Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture: October 2018

Tuesday, October 30

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.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

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.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Monday, October 29

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.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Thursday, October 25

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.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Wednesday, October 24

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.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Monday, October 22

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.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Friday, October 19

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.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Monday, October 15

SU Land-Grant Campus holds a successful Listening Session in White Castle

The Southern University Land-Grant Campus held a Listening Session in the Town of White Castle on Oct. 9. Information gathered during the session will be used to implement strategies, seminars and workshops to aid the community.

Baton Rouge, La. – Nearly 50 Iberville Parish residents along with Southern University Land-Grant Campus and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) employees attended a Listening Session on October 9 at the Town of White Castle’s Community Center.

The event, which was hosted by the SU Land-Grant Campus and the USDA, was held to hear the needs and concerns of the town’s citizens. Information gathered during the session will be used to implement strategies, seminars and workshops to aid the community.

“The whole intent of the listening session is to listen to what the citizens need and figure out how to take care of those needs,” said Bobby R. Phills, Ph.D., Chancellor-Dean of the Southern University Land-Grant Campus.

The session consisted of a panel of Vice Chancellors from the Southern University Land-Grant Campus and representatives from several USDA agencies.

Residents were able to submit written questions, as well as ask questions directly to the panel.

Many of the questions asked pertained to the USDA’s Farm Bill, USDA’s housing assistance programs, school and community gardening and youth enrichment programs.

“We will provide two youth from the Town of White Castle the opportunity to participate in our ‘Cultivating Leadership Innovation by Motivating Agricultural Talent Education’ (CLIMATE) Program,” said Dawn Mellion-Patin, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor for Extension and Outreach at the SU Ag Center, when asked about assistance for youth in the Town of White Castle. “This is a five week residential program for high school students which aims to improve ACT scores and introduces the students to careers in the agricultural industry,” she added.

White Castle Mayor Gerald Jermarr Williams provided greetings to the attendees; White Castle Mayor-Pro Temp, Barbara O’Bear, provided a welcome and presided over the program and Phills introduced the panelists and moderated the session.

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

The White Castle Listening Session was the first of several sessions that will be held throughout the state in the coming months.

For additional information about the Southern University Land-Grant Campus and its programs and services, visit our website at www.suagcenter.com or call us at 225-771-2242.

Photos from the listening session are available here.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Monday, October 1

Residents of White Castle and surrounding areas invited to attend a Listening Session

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La. - White Castle residents and individuals from surrounding areas are invited to attend a Listening Session hosted by the Southern University Land-Grant Campus at 6 p.m. on October 9 at the White Castle Community Center, 32725 Bowie Street.

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 White Castle, contact the Office of the Chancellor for the Southern University Land-Grant Campus at 225-771-2242.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook