Baton Rouge, La – The SU Ag Center is committed to keeping Louisiana citizens informed at all times. Thus, be Disaster Aware! September is National Preparedness Month.

Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Friday, September 26

SU Ag Center to Collaborate on E-Fuel Research with Tanzanian University

Front row l-r: F. Butterfield, T. Quinn, Hon. M. Lawson, M. Johnson, J. Harris

Back row l-r: M. Watson, K. Cain, K. Sanders, R. Miles, S. Johnson

Baton Rouge, LA – E-fuels enthusiasts gathered at SU Ag Center for an international conference with Bagamoyo University in Tanzania via skype. On Friday, September 26, members of Green Solar Louisiana, 360 Systems, E-Fuel System Technology and members of University of Bagamoyo held a virtual collaboration planning meeting on the SU Ag Center campus.

The purpose of the meeting was to strategically plan the best approach to introduce the University of Bagamoyo in Tanzania to 100% ethanol-based system while conducting research with Southern University on the full utilization of e-fuels. The long term plan includes establishing a train-the-trainer center in Louisiana for Tanzanians who will return home and train others in the commercial production of ethanol for diverse uses in an environmentally friendly and efficient manner. Private sector entities will lead the research between the two universities.

In attendance on the SU Ag Center campus were: Hon. Myron K. Lawson, Southern University Board of Supervisors; Reginald Miles, Phalanx LLC; Steve Johnson, Green Solar Louisiana/360 Systems; Jimmy Harris, H6 Energy; Tom Quinn, E-Fuel System Technology; Floyd Butterfield, E-Fuel System Technology; Kevin Cain, 360 Systems, LLC, CEO; Kevin Sanders Phalanx, LLC; Martin W. Johnson, President, Green Solar Louisiana; Morgan M. Watson, PE MEL, INC. Chris Rogers, Director of Technology Services at the SU Ag Center coordinated the meeting. Attendees on the University of Bagamoyo in Tanzania included of Dr. E. G. Mtalo, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Bagamoyo; Godfrey Simbeye, Ana Matinde, Tanzanian Private Sector Foundation; Dr. Kamigisha, Unit Trust of Tanzania and Victor Akim, United Nations; Glenn E. Ford, Green Solar Louisiana, Chairman & University of Bagamoyo Board Member Designate; Bob Yona, Tanzania Manager, Green Solar Louisiana; Dr. Kasoga, Tanzanian Researcher, Green Solar Louisiana.

Dr. Kamran Abdollahi, professor and program director, Urban Forestry Program will coordinate the research at SU Ag Center and can be reached at 225-771-2242 or via email Kamran_abdollahi@suagcenter.com

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

bridget_udoh@suagcenter.com

Tuesday, September 23

USDA Helps SNAP Recipients Find Jobs and Earn More Money

Baton Rouge, La – Once a week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture takes a look at some of its events and activities. The department's “Week in Review” for the week of September 19 included information on cutting edge conservation ideas; helping SNAP recipients find jobs and earn more money; and learning how healthy soils handle rain and runoff. Click here to watch a short video of the review.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families and provides economic benefits to communities.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

2014 BOLD Program--SU Ag Center Part 1 of 2

Monday, September 22

SU Ag Center: BOLD Program Video Available Online

Baton Rouge, LA - The BOLD Program at Southern University Research and Extension Center has shared a training video, which can be viewed on YouTube in two parts using the following links. There is also a tab at the bottom of the first video which will link you to part II:

2014 BOLD Program--SU Ag Center Part 2 of 2

The Southern University Ag Center Building Opportunities through Leadership Development (BOLD) Program is led by Dr. Kenyetta Smith, Extension Assistant Specialist and Project Director, who can be reached at 225-771-5598 or kenyetta_smith@suagcenter.com

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

bridget_udoh@suagcenter.com

Thursday, September 18

SU Ag Center Grant Recipients Present at Annual PD Conference in Washington

Dr. Zhu Ning making oral presentation

Dr. Kamran Abdollahi making oral presentation

Baton Rouge, LA – The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture awards grants to select institutions from a pool of competitive proposals annually. The 1890 Capacity Grants Program aims to build capacity among minority serving institutions with these funds focusing on teaching, research and extension. Once a year, project directors of these USDA/NIFA awarded grants convene to share progress and impacts of their programs with the funding agency, and network with peers on new proposals. The PD conference took place September 15-17, 2014 in the USDA Headquarters, Washington DC. On September 16, PDs from various 1890 land-grant institutions made oral presentations of their project findings to representatives from numerous USDA agencies and related entities at the USDA South Building on Independence Avenue. On the 17th, other participating project directors made poster presentations at the USDA NIFA Waterfront Center.

