Friday, June 30

SU Land-Grant Campus holds Regional Family and Youth Expo in St. Helena Parish

Sample activities at the St. Helena Expo
Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus held the first of three regional family and youth expositions at the St. Helena College and Career Academy in Greensburg, La. on June 30.

Dr. Dawn Mellion-Patin, Vice Chancellor for Extension and Outreach, was on hand to bring greetings to the more than 114 youth and adult participants. 

The expo, themed “Cultivating the Next Generation of Ag Leaders,” is part of the Campus’s culminating event for its 2017 youth development programs.

The expo featured interactive learning activities including a petting zoo, crop demonstration, mud painting, etiquette, farming presentations by local farmers, social media, cooking demonstration, fire & flood, entrepreneurship, Indian History and much more.

For additional information, contact Nicolette Gordon at 225-222-4136 or email nicolette_gordon@sugcenter.com.

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Monday, June 26

SARDI holds first ACT Prep Workshop

Twenty-five students from several St. Landry Parish High Schools attended the June 3 ACT Prep Workshop hosted by the Sustainable Agriculture Rural Development Institute.
Baton Rouge, La. The Sustainable Agriculture Rural Development Institute (SARDI) hosted its first ACT PREP Workshop on June 3, 2017 at its Opelousas location. Twenty-five students from Northwest High, Opelousas High, North Central High, and Porte Barre High Schools attended the workshop.
Dr. Donya Boyd instructed the ACT Prep workshop, which covered subjects such as mathematics and English. At the end of the workshop, students had an understanding of what will be expected on the ACT test and how to prepare for future exams. Dr. Boyd was assisted by SARDI’s staff.
SARDI is a satellite campus of the SU Ag Center housed in Opelousas, La. The Institute focuses on improving the socioeconomic well-being of citizens in rural communities within a ten-parish region of St. Landry, Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Evangeline, Lafayette, Pointe Coupee, St. Martin, and Vermillion Parishes.
The SU Ag Center and College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences together are called the Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus.
For additional information about SARDI or to receive information about its programs and services, call 337-943-2410.
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Thursday, June 22

SARDI Kicks Off its Annual Summer Camp

Photos from the first week of Summer Camp at the Sustainable Agriculture Rural Development Institute (SARDI).

Baton Rouge, La.Thirty youth arrived at the Sustainable Agriculture Rural Development Institute (SARDI) on June 5 to begin their first week of summer camp.

Antonio Harris, SARDI’s director, greeted the students, introduced them to the staff and discussed the rules and guidelines of the summer camp.

The students enjoyed their classes which included Mathematics, where they completed work on two digit multiplication and order of operations; Creative Writing, where they completed their daily journals and started on their, “Who am I” posters; Agriculture, where the they learned three different characteristics of fruit and in Science, where they began their project on their favorite scientist.

The camp’s instructors are Alishia Vallien – Mathematics, Heather Bob - Creative Writing, Taranza Arvie – Agriculture and Gina Readore – Science.

SARDI’s staff takes pride in providing safe, fun and educational programs for youth  in rural areas. The staff, along with the campers, are looking forward to the next three weeks of camp.

The Sustainable Agriculture Rural Development Institute is a satellite campus of the SU Ag Center housed in Opelousas, La. It focuses on improving the socioeconomic well-being of citizens in rural communities within a ten-parish region of St. Landry, Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Evangeline, Lafayette, Pointe Coupee, St. Martin, and Vermillion Parishes.

The SU Ag Center and College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences together are called the Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus.

For additional information about SARDI or to receive information about its programs and services, call 337-943-2410.

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Tuesday, June 20

SU Land-Grant Campus to hold Regional Family and Youth Expos in St. Helena, St. Landry and Madison Parishes

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La.The Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus will host three regional family and youth expositions in Greensburg, Opelousas and Tallulah.

The expos, all themed “Cultivating the Next Generation of Ag Leaders,” are part of the Campus’s culminating events for its 2017 youth development program.

Every expo will feature a public speaking and creative writing competition as well as interactive learning activities.

