Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture: February 2018

Wednesday, February 28

Three Schools Participate in Middle School Black History Quiz Bowl Championship Competition

2018 Middle School Black History Quiz Bowl Championship Competition participants and teachers.

Westdale's Wakanda Team won 1st place during the Championship Middle School Black History Quiz Bowl Competition.

McKinley Middle Magnet School's Imhotep Team won 2nd place.

Westdale Middle School's Freedom Riders Team won 3rd place.

Baton Rouge, La. – Six teams of eager middle school students from McKinley Middle Magnet, Westdale Middle School and Scotlandville Middle Pre-Engineering Academy competed in the SU Land-Grant Campus’s Middle School Black History Quiz Bowl Championship Competition on Feb. 28.

Earlier in the month, SU Land-Grant Campus Professor Emeritus and Black History Quiz Bowl organizer, Owusu Bandele, Ph.D., conducted Black History Quiz Bowls at the three schools. The first and second place teams from each school were invited to participant in the championship competition at the SU Ag Center.

SU Land-Grant Campus Vice Chancellor for Extension, Dawn Mellion-Patin, Ph.D., provided the opening remarks for the event and Bandele served as the event’s moderator.

Awards were presented to the winners by SU Land-Grant Campus Research Associate Erica Williams Mitchell.

Westdale’s Wakanda Team, consisting of Kahlila Bandele; Elijah Doomes; Candi Semien; Lailah Collins and Khamerin Edmonds, took home 1^st place; followed by McKinley’s Imhotep Team, consisting of Justin Thompson; Michael Shin; Sean Murphy and Victoria Williams in 2^nd place and Westdale’s Freedom Riders Team, consisting of Micah Dunn; Caelen Broussard; Pamela Davis; Marshall Seymour and Phillip Antoine in 3^rd place.

The competition covered a variety of topics including current events, politics, history, sports and entertainment.

Members of the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place teams received medals and every participant received a book by or about some aspect of the Black experience.

The event ended with SU Land-Grant Campus Chancellor-Dean Bobby R. Phills, Ph.D., encouraging the young students to pursue a college education.

Photos from the competition can be viewed here.

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Tuesday, February 27

Middle School Students to Compete in Black History Quiz Bowl Championship

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Land-Grant Campus will host a Championship Middle School Black History Quiz Bowl Competition at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 28 at the SU Ag Center.

Owusu Bandele, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at the SU Land-Grant Campus, held Black History Quiz Bowls at Scotlandville, McKinley and Westdale Middle Schools during the month of February. The top two teams – consisting of four members - from each school will compete during the championship competition.

Topics covered during the event will including current events, politics, history, sports and entertainment.

Members of the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place teams will receive medals and every participant will receive a book by or about some aspect of the Black experience.

The College and Middle School Black History Quiz Bowls were organized by Bandele.

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Monday, February 26

Promo Video to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the SU Livestock and Poultry Show

Event Flyer

The Office of Technology and Communications Services at the SU Land-Grant Campus has produced a promo video leading up to the 75th Annual Livestock and Poultry Show.

The show will be held March 1-3, 2018 at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena, located off Highway 61 in Baker, La.

The video can be viewed by clicking here.

Recruitment with SNAP-Ed

Standing from left are SU Land-Grant Campus Extension Associate Ellen McKnight, Baker High School Junior Ronald Pittman, East Baton Rouge Nutrition Educator Kiyana Kelly and Assistant Extension Specialist Stephanie Elwood.

Baton Rouge, La. – Recruitment is everyone's business! The SNAP-Ed staff is on the move again promoting careers in nutrition and agriculture with over 400 Baker High School students during the school’s career fair on February 22.

Ronald Pittman, a junior at Baker High School, was excited to tell the SU Land-Grant Campus staff that he wants to enroll in the College of Agriculture at Southern University!

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Friday, February 23

SU Land-Grant Campus holds Livestock Show Advisory Committee Meeting

The SU Land-Grant Campus held a Livestock Show Advisory Committee on Feb. 23 in the SU Ag Center to discuss plans to position the show for the year 2019.

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Land-Grant Campus kicked off a week of events leading up to the 75^th Annual Livestock and Poultry Show with a Livestock Show Advisory Committee Meeting on Feb. 23.

The meeting, which took place at the SU Ag Center, was held to discuss ways to position the Southern University Livestock Show for the year 2019 and beyond.

Dr. Rene’ F. Brown presided over the meeting which consisted on the following advisory board members: Vendal Fairchild, Robert Wallace, Lance Bruce, Ronnie Venson,

Donald Frazier, Burnell Muse, Robert Joyner, Julie Camem and Odis Hill.

SU Land-Grant Campus Vice Chancellor for Extension Dr. Dawn Mellion-Patin, Southern Livestock Show Director Dr. Harold Mellieon, Jr., SU Department of Agricultural Sciences Department Chair Renita Marshall, Assistant Ag Specialist Kelli Hollins, Associate Extension Specialist Zanetta Augustine, Administrative Assistants Decobea Butler and Angela Jackson and staff member Megan Johnson attended the meeting.

