Wednesday, November 21

SU Ag Center Conducts Non-profit Training in Roseland


Event flyer
BATON ROUGE, LA — The Center for Rural and Small Business Development in the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center will hold a “Non-Profit Start-Up” workshop from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, November 27 at the Roseland Town Hall, 62438 Commercial Street (Highway 51), in Roseland, Louisiana.

The workshop is free and open to the public.

Workshop attendees will receive information on how to start a viable, operational non-profit organization and the steps to receiving 501© 3 tax exempt status.

The Center for Rural and Small Business Development was established to provide technical assistance for business creation in economically challenged rural communities and conduct educational programs that develop, improve upon the professional skills of rural entrepreneurs and provide outreach.

The Center also has an E-Learning Center which is equipped with computer workstations and can travel to any location to perform onsite business development and computer training in more than 30 parishes within the state of Louisiana.

For additional information about the Center for Rural and Small Business Development or its E-Learning Center, contact LaKeeshia Giddens at lakeeshia_giddens@suagcenter.com or via phone at 225.771.2160 or Eual Hall at eual_hall@suagcenter.com or via phone at 225.771.4105 or 225.771.2242.

Written by LaKeeshia Giddens, 225.771.2160 or lakeeshia_giddens@suagcenter.com

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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714

Tuesday, November 20

SU Ag Center workshop teaches women in agriculture farm skills


Alice Davis shows fence building techniques
Baton Rouge, LA - Southern University Ag Center’s practical skills training designed for women, and conducted by women started promptly at 9:00 am on November 17 at the Maurice Edmond Livestock Arena, with administrators, faculty and staff ready to bring greetings. Women on the farm, in gardening clubs, master gardeners, and others came together to sharpen their skills and ask questions in a friendly environment. 
Victoria McMullen demonstrates tool use

Handling small ruminants was an interactive session that focused on basic skills needed to manage small animals, including how to catch a goat, examine for wellness, hold for FAMSCHA testing and give a pedicure. Presenters were Lisa Gray, Research Associate, Renita Marshall, Veterinarian, SU Ag Center, and Roberta McKowen, Veterinarian and producer, West Feliciana Parish.

The session on using and handling small hand and electric tools taught the use of various small farm tools, including hands-on demonstration. Presenters were Victoria McMullen, Ag Sciences Teacher, Woodlawn High School, Alice Davis, Farmer, Tangipahoa Parish and Mildred Richard, Handywoman, East Baton Rouge Parish.

The importance of keeping farm records was discussed by Edith Gross, Farmer, Tangipahoa Parish. Center for Rural and Small Business Development Director Gloria London, assisted by Lakeeshia Giddens, Program Director of the E-Learning Rural Mobile Unit, SU Ag Center taught participants how to use record keeping software for the farm and home.

Concurrent session topics included gardening by Mila Berhane, Senior Research Associate, Stephanie Elwood, Extension Associate; troubleshooting engines, by Christie Monroe, Livestock Show Manager; using 4-wheelers by Dixie Hamilton, Farmer, Franklin Parish and Zanetta Augustine, Extension Associate; and operating a tractor and implements, taught by Kimberly Chapin, Farmer, Franklin Parish.

The event was organized by Dawn Mellion-Patin, PhD, Extension Specialist and Emily King, Extension Outreach Specialist.

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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714

Monday, November 19

Toyota comes to the Bayou Classic!!!


Event flyer
Baton Rouge, LA – Toyota will demonstrate its Green Initiative at the 2012 Bayou Classic in New Orleans, November 22-24. Events will take place in the Toyota Village on Poydras Street, across from Champions Square on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, 1:00 pm-5:00 pm.; Friday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm; and Saturday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Attractions will include 2013 model displays, Toyota’s “Green” Museum, Free Agents Brass Band on Saturday, 11:00 am-2:00 pm, Stationary Bicycle Challenge, and Cell Phone Charging Station. 

For further information, contact Henry Tillman at 225-771-5497.

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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714

Friday, November 16

SU Ag Center Trains Jetson Youth on Gardening

Elwood works with youth in garden

Baton Rouge, LA - Every Tuesday and Thursday, the SU Ag Center holds the Jetson (JCCY) Garden Trade class at the JCCY facility in Baker, LA. On Tuesdays, an average of 17 incarcerated boys, ages 12-18 gather to hear a guest speaker from the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center emphasize  the importance of knowing how to grow food, explaining the doors of opportunity that open up when individuals learn how to grow their own food. The speaker also describes the important role that African Americans play in the progression of modern agriculture, and shares life skills associated with gardening, proper communication, healthy eating, and family life.  On Thursdays, Extension Associate Stephanie Elwood, Project Director Christie Gremillion-Monroe and program participants spend time in the Jetson 800-square foot garden, planting, watering, weeding, harvesting and overall maintaining the health of the garden.

 Recently, Kasundra Cyrus, specialist, family and consumer sciences, and Monroe received a USDA/NIFA grant to enhance the Ag Science class taught at Jetson Correctional Facility, and are implementing the program. Currently, the garden is blooming with mustard greens, turnips, collards, cabbage, radish, carrots and beets. The garden saves the JCCY cafeteria money and provides fresh, healthy, local produce to the incarcerated boys, as well as a sense of pride knowing that they grow the food themselves.

The youth that participate in the Garden Trade program receive a certificate of achievement through the Southern University Ag Center. This certificate serves as supporting document when successful participants attend their court dates, and when released from JCCY to seek employment. 
For additional information, contact Christie Monroe at 225-771-4350.