The dates, times and locations of the expos are:

Florida Parishes Family and Youth Expo
The Florida Parishes Family and Youth Expo will be held on Friday, June 30, 2017 from 9 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. at the St. Helena College and Career Academy, 14340 LA-37, Greensburg, LA 70441.

The expo will feature interactive workshops, live cooking demonstrations, Louisiana Mud Painting, a petting zoo, Ag Got Talent and much more.

For additional information, contact Nicolette Gordon at 225-222-4136 or email nicolette_gordon@sugcenter.com.

Acadiana Family and Youth Expo
The Acadiana Family and Youth Expo will be held on Thursday, July 27, 2017 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Sustainable Agriculture Rural Development Institute (SARDI), 1209 Diesi St., Opelousas, LA 70570.

The expo will feature motivational speakers, cooking demonstrations, workshops on social media safety; bullying; biofuel and gardening, fitness activities, games and a school supply give away.

For additional information, contact Krystle Washington at 337-943-2410 or email krystle_washington@suagcenter.com.

Delta Regional Expo
The Delta Regional Expo will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2017 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Tallulah Elementary School, 1100 Johnson Street, Tallulah, LA 71282.

The expo will feature interactive learning activities, demonstrations, and much more.

For additional information, contact Sarah Sims at 318-574-2465 or email sarah_sims@suagcenter.com.

The Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus is comprised of the SU Ag Center and the SU College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences.

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Prepare for Tropical System Invest 93L | Department of Agriculture and Forestry

Prepare for Tropical System Invest 93L | Department of Agriculture and Forestry

Monday, June 19

Youth Voice, Youth Choice: Ambassadors for Healthy Living

Youth enjoy smoothies at the Land-Grant Campus' tent after the 'Breaking the Barriers" baseball clinic and team exhibits on May 20, 2017.

Baton Rouge, La. On May 20, 2017 several employees of the SU Land-Grant Campus served as volunteers for the Walmart Foundation funded 4-H program “Youth Voice, Youth Choice,” which teaches healthy living practices to under served youth through its Ambassadors for Healthy Living Program.   This year, the campus partnered with Louisiana Youth Sports Network to teach youth about living healthy through diet and exercise. The Land-Grant Campus volunteers registered over 200 youth, ages 9-15 for the Louisiana Youth Baseball program.  Youth also participated in "Breaking the Barriers" baseball clinic and team exhibits.
In addition, youth visited the Land-Grant Campus' tent, where they enjoyed nutritional smoothies, learned about healthy and tobacco free living, and engaged in physical fitness by riding the smoothie maker bicycle.
Kelli Hollins,  Extension Associate/EBR Youth Voice, Youth Choice Agent; Dr. Tiffany Franklin, Project Coordinator; Dr. Marlin Ford, Assistant Professor;  De’Shoin York, Nutrition Program Leader; Zanetta Augustine, Extension Associate;  and Bernice Carter, Community Encourager with the Communities of Color Network (CoC) along with the Vice Chancellor for Extension and Outreach, Dr.  Dawn Mellion-Patin volunteered during the event.

MANNRS student, Keira Augustine and advisor, Jeremy Hendrix with the Louisiana Department of Ag and Forestry also volunteered and assisted youth with registration and smoothie making.

For more information on Youth Voice, Youth Choice Ambassadors for Healthy Living, contact Kelli Hollins at 225-771-5782 or
kelli_hollins@suagcenter.com.

To volunteer with the Louisiana Youth Sports Network, contact the organization’s Director Leroy Hollins II at 225.308.1147, via email at
TheFuture@LouisianaYouthSportsNetwork.com or visit www.LouisianaYouthSportsNetwork.com.

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Friday, June 16

SU Ag Center to hold CHEF Cooking Camps for Youth Throughout the State


Baton Rouge, La.The Southern University Ag Center, in collaboration with the LSU AgCenter, will sponsor its “Creating Healthy Enjoyable Foods” (C.H.E.F.) cooking camp for youth in several parishes throughout the state.

