(Distributed 03/31/15) BATON ROUGE, La – Sea salt is sprinkled on chocolate and caramels and used to enhance the flavors of vegetables and meats. Sea salt is a trendy food ingredient. LSU AgCenter area nutrition agent Kate Farbe said nutritionally it is not very different from table salt despite popularized claims that it is healthier.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – Dry weather opened the window for corn planting in Louisiana as farmers were getting anxious to start their growing season.

(Video 03/16/15) If you plant cool-season flowering plants now, they won't last very long. But verbena can be planted in cool weather and continue to flourish through summer heat. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains the colorful choices for this flowering plant and how to care for it. (Runtime: 01:40)

(Distributed 03/27/15) One great buddleia (butterfly bush) for Louisiana is better than most on the market. It’s Fluttterby Petite Tutti Fruitti Pink, which was selected as a Louisiana Super Plant in 2014.

(Distributed 03/27/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter LaHouse Home and Landscape Resource Center will host its seasonal Saturday open house on April 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

(Distributed 03/27/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board has awarded the LSU AgCenter $1,873,000 for 2015 to continue conducting research and extension programs that benefit the industry.

(Distributed 03/27/15) HAMMOND, La. – Our spring- and summer-flowering trees and shrubs are growing and preparing for another great bloom season. One of favorite landscape plants for late spring and summer is the popular and loved crape myrtle.

(Distributed 03/27/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – AgMagic, an interactive event that teaches children about agriculture, will be held April 20 to 26 at the Parker Coliseum on LSU’s Baton Rouge campus.

(Audio 03/30/15) Now is a good time to prune your spring-flowering shrubs and vines. Make sure you are pruning with a specific purpose in mind like controlling the size. Listen for advice on pruning your spring shrubs. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 03/30/15) Aucuba is an excellent plant that will thrive in the shade. It is a wonderful choice if you are attempting to add a tropical look to your garden. Add these evergreen shrubs to the shady areas in your landscape. (Runtime: 01:46)

(Distributed 03/26/15) CROWLEY, La. – The 2015 Rice Leadership Class toured the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station on Thursday (March 26) to see what scientists there are doing to help rice farmers with new varieties of rice and better ways of growing it.

(Distributed 03/26/15) HAMMOND, La. – The stinging caterpillars that will become buck moths are beginning to appear in south Louisiana and will be active through May.

(Video 03/23/15) Primroses are beautiful container plants that can also be grown in cool, shady areas. These flowers are perfect for decorating during the Easter season. Watch for more information on these lovely flowering plants. (Runtime: 01:44)

(Distributed 03/26/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Crosscut sawing, canoeing, duck calling and ax throwing are some of the events LSU College of Agriculture students participated in at forestry and wildlife conclaves. The conclaves are competitions among students from different universities.

(Distributed 03/25/15) DELCAMBRE, La. – Shrimpers and crabbers learned about the newest regulations, techniques and equipment at a Louisiana Fisheries Forward meeting on March 24, organized by the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant.

(Distributed 03/25/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – As Louisiana educators try to prepare students for a growing number of careers in seemingly divergent fields — science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, and mechanical trades — agriculture could provide common ground for training the state’s workforce of the future.

(Distributed 03/25/15) HAMMOND, La. – Forest landowners heard the latest updates on invasive species and other issues of importance in their industry at the Florida parishes forestry forum on March 20 in Hammond.

(Distributed 03/24/15) POLLOCK, La. – Eating right and regular exercise are critical to a healthy lifestyle. But a third component — family involvement — is just as important, children and parents learned at the 4-H Food and Fitness Camp on March 21 and 22.

(Distributed 03/24/15) POLLOCK, La. – Nearly 440 4-H’ers representing every parish in the state attended the 2015 Junior Leadership Conference at Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center March 13-15.

