolerant vegetables. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 02/01/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – Rice prices are likely to improve with the expectation that China will buy American rice and the Brazilian crop will be off this year, a rice marketing consultant said Thursday (Jan. 31) at the National Conservation Systems Cotton and Rice Conference.

(Distributed 02/01/13) HAMMOND, La. – A couple years ago saw the debut of a new, heat-tolerant group of rhododendron varieties from the Southern Living Plant Collection. These were developed to perform well in the Deep South while performing equally well in traditional rhododendron areas.

(Video 02/04/13) If you’re searching for a tough, shade-loving plant with nice shiny leaves, ligularia might be the plant for you. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why it’s a good selection for Louisiana landscapes. (Runtime: 1:35)

(Video 1/28/13) Indoor greenery can add a nice accent to your home’s interior while improving the air quality. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to Dracaenas — a beautiful group of plants that offer a nice diversity of choices. (Runtime: 1:39)

(Audio 02/04/13) Spider mites can be a problem on houseplants in the winter. These tiny insects are hard to spot, but listen to learn symptoms of spider mite damage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/04/13) Swiss chard is a wonderful vegetable that hasn't reached the popularity in the home garden as many other vegetables. It's nutritious, delicious and even beautiful in the garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/04/13) Take care of roses that need pruning early this month. Roses that bloom throughout the year may need to be cut back to encourage new blooms. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 02/22/13) Swiss chard is a leafy vegetable that can be grown easily in Louisiana vegetable gardens during fall, winter and spring. It is reliable and very productive and should be planted more often. A cool-season vegetable grown primarily from October to June, it has better heat resistance than other greens, such as spinach.

(For Release On Or After 02/15/13) Homeowners whose new houses were constructed on lots with existing trees are often dismayed to find the trees declining in health or dying a few years after construction. This tragedy can be avoided if existing trees are properly protected during construction around them.

(For Release On Or After 02/08/13) February is a great time to plant hardy fruit trees, bushes or vines in your landscape. Local nurseries should have an excellent selection newly arrived for planting in late winter and early spring.

(For Release On Or After 02/01/13) Early February is an excellent time to cut back roses growing in your landscape. Hybrid tea and grandiflora roses, in particular, should be pruned around this time every year. Otherwise, these roses tend to become leggy, less vigorous and unattractive and do not bloom as well.