Kentwood 4-H Youth Ambassadors Travel to the Nation’s Capital for HYPE Training

Kentwood High Magnet School students Ronny Johnson, Jr. and Jayla Berry attended the National 4-H Council Walmart Healthy Habits Programming Training in Chevy Chase, Maryland on November 1-3, 2018.

Baton Rouge, La. – A panel of judges selected Kentwood High Magnet School 4-H’ers Jayla Berry and Ronny Johnson, Jr. to represent Tangipahoa Parish at the National 4-H Council Walmart Healthy Habits Programming Training. The selection was made during an Impromptu Essay Contest on October 10.  These students were tasked with guiding their peers and communities, into living healthier lifestyles through the use of The Healthy Young People Empowerment (HYPE) Project.

The training was held at the National 4-H Council Headquarters in Chevy Chase, Maryland on November 1– 3. 4-H youth and adult leaders from the Southern University Land-Grant Campus attended workshops on implementing the HYPE Project Curriculum. While attending the training, youth also had an opportunity to learn about health disparities, community access, policies, systems, and environmental changes through hands-on activities.

Since attending the training, Berry and Johnson have hit the ground running and have committed to revitalizing Kentwood High Magnet’s school garden and building a Humanity Box for the Town of Kentwood.  During a regular 4-H Club meeting on November 14 the Youth Ambassadors presented their plans, and solicited their club members for feedback in getting the projects underway. 

The HYPE Project is a five-phased model which teaches youth ambassadors how to impact their communities by establishing youth-led campaigns. The phases of the project are: Think, Learn, Act, Share and Evaluate.

For additional information about 4-H programs in Tangipahoa Parish, contact Nicolette Gordon, Assistant Youth Development Agent at 985-748-5462.

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

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SU Land-Grant Campus holds Food Safety Certification training in Alexandria

Dr. Fatemeh Malekian conducts a food safety certification session in Alexandria, LA on the SU Land-Grant Campus' Mobil Education and Technology Center.

Training designed for individuals who work in the food service industry

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Land-Grant Campus (SULGC) held a Food Safety Certification training in Alexandria, LA on November 26.

The training, which was taught by Dr. Fatemeh Malekian, was the second session of the five-part course designed for individuals who work in food service or who are starting food businesses.

During the training, Dr. Malekian discussed proper personal hygiene for individuals who handle food, including hand washing, using gloves properly, clothing and jewelry, and illness or injury. 

Because correct hand washing is a critical part of food safety, Dr. Malekian conducted a hand washing demonstration where participants rubbed a gel, which represented dirt and germs, on their hands.  The participants then washed their hands thoroughly with soap and water. After the hand washing, Dr. Fatemeh used a black-light to see if any gel, which glows in the dark, remained on their hands.  The participants were surprised to see that a small amount of the gel was left in places like the cuticles of their fingers and folds in the palms.

The training and demonstration were held on the SULGC’s Mobile Education and Technology Center, a bus retrofitted with up-to-date technology and a demonstration kitchen.  William Augustine, Project Coordinator, operates the mobile unit.

In addition to proper personal hygiene, topics covered during the course will include the importance of food safety, controlling time and temperature, preventing cross-contamination, and cleaning and sanitizing.  Along with Dr. Malekian, the SULGC Food Safety Certification team includes Dr. Kasundra Cyrus, Emily King and L’Asia George.

Participants receive the ServSafe Food Handler Guide and a binder with the information taught in the sessions.  At the final session on December 17, the participants will be awarded certificates acknowledging their Food Safety Certification. The training and all educational materials are provided at no cost to the participants.

Funding for the Food Safety Certification Program is provided by the Enhancing Capacity of Louisiana Small Farms and Businesses grant from the Louisiana Office of Community Services.

For additional information about the SU Land-Grant Campus’s Food Safety Certification Program or to schedule a training in your area, contact Emily King or L’Asia George at 225-771-2242.

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

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SU Ag Center now accepting meat pre-sale orders for 76th Annual Livestock Show

Meat Order Form

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Livestock Show Office is currently accepting pre-orders for non-processed choice meats from various livestock.

