Honoré to motivate Ag Center Youth

Retired Lt. General Russel L. Honoré will speak with 300 youth attending the Family and Youth Expo at 2pm tomorrow in the Southern University Smith-Brown Memorial Union.

At 6 p.m. today, youth will get acquainted and enjoy Funtastic activities on the grounds of the Southern University Ag Center. Educational seminars and workshops on technology, hand washing, juvenile justice, 4H, poultry, bullying, and making scent bars will be held through out the day tomorrow.

“These youth are participants of Southern University Ag Center’s Youth Educational Support (YES) programs across the state,” said Wanda Burke, youth development specialist. Expo is the Ag Center's culminating youth development activity. The event ends Saturday at 10:30am

Honoré will keynote the general assembly, delivering a message on the expo theme: “Inspiring Youth with Tools for Achieving Excellence”. For more information, contact Burke, youth development specialist, at the Southern University Ag Center, (225) 771-2242, or visit www.suagcenter.com.

National 4-H conference rejuvenates Louisiana youth

Four Louisiana students arrived in Washington, D.C. last month to attend the 2010 National 4-H Conference in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The six-day conference consisted of youth delegates from 49 states and two countries representing 1862, 1890, and 1994 land grant colleges and universities. 

The youth delegation from the SU Ag Center were: Kaylon Benjamin, sophomore, Lafayette High School; Jeremi Edwards, junior, La Grange High School; Darrell Griffin, sopho-more, St. Helena Central High School; and Kori Williams, sophomore, Thurgood Marshall Early College High School, New Orleans. Supervis-ing the group were Wanda Burke, PhD, youth development specialist, and Hendrix Broussard, assistant area agent, Orleans Parish. 

The youth participated in roundtable discussions about their respective state programs and shared ideas that they could take from other states and use to make an impact on youth back in their home communities. 

The delegates got a chance to tour his-toric landmarks, witness the changing of the guards at the Tombs of The Un-known Soldiers, and see the 911 me-morial at the Pentagon. They also met with some elected officials from Lou-isiana to address youth issues in their communities. They met with Congressman Charlie Melancon, Congressman William Cassidy, Senator David Vitter, and an assistant to Senator Mary Landrieu. Another highlight of the trip was meeting Oscar award-winner Monique while at the airport in New Orleans. 

Timbuktu Blue wins Quiz Bowl

The Southern University Ag Center hosted the 16th Annual Black History Quiz Bowl, February 18. The Quiz Bowl began in the College of Agricultural Family and Consumer Sciences and has been organized each year by Owusu Bandele, professor emeritus, horticulture, SU Ag Center, since the inception of the Center. This year, Timbuktu Blue took first place. All eight participating teams had an opportunity to select from an impressive array of books by African-American authors. 

Claiborne, Natchitoches youth win most showmanship champions

The 67th Annual State Livestock Show
Showmanship Champions

2010 Beef Breeding Division

Category:  Brahman Influence – Heifer

Champion: MacKenzie Scriber, Claiborne Parish

Reserve Champion: Austin McCurry, Claiborne Parish

Category:  Non-Brahman Influence – Heifer

Champion:  Taylor Dobson, Natchitoches Parish

Reserve Champion: Taylor Dobson, Natchitoches Parish

Category:  Brahman Influence – Bull

Champion: Jake LaCaze, Natchitoches Parish

Reserve Champion: Ashlyn Turner, Claiborne Parish

Category:  Non-Brahman Influence – Bull

Champion: Chloe Thompson, Bossier Parish

Reserve Champion: Mitchell Miles, Winn Parish

Category:  Commercial Heifer

Champion: Mitchell Miles, Winn Parish

Reserve Champion: Jesse Magee, Jackson Parish
                            Category:  Beef Showmanship

