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| Snowden, left, shares information with some event participants |
Baton Rouge, LA – The Southern University Agricultural
Research and Extension Center staff comprising of researchers and extension
agents participated in the 33rd Annual North Louisiana Agri-Business
Council Ag Expo on January 16-17. This event, which was held at the Ike
Hamilton Expo Center in West Monroe, La., educated the community of the various
day-to-day aspects of agriculture and science. The Ag Expo brings to the
forefront innovative agricultural products, practices and advances in
technology. The event was attended by over 10,000 people from Louisiana, South
Arkansas, East Texas and Mississippi.
The Southern University Ag Center’s booth highlighted the
various methods of urban and conventional gardening and distributed by-products
of those techniques. Drs. Janana Snowden, Research Associate, and Vanessa
Ferchaud, Research Associate, received high recognition for their research
group’s work with the hibiscus (Roselle
Sabdariffa) plant. Approximately 900 observers had the opportunity to sample
hibiscus tea, which was prepared by the SUAREC staff, and learn of the many
health benefits that the plant provides. Over 600 copies of publications were
disseminated with nearly 200 hibiscus seed packets provided to farmers
interested in growing the plant. This Roselle
hibiscus exhibition was inspired by project director, Dr. Kit L. Chin,
Professor Plant & Soil Sciences, along with research team member, Dr.
Yadong Qi, Professor of Urban Forestry, and funded by USDA/NIFA project
#2012-38821-20092.
"Dr. Janana Snowden and Dr. Vanessa Ferchaud really
represented the Southern Ag Center very well.
They had some timely publications and educational information regarding
Hibiscus sabdariffa for the public
which was very well received along with significant interest. I think the most
impressive thing about these two researchers was their ability and willingness
to discuss the Southern University Ag Center as well as their research project
on Hibiscus sabdariffa with the
public. Snowden and Ferchaud’s
performance this weekend certainly made North Louisiana more aware of a
Southern University Ag Center and many wanting more," praised Rafash Brew,
Area Horticulture Specialist, Northeast Region, LSU AgCenter.
In addition to representing the Southern University Ag
Center, the team also attended a luncheon where Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture
Commissioner Mike Strain was the keynote speaker. He emphasized the importance
of agriculture and international trade through Louisiana’s five ports.
Overall, the 33rd North Louisiana Agri-Business
Council Ag Expo provided great exposure for the SUAREC’s research and extension
endeavors in the community and also provided an advocate of recruitment for the
Southern University System.
For
more information about Hibiscus sabdariffa,
contact Drs. Kit Chin, Yadong Qi,
Janana
Snowden or Vanessa Ferchaud at: (225-771-2242).
###
Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714
bridget_udoh@suagcenter.com
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