Seven participating PDs and Co-PDs represented the SU Ag Center this year at the conference with oral and poster presentations. Zhu Ning, Professor, urban forestry, made an oral presentation on “Strengthen Teaching and Learning in Urban Forestry through Climate Change Education.” Kamran Abdollahi, Professor and Program Director, urban forestry, also gave a talk on “Assessing Bioenergy Production Potential from Urban Forest Waste Biomass in Louisiana.”

Additionally, other PDs and co-PDs brought posters for display at the Waterfront Center from the SU Ag Center: Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, Assistant Extension Specialist - BOLD: Developing Leaders in Rural and Underserved Populations; Zhu Ning, Professor, urban forestry - Integrating Sustainability into Urban Forestry and Agriculture Education; Christie G. Monroe, Livestock Director - The Young Men’s Garden That Thrives; Tiffany Wilkerson-Franklin, Extension Associate - Eradicating Food Deserts in Neighborhoods through the Development of School Gardens; Bridget Udoh, Communications Specialist and Oscar Udoh, Planning and Evaluation Coordinator – Strategies to Improve Farm and Business Efficiency Through Integrated Communication.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

bridget_udoh@suagcenter.com

Friday, September 12

SU Ag Center: Back-to-School Summit Encouraging to Youth

L-r: Chancellor Williams, Dr. Burke, Lt. Gen. Honore

Dr. Truth, gives keynote address to youth

Byron Starks interacts with youth after speaking

Isiah Marshall, St. Martinville Jr. High School

Mystique Dufort, Catahoula Elementary School

Shalyric Self, singer, songwriter

Baton Rouge, LA – On September 11, 2014, the Southern University Ag Center welcomed students, faculty and staff from schools in Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Evangeline, Lafayette, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Martin and Vermillion Parishes to its 14^th Back-to-School Summit for 8^th graders at the Blackham Coliseum in Lafayette. The event themed “Healthy Actions Produce Positive Youth” had Danna Andrus "Dr. Truth" serving as Keynote speaker. Special appearances featured Cadet Cody LeBlanc, ULL Army, for the Presentation of Colors, and speech by Lt. Gen. Russell Honore (Retired), United States Army, in commemoration of 911. Speakers included Byron Starks, Coach and Mentor, and Den Hussey, Motivational Speaker/MC. Shalyric Self provided entertainment. Also prominent were Senator Elbert Guillory, LA State District 24; and Chancellor Leodrey Williams, SU Ag Center, with welcome greetings.

Isiah Marshall, 8^th grader from St. Martinville Junior High said he was happy for the opportunity to be there, and his take home message was to develop self-confidence, have a goal and stick to it.

“My brother is now in high school, and he told me about it because he attended in 8^th grade,” Isiah said.

Mystique Dufort, 8^th grader from Catahoula Elementary School said the main lesson she took home from the summit was to believe in herself and not get misled by peers.

The event was covered by the Lafayette Advertiser and can be accessed by following this link.

Nearly three thousand student attendees received informational brochures along with school supplies from various agencies while learning from motivational speakers and video presentations. Topics of discussion included a wide range of healthy living tips, from sexual conduct to drug abuse. The goal of the program is to give young people health alternative choices in life. The program targets eighth-graders because they are on the edge of becoming teenagers. Also in attendance were participating agencies and programs from surrounding parishes to show their support.

This annual summit is organized by the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives, the satellite arm of the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, under the leadership of Dr. Wanda Burke who can be reached at 225-771-5184 or (337) 943-2410; via email at wanda_burke@suagcenter.com

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Wednesday, September 10

SU Ag Center: US Department of Agriculture Provides Disaster Information to Farmers

Baton Rouge, LA – The USDA has made available information on different programs available to farmers during an emergency or disaster. Emergency Brochure for Farmers can be downloaded in PDF format at https://db.tt/aapot4SZ

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svtdqAOrJ_I&feature=youtube_gdata

Tuesday, September 9

USDA: What the Farm Bill Means for New Farmers

Baton Rouge, LA - On Tuesday, September 9, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden hosted a Google+Hangout to discuss what the Farm Bill means for new farmers.

