USDA announces National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Thursday, October 8, will be a very important day for USDA science, with the formal launch of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture .  USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack intends to deliver a major address on the future of USDA science at the National Press Club.  

The event – including the Secretary’s remarks – will be webcast live at www.Visualwebcaster.com/NIFA-Rollout  beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.  


NIFA replaces USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Services. Like CSREES, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.nifa.usda.gov.  CSREES continues to fund programs at the Southern University Ag Center throughout the state.

Software training gain momentum

The Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives’ basic computer software training is gaining momentum throughout the Center’s 10-parish reach. 

Since November, more than 200 citizens have participated and benefited, said class organizer Latonia Morrison-Frank. Many participants are using this new training on their jobs, businesses and for self improvement. 

“Participation in these basic courses are yielding a more confident citizenry in using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to create and edit documents, forms, business advertisements, presentations, and tracking of data,” she said.

The chambers of commerce in several of the parishes served have founded the trainings positive for their communities. Each session is met with increased participation from local sheriff departments, governmental departments, banks, businesses and other community entities. 

Due to limited number of computers, the majority of the trainings can only accommodate ten participants per session. However, this has not impacted the interest. In Acadia and Allen Parishes, the Chamber of Commerce wants the Southwest Center to “keep coming back”. They are anxious about future offerings of the trainings and eager to get the word out to the community, said Morrison Frank.

For more information, contact Morrison-Frank, regional market/analyst developer, at the Southwest

Center for Rural Initiatives (337) 943-2410 or latonia_morrisonfrank@suagcenter.com

Bourlaug Fellows train at Southern University

The Southern University Center for International Development Program hosted the 2009 Borlaug Fellows Women in Science Fellowship and the Southern University Ag Center provided assistance and training to the Fellows.

The Fellowship provides training to agribusiness entrepreneurs from the African countries of Kenya and Malawi. 

Four fellows were selected based on their leadership skills and business experiences. The group travelled to Southern University's Center for International Development Program for six weeks, ending this month. During this period, they attended lectures, went on field trips and shadowed trainers assigned to them.

Program participants included: Eunice Mwongera, Managing Director of Hillside Green Growers and Exporters Company, exporter of fresh fruits and vegetables from Kenya. She came to gain knowledge that will assist small scale farmers to increase and improve the quality of their fruit and vegetable products for export; and to improve business skills and ability to mentor other female business entrepreneurs.  

Stella Kachoka, Traditional Authority Coordinator for “Concern Worldwide,” Malawi, interested in crop diversification techniques, specifically in cassava and sweet potatoes. She came to gain increased understanding of food production that matches domestic and export market needs. Patience Mgollimwale, Farmer Organization Development Coordinator with Malawi Enterprise Zones Association, came to seek skills in farmer cooperative development and trade policy issues related to agricultural exports.

Maness Nkhata, Managing Director for Kakoma Estate, a company that specializes in livestock and crop production, wanted to gain knowledge in business development, management and financial resource mobilization,specifically microfinance for small to medium-scale businesses. 

The program was coordinated by Rufus Nwogu, PhD, assistant director, Southern University Center for International Development Programs. Several faculty from the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center provided training.  Fatemeh Malekian, PhD, food scientist, provided the ServSafe Essentials for food handling. Adell Brown, PhD, vice chancellor for finance and administration, and Oscar Udoh,PhD, coordinator for planning and evaluation, provided lectures on risk management, forming cooperatives, marketing and building trade capacity. James McNitt, PhD, retired animal science professor, provided a series of farmer training modules for production of safe food. Renita Marshall, DVM, director of livestock programs, and Mila Berhane provided tours of the Experiment Station and Horticulture area.

The program is administered by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service in cooperation with the U.S. Agency for International

Development, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. To read more about the Borlaug

Fellowship Program, visit: http://www.fas.usda.gov/icd/borlaug/borlaug.htm

Malekian receives Polaris Award

Southern University Ag Center researcher Fatemeh Malekian received the Polaris Award from The Greater Baton Rouge Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. during its seventh annual banquet.   Named for the North Star, the award highlights volunteers who have favorably affected diversity and unity in the Baton Rouge area.  Malekian was recognized for her research and work with  health and nutrition, community outreach, childhood obesity, and food safety. The Greater Baton Rouge Pan-Hellenic Council is a non-profit service organization composed of representatives from eight of the nine Greek-letter organizations. 