The C.H.E.F. cooking camp is designed to teach youth basic cooking principles and nutrition education based on the USDA’s, “MyPlate” food guidance system and Dietary Guidelines.

Each day, participants will work together to create an entire meal while learning healthy eating and physical activity principles, food preparation, kitchen and food safety, common cooking terms, proper food handling, measuring techniques, critical thinking and team building skills, planning and time management.

The camps will be held in East Baton Rouge, Calcasieu, West Carroll, East Carroll, Caddo, Madison, Lafayette, St. Helena and Jefferson Davis Parishes.

Below are the dates, times and locations of the camps:         
                                                           

West Carroll Parish

The camp will be held June 19 – 23, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., for youth aged 9 – 17 at the Thomas Jason Lingo Community Center, 10284 LA-17 in Oak Grove, La.

Only 25 youth will be accepted for the camp on a first come, first served basis.

Registration for the camp is $10 and must be accompanied with a completed registration form.

To obtain a registration form or for additional information contact Mrs. Carolyn Robinson at 318-428-3571 or via email at carolyn_robinson@suagcenter.com.

Caddo Parish

The camp will be held June 19 – 23, from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., for youth aged 9 – 12 at the Caddo SU/LSU Extension Office, 2408 East 70th Street in Shreveport.

Only 15 participants will be accepted in the camp on a first come, first served basis.

Registration for the camp is $20 and must be accompanied with a completed registration form.

The deadline to register for the camp is June 16.

To obtain a registration form or for additional information, contact Mrs. Patricia Lee at 318-226-6805 or 318-872-0533 and via email at patricia_lee@suagcenter.com.

Calcasieu Parish

The camp will be held June 26 – 29 at the Vinton Recreation Center, 1615 Horridge St. in Vinton, La., from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. for youth aged 9 -13.  Only 25 youth will be accepted for the camp on a first come, first served basis.

The camp is free, but a registration form must be submitted for each child attending the camp. The registration deadline is June 19.    

Contact Carol Sensley at the Lake Charles SU/LSU Extension Office at 337-475-8812 to request an application.

Madison Parish

The camp will be held June 26 – July 1, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., for youth aged 9 – 17, at Madison High School, 1234 Madison High Drive in Tallulah.

Registration for the camp is $25 and must be accompanied with a completed registration form. 

Registration forms can be obtained from the Tallulah SU/LSU Extension Office located on 114 N. Cedar Street.

The deadline to register for the camp is June 16.         
  
For additional information, contact Mrs. Sarah Sims at 318-574-2465 or via e-mail at, sarah_sims@suagcenter.com.

Lafayette Parish

The camp will be held July 10 – 14, from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., for youth aged 9 – 14 at the Lafayette SU/LSU Extension Office, 1010 Lafayette St. Ste. 325.

Only 15 participants will be accepted in the camp on a first come, first served basis. Participants are required to bring a bag lunch and healthy snack each day.

Youth must have an interest in cooking or learning to cook. Behavioral issues will not be tolerated.

Registration for the camp, which is  $25, will be held at the Lafayette Extension Office from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., June 19-23 and June 26-28. Parents can pay the registration fee with cash or check as well as complete their registration form during the registration periods.

For additional information, contact Angell Jordan at 337-291-7090 or via e-mail at, angell_jordan@suagcenter.com.

East Baton Rouge Parish

Camps will be held for youth aged 9 – 11 on July 10 – 14 and youth aged 12 – 15 on July 24 – 28.

Both camps will be held on the Southern University Baton Rouge campus in Pinkie E. Thrift Hall from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Only 12-16 participants will be accepted for each camp. Participants are required to bring a bag lunch and healthy snack each day.

Registration for both camps is $25 and must be accompanied with a completed registration form and mailed to: C.H.E.F., Nutrition Education Program, Southern University Ag Center, P. O. Box 10010, Baton Rouge, LA 70813. Payment must be made in the form of a money order payable to the Southern University Ag Center.

The deadline to apply for both camp sessions is Friday, June 30.

