Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture: February 2014

Southern University: Youth, families ready for Annual Livestock Contest

Ready to weigh animal

Cattle prep for weigh in

Goat weigh in

Baton Rouge, LA - The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center is excited to receive an influx of youth, families and animal at the Maurice Edmond Livestock Arena for the 71^st Annual Livestock Show. The show contestants are arriving and weighing-in their livestock. Showing and judging of animals start tonight at 6:30 for beef breeding and dairy showmanship. Other categories of cattle and species – goats, hogs, and sheep start showing at 8:00 am on Friday; and guided tours for school aged children start at 9:00 am. The show culminates on Saturday, March 1^st with a live auction.

During the three-day event, young 4-H and FFA members from across the state will have the opportunity to display animals that have been showcased or have won in parish competitions. Each year, hundreds of youth ages 7-19 vie for top prize in this contest. The prizes range from ribbons to top dollar from the sale of champion animals.

For further information, please contact Christie Monroe at christie_monroe@suagcenter.com or 225-771-4350.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

SU Ag Center Counts Down to Annual Louisiana Small Farmer Conference

Pre-Conference flyer

Baton Rouge, LA – In a few short weeks, Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center will hold its Annual Louisiana Small Farmer Conference, MARCH 13-15, at the SU Ag Center. This conference is designed for small farmers who are interested in building up existing farms, transitioning or moving towards diversifying family farms and need assistance.

The pre-conference session, focused on grant-writing, will be held on March 13 from 8:30 am-Noon, and the conference begins that Thursday evening with the opening reception.

This year’s conference theme is “Equipping Louisiana Small Family Farm for the Local Food Movement.”

Conference topics include: Grant Writing, Backyard Flocks, Diversifying your Farm, Direct Marketing, FSA Micro Loan Program, High Tunnel / Hoop Houses, and Farmers Markets. Farm Tours will also be part of this conference.

Registration is required, and is complimentary by March 3, 2014. Form is available at https://db.tt/twxhlODJ. Onsite registration will cost $25.00.

For more information or registration form, please contact us by email at zanetta_augustine@suagcenter.com, or phone (225) 771-2591. We look forward to seeing you and your family at this year’s conference.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Wednesday, February 26

SU Ag Center: Dr. Qi publishes impact of UV radiation on trees in International Magazine

Dr. Yadong Qi

Baton Rouge, LA – Research scientists at the Southern University Ag Center continue to study the impact of everyday happenings on the human environment, health and future generations. The findings from these studies help mitigate issues in a timely and cost effective manner. Recently, Dr. Yadong Qi, Professor of Urban Forestry has published an article in an international magazine that reveals the role of trees in protecting humans from ultraviolet radiation for healthier living, particularly in urban areas.

Ozone depletion in the upper atmosphere has resulted in a significant increase in solar UVA and UVB radiation on the Earth’s surface. When Ultraviolet B radiation reaches the Earth’s surface it causes problems to public health and the environment. The need to reduce these impacts is crucial, but without understanding nature’s ability to regulate and potentially curb these damaging properties, scientists are unable to devise preventative mechanisms. For example, the link between excessive exposure to UVB radiation and skin cancer has long been established. UVB tolerance in trees could play a role in skin cancer prevention. The study tackles the issue by monitoring UVA and UVB reduction by tree canopy of live oak.

“The goal is to discover UVB protection strategies, leading to a better understanding of the UVB tolerance mechanisms of various broadleaf trees in the Southern US,” Dr. Qi said.

Since leaves absorb more than 90% of UVB radiation, the study set out to discover where and how such a high amount of UVB is absorbed. The study looked at the leaf optical properties of broadleaf species and discovered that, tree leaves can generally absorb 91-95% of incident UVB radiation, regardless of tree species or leaf age. The study utilized a fiber optic microprobe system combined with anatomical knowledge of the leaf to measure the depth of UVB light penetration. All leaf samples were collected from a local arboretum and urban tree farm on the SU campus in Baton Rouge.

Results have shown that broad leaves can absorb over 90% of UVB radiation; and found the pecan tree (Carya illinoinensis) to be among those tree species with a high tolerance to UVB radiation. Study findings will enhance the ability to predict the role of UV and climate change on both wild and urban forests and select UV tolerant species to maintain healthier and more sustainable forests in the future. “Promoting the most UVB-tolerant species could also bring social benefits in urban areas, since incorporating trees into the urban landscape could help protect inhabitants from excessive UV radiation.”

