Ethnic Awareness Day celebrates Nigeria

Southern University's division of Family and Consumer Sciences at held its 9th Annual Ethnic Awareness Day featuring Nigeria, Africa. The highlights of the day included art, culture, dance, food, and music. 

“Today, I’m going to learn about the culture and try a little bit of everything on the menu,” said Jennifer Nwafulume, a mass communication student, referring to a table behind her covered with different Nigerian dishes. 

The presentation was given by Oscar Udoh, PhD, coordinator for planning and evaluation, SU Ag Center. He was born and raised in Nigeria. 

Other presenters were Anthony Igiede, assistant professor, sociology, and Justin Egbe, research associate, SU Ag Center. 

Heather Williams from the Southern University Center for International Education, spoke on behalf of the dean who was abroad at the time. She spoke about important lessons she has learnt from 

Nigerians in the U.S. One in particular taught her the value of reading. 

Doze Y. Butler, associate dean, division of Family and Consumer Sciences, said “our college is rich in ethnic diversity,” mentioning that students and faculty were ex-posed to the cultures and customs of South America last year. The College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences sponsors Ethnic Awareness Day each year. “The plan is to bring back all past nine countries together next year for the 10th year celebration,” said Butler. 

When asked about the most interesting part of the event, Nwafulume said it was learning about the different cultures and foods from her father’s homeland. She intends to visit Nigeria some day. 

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. 

Tune in Sunday

Tune in this Sunday, March 21, to 94.1FM at 6pm to hear about the upcoming Connecting Businesses with Contracts Procurement Conference hosted by the Center for Rural and Small Business Development and U.S. Small Business Administration. The conference begins at 8am on March 23 at the Southern University Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union. 

Market Champions named during 67th Livestock Show

Officials from the Southern University 67th Annual State Livestock Show announced the following grand champions, reserved champions, and buyers of the March 12-13 show:

C H A M P I O N S

	Exhibitor	Parish	WT.	Amt	Buyer(s)
Grand Champion & LA Bred Champion Market Steer	Dalacey Jackson	Tangipahoa	1164	$4200	Mt. Zion 1st BC
Reserve Champion Market Steer	Henri Carroll	Tensas	1236	$3,000	Evangeline
Reserve Champion LA Bred Market Steer	Allante South	Tensas	1300	$3,000	Southern University Support Group
Grand Champion Market Hog	Makayla Conner	Calcasieu	264	$1,000	US Ret. (Army) General Honore
Reserve Champion Market Hog	Brody Hebert	Lafourche	233	$800	Southern University Support Group
Grand Champion Market Lamb	Blake Shamise	Bossier	160	$600	Joe Delpit
Reserve Champion Market Lamb	Kalee Wich	Bossier	136	$400.00	Whole Foods
Grand Champion Market Goat	Hayden  Holtzclaw	Webster	96	$500.00	Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church
Reserve Champion Market Goat	Sam Balentine	Bossier	94	$1,050	Henley Davidson

                                                                                                           

View photos from the 67th Annual Livestock Show at http://www.suagcenter.com/livestock/Livestock2010/photogallery2010/index.htm

Patrons, CoC coordinator speak out

Paula Jordan, Communities of Color Network Regional Coordinator, speaks out in Lets Be Totally Clear LA video on the impact of second-hand smoke on bar and casino patrons. Visit www.suagcenter.com/communitiesofcolor to see the work of Southern University Ag Center's CoC Network.

Ag Center leaves mark at Special Olympics

The 2010 Winter Special Olympics opened Friday, March 13, to the Southern University Ag Center's Danielle Coleman singing the national anthem to kick off the state's largest athletic competition for people with disabilities. 


Coleman, along with Justine Egbe, assistant researcher, and Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, Ph.D., community and economic development assistant specialist, greeted and encouraged athletes during the opening and closing ceremonies. 

