Marshall joins national swine flu discussion

Southern University Ag Center’s director of livestock programs, Renita Marshall, DVM, joins national Webinar discussion on H1N1. Marshall is also associate professor in the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences at the Southern University A&M College.

When:
August 25, 2009 • 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Audience:
EDEN delegates and state-selected Extension specialists and educators

What:
With the prediction of a second wave for the novel H1N1, EDEN is hosting a Webinar to address available resources, the potential role of Extension educators, and effective methods for getting information and educational resources out to target audiences. In addition, presenters will address questions that are brought up during the Webinar.

Agenda:
· Introduction of the issues and EDEN Response Team Members for Novel H1N1 – Abigail Boron, EDEN

· Current Human Issues of novel H1N1 – Tanya Graham, South Dakota State University

· Current Swine Issues with novel H1N1 – Renita Marshall, Southern University

· H1N1 Resources and Pandemic Preparedness Resources available through EDEN – E. Kim Cassel, South Dakota State University

· Risk Communication before, during and after a pandemic – Dave Filson – Penn State University

· Invitation to join team – Dave Filson – Penn State University

· Questions and Answers

Outcome:
EDEN delegates and state-selected Extension specialists and educators will be better informed of EDEN’s resources and the EDEN Novel H1N1 Response Team. They can use this Webinar as a stepping point to provide more information to their own system and public audiences. The session will be recorded for future use and made available on the EDEN Web site.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Renita Marshall at (225) 771-2242 ext. 330 or renita_marshall@suagcenter.com

New ag leadership institute featured on TWILA, LFB radio network

Agriculture specialist Dawn Mellion Patin, Ph.D., joined the cast of This Week in Louisiana Agriculture television show to discuss the new Louisiana Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Institute and the application process. The interview segment with reproter A.J. Sabine will also air on the Louisiana Farm Bureau Radio Network's 24 affiliate stations.

Tune in this Thursday (August 20) through next Wednesday on your local station to learn more about the institute's Sept. 1 application deadline.

Nationwide
RFD-TV Thursdays 3:30pm Central Time; and Fridays 1:30am Central Time
DirecTV Channel 345
Dish Network Channel 231
Baton Rouge
COX 4 Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m and Mon., Wed., Fri., at 8am
WAFB-TV 9 Sundays at 5am
KPBN-CH. 22 Monday-Thursday at 9:00am
LCN "Louisiana's Superstation" Cox 140 Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm Saturdays 8:30am

For other air times and stations, visit http://www.twilatv.org/whentowatch.html or http://www.lfbf.org/radionetwork.html

For more information on the institute, visit www.aginstitute.suagcenter.com or contact Mellion Patin at (225) 771-2242.

Tune In, Farmers!

Tune in this week to the Louisiana Agri-News Network on 107.3fm in Baton Rouge at 5:00 am to hear about the Ag Center's Louisiana Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Institute. Finally, a comprehensive training for Louisiana small farmers! 

Institute project director and ag specialist Dawn Mellion Patin, Ph.D., was interviewed by journalist Don Molino earlier today. For more information on the institute, visit www.aginstitute.suagcenter.com or contact Patin at (225) 771-2242.

Ag Institute opens for new applicants

Applications are now being accepted for the Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Institute. The Institute is a two-year course of study specifically designed to guide small, socially disadvantaged, limited resource, or minority farmers through the transformative process of becoming successful agricultural entrepreneurs. 

The deadline to apply is September 1. 

For more information, visit www.aginstitute.suagcenter.com or contact Dawn Mellion Patin,Ph.D., MBA, agricultural speciaist and Institute project director, at (225) 771-2242 ext. 201 or dawn_mellion@suagcenter.com

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.

We're on Facebook

Southern University Ag Center invites you to become a fan of the Southern University Ag Center's Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baton-Rouge-LA/Southern-University-Ag-Center/67357504781.

SU Ag Center helps 10 become Master Cattlemen

Eleven farmers from five parishes completed the 10-week Master Cattleman program organized by Glenn Dixon, Southern University Ag Center agent, East and West Carroll parishes. 