Champion: Megan Hammons, Jackson Parish

Reserve Champion: MacKenzie Scriber, Claiborne Parish

2010 Junior Dairy Division
 Dairy Champion and Showmanship
Eugene Runles, Superintendent

Category: Supreme Champion

Champion: Ann Robinson, Webster Parish

Reserve Champion: Baylse Salley, Sabine Parish

2010 Commercial Dairy Division

Category: Supreme Commercial Champion

Champion: Stefanie Ferguson, Winn Parish

Reserve Champion: Baylse Salley, Sabine Parish                       

          Category:  Dairy Showmanship

Champion: Katherine Rashall, Caddo Parish

2010 Market Goat Division
Goat Showmanship Only 
Mary McMahon, Superintendent

Category:  Goat Showmanship

Champion: Kyle Curtis, Beauregard Parish

Reserve Champion: Hayden Holtzclaw, Webster Parish

2010 Market Lamb Division     
 Lamb Showmanship Only
Terrance Marshall, Superintendent

Category:  Lamb Showmanship

Champion: Maggie Brakeville, Bossier Parish

Reserve Champion: Thomas Bearden, Bossier Parish

2010 Market Hog Division
Swine Showmanship Only
Terry Washington, Superintendent
Category:  Swine Showmanship

Champion: Makayla Conner, Calcasieu Parish

Reserve Champion:Parker Bevel, Caddo Parish


Contact: Livestock Show Programs, Southern University Ag Center, 225-771-2242 

Show dedicated to Turnley, Quebedeaux

This weekend's 67th Annual State Livestock Show was dedicated to former Rep. Richard “Dick” Turnley Jr., a native of Plaquemine, and to the memory of Danny Quebedeaux, an educator, mentor, and teacher in Thibodaux.

Richard “Dick” Turnley Jr.
Turnley became CEO and Treasurer of the Southern Teachers and Parents Federal Credit Union in 1959, the oldest black-owned financial institution in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 1972, he was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives where he served until 1984 when he was elected to the Louisiana Senate. While in the senate, Mr. Turnley played a key role in organizing the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus. His public service was not limited to his immediate area as he served as a volunteer consultant for the World Council of Credit Unions for the South Africa Credit Union Movement, where he was very instrumental in the development of credit unions there. Under Mr. Turnley’s leadership, the Southern University Teachers and Parents Federal Credit Union has supported the Southern University Ag Center's Livestock Show Programs by purchasing the Grand Champions and Reserve Champions. (Eldridge Etienne, assistant manager, Southern University Teachers and Parents Federal Credit Union, accepts recognition)

Danny Quebedeax
Quebedeax spent more than 34 years teaching agriculture and sponsoring the FFA organization and other programs at his school. In his years of teaching, he touched many lives in and out of the classroom. Working with students brought him tremendous joy and that passion was evident throughout his career. Most students, who enrolled in the agricultural program, had no idea what it was about. He prepared junior high students to compete against high school students. His students, in many of the contest, came back home to Thibodaux with championship trophies. He trained these students to be winners and would not accept anything less. (Quebedeax's family accepts recognition)

Lastrapes joins Louisiana 4-H Team

Southern University Ag Center area agent Edna Lastrapes joins the six-member team representing the Louisiana 4-H Youth Development program.

The team was selected to participate in the Building Partnerships for Youth’s Spotlighting Positive Youth Development program offered through a partnership between National 4-H Council and the University of Arizona. According to the Louisiana 4-H Club, the selection for the conference was very competitive with fewer than 15% of applicants being accepted.

“I expect to develop greater knowledge of how positive youth development can address the many issues facing youth in Louisiana with a focus on the issues faced by youth in the Southwest Center's service region,” said Lastrapes.

The effort will provide the team with an opportunity to learn ways to coordinate efforts of deliberate incorporation of positive youth development into programs and policies. According to Louisiana 4-H, the overall goal of the program is to produce a systems-level impact that supports youth throughout the state.

“With this knowledge, our team will design a plan to build greater capacity by forming a coalition and offering a youth development conference for youth and adult teams throughout the state, which will include students and adults who I am currently working with,” said Lastrapes who organizes the youth programs of the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives’ 10-parish region.

“By creating a coalition and facilitating collaboration, the goal will be to engage youth in positive youth development experiences with caring adults yielding a better informed, healthy, and supported youth,” she said.

