Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture: May 2018

Tuesday, May 29

The SU Ag Center will teach Youth Cooking Skills & Nutrition Education during its CHEF Cooking Camps

Creating Healthy Enjoyable Foods (CHEF) Camp participants conducted food demonstrations for Lake Charles Walmart customers on January 20, 2016.

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.) youth cooking camps for youth in several parishes throughout the state.

The C.H.E.F. camps are 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, West Carroll, East Carroll, St. James, Caddo, Madison, Lafayette, Jefferson Davis, St. HenAvoyelles, Evangeline and Morehouse Parishes.

Below are the dates and locations of the camps:

East Baton Rouge Parish

Camps will be held for youth aged 9 – 11 on July 9 – 11 and youth aged 12 – 15 on July 16 – 20.

Both camps will be held on the Southern University Baton Rouge campus in Pinkie E. Thrift Hall. 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 29.

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 June 18 - 22 for youth aged 9 – 12 at the General Trass High School Home Economics Room, 700 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Lake Providence, La.

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 Carolyn Robinson at 318-559-0060 or via email at carolyn_robinson@suagcenter.com.

West Carroll Parish

The camp will be held June 25 - 29 for youth aged 9 – 12 at the Thomas Jason Lingo Community Center, 10284 LA-17 in Oak Grove, La.

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 Carolyn Robinson at 318-428-3571 or via email at carolyn_robinson@suagcenter.com.

St. James Parish

The camp will be held July 16 - 20 at the St. James Housing Authority, 8234 Mills Street in St. James, La. for youth aged 9 – 12.

Participants are required to bring a bag lunch and drink each day.

Registration for the camp is $25 and must be accompanied with a completed registration form and mailed to: C.H.E.F., Nutrition Education Program, 2430 Louisiana Ave., Lutcher, La. 70071.

The deadline to register for the camp is Friday, July 13.

To obtain a registration form or for additional information, contact Lisa Weber at 225-562-2326 or via email at lisa_weber@suagcenter.com.

Madison Parish

The camp will be held June 11 - 15, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Madison High School, 1234 Madison High Drive in Tallulah, La.

Registration for the camp is $25.

Participants must register at the LSU/SU Ag Center located on 114 N. Cedar Street in Tallulah.

The deadline to registration for the camp is Wednesday, June 6.

For additional information, contact Sarah Sims at sarah_sims@suagcenter.com.

Lafayette Parish

The camp will be held July 30 – August 3at the LSU/ SU Ag Center Lafayette Extension Office, 1010 Lafayette St. Ste. 325 in Lafayette.

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

Jefferson Davis Parish

The camp will be held June 25 - 29 at the Jennings SU/LSU Extension Office, 1006 South Lake Arthur Ave. in Jennings, La. for youth aged 9 – 11. Only 25 youth will be accepted in the camp on a first come, first served basis.

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

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

Caddo Parish

The camp will be held June 18-22, from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., for youth aged 9 – 12 at the Caddo Extension Office, 2408 East 70th Street in Shreveport.

Registration for the camp is $15 per camper or $20 for two family members. The deadline to registration for the camp is Wednesday, June 13.

For additional information, contact Patricia Lee at 318-226-6805 or via e-mail at patricia_lee@suagcenter.com.

St. Helena Parish

The camp will be held July 16 – 20, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., for youth aged 9 – 14.

For additional information, contact Bianca Plant at 225-222-4136 or via email at bplant@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Avoyelles Parish

The camp will be held July 23 – 27. For additional information, contact Camellia Brown at 318-253-7526 or via e-mail at camelia_brown@suagcenter.com.

Evangeline Parish

The camp will be held June 25 – 29. For additional information, contact Camellia Brown at 318-253-7526 or via e-mail at camelia_brown@suagcenter.com.

Morehouse Parish

The camp will be held July 16 – 20. For additional information, contact Mariana Langston at 318-368-9935 or via e-mail at Marianna_langston@augcenter.com.

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Southern moves forward with Medical Marijuana Program

Southern University received the green light to move forward with its medical marijuana program.

The Southern University Board of Supervisors approved a contract with Advanced Biomedics LLC during its regularly scheduled meeting May 25.

Under the agreement, the Southern University Ag Center will receive more than $6 million over five years. The University’s contract with Advanced Biomedics will be allowed to automatically renew for two additional five-year periods unless there is cause to terminate. The company has also agreed to provide the Center with an additional $1 million signing bonus for each additional contract term.

Advanced Biomedics LLC will also support research initiatives through the Southern University Ag Center’s Southern Institute of Medicinal Plants (SIMP), directed by Janana Snowden.

“This is a momentous event. We are extremely excited to be able to provide quality medicine for the citizens of Louisiana,” said Bobby R. Phills, chancellor of the SU Ag Center and dean of the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences. “This groundbreaking research opportunity will also provide revenue for the University and economic development in North Baton Rouge.”

