Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture: January 2020

Thursday, January 30

SU Ag Center launches CBD product line

Southern University becomes the first HBCU to produce CBD products

From left, Orlando McMeans, Ph.D., chancellor-dean of the SU Ag Center and College of Ag, Janana Snowden, Ph.D., director of the Center's Southern Institute of Medicinal Plants, and Ray Belton, president of the Southern University System showcase the University's CBD products before a press conference and ribbon-cutting held at H&W Drug Store Dispensary on Jan. 30.

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center along with its medical marijuana partner, Ilera Holistic Healthcare, held a press conference and ribbon-cutting today to mark the launch of its hemp-derived CBD product line, Alafia Healthcare.

“This is a historic milestone for the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center in that today, we have become the first HBCU, in partnership with Ilera Holistic Healthcare, to release CBD products to be sold to licensed pharmacies throughout the state of Louisiana,” said Orlando F. McMeans, Ph.D., Chancellor-Dean of the SU Ag Center and the College of Ag.

The event was held at the New Orleans area H&W Drug Store Dispensary, one of the state’s nine marijuana licensed pharmacies. The over-the-counter CBD products will be sold in eight of Louisiana’s nine licensed pharmacies as well as to pharmacies throughout the nation.

Alafia, which means ‘inner peace’ in the Yoruba language, is lab tested, pesticide-free and scientifically formulated. There are currently two formulated PURE CBD tinctures available: Isolate CBD with 500mg ($40) and 1,000mg ($80) and Full Spectrum CBD with 500mg ($40) and 1,000mg ($80). Additional CBD products will be released soon.

CBD was legalized for sale and distribution in all 50 states in the 2018 Farm Bill. Ilera’s products contain 0.3% or less of the THC component. Which means users will not obtain a “high” from using the products.

“This program aims at improving the quality of lives for the individuals served via the vehicles of education, research and outreach, all of which are in line with the mission of the Southern University Ag Center,” added McMeans.

The products are expected to be on the shelves of local and national retailers and distributors by the end of February 2020. For additional information about distribution and retail locations, visit www.alafiahealthcare.com.

Alafia Healthcare is currently available at the following locations:

H & W Drug Store

1667 Tchoupitoulas Street

New Orleans, LA 70130

Capitol Wellness Solutions

7491 Picardy Avenue

Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Green Leaf Dispensary

6048 W. Park Avenue

Houma, LA 70364

The Apothecary Shoppe

620 Guilbeau Road, Suite A

Lafayette, LA 70506

Medicis

1727 Imperial Blvd., Building 4

Lake Charles, LA 70605

The Medicine Cabinet Pharmacy

403 Bolton Avenue

Alexandria, LA 71301

Hope Pharmacy

1410 Kings Highway, Suite A

Shreveport, LA 71103

Willow Pharmacy

1519 Highway 22 West, Suite 5

Madisonville, LA 70447

LaKeeshia Lusk, Communications Coordinator for the SU Ag Center and Janene Tate, Communications Director for the Southern University System, were contributing writers for this press release.

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Wednesday, January 29

SU Ag Center set to hold press conference showcasing CBD products

CBD products now available

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center and Ilera Holistic Healthcare, Southern’s Medical Marijuana Vendor, will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 30, to showcase the vendor’s CBD products, which are now available.

The event will be held at the New Orleans area H&W Drug Store Dispensary, one of the state’s nine marijuana licensed pharmacies.

“We will become the first Historical Black College or University (HBCU), in partnership with Ilera Holistic Healthcare, to release CBD products to be sold to licensed pharmacies throughout the state of Louisiana,” said Orlando F. McMeans, Ph.D.Chancellor-Dean of the Southern University Ag Center and the College of Ag.

Ilera recently released its over-the-counter CBD or Cannabidiol products, branded as Alafia Healthcare. The products will be sold in eight of Louisiana’s nine licensed pharmacies as well as to pharmacies throughout the nation. Products will be on display during the event.

CBD is derived from the hemp plant, which was legalized for sale and distribution in the 2018 farm bill. Ilera’s products contain 0.3% or less of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychotropic component in plants that can cause individuals to experience a “high.” Making it impossible for individuals to get high from the products.

H&W Drug Store, which is the oldest Black-owned pharmacy in New Orleans, is owned by Ruston Henry. Wesley J. Watkins and Sterling Henry, Sr., the father of the current owner, opened the pharmacy more than 50 years ago. The younger Henry took over the business in 1999.