Master Cattlemen classes help aspiring cattlemen and current producers learn best management practices for producing high quality beef in an environmentally beneficial way. 

The course was conducted via distance learning in collaboration with the LSU AgCenter. 

Participants represented West Carroll, Richland, Morehouse, Ouachita, and Franklin parishes. For more on the program contact Dixon at 318-559-0060 or 318-428-3571 or  glenn_dixon@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.

Urban forestry expert speaks at international forum

Yadong Qi, PhD, professor of urban forestry, was an invited urban forest expert and speaker at the 6th China Urban Forest Forum in Hangzhou, China, last month. Qi presented “Current State of Urban and Community Forestry in the USA.” Her presentation was featured by Chinese premier websites and news agencies including the China Economy Daily News and its website, the State Forestry Administration of China website among others.

 The two-day forum attracted more than 400 attendants and was organized by the People’s Government of Hangzhou Municipality. The theme for this year’s international forum was “Urban Forest and Living Quality.”

In addition to attending the forum, Qi was invited by the Chinese Academy of Forestry to visit the mulch research and demonstration sites in Hangzhou, Nanjing and Beijing.

The mulch project is a collaborative project between Southern University Ag Center and Chinese Academy of Forestry. The goal of the project is to promote sound urban forestry practice and scientific and technical exchange in urban forestry. The project has been funded by the State Forestry Administration of China since 2005.  

Qi is the chief scientist and consultant on the US side. “I am so pleased to see the results of this collaborative research and demonstration project. It will significantly impact the urban forestry practice in

China, because prior to this research, mulch and its utilization were very little known to the Chinese urban foresters. This collaborative project will yield fruit promoting sound urban forestry practice in cities and towns of China,” said Qi.

According to Wang Cheng, PhD, director of the Chinese Academy of Forestry Center of Urban Forestry Research, “the project has involved various urban forestry practitioners from several municipalities, state and government as well as the graduate students from the Academy. The project has generated research data on mulch effects and utilization and produced a Technical Manual on Mulch Production and Utilization for China.” The sponsors of this year’s forum included: the State Forestry Administration of China, the Population, Resource and Environment Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province, and the Economic Daily.

 

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

Eleven become Master Cattlemen

Eleven farmers from five parishes completed the 10-week Master Cattleman program organized by Glenn Dixon, agent, East and West Carroll parishes. The class helps aspiring cattlemen and current producers learn best management practices for producing high quality beef in an environmentally beneficial way. The course was conducted via distance learning in collaboration with the LSU AgCenter. The participants represented West Carroll, Richland, Morehouse, Ouachita, and Franklin parishes. For more on the program contact Dixon at 318-559-0060 or 318-428-3571 or  glenn_dixon@suagcenter.com. 

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

World NO Tobacco Day Symposium scheduled for May 30

New legislation in Congress would allow the Food and Drug Administration to band flavored cigarettes (which are marketed to youth) but not band menthol cigarettes (which are marketed to Blacks). Some health experts believe that this plan could leave Black Americans at more risk.

The Southern University Ag Center's Communities of Color Network monitors the tobacco industry in Louisiana and educates the community. 

On May 30, World NO Tobacco Day, at 11am the CoC Network will host a symposium for area churches to learn outreach education strategies to make their church community 100% tobacco free.  Join us in educating your family and friends about smoking risks on World NO Tobacco Day. 

For more information on this symposium, contact Latricia Dixon, regional coordinator, Communities of Color, (225) 771-2242 ext. 283 or latricia_dixon@suagcenter.com. Visit www.suagcenter.com/communitiesofcolor.html for more on the CoC Network.