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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714

Thursday, November 15

The Shreveport Times Mentions SU Ag Center


The Shreveport Times features one of our editorial board participants in the paper today at http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012211150309 and an opinion

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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714

Wednesday, November 14

National Great American SmokeOut on SU Baton Rouge Campus


Baton Rouge, LA - Southern University Ag Center’s Communities of Color Network will hold the national Great American SmokeOut in the SU Baton Rouge Union Courtyard, Thursday, November 15, 11:00 am-1:00 pm. “Come learn how to kick the habit.” There will be free refreshment, prizes and tobacco cessation information.

For additional information, contact Linda Brown at 225-771-2242 or Frankie Poland at 225-771-6237.

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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714

Tuesday, November 13

Bayou Classic Photo Contest


Baton Rouge, LA - Think you’ve got what it takes to be the Bayou Classic Spirit Champion? Upload a photo of you in your best Southern or Grambling gear onto the Bayou Classic Photo Contest for your chance to win the ultimate tailgate prize pack along with Bayou Classic game tickets!”  

Here’s a direct link to the contest: https://www.facebook.com/BayouClassic74/app_252462461545938

For additional information, contact Henry Tillman at 225-771-5497

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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714

Great American SmokeOut on SU Shreveport Campus


Baton Rouge, LA - Southern University Ag Center’s Communities of Color Network will present the 2012 Great American Smoke Out on SU Campus in Shreveport, Thursday, November 15, 11:00 am-1:00 pm at the Johnny Vance Activity Center to celebrate 100% tobacco-free campus.

For additional information, contact Urina F. Holt at 225-200-1639 or 318-344-8065

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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714

SU Ag Center Presents the Helpful Holiday Workshop


Baton Rouge, LA - Southern University Ag Center will hold a free workshop on Saturday, December 1, 10:00 am-1:00 pm in A.O. Williams Hall, to teach families smart and safe holiday practices. Breakout sessions will be hosted by distinguished Center administrators, faculty and staff. 

Sessions will include holiday budgeting skills; smart Christmas tree selection and care; Hibiscus product taste testing and free family photo.

 For further detail, contact Charisma Deberry at 225-771-2242 or Alice Dyson at 225-771-2262.

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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714

Friday, November 9

The SU Ag Center conducts a free seminar on starting a sustainable business


Baton Rouge, La - The Center for Rural and Small Business Development and E-Learning Center will held a free seminar on “How to Start A Sustainable Business” from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, November 12 at the Father Rodney Community Center, 812 New Roads Street, in New Roads, Louisiana. Seminar participants will learn the basics of starting or expanding a business and will receive all the forms and applications needed to legally register a business in the State of Louisiana.

For additional information about the seminar or the Center for Rural and Small Business Develop and it’s E-Learning Center, call 225.771.2160 or 225.771.4105.

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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714

SU Ag Center’s workshop for women in agriculture is November 17

Event flyer

Baton Rouge, LA - Southern University Ag Center will hold a workshop on farm skills for women in agriculture. The workshop titled “Women Learning Practical Skills for the Farm” will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at the Maurice Edmond Livestock Arena, 14600 Scenic Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70807, from 8:00 am-3:00 pm. Lunch will be provided.

“We are excited to announce our first ever, Women in Agriculture workshop. This practical skills training is being designed for women and will be conducted by women. We want to create an atmosphere where women on the farm, women in gardening clubs, master gardeners, and even women, who tinker around their homes, can come and ask questions in a friendly environment,” says  event organizer, Dr. Dawn Mellion-Patin.

For further details, contact Dawn Mellion-Patin or Emily King at 225-771-2242.

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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714

Thursday, November 8

SU Ag Center holds canning demonstration for seniors

Jars of hibiscus jelly made at demonstration
Lucile H. Perkins harvests hibiscus calyx while
Riley Underwood observes

Baton Rouge, La – Southern University Ag Center held on-site canning demonstration for senior citizens at the H.B. Williams Tower of Strength Outreach Center, New Light Missionary Baptist Church located on Blount Road. The group paid a visit to the Ag Center in October and liked what they heard about the hibiscus products such as tea, jelly and chutney. Consequently, the seniors asked for a demonstration of how to add value to hibiscus flower in their Center’s kitchen. Fatemeh Malekian, professor of nutrition and Mila Berhane, senior research associate conducted a jelly and chutney canning demonstration at the H.B. Williams Tower of Strength Outreach Center, on November 7.  The demonstration started from harvesting the calyces from the plants, along with explanation of tools, saving the seeds for planting, and safety tips. Following that was the cooking and canning of the value-added products. 

Mr. Riley Underwood is the event coordinator at the Outreach Center. Mrs. Angela Jackson, administrative assistant at the SU Ag Center coordinated the event.

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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714

Win a cruise at the 2012 Bayou Classic!


Baton Rouge, LA - Attend the Bayou Classic game on November 24, 2012, for a chance to win a Caribbean Cruise!
 
One lucky ticket holder will win a 5-day Western Caribbean cruise for two aboard the Carnival Elation.

Be in your seat during the 3rd Quarter of the Bayou Classic in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for your chance to win.
 
Prize is a cruise for two departing from New Orleans with ports of call of Cozumuel and Progreso Yucatan. Travel dates January 15, 2012 – December 13, 2013. Blackout dates apply. Cruise courtesy of Getaway Travel Entertainment LLC.

For further information, contact Henry Tillman at 225.771.5497.

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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714

Thursday, November 1

SU Ag Center 4-H National Youth Science Day Video now available on YouTube

EBR Mayor Kip Holden interacts with students

Baton Rouge, LA - The Southern University Ag Center held a successful 4-H National Youth Science Day on October 10.  The video is now available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9G05Nd4WJA

For further details, contact Tiffany W. Franklin at 225)771-2775 or via email at tiffany_franklin@suagcenter.com

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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714