SU Ag Center set for i-Tree Model Workshop, October 5-6

Baton Rouge, LA - The i-Tree Model Workshop on Quantifying Urban Forest Ecosystem Services and Climate Change Mitigation Potential is scheduled for Oct. 5-6, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, at Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Rm 138. Southern University Urban Forestry Program and USDA Forest Service Urban Forestry South will host the event. Instruction will be provided by Eric Kuehler, Technology Transfer Specialist, Urban Forestry South, USDA Forest Service.


About i-Tree: Forests, both in urban and rural areas can help mitigate climate change by sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide and by reducing energy use in buildings, and consequently reducing carbon dioxide emissions from fossil-fuel based power plants. To understand better the forest resource and its numerous values, the U.S. Forest Service has developed i-Tree models that quantify urban forest ecosystem services such as CO2 sequestration, carbon storage, building energy saving, and pollution removal. i-Tree tools allow students to make use of USGS-NASA Landsat satellite data to assess the community’s land cover, including tree canopy, and the ecosystem services, such as climate change mitigation, that is provided by the urban forests.

The workshop registration is complementary. Please email the registration form below to Dr. Zhu H. Ning, professor, Urban Forestry Program, Southern University, at zhu_ning@subr.edu

For more information, contact Dr. Ning via email or phone at 225-771-6292.

Registration Form

Name of the participant:

Title:

Affiliation:

Email address:

Phone:

Address:

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Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center set for Mentor Training Forum

Baton Rouge, LA - The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center Cordially invites and encourages you to attend a 4-H LIFE Mentor Training Forum!


Topic:
“Breaking the Communication Barrier: Effective Mentoring Strategies for Children with Challenges”

Date: Wednesday, October 5, 2011; 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Venue: SU Ag Center, located just off Mills Ave., Baton Rouge; Room 191

Guest Speaker: Dr. Chenika R. Jones, Southern University, Criminal Justice Department

PLEASE RSVP to Tiffany Franklin at (225) 771-2775 or tiffany_franklin@suagcenter.com.

“Invest in the future by becoming a MENTOR”

*Refreshments will be served*

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Urban Forestry Scientist Awarded Half A Million Dollars for Bioenergy Research

Baton Rouge, LA - Dr. Kamran Abdollahi, professor, urban forestry, recently received nearly half a million dollars from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to develop biofuels for bioenergy from sustainable alternative non-food feedstocks in Louisiana. Urban Forestry scientists Drs. Zhu Hua Ning, Andra Johnson, and Yemane Ghebreiyessus are co-investigators. Dr. Dorin Boldor of LSU AgCenter is the main collaborating scientist serving as co-investigator.


The Urban Forestry scientists at Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center in collaboration with the Louisiana State University Agricultural Research and Extension Center and the USDA Forest Service developed this joint, multidisciplinary project. The goal is to address the critical needs to develop scalable, cost-saving biofuels and associated processing technologies from sustainable, alternative, non-food feedstocks (urban wood-waste and energy cane biomass).

The importance of this project stems from several factors: 1. utilization of wood-waste and non-food feedstocks for biofuel and bioenergy production; 2. utilization of low-cost processing methods which will effectively increase biofuel’s competitiveness; 3. environmental and economic impact of non-food plants.

The successful project outcomes will: (a) benefit the agricultural community by encouraging sustainable diversification of agricultural production in LA and Southern USA; (b) help develop rural and urban areas by promoting economic diversification and growth emphasizing biobased energy and products technologies; (c) develop and strengthen R&D programs via enhanced collaboration and coordination of bio-energy research efforts; (d) develop cost saving, scalable, technologies for biofuel feedstock processing; (e) accelerate the technology transfer process from research to commercialization using existing agreements with industry partners; and (f) benefit the people of the US through development, distribution, and implementation of biobased energy technologies, therefore promoting energy independence. The partner institutions are ideally positioned to take advantage of the current bio-energy research thrust in Louisiana.

For more information, please contact Dr. Abdollahi at: 225-324-8206

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SU Ag Center youth entrepreneurs to feature in New Orleans Fashion Week

Baton Rouge, LA – Our high school youth are exhibiting great talent. Rogersliu was founded with the concept of creating visually stimulating clothing. Headed up by Christopher Rogers, II and his assistant designer, Julie Liu, seventeen-year-old seniors at Baton Rouge Magnet High School. Rogersliu runway shows are noted for their high emotional resonance and raw energy paired with over-the-top styling which gives the clothes a romantic but determinedly contemporary nature. The New Orleans Fashion Week is scheduled October 15 – 23.


“The Rogersliu woman is one who admires the aspirational beauty and romance of the past while simultaneously looking forward into the future,” said Rogers. “Iconic Rogersliu design elements include daring hemlines, proportion play, and experimentation with fabric opacity and its relevance and acceptability within a modern social context. A sense of casual formality also permeates all facets of the Rogersliu brand from dresses, blouses, and even gowns.” The aim of the Rogersliu collection is to infuse two opposites — strength and fragility in order to create clothing that bridges an emotional connection with a diverse group of clients and onlookers.