Sales Tax Holiday May 30 - 31

The 2009 Louisiana Hurricane Sales Tax Holiday will take place on Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31. On these two days, shoppers can purchase specified emergency supplies free of the four- percent state sales tax in preparation for the 2009 hurricane season, which begins on June 1. During the two-day holiday, tax-free purchases are allowed for the first $1,500 of the sales price of each of the following items:

• Self-powered light sources, such as flashlights and candles;

• Portable self-powered radios, two-way radios, and weather-band radios;

• Tarpaulins or other flexible waterproof sheeting;

• Ground anchor systems or tie-down kits;

• Gas or diesel fuel tanks;

• Batteries – AAA, AA, C, D, 6-volt, or 9-volt (automobile batteries and boat batteries are not eligible);

• Cellular phone batteries and chargers;

• Non-electric food storage coolers;

• Portable generators;

• Storm shutter devices – Materials and products manufactured, rated, and marketed specifically for the purposes of preventing window damage from storms (La. R.S. 47:305.58);

• Carbon monoxide detectors;

• Blue ice products.

The 2009 Louisiana Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday does not extend to hurricane-preparedness items or supplies purchased at any airport, public lodging establishment or hotel, convenience store, or entertainment complexes.

The Louisiana Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is an annual event. The 2009 sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 31.

Workshop, farm tour explore management intensive grazing, May 27

A Management Intensive Grazing Workshop and Farm Tour for county agents and other agriculture professionals will be held Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Baton Rouge.

MIG is a grazing system where the animals are allowed to graze small portions of the pasture for short periods of time while other areas recover. The workshop, which includes lunch, a workshop manual, and a DVD on management intensive grazing, is free for county agents and other agriculture professionals. Farmers are also invited to participate.

Sign-in begins at 7:45 a.m. and the workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. Morning sessions include visits to the Center’s Experiment Station and two farms where management intensive grazing is practiced. During the afternoon session, Ron Morrow of the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Arkansas will discuss the methods and benefits of management intensive grazing.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please register for the workshop by contacting: James McNitt at james_mcnitt@suagcenter.com, or (225) 771-2262 x 270, Carl Motsenbocker at cmotsenbocker@agcenter.lsu.edu or (225) 578-1036, and Emily Neustrom at eneustrom@agcenter.lsu.edu or (225) 578-1037.

The workshop is sponsored by the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group and the Louisiana Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program. For more information, contact McNitt at (225) 771-2242 ext. 270.

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. 

Parent educator schedules emergency preparedness workshop series

The Southern University Ag Center's family and human development office will present a one-hour workshop on emergency preparedness, May 20, at the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives, 232 S. Liberty St., in Opelousas. Stacey Nevills, parent educator, will explain weather bulletin information, evacuation processes, and post emergency procedures. The May 20 workshop begins at 6 p.m. 

Seating is limited to the first 25 participants. 

A second workshop is planned for 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at the Southwest Center. To register or for more information, contact Nevills at (337) 943-2410 or stacey_nevills@suagcenter.com. The Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives is a satellite campus of the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Its mission is to improve the socioeconomic well-being of citizens in rural communities within a 10-parish region. 

Church's 'beefing up' gets media attention

One of the most memorable experiences from this year's Livestock and Poultry Show was the participation of a local church congregation in the Junior Auction. The church, Mount Zion First Baptist, purchased the Grand Champion and an additional three steers, four lambs, and three hogs. This Saturday (May 9), The Advocate  featured the church's support of the Ag Center's Show in the article, Church buys livestock for charity work. Read it at http://www.2theadvocate.com/features/faith/44612972.html

Hand hygiene critical for healthy living

Proper hand washing has proven to be the most effective way to protect yourself against viruses, staph infections, colds, and even food contamination, but many people still don't wash their hands or don't wash them properly. Improving hand hygiene can stop the spread of germs and illnesses. Ag Center researcher Fatemeh Malekian, Ph.D., shares six steps for proper hand washing to keep you healthy. Read steps and see photos for proper hand washing at http://www.suagcenter.com/Frontpage%20News/HandHygiene.html

New resource offered for small businesses

Small business owners can find business start-up information, forms, and success stories online on the new website for the Center for Rural and Small Business Development. Designed by a small business client of the center, the website is user-friendly with a calendar of training events, SBA applications, and IRS forms. Visit the site at www.suagcenter.com.

For more information, contact Gloria London, director, Center for Rural and Small Business Development, at (225) 771-2242 ext. 327 or gloria_london@suagcenter.com or Eual Hall, business development specialist, at eual_hall@suagcenter.com.