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

Ag Center scientists attend international conference

Kirkland Mellad, vice chancellor for research, and Sebhatu Gebrelul, professor of animal science, attended the 2009 joint meeting of the American Society of Animal Science, American Dairy Science Association, and Canadian Society of Animal Science, July 12-16, in Montreal, Canada. Gebrelul presented a paper on performances of kids and calves grazing together and separately. The meeting brought together nearly 3,000 scientists from around the world and addressed issues of interest in research, extension, teaching, and commercial activities in all areas of animal agriculture. For more information, contact Gebrelul at (225) 771-2262 or sebhatu_gebrelul@suagcenter.com

CoC Network educates hundreds at Essence Music Festival

On July 3-5 all roads led to New Orleans for the 15th Annual Essence Music Festival. The Festival is a weekend celebration of African-American music, culture, fashion, beauty, and empowerment seminars. Each day of the festival, Center’s Communities Network coordinators dangers of tobacco consumption secondhand smoke youth and members grassroots community.

For more information on the Southern University Ag Center's Communities of Color Network, visit www.suagcenter.com/communitiesofcolor

Business Development Center holds information exchange workshop

The Center for Rural and Small Business Development recently hosted its annual 1890 USDA, Rural Development Land-Grant Entrepreneurial Informational Exchange Workshop in New Orleans. Center director Gloria London, technology specialist Wilbert Harris, and business development specialist Eual Hall were participants at the workshop.

The overriding theme for the event was “Creating Sustainable Communities where all Persons Can Live and Work.” The theme is aligned with the USDA, Rural Development Mission: “to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development and critical community and technology infrastructure.”

The USDA/RD 1890 program manager Edgar Lewis opened the workshop with warm welcome and guiding instructions. The new director Judith Canales, USDA Rural Development of Rural Business-Cooperative Programs, announced support for all participating 1890 land-grant educational institutions.

Workshop participants reviewed new goals and objectives, changes, rules and guidelines about funding, as well as to answer any questions about USDA, Rural Development programs.

Information exchange included: sharing project successes and challenges; networking among USDA Rural Development employees, both national and state offices; reviewing Rural Development’s new program initiatives and policies/regulations; strategizing on training businesses on cash flow management through more seminars, workshops for cooperatives and small businesses, among others.

Many new topics were added to the existing and expected tasks, including renewable energy, the American Recovery and Reinvestment

Act, youth entrepreneurship, and outreach to minority producers and cooperatives.

Center hosts University of Wisconsin Extension visitors

Members of the Multicultural Immersion Experience Group from the University of Wisconsin visited the SU Ag Center last month. The group visited Southern to learn more about the 1890 land-grant institution in order to broaden their understanding of its role in extension education and to acquire insight in order to create new ways of leading the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Systems towards increased relevancy in a multicultural and changing society. The visit was organized by SU Ag Center vice chancellor for extension Gina Eubanks.

Linking citizens to technology

Grant could bring access to residents near SU campuses.

The Ag Center's director of technology services Christopher J. Rogers is interviewed about linking citizens to technology. See the August 26th interview with WBRZ Channel 2 at http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/55457012.html. 

Rogers is assisting the Southern University System and the for Digital Equality™ who have plans to provide public computer accessibility, through 30 community-based centers, to nearly 200,000 residents situated in rural and underserved communities. Once funded, the initiative will establish technology services in communities surrounding the System’s five member institutions, along with targeted parishes where services are provided by the Southern.

For more information, email Rogers at chris_rogers@suagcenter.com

First seminar held today

You are invited to our first seminar in the series for the fall semester at the SU Ag Center, Thursday, August 27. Presenters of this seminar are professional agricultural producers Don Ashford and Wedge Barthe who will present "Sustainable Forage Management in South Louisiana." The seminar begins at 3:30pm in Room 191 of the Southern University Ag Center.

This is a regular seminar series presented by faculty and staff of the Southern University Ag Center and the SUBR College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences. The seminars are held every other Thursday at 3:30 p.m. and are free to the public. If you would like to present, or have questions, please contact Dr. James McNitt at 225-771-2262 ext. 270 or james_mcnitt@suagcenter.com

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.