The article was published in International Innovation by Research Media Ltd., and available online. Click here to view article

The project was funded by US Department of Agriculture – National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Thursday, February 20

SU Ag Center to hold Annual Connecting Businesses with Contracts Procurement Conference

BATON ROUGE, LA - The 10^th Annual Procurement “CONNECTING BUSINESSES TO CONTRACTS CONFERENCE” will be held at Southern University Smith Brown Memorial Union, April 16, 2014 on the Baton Rouge campus. The goal of the conference is to stimulate the economy by aligning existing and potential business owners, small contractors, non-profit organizations, and others with contracting officers, and purchasing agents, as well as providing an outlet to network and exchange information and ideas.

Expected presenters and exhibitors to represent their companies include: Entergy, Inc., Regions Bank, Liberty Bank and Trust Company, SBA Surety Bond Brokers, South East Procurement Technical Assistant Center, USDA Rural Business Development, (Federal & State) Office of State Purchasing, Baton Rouge City Purchasing Department, LSU Purchasing Department, Southern University Purchasing Department, Louisiana Small Business Development Center, Louisiana State Contractor Licensing Board, Louisiana Housing Finance Agency, The Shaw Group, Capital One Bank, Louisiana Department of Labor, Louisiana Department of Economic Development.

Other potential exhibitors include: United States Department of Commerce, Secretary of State’s Office, and Louisiana Department of Workers’ Compensation, Department of Veterans Affairs, FEMA, DoE, Bureau of Prisons, GSA, Minerals Management Service, U. S. Coast Guard, Louisiana National Guard, Dept. of Navy, and Shaw Industries.

For more information, contact Gloria London, Director, Center for Rural and Small Business Development, or Eual Hall, Business Development Specialist, at (225) 771-4107 or 4105.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Wednesday, February 12

SU Ag Center Schedules Annual Louisiana Small Farmer Conference

Event flyer

Baton Rouge, LA - The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center will hold its Annual Louisiana Small Farmer Conference on MARCH 13-15, 2014 at the SU Ag Center. For small farmers who are interested in building up existing farms, transitioning or moving towards diversifying family farms and need assistance, this is the conference for you.

What: Louisiana Small Farmer Conference

When: March 13-15, 2014

Where: SU Ag Center

A.O. Williams Hall

Baton Rouge, LA 70813

Theme: “Equipping Louisiana Small Family Farm for the Local Food Movement”

Topics to be covered include: Grant Writing, Backyard Flocks, Diversifying your Farm, Direct Marketing, FSA Micro Loan Program, High Tunnel / Hoop Houses, and Farmers Markets. Farm Tours will also be part of this conference.

For more information, please contact us by email at zanetta_augustine@suagcenter.com, or phone (225) 771-2591. We look forward to seeing you and your family at this year’s conference.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Southern University Ag Center to hold 71st Annual Livestock Show

Meat sale order form p.1

Meat sale order form p.2

Baton Rouge, LA - The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center will hold its 71^st Annual Livestock Show for youth participants, February 27-March 1, 2014 at the Maurice Edmond Livestock Arena, 14600 Scenic Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70807. During the three-day event, young 4-H and FFA members from across the state will have the opportunity to display animals that have been showcased or have won in parish competitions. Each year, hundreds of youth ages 7-19 vie for top prize in this contest. The prizes range from ribbons to top dollar from the sale of champion animals.

The main contests will include hog, sheep, cattle, and goat showmanship as well as guided tours for area schools.

The awards presentation and live auction will take place at the arena on Saturday, February March 1, 8:30-11:30 am. Proceeds from the meat sale go towards scholarships for participating students.

The purposes of the show are to stimulate a greater interest in increasing the production of livestock among farmers in Louisiana; serve as a basis for improving breeding practices for livestock; create interest in producing livestock products as business enterprises; assist in developing a better spirit of cooperative effort among rural and urban residents; and provide an opportunity for youth to develop ownership and leadership skills.

For further information, please contact Christie Monroe at christie_monroe@suagcenter.com or 225-771-4350.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Tuesday, February 11

Southern University Ag Center Gears up for Women in Ag Workshop

Event flyer

Baton Rouge, LA –The Southern University Ag Center will hold its first 2014 workshop in the Wisteria Alliance training series on Saturday, February 22 at the SU Ag Center (A.O. Williams Hall) from 9:00am -2:00pm. This session will teach participants varied techniques of adding value to farm products.