(Audio 03/23/15) By the time March and April arrive, lawns are in active growth again. This means it's time to break out the lawn mower. Listen for more information on lawn and lawn mower maintenance. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/23/15) Thrips are tiny insects that infest the flower buds of our roses and feed on the petals. The flowers will either look brown and old, or the bud will never open. Listen for instructions on how to get rid of these pests. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/23/15) Buck moth caterpillars are primarily found feeding on oak trees. Large masses of buck moth caterpillars begin to appear by late March. Spray your trees to eliminate these caterpillars before they become a problem. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/23/15) Tropicals are common in Louisiana landscapes. Give your tropicals until late spring to wake up from the winter freezes. If your tropicals were killed during the winter, replant them in April or May. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/23/15) Deadheading refers to the act of removing faded flowers from a plant. This can extend the plant's flowering period and maintain a fresh and neat look. Listen for more information about deadheading in your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 03/22/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Three individuals were recognized as Louisiana Living Legends during the fifth annual Louisiana Small Farmer Conference at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center on March 20.

(Distributed 03/20/15) Many Louisiana gardeners enjoy a summer landscape planting of caladiums. These are one of the most popular plants to fill shady gardens because they thrive in the heat and humidity common in Louisiana summers.

(Distributed 03/20/15) HAMMOND, La. – The National Garden Bureau has named 2015 the “Year of the Gaillardia.”

(Distributed 03/20/15) ALEXANDRIA, La. – A quarantine is likely to be imposed soon to ban the movement of wood from ash trees out of Webster Parish because of the discovery there of an invasive insect pest, timber industry personnel learned on March 17 at the Central Louisiana Forestry Forum.

(Distributed 03/19/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter has scheduled the 2015 Louisiana Natural Resources Symposium for Aug. 21 at the LSU AgCenter Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center near Pollock in central Louisiana.

(Video 03/18/15) Sweet and juicy strawberries are a springtime ritual in Louisiana. This year, wild swings in the weather have delayed the crop. But consumers shouldn’t be overly concerned because producers expect to be in full production soon. Craig Gautreaux has this report. (Runtime: 01:22)

(Video 03/18/15) Louisiana ranks second nationally in commercial fish landings, and fishing industry representatives gathered in Houma to learn the latest regulations and how to keep their catch fresh for the consumer. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux was there and has this report. (Runtime: 01:28)

(Video 03/04/15) LSU students who live and learn in the Agriculture Residence College participate in tours and field trips to give them a broad view of agriculture in Louisiana. Recently the group visited the LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Research Station, and LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard was there. (Runtime: 01:40)

BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana is benefitting as countries around the world turn to the state to satisfy growing demand for wood products and forestry expertise, said Richard Vlosky, director of the LSU AgCenter Louisiana Forest Products Development Center.

(Distributed 03/17/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – As warmer weather approaches, we conjure up images associated with the upcoming season – longer days, swimming, snow cones, barbeques. . . and sweet corn.

(Distributed 03/17/15) BATON ROUGE, La, – Matt Fannin has spent much of his career researching the economics behind rural communities. His work has helped improve health access for rural residents and assisted local governments become financially prepared for natural disasters.

(Distributed 03/16/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently awarded $14 million in grants through its Agriculture Food and Research Initiative to support programs aimed at increasing prosperity in rural America. Matt Fannin, LSU AgCenter economist and associate professor in the LSU College of Agriculture, is part of a group that received $500,000 to study rural communities and regional development.

(Audio 03/16/15) LSU AgCenter economist and LSU College of Agriculture associate professor Matt Fannin helped co-edit and author the book, “Rural Wealth Creation,” which investigates the role of wealth in achieving sustainable economic development. Fannin talks with Tobie Blanchard about principles in the book and a grant he received as a result of the book.

(Distributed 03/13/15) Silverbells comprise several species of native trees that are attracting increased interest in the southeastern United States. The two-winged silverbell (Halesia diptera) is one of our many smaller-growing native tree species that should be considered for inclusion in a native landscape plan.

(Distributed 03/13/15) HAMMOND, La. – As we transition from late winter to early spring in the landscape, many gardeners start thinking about weather conditions, last frost and freeze dates and consider whether it’s safe to plant this plant or that plant in the landscape.