To enroll or for additional information, contact Kiyana Kelly or Marquetta Anderson at 225-389-3055 or via e-mail at, kiyana_kelly@suagcenter.com or marquetta_anderson@suagcenter.com.

East Carroll Parish

The camp will be held July 17 – 21, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., for youth aged 9 – 17 at the SU/LSU East Carroll Parish Extension Office, 502 First Street in Lake Providence. Only 10 youth will be accepted for the camp on a first come, first served basis.

Registration for the camp is $10 and must be accompanied with a completed registration form.

To obtain a registration form or for additional information, contact Mrs. Carolyn Robinson at 318-559-0060 or via email at carolyn_robinson@suagcenter.com.

Jefferson Davis Parish

The camp will be held July 10 – 13 at the Jennings SU/LSU Extension Office, 1006 South Lake Arthur Ave., from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. for youth aged 9 – 13. Only 25 youth will be accepted in the camp on a first come, first served basis.

Registration is $20 and must be accompanied with a completed registration form. The registration deadline is July 3. 

To obtain a registration form or for additional information, contact Sharnet Nixon at 337-824-1773 or email Ms. Nixon at sharnet_nixon@suagcenter.com.

St. Helena Parish

The camp will be held July 17 – 21, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., for youth aged 9 - 15 at the Fifth Ward Multipurpose Center, located off Louisiana Highway 16 between Montpelier and Amite.

Only 20 youth will be accepted for the camp on a first come, first served basis.

The camp is free, but a registration form must be submitted for each child attending the camp. The registration deadline is June 19.    

Volunteers are also welcome.

To register or to volunteer, contact Bianca Plant at 225-222-4136 or via email at bplant@agcenter.lsu.edu.



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Monday, June 12

SU Urban Forestry student Brittany Benjamin awarded BR Garden Club Scholarship

Urban Forestry graduate student Brittany Benjamin and professor of Urban Forestry Dr. Zhu Ning. 

Baton Rouge, La. The Baton Rouge Garden Club has selected Southern University College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences student Brittany Benjamin, as the recipient of the 2017 Elaine Humphries Memorial Scholarship.

Benjamin is an Urban Forestry graduate student from New Orleans, La.

The $1,500 scholarship is provided to financially assist worthy students in the fields of horticulture, landscape architecture and urban forestry.

“We are most impressed with all Brittany’s accomplishments,” said Sue Webb, Chair of the Baton Rouge Garden Club’s Scholarship Committee.

The scholarship was presented to Benjamin during the Baton Rouge Garden Club’s Spring Luncheon on May 19. Ms. Webb and the club’s president, Cindy Moran, invited Benjamin and Dr. Zhu Ning, professor of Urban Forestry in SU’s College of Agriculture, to attend the luncheon. After receiving the scholarship, Benjamin spoke to the attendees about the value of her education in urban forestry and her career objectives.

“In past years, the scholarship winners have been students from LSU,” said Dr. Ning, who is Benjamin’s academic adviser and mentor. “I am so proud that Brittany was selected this year for her high quality achievements in course work, research, and international experience,” added Ning.

Brittany currently carries a 4.0 GPA. On April 2, 2017, she competed in the graduate student’s research oral presentation competition at the Association of Research Director’s Symposium in Atlanta, Ga. and won third place.

The Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus is comprised of the Southern University Ag Center and the Southern University College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences.

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Tuesday, June 6

SU Land-Grant Campus introduces youth to Agriculture through its BAYOU Program

Dr. Bobby Phills, Chancellor-Dean of the SU Land-Grant Campus, poses for a photo with BAYOU participants after their orientation on June 5, 2017.

Baton Rouge, La. Thirty-eight participants in the Beginning Agricultural Youth Opportunities Unlimited (BAYOU) program arrived from Louisiana, Texas, California and Tennessee on June 5, for a five-week summer experiential learning program with the SU Land-Grant Campus family. During their stay on campus, they will learn how to conduct research with faculty members in Apparel Merchandising, Human Nutrition, Child Development, Plant & Soil Sciences, Animal Science, and Urban Forestry among other activities.