Rogers is the son of Christopher J., SU Ag Center director of technology services, and Johnell Rogers. He also has one sister, Sariah, an 8th grader at Christian Life Academy. For more up-to-date information, please go to http://nola-fashionweek.com/.

The Times-Picayune

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SU Ag Center Researchers Evaluate Drinkable Air Machine

Left, Roosevelt Payne draws water from machine while Joe Mule, Drinkable Air Inc. and Yemane Ghebreiyessus look on

Upon request from Drinkable Air Technologies for equipment evaluation, a performance test was conducted at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center from June to August 2011. The major goal of the company is to improve the environment using new technologies at affordable prices.

The objective of the study is to perform equipment performance test on the machine with respect to quantity and quality of water produced and electric usage in terms of KWH consumed.

The equipment was placed on level concrete blocks and was connected to 220 volts electrical box and meter to measure the electric usage (KWH) for water production. Volume of water produced and KWH consumed was measured at different intervals (5 min, one hour, 12 hours and 24 hours). Daily hourly temperature and relative humidity were obtained from the Southern University weather station located approximately 300 ft away from the equipment. Water was collected in a graduated cylinder and 5-gallon containers. For water quality analysis, filtered and unfiltered water was collected and is being analyzed in a laboratory. Hence, this report does not include the results of water quality analysis.

Water production varied from 1.98 to 4.45 gal/hr and the average electric usage per hour was 6 KWH. Clouds and rain significantly influenced the temperature, humidity and water production.

The advantage of this study is an opportunity to conduct further research that could integrate the unit with solar panels or wind turbine to harvest water for drinking as well as for watering gardens. This way of atmospheric water harvesting has great potential for wide agricultural use. For example, using solar panels and the machine can grow plants with no need of rainfall.

Dr. Yemane Ghebreiyessus, professor, plant and soil sciences; Roosevelt Payne, research associate; and Mila Berhane, senior research associate, SU Ag Center, conducted the evaluation.

For the full story, please visit: http://www.drinkable-air.com/

For more information, contact Dr. Yemane Ghebreiyessus at 225-771-2242 or via email: Yemane Ghebreiyessus or yemane_ghebreiyessus@subr.edu

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USDA, FDA Working to Provide Aid for Farmers with Flood-damaged Crops

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced September 12 that assistance will be available to farmers whose crops were damaged by severe flooding from Tropical Storms Irene and Lee. USDA and FDA are working closely together to ensure that farmers with flood-damaged crops that cannot be marketed are compensated for their losses.


Crops insured by federal crop insurance or by the Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) are covered when floodwaters have rendered them valueless.

"We are working closely with FDA to protect people and livestock from damaged crops, while not penalizing the farmer whose crops are affected," said Michael Scuse, Acting Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. "I want to assure insured farmers that they are covered under the federal crop insurance program for crops not harvested due to flood damage. America's farmers and rural communities are vitally important to our nation's economy, producing the food, feed, fiber and fuel that continue to help us grow and out-compete the rest of the world."

USDA encourages all farmers and ranchers to contact their crop insurance companies and local USDA Farm Service Agency Service Centers, as applicable, to report damages to crops or livestock loss. More information about federal crop insurance may be found at www.rma.usda.gov. Additional resources to help farmers and ranchers deal with flooding may be found at http://www.usda.gov/disaster.

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DROUGHT IN LARGE AREAS THROUGH THE FALL

A U.S. Department of Agriculture meteorologist says La Nina will continue to influence the nation's weather through Fall.


View video on YouTube.
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oey-NrMve3I&feature=channel_video_title

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SU Ag Center Makes a Difference in Zachary

Baton Rouge, LA – The link below shows a video of the impact of the partnership between SU Ag Center and Zachary Men’s Club. We are making a difference in the Zachary community.

View video at WBRZ: http://www.wbrz.com/2-make-a-difference

For more information, please contact Tiffany Franklin at 225-771-2775.

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SU Ag Center trainee gives back in Kenya

In 2009, Eunice Mwongera, Kenyan businessperson, decided to expand Hillside Green Growers and Exporters Company, her family-owned fruit and vegetable business. A graduate of Nairobi University and former finance officer at the Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture, Mwongera, applied for the USDA Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology (Borlaug) Fellowship Program. Not long after, she was paired with a mentor at Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center for six weeks to learn U.S. best practices in agribusiness development and management. The fellowship was part of a program that provided U.S.-based agribusiness and collaborative research training to African women.


Within a year of completing her fellowship, Mwongera had successfully applied many of the business skills and concepts she learned. Not only had she succeeded in increasing export markets for Hillside Green from three to seven countries, but Mwongera also started her own poultry, rabbit, and fish farming operations. In addition, Mwongera modified her company’s strategic and export plans, aligned Hillside Green’s food safety standards with international industry standards, and adopted new technologies. She gives back by making employee development a priority, providing training to smallholder farmers, and mentoring women entrepreneurs.