Photos from the event are available here.

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SU Land-Grant Campus host successful Black History Quiz Bowl

Team Blue & Gold Mambas placed 1st in the 24th annual Black History Quiz Bowl.

Team Urban Roots placed 2nd during the 24th annual Black History Quiz Bowl.

Team Talented Tenth placed 3rd during the 24th annual Black History Quiz Bowl.

High school students from Glen Oaks High School participated in the 24th annual Black History Quiz Bowl on Feb. 22, 2018.

Baton Rouge, La. – The 24^th Annual Black History Quiz Bowl was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. in the Southern University Ag Center.

Opening remarks for the event were given by Southern University Land-Grant Campus Vice Chancellor for Extension, Dawn Mellion-Patin, Ph.D. Owusu Bandele, Ph.D., SU Land-Grant Campus Professor Emeritus and the Quiz Bowl’s creator, served as the event’s moderator.

Awards were presented to the winner by SU Land-Grant Campus Research Associate Erica Williams Mitchell and Chancellor-Dean Bobby R. Phills provided closing remarks for the event.

Nine teams of Southern University students and a team of high school students from Glen Oaks High School competed in the competition.

Team Blue & Gold Mambas consisting of Kelvin Wells, Jr., Jalen John, William Waddell and Eric Thompson, Jr. won 1^stplace; Team Urban Roots consisting of Tevin Hamilton, Naila McCraney, Chyanna McGee, Rodney Purdy and Aaliyah Royston placed 2^nd and Team Talented Tenth consisting of James Nettles, Jimilah Stith, Kendall Bands and Shannon Wilmer placed 3^rd. All three teams were made up of Southern University students.

The Black History Quiz Bowl is an exciting educational event that stimulates our students. The competition covers a variety of topics, including current events, politics, history, sports and entertainment.

The 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place winners received medals and every participant received a book by or about some aspect of the Black experience.

For more information on the Black History Quiz Bowl contact Owusu Bandele, Ph.D. at obandele@cox.net.

Photos from the event can be viewed here.

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Thursday, February 22

Southern moves closer to finalizing contract for Medical Marijuana Program

SU Land-Grant Campus 2017 file photo. (Photo by Chris Rogers.)

Baton Rouge, La. – Southern University is currently in the process of finalizing its contract with Lafayette based Advanced Biomedics, LLC as the University’s medical marijuana cultivation and production facility operator.

Southern announced the selection of its medical marijuana cultivator in September, but was unable to finalize the contract due to protest.

Under the proposed agreement, the Southern University Ag Center will receive more than $6 million guaranteed over 5 years. Advanced Biomedics, LLC will also support research initiatives through the Southern University Ag Center’s Southern Institute of Medicinal Plants (SIMP), which will conduct research on additional plants and their potential for therapeutic effects and medical uses on human health.

No taxpayer dollars will be spent on the program.

For additional information about Southern University’s Medical Marijuana Program visit, http://www.suagcenter.com/PageDisplay.asp?p1=12549.

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Wednesday, February 21

SU Land-Grant Campus meets with local development council to establish partnership in North Baton Rouge

Members of the SU Land-Grant Campus and the North Baton Rouge Development Council met on Feb. 21 to discuss the establishment of a Bayou Kitchen and community gardens in the North Baton Rouge area.

Baton Rouge, La. – Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus Chancellor-Dean, Bobby R. Phills, Ph.D., spearheaded a meeting with members of the North Baton Rouge Development Council on February 21.

The meeting, which took place in the SU Ag Center, was held to establish the implementation of a Bayou Kitchen and community gardens in the North Baton Rouge area.

Several members of the SU Land-Grant Campus also attended the meeting and provided input on how the two organizations can work together to meet the needs of the North Baton Rouge community.

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

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Tuesday, February 20

Local Leaders Bring Awareness to Teen Dating Violence & Prevention during the Month of February

Baton Rouge, La. – Just two days after celebrating love around the world, local leaders in St. Helena Parish gathered to bring awareness to Teen Dating Violence & Prevention Month to students at St. Helena College & Career Academy. Surveys have shown that 1 in 4 teens are being harassed or abused through the use of technology. Nationally, many advocates rally behind this cause to raise awareness about dating abuse, and promote youth programs that teach the importance of healthy relationships.

During the Outstanding Mature Girlz (O.M.G.) Club focus group, youth participants were engaged through many scenarios on building healthy relationships, and the signs to look for in unhealthy relationships as a teenager. Club members also had an open discussion on the popular hashtag “Relationship Goals.”

“When I think about relationship goals, I think about my uncle and aunt, because they’ve gone through so much and they are still together,” said one club member who chose to remain anonymous.

A few club members even referenced coupled YouTube Bloggers as being their standard model for “Relationship Goals.” At the conclusion of the focus group, many teens agreed that one way to prevent teen dating violence and abuse at their age is to have a certain level of expectations. Those hierarchy of expectations included self-love, and respect for one another.