During his welcome address, Dr. Bobby R. Phills, Chancellor-Dean of the SU Land-Grant Campus, emphasized the importance of parents letting their children spread their wings and encouraged the youth to being willing to thrive.

To the parents, “if you will allow us, we will take care of your children, and you will see the difference in five weeks,” said Dr. Phills. And to the students, “you can go as far as you want in life if you let us guide you,” he added.

The calendar of activities for the BAYOU students looks full and exciting with research activities, tours and trips.

The BAYOU program provides an opportunity for high school seniors and incoming college freshman to gain first-hand knowledge about career opportunities in Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, Business or the natural sciences.

To qualify, students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and have completed 11th grade. The students’ live in the dormitories on the Southern University Baton Rouge campus and are permitted to go home on the weekends.

Students participating in BAYOU are:

Akera Tinson                                      Lashuntae Burrell
Angel Washington                             Lauren Childress
Ashley Henry                                     Makenzie Richard
Asia Smith                                         Mar’Keinzie Rose
August Pitre                                       Nyla Wells
Cassidy Robertson                             Patelon James
Christopher Amos                              Reontaye Davis
Ciarrah Erby                                       Rodney Purdy, Jr.
Elijah Jordan                                      Ronalynn Davis
Elijah Spain                                        Sarah Neal
Elizanae Jackson                                Shonna Smith
Farrin Johnson                                    Shr’Lyric White
Jada Wade                                         Tess Brown
Jewel Williams                                   Trey Coleman
Kaia South                                         Tyrese Chambers
Kaien Jones                                        Vashon Ursin, Jr.
Kristen Taylor                                    Whitney Stroman
Lakentra Thompson                           Winston Lawrence

For additional information about the BAYOU program, contact Allison Johnson at 225-771-3660, 318-572-8338 or via e-mail at allison.johnson@osec.usda.gov.

Click here to view photos from the BAYOU program’s orientation.

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SU Land-Grant Campus steals the spotlight during the annual Southern University System Day at the Capitol

Members of the SU Land-Grant Campus provide samples of hibiscus jelly, chutney, tea, organic pork and information on the campus to legislators and visitors during the Southern University System Day at the Capitol on June.

Baton Rouge, La. Samples of hibiscus jelly, chutney, tea and organic pork were on the must have list for state legislators, their legislative staffers, capitol visitors and members of the SU System during the Southern University System Day at the Capitol on June 5.

The samples were provided by the Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus, along with information on the programs and services offered through the SU Ag Center and the College of Agricultural Family and Consumer Sciences.

Every campus in the SU System – the Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus, Southern University Baton Rouge, Southern University Law Center, Southern University New Orleans and Southern University Shreveport - as well as the Southern University System Foundation and the Southern University Alumni Federation were represented at the state capitol.

View photos from the event here.

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Friday, June 2

SU Ag Center to host a hands on Cut Flowers Workshop

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La.The Southern University Ag Center’s Wisteria Alliance will host a Cut Flowers Hands on Workshop from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 10 at the SU Ag Center – A. O. Williams Hall.

The workshop will cover the topics of:

·         Cut Flower Selection
·         Cut Flower Business 101
·         Cut Flower Arranging
·         Edible Flowers
·         DIY Marketing
·         Planting and Harvesting Cut Flowers

At the end of the workshop, participants will use the information they learned to make their own fresh bouquet to take home.

The workshop is free and open to the public.

To RSVP for the workshop or for additional information, call 225-771-2242 or email milagro_berhane@suagcenter.com; zanetta_augustine@suagcenter.com; or kelli_hollins@suagcenter.com.

The Wisteria Alliance – Women in Agriculture – Program began in November 2012 with the goal of providing practical, hands on training for women who live on farms, and those whose interest lie in starting a farm, and/or urban and community gardeners.

Although men are welcome, the Wisteria Alliance is committed to creating an atmosphere where women will be comfortable to ask any question in a warm nurturing environment. The program’s workshops and trainings prepare women to own and operate their own farms and other agricultural based businesses.

The Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus is comprised of the Southern University Ag Center and the Southern University College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences.

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