Researchers take findings to Atlanta

Fifteen Southern University researchers and seven students presented 28 research projects at the 15th Biennial Association of Research Directors’ Symposium. Students, faculty, and staff from the nation’s historically black land-grant universities converged in Atlanta, Georgia, March 28-April 1.

Three presentations were made in the emerging technologies category, 11 in renewable resources, four in food safety, one in human nutrition and health, and nine in small farms and rural development. Researchers from Southern University Ag Center made five oral presentations in two categories. All symposium attendees were sponsored by the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

In the Renewable Energy and Environmental Stewardship category were LaShunda Anderson,Ph.D., on “Cash for Conservation: Potentially Increasing Small Landowner Income via Wildlife and Native Grass Environmental Stewardship Educational Outreach”; Daniel Collins, Ph.D., on “Training the Next Generation of Agricultural Scientists in Plant Biosecurity”; Yadong Qi,P h.d., on "Application of Paclobutrazol Tree Growth Regulator into Urban and Utility Forest Management.”

In the Small Scale Agriculture and Rural Development category were Sebhatu Gebrelul, Ph.D., on “Influences of Forage Quality and Quantity on the Performance of Goats and Cattle under Mixed-Species Grazing Systems” and Yemane Ghebreiyessus, Ph.D., on “Effects of Joint Cattle and Goats Grazing System on Soil Physical Properties.”

Researchers also displayed posters in various categories including:

“GIS Analysis of Environmental Factors and Socio-climatic Factors Relating to Tapeworm Infection in the State of Bahia, Brazil from 2002-2005” by Fulbert Namwamba, Ph.D;

“The Effect of Mixed Species Grazing in the Determination of Gastro-intestinal Infections of Haemonchus contortus in Spanish Does” by Renita Marshall, DVM;

“An Empirical Analysis of Nutritional Knowledge and Importance Rankings of the Dietary Guidelines for Sodium Intake” by Patricia McLean-Meyinsse, Ph.D.,;

“Impact of Tree Based Mulch on the Growth and CO2 Uptake of Quercus nuttallii” by Zhu Ning, Ph.D.;

“Application of Sonic Tomography Technology into Detection of Internal Decay in Water Oak (Quercus nigra L.)” by Yadong Qi, Ph.D.;

“Hibiscus, (Hibiscus sabdariffa) species grown in Louisiana” by Kit Chin, Ph.D.;

“The Performance of Brangus Calves under Mixed-Species Grazing Systems” by Sebhatu Gebrelul, Ph.D.;

“Improving UV protection of Cotton Fabrics Through Digital Textile Printing” by Grace Namwamba, Ph.D.;

“A Comparison between Regular Sugar Cookies and Hibiscus Cookies” by Fatemeh Malekian, Ph.D.;

“Mixed Species and Grazing Practices Effects on the Yield and Quality of Forage Crops," by Veera Bachireddy, Ph.D.;

“Roselle Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Research at Southern University by Kit Chin, Ph.D.;

“Assessment of Food Safety Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices Among College Students” by Janet Gager; and

“Nanotechnology Application in Forest Health Management” by Yadong Qi, Ph.D.

The purpose of the symposium was to showcase the land-grant commitment to teaching and research by sharing research information, and highlighting research accomplishments.

By Bridget Udoh, Ph.D.
Communications Specialist

Photography lesson begins Ag Center's professional development series

By Bridget Udoh, Ph,D
Communications Specialist

The Southern University Ag Center is starting a professional development series to be hosted quarterly. The first session, "How to Use a Digital Still Camera," will be held tomorrow, Thursday, April 30 at 3:30 pm in Room 191 of the Ag Center.

Chris Rogers, director of technology services, will teach the Rule of 3s; how to take, download, save and email pictures; and proper camera care.

This is a hands-on training, come with your camera and all accessories.