All proceeds from meat sales go directly to participating youth as a reward for their hard work and financial investment. The following meat choices and quantities are now available for pre-order:

·         Whole beef $2,000

·         Half beef $1,000

·         Fourth beef $500

·         Whole pork $225

·         Whole lamb $200

·         Whole goat is $175

There is a processing fee that is not included in the original cost of the meat. All purchases must be paid by money order or check and made payable to the Southern University Ag Center Livestock Show, prior to picking up the meat from the slaughter house.

Those who don’t pre-order their meat are invited to do so during the show’s ‘Special Junior Auction Sale’ on Saturday, March 2 beginning at 9:30 a.m.

The office will deliver the meat to either the Cutrer Slaughter House in Kentwood, 985.229.2478 or Rouchers in Plaquemine, 225.687.4258.   

Southern University employees can purchase their meat through payroll deduction. Donations to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank are also welcome.

The 76^th Annual State Livestock & Poultry Show will be held February 28 – March 2, 2019 at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena, 14600 Scenic Hwy, in Baton Rouge.

Southern University has held an annual Livestock Show since 1943 and has continued the tradition of providing an opportunity for the state’s youth to showcase their animals, gain entrepreneurship skills and receive character and leadership training.

For more information on the SU Ag Center’s Livestock Show, how to participate in the show or how to purchase meat; visit http://www.suagcenter.com/page/livestock-show-2019 or contact the Livestock Show Office at 225.771.6208.

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SU Land-Grant Campus to conclude Fall Seminar Series with a Grant Writing Seminar

Dr. Lionel Lyles will be the guest presenter for the SU Land-Grant Campus' 'Tools for a Winning Proposal,' grant writing seminar on November 29.

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Land-Grant Campus will conclude its Fall Seminar Series on Thursday, November 29 with a 1 p.m. grant writing seminar titled, ‘Tools for a Winning Proposal.’

Dr. Lionel Lyles will be the guest presenter for the seminar, which will be held in room 106 of Fisher Hall.

Lyles has worked in the arena of grant development for more than 30 years.                                    

He has served as the Research Thrust Lead for Land Use and Land Cover Change, a component of the NASA supported $6.2 million Center For Coastal Zone Assessment and Remote Sensing (CCZARS) Grant Project, from 2003 to 2008 and the Principal Investigator for the Southern University Bering Glacier Research Team, which involved annual summer research collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management and Michigan Technological Research Institute to determine the underlying causes of the rapid retreat of the Bering Glacier in Bering Glacier, Alaska, from 2007 to 2008.

The Southern University alum has served as the Chair and Director of Southern’s Doctoral Program in Public Policy in the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. Lyles has also taught at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and Grambling State University.

Lyles graduated from Southern University in 1972 and earned a Doctorate of Philosophy Degree in Geography from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1977.

For additional information on the Southern University Land-Grant Campus’ Fall Seminar Series, contact Dr. Kit Chin at 225-771-2242.

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SULGC Urban Forestry Professor Zhu Ning recieves $345,000 grant from NASA

Southern University Land-Grant Campus Professor of Urban Forestry, Zhu Ning, has been awarded a $345,000 competitive grant from NASA.

Baton Rouge, La. - Southern University Land-Grant Campus endowed professor of sciences and urban forestry, Zhu Ning, Ph.D., has been awarded a $345,000 competitive grant from the Louisiana - NASA Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).

The funding will be used to implement the, "Quantifying Carbon Export through Vegetation, Biomass and Land Use Change Analysis of Two Contrasting Sites across the Mississippi River Delta Plain," project. The initiative is a part of a collaboration with Louisiana State University.

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

To read the article in its entirety, click here.

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SU Ag Center’s Fall Garden Workshop Draws Large Crowd

Lillie Howard answers questions about raising backyard birds during the 7th Annual Fall Garden Workshop on Nov. 20 at the M.A. Edmond Livestock Arena. 