The Southern University Ag Center is currently awaiting the completion of background checks from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. After this process is completed, the University plans to construct a facility on a 176-acre plot of land in Baker, Louisiana. The operation will employ a staff of more than 40 who will be responsible for growing, manufacturing and distributing pharmaceutical grade medicines from the cannabis plant.

Products will be available in dispensaries throughout the state in early 2019.

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Tuesday, May 22

SU Land-Grant Campus holds successful rodeo despite heavy rainfall

Baton Rouge, La. – The pouring rain couldn’t stop the Southern University Land-Grant Campus’ Jaguar Rodeo on the Bluff. The event was held at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena on April 14.

A large crowd of individuals from Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi enjoyed barrel racing, team roping, a nearly five mile trail ride through the City of Baker and a zydeco dance featuring Lil’ Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers and singer, songwriter, and entertainer Sweet Nay.

Proceeds from the rodeo will be used to support student scholarships within the Southern University College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences.

The rodeo was sponsored by the Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus, the Mayors of Baton Rouge and Baker, La., SU Land-Grant Campus alumni, and a host of other supporters.

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

Photos from the rodeo are available here.

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Monday, May 21

More than 700 high school students participated in the SU Land-Grant Campus’ National Ag Day Celebration

Photos from the SU Land-Grant Campus' National Ag Day Celebration with was held on April 10, 2018 at the SU Ag Center.

Baton Rouge, La. – More than 700 middle and high school students from East Baton Rouge Parish participated in the Southern University Land-Grant Campus' National Ag Day Celebration on April 10.

The celebration was held in the SU Ag Center and other agriculture buildings. The students visited several Family and Consumer Sciences exhibits; participated in a cooking demonstration and toured the green house, food science, plant science, microbiology, biofuel, urban forestry, and meat processing laboratories in the SU Ag Center during the event. There was also a petting zoo were students were able to see live chickens, ducks, baby pigs, and lambs. The students were also treated to a drum line performance.

Southern University’s Office of Admissions and Recruitment was on hand to provide the students with admissions information to the university.

“This is our 6^th annual National Ag Day celebration. This year we are focusing on high school seniors and some 9 – 12 grade students. The importance of National Ag Day is to make sure the students are aware of all the different opportunities that are available to them within agriculture as far as careers. Also some of the things they can do while majoring in the department of agricultural sciences,” said Dr. Renita Marshall, event organizer and chair of the department of animal science at the SU College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences.

Dr. Ray Belton, Southern University System President-Chancellor and Dr. Bobby R. Phills, Chancellor of the SU Ag Center and Dean of the SU College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences welcomed the students to the university and encouraged them to pursue their higher education at Southern University.

National Ag Day, which was recognized on March 20, is a nationwide effort to tell the true story of American agriculture and remind citizens that agriculture is a part of everyday life. The SU Land-Grant Campus held its celebration on April 10 due to a scheduling conflict in March.

Photos from the event are available here.

Friday, May 18

One Health Symposium helps to improve the health of people, animals and the planet

East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor Sharon Weston-Broome speaks during the opening session of the One Health Symposium on April 12. Seated are, from left, Dr. Bobby R. Phills, Chancellor-Dean of the SU Land-Grant Campus and Dr. Mike Strain, Commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

Baton Rouge, La. – Mental Health, Louisiana’s Opioid Epidemic and Human Animal Relationships S.H.A.R.E. were among the many topics covered during the Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus’ two-day ‘One Health Symposium: Promoting Sustainable Communities.’ The event was held April 12 – 13, 2018 at the Southern University Law Center.

The 'One Health' concept is a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment.

The first day of the symposium focused on the various disciplines of the One Health community - medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, social sciences, nutrition, food science, engineering, agricultural and environmental sciences – together to improve the health of people, animals and the planet.

Students, faculty, staff and members of the community were provided with an opportunity to come together and share strategies as well as learn about the latest educational tools and resources which could facilitate the improvement of their health, the health of their animals - both pets and livestock - and the overall health of the environment.

The SU Land-Grant Campus’ three institutes - the Southern Institute for One Health One Medicine, the Southern Institute for Medicinal Plants, and the Southern Institute for Food Science, Nutrition and Wellness were also introduced during the symposium.

Daniel Whitley, Associate Administrator for the Foreign Agricultural Service at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), served as the luncheon speakers for the first day of the event.

Whitley, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from Southern University, is responsible for advising the USDA’s administration on trade policy issues to support American agriculture.

In his 20 years of working on agricultural trade issues he has served on trade negotiating teams in the World Trade Organization (WTO), directed trade analysis to support opening export markets and represented American agriculture in international organizations.

During his address, Whitley encouraged the students in attendance to never allow anyone to stop them from reaching their goals.

East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston-Broome, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain, SU Land-Grant Campus Chancellor-Dean Dr. Bobby Phills and SU Land-Grant Campus Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology Development Dr. Andra Johnson provided greeting and addressed the participates on the first day of the symposium.

The day ended with a reception and a FASpitch Student Competition.