Members of Louisiana’s team are:

•        Eve Franchebois, Collegiate 4-H
•        David Free, Collegiate 4-H and Pastor, Memorial Baptist Church
•        Lanette Hebert, Regional 4-H Coordinator, Louisiana 4-H, LSU AgCenter
•        Edna Lastrapes, Area Agent, Youth Development, Southern University
•        Trey Williams, Department of Social Services, State of Louisiana
•        John Wyble, Louisiana CASA Association

The team will participate in a three-day kickoff conference held in Chevy Chase, Md., in February. The conference will be followed with monthly, Web-based conferences throughout the year.

The Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives is a satellite entity of the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Its mission is to promote socioeconomic development within a 10-parish region. For more information, please contact Lastrapes at (337) 943-2410.

For more information http://cals-cf.calsnet.arizona.edu/fcs/bpy/index.cfm.

Vice Chancellor to serve as Louisiana Role Model, featured on WBRZ

The 4^th Annual New Orleans Style Jazz Brunch, held December 12, 2009 honored nine outstanding Louisiana Role Models. Among the honorees was Gina E. Eubanks, Ph.D., SU Ag Center vice chancellor for extension, who was selected by Baton Rouge Chapter of The Links Incorporated to serve as Louisiana Role Models for one year effective December 2009. 

The Links Inc. is a national organization of accomplished, dedicated women who are active in the community. Links are role models, mentors, activists and volunteers who work toward the realization of making the name "Links" not only a chain of friendship, but also a chain of purposeful service.  


Eubanks’ dedication to mentoring is also found in her service to the Big Buddy Program. On January 4, WBRZ Channel 2 reporter Dana Hackett sat down with members of the Big Buddy program in Baton Rouge with an invitation for the public to get involved.  Eubanks and her Big Buddy service were featured on the Channel 2 morning show, 2une In, see the broadcast at http://www.wbrz.com/news/big-buddy-program-promotes-mentoring-on-2une-in/  

School garden nurtures community

The principal and teachers of St. Helena Central Middle School collaborated with Angela Myles, area youth agent, to establish a junior master garden club. Today, mustard greens are sprouting in the garden which doubles as a community garden. The garden is used to nurture community spirit, common purpose and culture appreciation among the diverse populations in the parish.

The children involved in the school-based 4-H Club, along with their parents, said the vibrant garden would be an environmental classroom for tangible educational projects, service learning and leadership development.

Several community leaders and local businesses are excited about volunteering in the garden project as a way of giving back to the community. The mission of the community garden is to bring school children and community members together to work for a sustainable planet. The project is designed to motivate and equip St. Helena residents to take action on behalf of youth at the community, organizational, family and individual levels.

As an outside classroom, the vegetable garden provides real life, hands-on experience to study health and nutrition, oral health, science, mathematics, ecology, agriculture and more.

The concept builds upon the existing community resources and assets; it has the power to change peoples’ lives and can affect St. Helena children in profound ways," said Myles.

Beat the Back to School Blues

Many children feel nervous or even scared the first few weeks of  school because of all the new things: new teachers, new friends, and maybe even a new school. Luckily, these "new" worries only stick around for a little while. You can beat the back to school blues by knowing what to expect.

Going Back to School Tips

• Get enough sleep so you will be able to stay awake in class.
• Eat a balanced breakfast to give you the energy you will need.
• Try to go to school with a positive attitude every day (although it's OK to have a blue funk sometimes).
• Give school your best effort.
• Develop good work habits. That means writing down your assignments and turning in your homework on time.
• Take your time with assignments in and out of the classroom, If you don't understand something, ask the teacher.
• Keep a sense of humor.

Read more tips at http://www.suagcenter.com/News%20Archives/Jul-Aug2005/BackToSchool.html

Back to School Summit to encourage teens to 'Change the World'

"It's Back-to-School Summit time again and we expect this year to be one of the best ones yet," said Edna Lastrapes, assistant area agent for the Southern University Ag Center.

This year, the summit takes on the

 theme "Knowledge is Power: Change the World," encouraging nearly 2,300 eighth graders from St. Landry, Evangeline, St. Martin, and Pointe Coupee parishes to change their clothes, change the channel, change the minds, change their direction, change their attitude, and change the world.