Additional information on the products and our partnerships will be provided by leaders from the Southern University Ag Center, the Southern University System and Ilera Holistic Healthcare during the press conference.

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Monday, January 27

SU Ag Center set for the 10th annual Louisiana Small Farmer Conference

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La. – For a decade, the Southern University Ag Center’s Louisiana Small Farmers Conference has provided the state’s small agricultural producers with strategies and information on the latest educational tools and resources to help them stay in business.

This year’s conference themed, “Investing In Your Small Farm Business,” will be held at Southern University’s Felton G. Clark Activity Center from March 18-21.

Two pre-conference sessions will be held on Wednesday, March 18. Participants will have the option of attending either a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training or a Louisiana HEMP Summit on this day. The conference will officially begin on Thursday, March 19.

Natalie Baszile, author of the Louisiana based novel “Queen Sugar” will be the keynote speaker on Friday, March 20^th.

Baszile is an award-winning author whose works have appeared in O, The Oprah Magazine; The Rumpus.net; the Lenny Letter; and The Best Women’s Travel Writing, Volume 9. She is best known for her book, Queen Sugar, which writer/director Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey have adapted into a television series for Winfrey’s television network, OWN. The book was nominated for an NAACP Image Award, was listed on the Crooks Corner Southern Book Prize and was named one of the Best Books of 2014 by the San Franciso Chronicle.

Natalie has an M.A. in Afro-American Studies from UCLA and is a graduate of Warren Wilson College’s MFA Program for Writers.

The conference will also include a grant writing panel, networking opportunities, an exhibit hall, and the Louisiana Living Legends Luncheon, which honors individuals who have made significant contributions to Southern University in the areas of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences.

Limited complimentary registration for small farmers is available until February 28, 2020. After this date, the registration fee for the conference will be $75 for small farmers.

The fee for agricultural professionals is $100. All fees should be made payable to the Southern University Foundation – ANR Programs in the form of a check or money order.

On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. daily during the conference. Agricultural exhibitors are welcome to participate.

To register online, visit http://www.suagcenter.com/form/smallfarms. Exhibitors can register at http://www.suagcenter.com/form/exhibitor-registration-for-the-10th-annual-louisiana-small-farmer-conference.

For additional information contact Zanetta Augustine at 225.771.2591 or via e-mail at zanetta_augustine@suagcenter.com.

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Thursday, January 23

SU Ag Center to host nutrition and fitness program for women

Event flyers

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Ag Center is set to host its Sisters Together: Move More, Eat Better program in East Baton Rouge and St. Landry Parishes.

The six-month nutrition and physical fitness program is designed to assist women to maintain a healthy weight, by becoming more physically active and eating healthier foods.

Participants will meet once a month and participate in a lesson and an activity which includes Behavior Changes, Zumba, Walking into a Healthy Weight, Meals to Menus, Bike Rides, Fad Diets, and Water Aerobics.

The sessions in St. Landry Parish will be held from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development Institute located at 1209 Diesi Street in Opelousas on the following dates:

February 18

March 17

April 21

May 19

June 16

For additional information about the St. Landry Parish program, contact Angell Jordan at 337-934-2410 or email angell_jordan@suagcenter.com.

The East Baton Rouge Parish sessions will be held from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the following dates and locations:

February 19

Chef Celeste Bistro

520 Spain Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

March 25

Bees Body Fitness

11616 Industriplex Blvd. Ste. 5

Baton Rouge, LA 70809

April 22

Chef Celeste Bistro

520 Spain Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

May 27

Seymour Gym

Southern University and A&M College

Baton Rouge, LA 70813

June 17

Chef Celeste Bistro

520 Spain Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

For additional information about our East Baton Rouge Parish program, contact Kiyana Kelly at kiyana_kelly@suagcenter.com.

The kick-off event for the St. Landry Parish program was held on January 21. The East Baton Rouge Parish kick-off was held on January 22.

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Tuesday, January 21

Applications for the USDA/1890 National Scholarship Program are now available

Baton Rouge, La. – Applications for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) /1890 National Scholars Program are currently being accepted.

The highly competitive scholarship program provides full-tuition payment, among other benefits, for up to 4-years to selected students enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an 1890 Land-Grant University. The program is open to high school seniors, college freshmen, and sophomores who exhibit exemplary leadership traits and demonstrated community service.

The goal of the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is to increase the number of students studying agriculture, food sciences, natural resource sciences, and other related disciplines.

For additional information about the program and to apply, visit https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1890-natl-scholars-program-2020-college-application.pdf.