Goat field day opens doors for production, consumptions options

Goat producers from across the state exchanged ideas and learned new strategies Saturday at the Southern University Ag Center's annual goat field day. Ag Center research associate and retired USDA meat specialist Curtis Chisley (pictured) surveyed participants' opinion of goat sausage. Chisley and Albert Howard, meat manager, made four samples of goat sausage from 100% goat meat to a 50%-50% goat meat and pork combination. Fatemeh Malekian, Ag Center food scientist, analyzed the nutritional value of the variations and provided the findings to the producers. The group most preferred the 100% goat sausage and a sausage with goat and pork. "This shows promise for goat producers," said Chisley. "There is a market for goat products in the state." For complete coverage, see Advocate article SU hosts Goat Day <http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/43733417.html> .

Goat Field Day photos available

Southern University Ag Center's goat researchers, farm managers, and research assistants, along with LSU staff, conducted a successful goat field day today.

The day brought a taste of goat and lessons on herd management for adults and children.

See a few photos on our Facebook page.

Who Moved My Cheese? session continues tomorrow

Part two of the Who Moved My Cheese seminar presentation will continue on tomorrow. Faculty and staff are invited to participate in this hands-on professional and personal development session. 

Participants completed a S.W.O.T analysis during Part 1. Session presenters Dawn Mellion-Patin, Ph.D, MBA, agricultural specialist, and Candace Semien, communications coordinator, said participants will develop individual plans on tomorrow to prepare for when "the cheese moves or is cut". 

"The interesting thing is that it does not pertain to cheese but life as we know it.  You need to hear it even if you have not read the book yet," said Bridget Udoh, Ph.D., communications specialist.

The presentation is tomorrow, Thursday, April 23, in the Ag Center, Room 191, at 3:30 p.m.

"Who Moved My Cheese?" presentation is part of the seminar series presented by faculty and staff of the Southern University Ag Center and the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences. The seminars are held every other Thursday at 3:30 p.m., free of charge and open to everyone. If you would like to present, or have questions, please contact James McNitt, Ph.D., at: (2325) 771-2262 ext. 270.

For information on the book, Who Moved My Cheese, by Spencer Johnson, M.D., visit www.whomovedmycheese.com

Goat field day slated for Saturday

Louisiana goat producers are invited to learn more about basic goat health care, including artificial insemination, during the 4th Annual Goat Field Day, Saturday, April 25, 2009, at the Southern University Ag Center in Baton Rouge.

The field day will feature presentations on basic goat health care, direct marketing and product development, cost benefit analysis, artificial insemination, forage based production, parasite control including, and FAMACHA training. The day will also include demonstrations and hands-on learning for a number of basic goat husbandry tasks.

A fee of $5 (pre-registration) and $10 (on-site registration) will be charged. Those who are interested in becoming FAMACHA trained will incur and additional $10 for the color guide chart. Registration will begin at 7:30 am in the Ag Center, A.O. Williams Hall, and the  program will begin at 8 am.

Contact: Lisa Gray, research assistant, (225) 771-2242 ext. 316 or lisa_gray@suagcenter.com

Calling all Gardeners! Time for Veggies

Spring is the time to begin planning snap beans, butter beans, collards, cucumbers, eggplants, cantaloupes, okra, Southern peas or field peas, peanuts, pumpkins, winter squash, summer squash, sweet corn, sweet potatoes in late April, tomato transplants, pepper transplants, and watermelons.

Now is the perfect time to begin planting Cucurbits especially for transplants, which you should start in pots two or three weeks before transplanting. All members of the cucurbit family can be planted in May, but yields of squash and cucumbers may be lower than normal with the late plantings.


Mila Berhane, Southern University Ag Center senior research associate, sustainable agricultural systems, reminds gardeners to plant cucurbits outside well after the danger of frost is over.

Learn about more gardening tips for these spring crops and others at www.suagcenter.com under the Garden Tips topic.

Family service providers begin professional development Thursday in Baton Rouge

Parent educators, child care providers, and health care and other family service professionals from across the state are gathering later this week at the Baton Rouge Marriott to gain professional skills, learn methods of evaluating programs, and develop emergency preparedness plans during the Southern University Ag Center's Family and Health Conference.