The summit will bring together music, drama, humor and inspiring speakers to help the preteens and teens make healthy choices and to choose abstinence until marriage as the healthiest lifestyle. Each summit is a full day of activities from 8 am to 2 pm on Friday, August 21, 2009, in Opelousas; and from 8:30 am - 2:00 pm Friday, August 28, 2009, in Ville Platte; Thursday, September 3, 2009, in Cade and Friday, September 11, 2009 in New Roads.

All programmatic areas of the Ag Center will be on display at each summit.

The summit is an annual collaboration between the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center- through its Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives and 40 other nonprofit organizations, state agencies, local municipal governments, and businesses.

For more information, contact the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives at (337) 943-2410 or email Edna Lastrapes at Edna_lastrapes@suagcenter.com.

Teaching life skills in St. Helena

The Full Circle Parenting Program brought family and life skills lessons to 28 students at St. Helena Central High School, in Greensburg, as they ended the school year. 

Parent educator Delores Johnson taught the teenagers how to create functional resumes including a reference list and cover letter. They discussed the advantages of obtaining background information on a prospective employer, as well as, how and where to search for a job. With assistance from Southern University Ag Center agents, the students completed job applications to learn how to properly complete. 

During the two-hour session the students discussed practical budgeting and developed personal spending plan. They learned the importance of good credit and why they should begin the habit of checking their credit reports even as young as 16 years old.  “These youth will be in search of summer jobs. Having received the proper information they are more likely to succeed in their job search,” said Johnson.

Charting career flight plans

By Chante Warren

(c) The Advocate

When Keenon Batiste, 12, made his first visit to the air traffic control tower at the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport on Friday, he watched the movements of a plane on a radar screen.

Moments later, Batiste grabbed a pair of binoculars to get a closer view of the airplane. “I see it. Cool,” said Batiste, who pointed at a private plane, followed minutes later by a commercial airliner.

Batiste joined 29 other students, ages 12 through 17, who were participants in, “Do You Believe You Can Fly” Aviation Youth Clinic, which is part of a three-day Southern University Ag Center Family and Youth Expo program which ends today, said Edna Lastrapes, youth agent for the center. The clinic introduces students to the world of aviation, she said.

Read the entire article at http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/48648337.html

Youth aviation clinic opens registration to 30 Expo participants

Thirty youth participants of the Southern University Ag Center's Family and Youth Expo will have an opportunity to take simulated wings and fly during a special session next Friday, June 19, 9 am.

The "Do You Believe You Can Fly? Aviation Clinic" will introduce pre-teens and teenagers to the world of aviation as part of the two-day expo activities.

Louisiana aviator Al Rutherford will share insight on aviation and provide a tour of the Baton Rouge control towers, airport hangers, and Coast Guard helicopter. Participating youth will learn about career opportunities in aviation and how to become certified pilots. They will also simulate an actual flight thanks to the state department of transportation and development.

This clinic is limited to the first 30 Youth Expo participants who calls the Southwest Center for rural Initiatives at (337) 943-2410 or emails edna_lastrapes@suagcenter.com to register.  

The 2009 Family and Youth Expo, is the Ag Center's culminating youth development activity for youth throughout the state. The youth will participate in competitions, seminars, and workshops, June 19-20 in Baton Rouge. Southern University chancellor Kofi Lomotey will be the keynote speaker, and youth will display a parade of parishes and the lessons they've learned from Ag Center agents. 

For more information on the expo, visit http://www.suagcenter.com/youthexpo/YouthExpo2009/youthexpo09.html

Ready, Set, Go!

Plans are underway statewide as youth prepare to travel to Baton Rouge for the 2009 Family and Youth Expo, "READY, SET, GO: Encouraging Youth to Win the Academic Race." 

The June 18-20, 2009, expo is the culminating celebration for the Ag Center's youth development programs. All activities will be held on the Southern University Baton Rouge campus.

Contact your local agent or Wanda Burke, Ph.D., youth development specialist, (225) 771-2242 ext. 325 for more information. 