(Distributed 03/13/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Christopher Green, associate professor at the LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Research Station, received the Distinguished Early Career Award at the United States Aquaculture Society’s annual meeting.

(Distributed 03/13/15) HOUMA, La. – The Louisiana Fisheries Forward seafood summit held Wednesday (March 11) provided the seafood industry with information and assistance that could help producers stay in business and even increase profits.

(Audio 03/16/15) It's extremely important to spray fruit trees with insecticides and fungicides before they are infested. Be proactive and begin a spray program long before problems develop. Listen for more information on spraying fruit trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/16/15) March and April are very busy months for Louisiana gardening. In these months, make sure you prepare your beds very well for your vegetables, shrubs, and flowers. Listen for instructions on proper bed preparation. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/16/15) Brown patch is a very common fungal disease that attacks lawns. The disease gets started when the weather is cool and moist and turns the grass yellow and brownish. Listen for instructions on how to control brown patch. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/16/15) Fertilizer is important, but you don't need a different kind for every plant. A general purpose fertilizer will work for most of your plants. Listen for more information on different types of fertilizers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/16/15) By late March and early April, Louisiana lawns are greening up very nicely. During this time, it is best to leave your lawn alone. Avoid fertilizing until the first week of April to allow the old root system to die off. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 03/12/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana 4-H has the opportunity to win $10,000 to support state programs about science, technology, engineering and math, known as STEM, if enough alumni cast an electronic vote by March 16 in a national competition sponsored by the National 4-H Council.

(Distributed 03/11/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The second annual Central Louisiana Garden Expo will be held on April 10, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and April 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the State Evacuation Shelter on U. S. Highway 71 south of Alexandria.

(Distributed 03/11/15) JEANERETTE, La. – Cattle producers attending the Acadiana Beef Cattle Producers Field Day at the LSU AgCenter Iberia Research Station on March 7 heard about practices that could result in healthier and more profitable herds.

(Distributed 03/11/15) NEW ORLEANS – The 36th Annual New Orleans Spring Garden Show will be held at the City Park Botanical Garden April 11-12 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday.

(Distributed 03/11/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter LaHouse Resource Center will conduct a Mold Control and Remediation Training course on March 31 – April 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day.

(Distributed 03/10/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Sugar and sugar substitutes are two products we use to sweeten our foods, and understanding the difference will help consumers make an informed choice, according to LSU AgCenter registered dietitian Denise Holston-West.

(Distributed 03/10/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The fifth annual Brush With Burden art exhibition will be held at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden March 22-29.

(Distributed 03/10/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Roses continue to be among the most popular flowering plants in Louisiana landscapes, and the LSU AgCenter is expanding its rose research and demonstration trials at the AgCenter Hammond Research Station and the AgCenter Botanical Gardens at Burden.

(Distributed 03/09/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Stanley Celestine Jr. is motivated to teach science to his peers. His efforts caught the attention of the children’s network Nickelodeon and resulted in his receiving the TeenNick’s Halo Effect Award for February and $10,000.

(Audio 03/09/15) It is important to allow transplants to adapt before planting them directly into your vegetable gardens. Give them time to adjust before exposing them to direct sunlight, and allow them to wilt slightly in order to toughen them up. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/09/15) When considering purchasing a home, it is a good idea to have the trees on the property inspected. Large trees around a home or on a property have potential to cause problems. To avoid costly damage, hire a licensed arborist to inspect trees on potential properties. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/09/15) Whether you're thinking about transplanting your perennials or dividing them, spring is the time to do it. Right now, the perennials don't have too much growth. Listen for information on dividing and transplanting. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/09/15) Mulches are extremely useful in many ways. They suppress weed growth, maintain soil moisture, and moderate soil temperature. Organic mulch will decay over time and add organic matter to the soil. Listen for instruction on how maintain your mulch. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/09/15) March is a great time to fertilize shrubs in your landscape. However, not all plants need to be fertilized every year. Observe how your shrubs are growing and fertilize accordingly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 03/06/15) Calibrachoas are great plants for adding to the late winter, early spring landscape. And they last through early summer. You can expect short-term performance of 4-6 months.