Day two of the symposium included student oral and poster presentations and students huddles - which provided students with an opportunity to meet with agency representatives, academicians, and practitioners one-on-one to share their experiences and learn about job and scholarship opportunities.

Retired Assistant Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Michael J. Blackwell, DVM, MPH was the luncheon speaker.

Blackwell currently serves as the Director of the Pet Health Equity Program in the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee. He earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tuskegee University and a Master’s of Public Health degree from Loma Linda University.

The event ended with a student awards recognition banquet which recognized students with a 3.0 g.p.a. or higher.

“This symposium is another effort to better serve the citizens of Louisiana in a manner that is useful in addressing their scientific, technological, social, economic and cultural needs and enhance their overall quality of life,” said Dr. Andra Johnson. “The event was also designed to increase the marketability of our students while exposing them to individuals in their respective professions,” added Johnson.

The SU Land-Grant Campus plans to held its’ second annual One Health Symposium in the Spring of 2019.

Photos from the One Health Symposium are available here.

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SU Land-Grant Campus holds a successful Strategic Planning Retreat

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus held a Strategic Planning Retreat on May 15-16, 2018 at the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union and the SU Ag Center.

The retreat was held to bring all the campus’ stakeholders – administration, faculty and staff – together to develop strategies that will be used to achieve several goals and sub-goals for the SU Land-Grant Campus. These goals and sub-goals will be used to outline the future of the academic programs and outreach services for the campus.

The faculty and staff were divided into five committees on the first day of the retreat. Each committee developed a strategy for one of the following five goals:

1. Promote and build the spirit of service and teamwork among faculty and staff across the academic, research, and extension units;

2. Establish Centers of Excellence that fulfill the Land-Grant teaching, research and extension mission;

3. Transform the academic model to better meet the needs of Agricultural Family and Consumer Sciences students to prepare them to be highly competitive in the global workforce;

4. Build partnerships and improve the SU Ag Center/CAFCS relations with stakeholders such as alumni, business enterprise and corporations, foundations, public and private agencies, other institutions and the community

5. Efficiently and effectively manage existing resources and aggressively pursue public and private resources to support the Land-Grant mission.

At the end of the day, the faculty and staff were treated to a cook out on the lawn of Fisher Hall.

The committees continued their process of developing strategies and a mission statement on the second day of the retreat. The chairpersons of each committee also presented an oral report to the full campus on their recommended strategies.

In the coming months, the steering committee will prepare drafts of the strategic plan; receive feedback from faculty, staff and students; publish a final copy of the Strategic Plan and begin implementing the strategies.

Photos from the Strategic Planning Retreat are available here.

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Tuesday, May 15

SU Land-Grant Campus holds Strategic Planning Retreat

Baton Rouge, La. – The SU Land-Grant Campus, consisting of the SU Ag Center and the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences (CAFSC), is holding its Strategic Planning Retreat in the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union.

The campus' faculty and staff are working to promote and build the spirit of service and teamwork among faculty and staff across the academic, research, and extension units; establish Centers of Excellence that fulfill the Land-Grant teaching, research and extension mission; transform the academic model to better meet the needs of Agricultural Family and Consumer Sciences students to prepare them to be highly competitive in the global workforce; build partnerships and improve the SU Ag Center/CAFCS relations with stakeholders such as alumni, business enterprise and corporations, foundations, public and private agencies, other institutions and the community and efficiently and effectively manage existing resources and aggressively pursue public and private resources to support the Land-Grant mission.

The retreat will be held from May 15 - 16, 2018.

Photos from the retreat are available here.

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Monday, May 14

Communities of Color Network (CoC) Presents at Eliminate Tobacco Use Summit

Communities of Color Network staff members, from left, Ryan Sugulleh, Frankie Poland, Linda Early Brown, and Jamea Hart participated in the Eliminate Tobacco Use Summit in Houston, Texas on April 25-26.

Baton Rouge, La. – The Communities of Color Network (CoC) participated in the Eliminate Tobacco Use Summit in conjunction with universities from our neighboring state of Texas on April 25-26. The event was held in Houston, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. CoC Director, Linda Early Brown, presented a dynamic and inspiring presentation on behalf of the Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus/CoC Network regarding the status of the tobacco policy, cessation resources, methodology of communicating effective educational awareness programs and the overall impact of the program.

CoC’s staff gained useful information via networking with other colleagues and identified potential resources and the exploration of collaborative partnerships as it impacts health issues. Staff members in attendance included Ryan Sugulleh, Frankie Poland, and Jamea Hart.

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SU Land-Grant Campus participates in Annual Louisiana Earth Day Celebration

Baton Rouge, La. - Staff and students from the Southern University Land-Grant Campus participated in Louisiana Earth Day 2018 on April 29 at the Parker Coliseum on LSU's campus. The Land-Grant Campus' booth included information on the programs and services provided by the Ag Center and the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences as well as games that taught children about agriculture.

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