Mrs. Mwongera said, “Entrepreneurship requires commitment, risk taking, and persistence. African women have these capabilities, but they need to be guided and empowered through training and business development services.”

Mwongera praises the Borlaug Fellowship Program for providing customized training, exposing her to new ideas, and motivating her to diversify her business.

For full story visit: Kenyan Businesswoman Gives Back after U.S. Training

For more information, contact Dr. Fatemeh Malekian, associate professor, food science and nutrition, SU Ag Center, at 225-771-0251 or Fatemeh_malekian@suagcenter.com.

For more information about the Borlaug Fellowship Program, please visit: http://www.fas.usda.gov/icd/borlaug/Borlaug.asp


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SU Ag Center scientist publishes in academic journal

Baton Rouge, LA - Dr. Renita Marshall, DVM, assistant professor of animal science, SU Ag Center co-authored an article published in the International Journal of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Vol. 3(6), pp. 117-125, July 2011.

The article is entitled “Rondon project: Addressing water issues in socio¬economically disadvantaged communities in Brazil.” Other authors of the article are Marcio de Cassio Juliano, Faculdade Zumbi dos Palmares -Av. Santos Dumont, 843, Armênia São Paulo 01101-000 Brasil; and Clifford Louime, Florida A&M University, College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture, Tallahassee, Florida.


The northeastern region of Brazil has embattled a severe drought for centuries making it almost impossible to supply the local communities with adequate drinking water. As part of their outreach program the university of Zumbi dos Palmares was contracted by the Ministry of Defense to provide the necessary technical expertise to build a water cistern in the town of Maranhao. One of the project requirements was that the cistern has to be built with minimal inputs to allow duplication in limited resource communities throughout the country.

The aim of this paper was to describe the socio-economic aspect of this construction project. The  project was conceived around the framework of sustainability, which includes not only the methods and procedures used, but also economic responsibilities and guidelines for the cistern’s long-term care and maintenance. The “projeto Rondon” has proven to be a viable alternative in sync with the built-in environment.

The article is available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/ijwree

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Tropical Storm Lee forms off Louisiana coast

Baton Rouge, LA - Voluntary evacuations for Grand Isle and lower Lafourche Parish are in place in anticipation of Tropical Storm Lee in the Gulf of Mexico and related rainfall across south Louisiana, Gov. Bobby Jindal said Friday.

The Advocate: http://theadvocate.com/home/742121-79/tropical-storm-lee-forms-off.html

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SU Ag Center scientist in urban forestry receives grant

Baton Rouge, LA – Dr. Kamran Abdollahi received a congratulatory message from US Congressman Bill Cassidy on his receipt of grant funding through USDA in the amount of $490,128.00, for the period of September 2011-August 2014. He congratulated project director, Kamran Abdollahi on his work with biofuel development with non-food feedstock.



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Flash Flood Watch

Baton Rouge, LA - The National Weather Service in New Orleans has issued a Flash Flood watch to include Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, Southern Tangipahoa St. Tammany and West Baton Rouge Parishes, through Sunday evening.


Efficient and torrential tropical rains will impact the Northshore and Baton Rouge metro areas through the labor day weekend. Rain rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour can result in flash flooding and general ponding of water in streets. Model estimates indicate an average of 6 to 8 inches of rainfall may occur this weekend across the watch area. Localized higher amounts 10 to 12 inches are possible, depending on future developments of the gulf system into early next week.

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Air Quality Alert Continues

Baton Rouge, LA - A marsh fire in the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Orleans Parish continues to release smoke to surrounding areas.


The Louisiana department of environmental quality is forecasting an air quality alert for southeast Louisiana in effect until midnight tonight. The air quality monitors show elevated levels of particulate matter due to the fire. Winds have strengthened and should help disperse the smoke more effectively. However, active children and adults, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid being outside for long periods. Others should avoid exertion and prolonged outdoor activities.

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SU Ag Center Researcher Recognized

Dr. Qi

Baton Rouge, LA - SU Ag Center scientist, Dr. Yadong Qi, professor of urban forestry recently received an award for her presentation entitled “Monitoring the Long-term Effect of Paclobutrazol Tree Growth Regulator on Three Urban Tree Species” at the 2011 International Society of Arboriculture Annual Conference and Trade Show held in Sydney, Australia, July 23-27. The organization selected Dr. Qi’s presentation as part of an educational program and provided one unit of continuing education credit to the certified arborists and ISA members.

Qi took along her advisee, Ms. Vanessa Ferchaud, Ph.D. candidate in Urban Forestry, who presented a talk entitled “Localization and Identification of UV-B Absorbing Compounds in Selected Southern Broadleaf Tree Species.”

Dr. Qi received a stipend/honorarium of $1000 from the conference, while Ms. Ferchaud received $500 in travel grant from ISA Arboriculture Research and Education Academy and $375 as a conference speaker. These monetary awards covered part of their travel cost to the conference.

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