The training is open to the public at NO COST. Participants are required to make reservation by calling 225-771-2242 as soon as possible.

For further detail, please call 225-771-2242.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Monday, February 10

SU Ag Center: Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives to Hold Healthy Living Program for Girls

event flyer

Registration form

OPELOUSAS, LA – The Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives will present Supporting Physical Activities (SPA) Healthy Living Program for Girls on Saturday, February 22, 2014, from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 1209 Diesi Street, Opelousas, La 70570.

Do you want to make Living Healthy fun for girls? The Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives presents “S.P.A. Healthy Lifestyles for Girls” is doing just that.

S.P.A. for girls is a fun program to make youth find new alternatives towards achieving healthy lifestyles in a ladylike way.

This program will offer the following activities:

· Fitness Workout Dance Routine with certified fitness instructor, Kasey Binns

· Preparing and Eating Healthy Foods

· Having SPA Day for the girls (facials, manicures, massages, etc.)

· Girl Talk

· Using Healthy Lifestyles Applications for Mobile Devices

This FREE program is open to any girls ages 7 – 18. Please note that registration is required for event participation to help with proper preparation.

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: Wednesday, February 19, 2014.

To REGISTER, contact Goldie Jordan at 337-943-2410 or email goldie_jordan@suagcenter.com

All participants must bring workout attire, and be ready to have a SPA Day experience! Parents are welcome to stay and have fun too.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

SU Ag Center and Division of Ag to hold Annual Black History Quiz Bowl

This Honors College team took 1st place in 2013

Baton Rouge, LA – The SU Ag Center and the Division of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences will host the 20th Annual Black History Quiz Bowl on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. in the SU Ag Center Auditorium. Previous Black History Quiz Bowls were quite successful, and were enjoyable and exciting educational events that really stimulated our students. Once again, we are encouraging all divisions, clubs and other organizations and individual students within the college to form student teams. Although we strongly encourage students from our college to participate, teams can include members from other colleges. Faculty encouragement of students has always been a very crucial part of getting enough teams registered for this event. Your cooperation and encouragement are very critical this time around.

Each team will consist of four players, one of whom should serve as captain. Divisions and organizations can form more than one team if they so choose, and are encouraged to do so.

Teams must sign the roster in the Dean's complex by Wednesday, February19, 2014 in order to participate. A variety of topics will be covered, including current events, politics, history, sports and entertainment. Study guide and rules are attached. Study guide and students registration are also available via email at obandele@cox.net. Registration forms are also available in the Division of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Science Office in Fisher Hall, Rm 102.

We will also need volunteers to serve as judges, time keepers, and official scorers. Volunteers who can assist in this year's Black History Quiz Bowl should contact Dr. Owusu Bandele at 225-284-0063 or obandele@cox.net.

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Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Southern-University-Ag-Center/67357504781

Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Wednesday, February 5

SU Ag Center Signs Agreement with Morehouse Parish Small Farmers

SU Ag Center presents check of $49,500 to Morehouse Black Farmers

Baton Rouge, La – The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center has signed an agreement with the Morehouse Parish Black Farmers and Landowners Association. The two entities have agreed to launch a pilot project that will explore the possibility of small farmers in Morehouse Parish growing vegetables for commercial retail markets in local grocery stores as well as local school districts.

The SU Ag Center has formally entered into this agreement with Morehouse Parish Black Farmers and Landowners Association at a public signing today, February 5; Mr. Antoine Downs and Dr. Gina E. Eubanks, vice chancellor for Extension as the signers. Rep. Katrina Jackson, District 16, attended the signing.

Ms. Jackson expressed her excitement about the project. "The awesome thing about this is the commitment of the SU Ag Center to our farmers, youth and community."

Also present at the signing from SU Ag Center were Adell Brown, Exec. vice chancellor and vice chancellor for Research, and others to encourage project participants.

The primary expected outcome of this pilot project is a realistic, factual and accurate assessment of how small farmers in Morehouse Parish can identify the opportunities in making the transition from agronomic crops to growing vegetables.

This project will benefit small farmers in the Parish as the success of this project will create several opportunities for small, limited resource, and/or minority farmers to either diversify their operations or transition from small-scale agronomic crops to alternative enterprises such as vegetables.

For further detail, contact Dr. Dawn Mellion-Patin at 225-771-3532 or dawn_mellion@suagcenter.com.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714