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Friday, February 16

2018 Black History Quiz Bowl slated for February 22

Collage of students participating in the annual Black History Quiz Bowl from previous years.

Baton Rouge, La. - The Southern University Land-Grant Campus will host the 24^th Annual Black History Quiz Bowl on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. in the Studio of the SU Ag Center – A. O. Williams Hall.

All students are eligible to participate. Teams – consisting of 4 members each - must register by submitting a roster online at http://www.suagcenter.com/quizbowl, in person at the Dean’s Office in the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences located in Fisher Hall room 102 or by emailing a registration form to obandele@cox.net no later than Friday, Feb. 16. The rules for the competition and a study guide are available here.

Plaques will be awarded to the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place teams, and all participants will receive a book by or about some aspect of the Black experience at the end of the event.

The Black History Quiz Bowl is organized by Owusu Bandele, Professor Emeritus at the SU Ag Center.

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Wednesday, February 7

Louisiana Department of Health urges residents to ‘Fight The Flu’

Baton Rouge, La. – According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the state has seen widespread and early flu activity.

“In more severe seasons, the flu causes approximately 700 deaths and nearly 8,000 hospitalizations each year in Louisiana. We are already on track to meet and possibly exceed these statistics for the 2017/18 flu season,” said Dr. Frank Welch, state immunization medical director.

The Louisiana Department of Health offers these reminders to help keep people from spreading the flu:

· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

If you have cold symptoms or have fever greater than 100.3, stay away from others until you have not had a fever for 24 hours.

Call your doctor immediately to see if an antiviral medication is appropriate for you.

If you are sick, do not visit vulnerable loved ones who may be receiving care in a hospital, nursing home, cancer center or other setting.

If you are sick, do not kiss babies, pregnant women, grandparents, and others who may be at a higher risk of getting sick.

Cover your cough and sneeze.

Try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth.

Wash your hands frequently.

Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.

It’s not too late to get a flu shot.

The Department of Health is offering free flu shots at parish health units across the state until February 12, 2018.

To schedule an appointment to receive a flu shot, find the Parish Health Unit nearest to you by visiting http://ldh.la.gov/FightTheFlu and then call to schedule your visit.

Information provided by the Louisiana Department of Health.

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Monday, February 5

SU Alumni Association to hold membership drive at SARDI

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Alumni Association of St. Landry Parish will hold a membership drive on February 10 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The event will be held at the Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (SARDI), 1209 Diesi Street, in Opelousas, La.

For additional information contact, Antonio Harris at 337-278-6865 or 337-943-2410.

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SARDI partners with SU Alumni Association to host Debutante Ball

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La. – The Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (SARDI) has partnered with the Southern University Alumni Association of St. Landry Parish to host an annual Debutante and Cotillion Ball.

The event themed, “Imagine the Possibilities, A Journey to Excellence,” will be held at 7 p.m. on February 17, 2018 at the Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino Event Center, 2235 Creswell Lane Extension, in Opelousas, La.

Tickets are $25.

The ball is a formal event and men are asked to wear tuxedos or dark suits. Women are asked to wear floor length dresses.

For additional information, contact Antonio Harris at 337-278-6865 or 337-943-2410.

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Thursday, February 1

SU Land-Grant Campus to host 8th annual Louisiana Small Farmer Conference

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La. - Small farmers from throughout the state will gather at Southern University’s Felton G. Clark Activity Center March 15-17 to attend the 8^th annual Louisiana Small Farmer Conference.

The three-day conference, themed “Transforming and Elevating Louisiana Small Family Farms,” is designed to educate, provide expanded awareness of educational opportunities, USDA programs and services and other resources to help small farmers stay in business.

This event is the ideal venue for new and beginning farmers, small and urban farmers, agricultural business owners, community leaders, community based organizations, Urban Agriculturalists, Government Agencies and anyone interested in learning about agriculture.

The conference will kick-off at 10 a.m. with a grant writing session. Other events occurring during the conference will include the Louisiana Living Legends Banquet, which honors individuals who have made significant contributions to Southern University in the areas of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, and a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Southern University Land-Grant Campus’ Mobile Education and Technology Center.

Additional conference sessions will cover the topics of:

Managing Feral Hogs
Composting Large Animals
Social Media Marketing
Biodiversity on your Farm
Breeds for Changing Climates
Programs for Veterans

This year’s conference will also feature an Exhibit Hall which will provide an opportunity for vendors from various companies and organizations to share information about their products and services with the participants.

There is a limited complimentary registration for anyone who submits their registration by March 2. After this date, the registration fee for the conference will be $75 for Agricultural Professionals and $50 for Small Farmers. Payment for the conference should be made in the form of check or money order made payable to: Southern University Foundation – ANR Programs.

On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. daily during the conference.

To register or to reserve an exhibitor space, click here or contact Kelli Hollins at 225.771.5782 or via e-mail at kelli_hollins@suagcenter.com.

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