The Hangout video entitled What the Farm Bill Means for New Farmers - With Deputy Secretary Harden is available online

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Monday, September 8

USDA Shares Week in Review Video

Baton Rouge, La – The US Department of Agriculture shares a rundown of some of the key announcements, activities, and current events related to their work at USDA every week via a short video clip.

Week of September 5^th highlights included U.S. food insecurity, lake algae, and adverse weather recovery assistance for farmers. Past videos are also available at the website.

Watch the video at www.usda.gov/thisweek.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Thursday, September 4

September is National Preparedness Month

Baton Rouge, La – The SU Ag Center is committed to keeping Louisiana citizens informed at all times. Thus, be Disaster Aware! September is National Preparedness Month.

#NatlPrep launched on September 2nd through Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. The Ready campaign launched a successful New Year’s Thunderclap supporting “Resolve to Be Ready” in 2014 reaching 1,304,972 people.

This National Preparedness Month, Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare. Resources are available at http://www.ready.gov/publications.

The Ready Campaign established four universal building blocks of emergency preparedness: Be informed, Make a Plan, Build a Kit, and Get Involved. America’s PrepareAthon! builds on this foundation by encouraging millions of Americans to focus on a simple, specific activity that will increase preparedness.

During National Preparedness Month we ask you, your family, community, school and workplace to take action by planning a National PrepareAthon! Day on or around September 30th. We recommend using digital media tools as a way to promote National Preparedness Month, September 1-30th.

Each week throughout National Preparedness Month will focus on different emergency preparation topics:

Week 1 - How to Reconnect with Family After a Disaster

Week 2 - Know How to plan for specific needs before a Disaster

Week 3 – How to Build an Emergency Kit

Week 4 & 5 - How to Practice for an emergency

Ready.gov has all the information you need to start the conversation with your family including emergency kit checklists and disaster fact sheets.

For more information about National Preparedness Month visit: www.ready.gov/september

Get ahead of the rush and get the toolkit now to start planning and promoting your preparedness events both online and offline. The toolkit includes tons of amazing resources and ideas to ensure that you're completely ready to inspire others to be disaster aware!

Disaster planning and preparedness can be your lifeline to staying in business. With proper education, planning, testing and disaster assistance, you will be able to stay in business through any interruption and beyond. The SBA and Agility Recovery will host a series of four webinars each Wednesday in September, which will highlight specific actions business owners can take to build a solid emergency preparedness plan.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

SU Ag Center Counts Down to Annual Back-to-School Summit in Lafayette

Event announcement

Baton Rouge, LA - The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, through its Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives, will host its 14^th Annual Back-to-School Summit on Thursday, September 11, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Blackham Coliseum, Lafayette, LA.

Now in its 14th year, this 10-parish event is a collaborative effort between the SU Ag Center’s Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives and 40 non-profit organizations, state agencies, local municipal governments, and businesses.

The summit aims to accomplish the following goals and objectives: To provide a neutral platform for open dialogue among teens and service providers; To assist teens in making healthy life choices; To present current information regarding sexually transmitted diseases and their impact on teens; To promote abstinence and/or deter pre-marital sex; and To facilitate informed behavioral choices among teens about alcohol and tobacco use.

The summit is free and open to all 8th graders in Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Evangeline, Lafayette, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Martin, and Vermilion Parishes.

“The 2013 summit was, indeed, a success as reported by the 2,250 students and school personnel who attended from Avoyelles, St. Landry, Evangeline, Pointe Coupee, St. Martin, Lafayette and Vermilion Parishes. Our challenge for this year's summit is to, get 100% participation from (approximately 3,000) 8^th graders residing in all 10 parishes serviced by the Southwest Center. The ultimate goal, as always is to educate and inform participants about the prevailing youth-related issues to the point that they are persuaded to make positive and healthy behavioral choices throughout their new school year,” said Dr. Wanda Burke, Director.

For further details, contact the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives at (337) 943-2410.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714