Baton Rouge, La. – Nearly 90 backyard gardens, teachers and community garden coordinators attended the Southern University Ag Center’s 7^th Annual Fall Garden Workshop on November 20 at the M.A. Edmond Livestock Arena.

Bobby R. Phills, Ph.D., Chancellor-Dean of the Southern University Ag Center and the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences and Dawn Mellion-Patin, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor for Extension at the SU Ag Center, were on hand to provide greeting to the attendees.

This year’s workshop covered everything from tree grafting to wine making. Randy Smith, Ph.D.,  a horticulture specialist with Alcorn State University, facilitated a session on pecan/vegetable grafting; Lillie Howard, a farmer from Slaughter and SU Ag Center’s Felton DeRouen II, Farm Research Specialist II at the SU Ag Center discussed raising and managing backyard birds; Alfred and Edith Gross, owners of 2 G Farms in Belle Chasse and Devaiah Kambiranda, Research Associate and Assistant Professor at the SU Land-Grant Campus provided instructions on making wine from various fruits and SU Ag Center Senior Research Associate Mila Berhane and Extension Associate Stephanie Elwood introduced nontraditional vegetables for a Fall garden.

For the past 7 years the Southern University Ag Center has held its Fall Garden Workshop as a way to educate the community and provide individuals with the tools and information needed to successfully grow their own fruits and vegetables, as well as raise farm animals.

The workshop is held on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to give teachers an opportunity to participate in the event.

The SU Ag Center in currently planning their Spring Garden Conference for 2019.

The Fall Garden Workshop was co-sponsored by the SU Ag Center, its Wisteria Alliance Program and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program.

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

For additional information about the SU Ag Center’s Fall Garden Workshop or its upcoming Spring Garden Conference, contact Zanetta Augustine at 225-771-2242.

Click here to view photos from the event.

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SU Land-Grant Campus set to raise scholarship funds during Annual Gala

Baton Rouge, La. – Tickets are now available for the Southern University Land-Grant Campus’ Annual Scholarship Gala. The fundraising event will be held at the Raising Cane’s River Center, 275 River Road South, on Saturday, December 8 at 6:30 p.m.

All proceeds from the event will be used to provide scholarships; assistantships; internships; study abroad, campus – based research and professional development opportunities for students in the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences.

Last year’s Gala raised over $22,000 that were used to support internships, book scholarships and study abroad opportunities.

Tickets are $50 for general admission, $650 for reserved tables. Dinner and live entertainment are included in the price of the ticket.

To purchase tickets or make a tax deductible donation visit, https://foundation.sus.edu/agcentergala/ or contact Jasmine Gibbs at 225-771-2719.

The Southern University Land-Grant Campus is also seeking sponsors for the Scholarship Gala.  For information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Aymbriana Campbell-Pollard at 225-771-2275.

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

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SU Land-Grant Campus, USDA slated to hold Listening Session in Madison Parish

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La. – Madison Parish residents are invited to attend a Listening Session hosted by the Southern University Land-Grant Campus and the U. S. Department of Agriculture from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. on November 15 at the Tallulah-Madison Community Center, located at 800 N. Beech St., in Tallulah, La.

                                     

“We want to hear the needs and concerns of the citizens,” said Bobby R. Phills, Chancellor-Dean of the Southern University Land-Grant Campus. “It’s our desire to use the information received from the listening session to implement strategies, seminars and workshops to assist the community.”

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

The Campus’ programs focus on, but are not limited to:

• Sustainable Agricultural Systems
• Community and Economic Development
• Health and Nutrition
• Family and Human Development
• Urban Forestry and Natural Resources
• Youth Development.

For additional information about the Listening Session, contact Sarah Sims at 318-574-2465 or email her at sarah_sims@suagcenter.com.

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SU Land-Grant Campus holds successful Safety Training for Produce Growers

Participants listen to the speaker during the SU Land-Grant Campus' Produce Safety Alliance Grower's Training on November 5 at T.T. Allain Hall. 

 Baton Rouge, La. – A small group of produce growers filled a classroom in T.T. Allain Hall on Southern University’s campus for the Southern University Land-Grant Campus’ Produce Safety Alliance Grower’s Training on November 5.