The conference, “Building Healthy Foundations for Families,” explores best practices, new strategies, and effective approaches to addressing the challenges Louisiana families face, said Southern University Ag Center chancellor Leodrey Williams. “In order for our state to improve, we have to continue creating, implementing, and sustaining programs that strengthen families and empower healthier lifestyles,” Williams said.

Presenters include representatives from Southern University Ag Center, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Louisiana Department of Social Services, LSU AgCenter, Prairie View A&M University, Woman’s Center for Wellness, Office of Public Health, and Louisiana Spirit. Read more on the family and health conference at www.suagcenter.com.

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.

Ag Leadership Institute graduates second class

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack presided over the graduation ceremony of 26 minority farmers from the Southern University Ag Center’s Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Training Institute.

The Institute is a two-year course of study that gives small, socially disadvantaged, limited resource and/or minority farmers the knowledge to become successful agricultural entrepreneurs. "President Obama recognizes that small farm operators are the custodians of about 48 percent of this nation's farm and ranch land," Vilsack said. "It's vital that we support programs such as this that provide the tools needed to promote the sustainability of small family farms."

This is the second class to graduate from the program with the first taking place in 2007.

Throughout the course, participants studied a broad range of agriculturally-important topics, including the effects of global agriculture on the U.S. economy; leadership and analytical skills; business management and marketing, communications; and public policy.

The program is unique in that it is the only one in the country specifically targeting minority, socially disadvantaged and limited resource agricultural producers. Participants were from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, Texas, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Maryland and North Carolina.

The most dynamic aspect of the Institute is the relationships that have been built. “Each session I sit back and watch the participants interact, assist and motivate each other as if they have known one another forever. The camaraderie is phenomenal," said Dawn Mellion-Patin, Ph.D., institute director and Ag Center agriculture specialist.

The Southern University Ag Center has collaborated with the Southern University Law Center, Alcorn State University Small Farm Development Center, Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension Program, and North Carolina A&T State University Cooperative Extension Program to bring the Institute to the farmers in various locations.

The ceremony was held at the USDA headquarters, in the Jamie L. Whitten Building on March 27. USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service administers and funds the program through the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program, which teaches participants the enhanced decision-making skills and leadership development to become successful agribusiness managers and community leaders. Patin is currently pursuing multiple funding sources to sustain this unique institute. For more information on the Institute, visit www.aginstitute.suagcenter.com.

By Bridget Udoh, Ph.D.
Communications Specialist

Ag Institute graduates 26 with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack

WASHINGTON DC--US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack congratulated the 26 graduates of Southern University Ag Center's Small Farm Agricultural Leadership Institute. The Institute's program director and Ag Center agricultural specialist Dawn Mellion-Patin,Ph.D., MBA, said this unique program helps farmers become proactive leaders and producers. Patin is developing a curriculum for the third Institute class. AJ Sabine covers the ceremony in Washington DC for This Week in Louisiana Agriculture. The show is broadcasted nationally by the Louisiana Farm Bureau.






For more information on the Institute, visit www.aginstitute.suagcenter.com or contact Patin at (225) 771-2242.

Delta Initiative works to transform state's poorest region

MONROE--State Sen. Francis Thompson told community and government leaders last week that the Louisiana Delta Initiative might be the region's "last best chance to do something in the Delta".

During a two-hour summit, "One Voice: Communities Moving from Poverty to Prosperity", committees brought together action plans on improving access to education, health care, jobs, and broadband connectivity in the region where one out of every four people live in poverty.

"We hope those attending realize these are concepts that will require further development and more involvement by others in the region to bring about real change," Southern University Ag Center agent Glenn Dixon told the Monroe News Star.

Southern University and LSU Ag centers have led the development of the initiative since last year, in collaboration with economic development groups in the Delta area. A team of professionals have been recruited to address poverty issues in Caldwell, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Pointe Coupee, Richland, Ouachita, Tensas, West Carroll, Franklin, Madison, and Morehouse parishes, said James Barnes, director, LSU Ag Center's Delta Rural Development Center.

For more information on the Louisiana Delta Initiative, visit www.lsuagcenter.com/drdc or contact Glenn Dixon,  agent, at glenn_dixon@suagcenter.com

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