(Distributed 03/06/15) WINNSBORO, La. – The recent surge of cold weather could be damaging to Louisiana’s wheat crop, depending on the severity and duration of the below-freezing temperatures, according to LSU AgCenter wheat specialist Josh Lofton.

(Video 03/09/15) Not all flowering bulbs re-bloom again and again. But, easy-to-grow paperwhites do exactly that. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to select and care for paperwhites. (Runtime: 01:57)

(Distributed 03/06/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – An LSU AgCenter youth nutrition program could provide a model to reduce poverty and hunger in Honduras.

(Distributed 03/06/15) HAMMOND, La. – Beneath the mighty, majestic live oaks surrounded by gardenias, Southern magnolias, azaleas and sweet olives stands the camellia – what many in the South may refer to as “the queen of the garden.”

BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter has scheduled 20 field days and agricultural awareness events for youth across the state during 2015. Details on times and topics covered are being made available closer to the dates.

(Distributed 03/05/15) DERIDDER, La. – The LSU AgCenter has scheduled two events for the forestry industry – a feral hog management workshop in April and a prescribed burning workshop in May.

(Distributed 03/05/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – With two fingers placed on each side of the reptile’s head, Chloe Vitrano, scooped a small alligator out of a holding tank. The freshman in the LSU College of Agriculture was visiting the LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Research Station on Feb. 26 with a group of students who are part of the Agriculture Residence College.

(Distributed 03/04/15) BATON ROUGE, La – Friends of the LSU Textiles and Costume Museum and Friends of the LSU Rural Life Museum gathered on February 28, for Tea, Fashion and Fancies. The event held at the LSU Rural Life Museum featured a traditional English high tea and a discussion with Louisiana jewelry designer, Mignon Faget.

(Distributed 03/04/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – In Honduras, where 67 percent of people live in poverty, food and other resources are not always used or distributed efficiently.

(Distributed 03/03/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter School of Nutrition and Food Sciences will conduct two food safety workshops for seafood processors in May and a workshop for the meat and poultry slaughter and processing industry in June.

(Distributed 03/03/15) ALEXANDRIA, La. –The Central Louisiana Forestry Forum, canceled last month because of bad weather, has been rescheduled for March 17 at the LSU AgCenter Evacuation Shelter next to the LSU-A Campus on U.S. Highway 71 south of Alexandria.

(Distributed 03/02/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Dining with the local flavors of Louisiana among the blooms and under the stars will be featured during Gourmet in the Garden: A Progressive Dinner in the Garden at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden on May 1 from 7 to 10 p.m.

(For Release On Or After 03/27/15) It’s time to plant tomato transplants into the garden, especially in south Louisiana. North Louisiana gardeners may want to wait another couple of weeks to be cautious. Early planted tomatoes produce more and higher-quality tomatoes and benefit from lower pest populations.

(For Release On Or After 03/20/15) March is a month when many gardeners begin to plant their spring vegetables. Raised beds can be the solution to a number of challenges when it comes to home vegetable gardens.

(For Release On Or After 03/13/15) Almost every landscape has shady areas, and ferns are a great group of plants that are just perfect for shady spots. Early spring is a great time to plant ferns into the landscape. It allows them to settle in and get established before the heat of summer.

(Distributed 03/02/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Researchers and industry representatives interested in biotechnology in Louisiana met on the LSU campus on Feb. 27 to learn more about how they can work together to strengthen the role of the industry in the state.

(For Release On Or After 03/06/15) Your landscape is there to be enjoyed by you and your family. It’s the setting for your home and provides a space for outdoor activities. Lawn areas offer a wonderful place for kids to play, and family get-togethers and parties take place on decks and patios. If your family includes pets, your landscape will likely be used by them as well.