Administering Medicine to Children

By Kristin Brandon
Parent Educator, Southern University Ag Center

Taking care of children can be challenging, but administering medicine when a child is sick can be an even bigger challenge for parents. When giving prescription or over-the-counter medicine, safety should always be a parent's top concern. First and foremost, parents need to make sure that they have carefully read the dosage instructions and are giving the right amount at the right time. Keep in mind, young children under the age of 2 must have doctor's approval before given over-the-counter medications. Read eight tips for parents and child care providers to consider before administering medicine to young children.

19-year-old gives tobacco testimony

Nineteen year old Brandon Dorn recently sat down with the Ag Center's Communities of Color Network to share his experience with tobacco and why he chose to stop smoking. Here is his story:

Brandon Dorn is only 19 years old, but he’s experienced numerous hardships which led him down an undesirable path.  With mounting pressures at school and home, Dorn began using tobacco four years ago because, he said, it was “something to do and it calmed my nerves.”  Although it was something to do at the time, Dorn said, he soon realized smoking wasn’t the right thing to do—at least not for him.   

 “I stopped because I have a future!  I had scouts coming to watch me play basketball and football, and I had to get myself into shape.  I didn’t want to ruin my chance of going to college and an opportunity for a better life.  If I could go to college, then I could really go somewhere and achieve my dreams.  A lot of people helped me out; I didn’t want to disappoint them.  I didn’t want them to know that I was hurting myself by smoking, so I just stopped.  I could smoke if I wanted to, but I really don’t want to smoke anymore!” he said.

“I would tell other young people, if you have a future and know you can do something with your life—smoking is not a wise choice.  Smoking should not be a part of your life at all.  It will not benefit you.”

For more information tobacco risks, contact Linda Early Brown, M.Ed., Communities of Color Network, (225) 771-2242 or linda_brown@suagcenter.com

The Cowboys are coming!

The Bayou State Trialriders have left Monroe and are in route to the Southern University Ag Center's annual horse show. Other trailriders from Arkansas, Texas, and Mississippi will meet Bayou State in Baton Rouge for the April 4 show. The association will present their annual scholarship to Southern University agriculture students. Read the News Star's article on the group's sendoff below:

Cow pokes hit the 'Bayou Trail' on today

By Johnny Gunter, The News Star

Published March 29, 2009

The Bayou State Trailriders Association will make its fifth annual 125-mile journey from the Monroe Civic Center Baton Rouge campus of Southern University beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday. (March 29,2009)

The purpose of the trail ride is to raise scholarship dollars for students enrolled in Southern University’s agriculture program.

Sgt. Justin January, the association’s founder and president, said the group over the past four years has given out more than $5,000 in scholarship money.

This year’s honorary trail bosses are Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo and Monroe native and Minnesota Vikings All-Pro defensive lineman Pat Williams.

“You know Williams is a big man so we’re going to have a big wagon for him to ride in,” January said. “They’re both going to ride out with us from Monroe.”

The ride will begin at 8 a.m. so January said those interested should arrive early.

“This is all about helping kids. We truly look forward to this event each year and we are excited to see that it continues to grow in popularity,” January said. “Combining the pleasures of horse riding and the worthy cause of helping promote education makes for a magnificent event.”

January said the Trailriders’ event has grown from seven riders the first year to 55 last year counting horses, wagons and buggies.

He expects more than 70 cowboys and cowgirls from Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi to participate in this week-long journey from Monroe to Baton Rouge.

They will travel Louisiana 15 and camp in Archibald, Winnsboro, Sicily Island, Ferriday and St. Francisville.The ride is open to anyone who enjoys the outdoors and horses.

This year the trail ride will make stops at Winnsboro Elementary School on Monday and Ferriday Elementary School on Wednesday to visit with children. Both stops will be between noon and 1 p.m.

Anyone interested can register on site Sunday morning. The cost for participation is $10 for one day; $15 for two days; or, $35 fee for the week’s journey.

----

For more information on the horse show, contact Christie Monroe, livestock show programs assistant director, at 225-771-2242 or christie_monroe@suagcenter.com.