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Friday, January 17

Eight SU Urban Forestry students awarded Louisiana Forestry Foundation Scholarships

Standing from left are Dr. Yadong Qi, Chair of the Department of Urban Forestry in Southern University's College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences, SU Urban Forestry students Terrel Lewis, Rodney Purdy, Asija Rice, Kyla Bryant, and Tywin Tate. The students were award scholarships from the Louisiana Forestry Foundation. Students Tess Brown, Ke'Shae Brumfield, and Nichols Pryor also received scholarships.

Baton Rouge, La. – Eight Southern University students in the Department of Urban Forestry have been awarded scholarships from the Louisiana Forestry Foundation for the Spring 2020 semester.

The following students each received a $600 scholarship from the foundation:

Terrel Lewis, a junior from Opelousas, LA received the Lyndon Erroll Dawson Jr. Scholarship.
Rodney Purdy, a junior from South Holland, IL received the Rudolph E. Krause Scholarship.
Asija Rice, a senior from Baton Rouge, LA received the Commander Bertrand Dean Scholarship.
Kyla Bryant, a sophomore from Greensburg, LA received the Henry Hardtner Scholarship.
Tywin Tate, a sophomore from Franklinton, LA received the Lyndon Erroll Dawson Jr. Scholarship.
Tess Brown, a sophomore from Denham Springs, LA received the Henry Hardtner Scholarship.
Ke’Shae Brumfield, a sophomore from Baton Rouge, LA received the Frank O. Pruitt Scholarship.
Nichols Pryor, a sophomore from Ferriday, LA received the Commander Bertrand Dean Scholarship.

The students will be recognized at the Annual Louisiana Forestry Association Convention in August.

The Louisiana Forestry Foundation has been awarding scholarships to Southern University students majoring in forestry since 2018. Applications for the scholarships are accepted each spring for the following year. To renew their scholarship, students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.75 and continue to major in forestry.

The foundation also awards scholarships to forestry students at Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech University, Central Louisiana Technical & Community College - Huey P. Long Campus in Winnfield, and the SOWELA Technical Community College - Oakdale Campus.

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Wednesday, January 15

College of Ag, Family and Consumer Sciences holds Spring Convocation

Baton Rouge, La. – The College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences held its Spring 2020 Convocation on January 14 at 10 a.m. in Pinkie Thrift Hall.

The faculty and staff of the College were greeted by Dr. Renita W. Marshall, Vice Chancellor-Associate Dean, followed by an address from Chancellor-Dean Dr. Orlando McMeans.

Dr. Harold Mellieon, Chair of the Department of Agricultural Sciences; Dr. Cheryl Atkinson, Chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences; and Dr. Yadong Qi, Chair of the Department of Urban Forestry provided updates from their departments.

Dr. Oscar Udoh, Coordinator for Planning and Evaluation also provided information and updates from his area.

A presentation on the College’s Grow Jags Student Recruitment Campaign was presented to faculty and staff by LaKeeshia Lusk and D’Andre Lee, members of the SU Ag Center’s Office of Technology and Communications Services. The campaign aims to grow the number of students enrolled in the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences by 300 students. A soft launch for the two-year campaign will begin on February 3, 2020 and will include a general brochure for the College, billboards, posters, and a recruitment webpage.

Closing remarks for the convocation were given by Dr. Calvin Walker, Executive Vice Chancellor and Director of Development: Agriculture, Research and Extension Center.

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Tuesday, January 7

Applications now available for the College of Ag’s Summer BAYOU Program

The program introduces youth to the career opportunities available in the field of agriculture.

Baton Rouge, La. – Southern University’s College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences is now accepting applications for its summer Beginning Agricultural Youth Opportunities Unlimited (BAYOU) Program.

The three-week program will be held June 7 – 26, 2020 and will provide high school seniors and incoming college freshmen with an opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge about career opportunities in Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, Business or the natural sciences.

The students will live in the dormitories on the Southern University Baton Rouge campus during the program and are permitted to go home on the weekends.

To qualify, students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and have completed 11th grade. Graduating high school seniors must have either an ACT (SAT equivalent) composite score of 20 or above, or a 2.5 GPA, or rank in the top 50% of their high school graduation class and require no more than one remedial course.

To obtain an application visit https://bit.ly/2RmLdQo. The application deadline is April 1, 2020.

Questions and concerns about the BAYOU Program can be directed to Jacqueline Dixon at 225-771-4310 or via email at jacqueline_dixon@subr.edu.

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