During the training, participants received information on produce safety; worker health and hygiene; soil amendments; wildlife, domesticated animals and land use; production water, postharvest water; postharvest handling and sanitation and how to develop a farm safety plan.

The training was facilitated by Southern University’s Land-Grant Campus employees Dr. Fatemeh Malekian, Emily King, L’Asia George, Burnell Muse and Allison Dumas with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

The SU Land-Grant Campus has been holding safety trainings to help produce growers comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Produce Safety Rule. This rule sets standards for growing, harvesting, packing and storing fruits and vegetables to prevent foodborne illness. It addresses water quality, composting, farm personnel health and hygiene and equipment sanitation among other issues. 

For additional information about the SU Land-Grant Campus’ Produce Safety Alliance Grower’s Training program, contact Emily King at 225-771-3705 or via email at emily_king@suagcenter.com or Dr. Fatemeh Malekian at 225-771-0251 or via email at fatemeh_malekian@suagcenter.com.

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Southern University and LSU Ag Centers to co-host a Market Ready Workshop on Nov. 14

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University and LSU Ag Centers will co-host a MarketReady Workshop for small to medium scale produce farmers, cottage food producers, and value-added processors.

The free professional training will be held from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 14 at the Felton G. Clark (F.G. Clark) Activity Center on the campus of Southern University.

The training will instruct participants on how to:

·         Improve their marketing skills and boost sales.

·         Use key business functions to set pricing, insurance, packaging, certifications for their produce.

·         Network with potential buyers from various backgrounds.

The workshop is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. To pre-register, visit http://2018southernunimarketready.eventbrite.com.

For additional information or if you have dietary restrictions, contact Alessandro Holzapfel at 225-578-2701.

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SU Land-Grant Campus to host Safety Training for Produce Growers

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Land-Grant Campus will host a Produce Safety Alliance Grower’s Training from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on November 5 in room 110 of T.T. Allain Hall, on the Southern University Baton Rouge campus.

The SU Land-Grant Campus has been holding safety trainings to help produce growers comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Produce Safety Rule. This rule sets standards for growing, harvesting, packing and storing fruits and vegetables to prevent foodborne illness. It addresses water quality, composting, farm personnel health and hygiene and equipment sanitation among other issues. 

Registration for the training is $20 and will include resource materials and lunch.

To register or for additional information, contact Emily King at 225-771-3705 or via email at emily_king@suagcenter.com or Dr. Fatemeh Malekian at 225-771-0251 or via email at fatemeh_malekian@suagcenter.com.

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Southern University’s local MANNRS Chapter hosts Annual Sweet Potato Sale

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University chapter of the Minority in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) - a student organization - is currently taking orders for its Annual Sweet Potato Sale.

Individuals can purchase 10, 15 or 40 pound bags/boxes of sweet potatoes for $7, $12 or $20, respectively.

Payment is required with your order in the form of cash, checks and money orders. Checks and money orders should be made payable to the SU Foundation/ MANNRS Chapter.

The deadlines to place an order is November 5.

Pick-ups will occur Thursday, November 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the SU Ag Center – A.O. Williams Hall - back parking lot.

For additional information contact, Malik Allen, Dr. Janana Snowden or Kelli Hollins at 225-771-2242.

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SU Ag Center Vice Chancellor Dawn Mellion-Patin receives Distinguished Service Award

Dawn Mellion-Patin, Vice Chancellor for Extension and Outreach at the Southern University Ag Center, has been named the recipient of the 2018 George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award by Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Baton Rouge, La. – Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center’s Vice Chancellor for Extension and Outreach, Dawn Mellion-Patin, Ph.D., has been named the recipient of the 2018 George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award by Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Patin has dedicated her career to educating and improving the lives of small farmers. In 2005, she developed the Southern University Ag Center’s Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Training Institute, an intensive leadership development program that guides small, minority, socially-disadvantaged and limited-resource farmers through the process of becoming competitive agricultural entrepreneurs.

Her work in the field of agriculture has also provided her with the opportunity to serve as a panel manager for United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); chair of the Southern Region- Agricultural and Natural Resources Program Leaders Committee; grant committee member for the USDA’s  National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA); 1890 representative on the National Extension Disaster Education Network Executive Committee and historian for the National Society of Minorities in Agricultural, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) organization.

She has received the SU Ag Center’s Outstanding Specialist Award, Tuskegee University’s Distinguished Service Award, the Association of Extension Administrators Excellence in Extension Award and USDA NIFA Cooperative Extension System Outstanding Leadership Award.

Patin earned a bachelor’s degree in Plant and Soil Sciences and a master’s degree in Educational Agriculture, both from Southern University, and a doctoral degree in Agricultural and Life Sciences Education from Iowa State University.

The George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award was established in 2005. The award honors distinguished College of Agriculture and Life Sciences alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement or leadership by making significant, influential, or innovative contributions to society.

Patin received the award during the annual Honors and Awards Ceremony on October 26.

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Southern University Ag Center set for Fall Garden Workshop on Nov. 20

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Ag Center will host its Fall Garden Workshop on Tuesday, November 20 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the M.A. Edmond Livestock Arena, 14600 Scenic Highway, in Baton Rouge, LA.

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Topics covered during the workshop will include:

·         Wine Making

·         Backyard Chicken /Egg Farming

·         Fruit Tree and Vegetable Grafting

·         Nontraditional Fall Crops for the Garden

“We are inviting teachers, community garden coordinators, backyard gardeners and anyone interested in gardening to attend this workshop,” said Dawn Mellion Patin, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor for Extension and Outreach at the SU Ag Center. “This is also a great opportunity for residents who live in food deserts to come out and learn how to grow their own fruits and vegetables,” added Patin.

The Southern University Ag Center, its Wisteria Alliance Program and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program are co-sponsoring this event.

For additional information, contact Zanetta Augustine, Mila Berhane or Stephanie Elwood at 225-771-2242.

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

Click here to register for the workshop.

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Residents of Opelousas and surrounding areas invited to attend a Listening Session

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La. - Opelousas residents and individuals from surrounding areas are invited to attend a Listening Session hosted by the Southern University Land-Grant Campus and the U. S. Department of Agriculture at 6 p.m. on November 8 at the Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development Institute (SARDI), located at 1209 Diesi Street, in Opelousas, La.

“We want to hear the needs and concerns of the citizens,” said Bobby R. Phills, Chancellor-Dean of the Southern University Land-Grant Campus. “It’s our desire to use the information received from the listening session to implement strategies, seminars and workshops to assist the community.”

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

The Campus’ programs focus on, but are not limited to:

• Sustainable Agricultural Systems
• Community and Economic Development
• Health and Nutrition
• Family and Human Development
• Urban Forestry and Natural Resources
• Youth Development.

For additional information about the Listening Session in Opelousas, contact the Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development Institute at 337-943-2410 or email sardi@suagcenter.com.

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SARDI and Agromen, Inc. set to co-host a Community Fall Fest on Nov. 3

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La. – The Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development Institute (SARDI) has partnered with Agromen Inc., to host a Community Fall Fest on November 3. The free event will be held from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at SARDI’s office, located at 1209 Diesi Street, in Opelousas, La.

                                                     

The fest will cover the agricultural topics of sustainability, marketing, health, farm safety and Fall resources.

There will also be several demonstrations on brewing Hibiscus Tea, planting fall crops and caring for farm animals.

Representatives from the USDA’s Farm Bureau, Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRSC) will also conduct sessions during the Fall Fest.

Agromen Incorporated is a non-profit agricultural organization in St. Landry Parish. The organization, which has been in existence for 25 years, consist of professional African American men who assist the community with agricultural related topics. Each year the organization holds an annual field day in St. Landry Parish.

SARDI is a satellite campus of the Southern University 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.

For additional information or to pre-register for the Fall Fest, contact Chasity Johnson at 337-943-2410 or email sardi@suagcenter.com.

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