“Special Olympics Louisiana is very fortunate to have Dr. Kenyetta Smith as a volunteer in our organization. For the past few years she has helped with the State Indoor Games event. She originally assisted with the Healthy Athletes program and now serves on the Games Management Team.  Kenyetta focuses on the Opening Ceremonies portion of the games which includes recruiting volunteers, honorary guests and speakers as well as setting up and organizing the parade of athletes. Overall she has done a wonderful job and been very beneficial to our organization,“ said Kevin Collins, Director of Sports and Competition.

This is the second year Nelson-Smith has involved Southern University Ag Center employees in Louisiana Special Olympics.

Retired Lt. Gen. Honore visits SU Livestock Show

Retired Army Lt. General Russel Honore stops by the 67th Annual Livestock and Poultry Show, March 13, and purchases the Grand Champion Market Hog from Makayla Conner of Calcasieu Parish.

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)

They are here!

Louisiana’s young farmers and ranchers are exhibiting animals this morning at 8am until 7pm at the 67th Annual State Livestock and Poultry Show hosted by the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

The two-day competition is happening at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Show Arena on Highway 61N in Alsen, LA. Judges will name the state champions in various breeds of beef and dairy cattle, hogs, sheep, lamb, and goats.  The show features animals that have been showcased or have won in parish competitions.

The all-time favorite mini-farm, featuring a variety of small farm animals, will open today at 9 am to 1 pm. Tour guides will discuss different animals, their food sources, farming and how agriculture affects everyone’s lives. The show will also have face painting, food, craft booths, and the Hall of Louisiana Agriculture, for local school groups.

Winners will receive premiums, rosettes, ribbons, and silver platters. An awards presentation for exhibitors of champion market animals in the show will be held Saturday, March 13, at 8 am and will be immediately followed by the Junior Auction Sale at 10:30 am. Prize meats (beef, lamb, pork, and goat) are available for sale.

Workshops explore livestock harvesting, marketing

Livestock harvesting and marketing workshops will be held in north and south Louisiana for county agents, agriculture professionals, and livestock producers across the state.   These are important topics to ensure compliance with regulations as more farmers transition to home  harvest, processing and marketing of  meat from their grass fed cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and chickens.

Workshop speakers will present:

§  “Meat Inspection: Compliance with the Regulations” by Jim Jenkins, Program Manager, Meat and Poultry Inspection, Office of Animal Health and Food Safety, Louisiana  Department of Agriculture & Forestry

§  “Identifying and Utilizing Non-traditional Markets for Meat” by Stuart Gardener, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA

§  “What the End User Wants” by Louisiana Chef Bobby Williams

§  “Further Processing/Added Value/Ethnic Markets” by YaSin Muhaimin, Louisiana producer

A workshop will be held in north Louisiana on Tuesday, April 6, at the LSU Calhoun Research Station on 321 Hwy. 80 East in Calhoun. The workshop will be repeated April 14 at the LSU/SU Breaux Bridge Extension Office at 114 Courthouse Street in Breaux Bridge.

The workshop is free but pre-registration is required. Contact James McNitt at james_mcnitt@suagcenter.com, or (225) 771-2262 x 270, Carl Motsenbocker at cmotsenbocker@agcenter.lsu.edu or (225) 578-1036, or Natalie Levy NLevy@agcenter.lsu.edu or (225) 578-1037 for more information or to register.

The workshop is sponsored by the Louisiana Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program, LSU AgCenter, and SU AgCenter. 

Connecting Businesses with Contracts Procurement Conference

Small business owners and contractors are invited to participate in the Sixth Annual Connecting Businesses with Contracts Procurement Conference, March 23, 2010, at the Southern University Smith Brown Memorial Student Union in Baton Rouge.

The conference continues to bring together potential and existing contractors, entrepreneurs and government agencies in position for business match making. Small enterprises are provided an opportunity to meet contracting officers and purchasing agents.

Attendees will receive information on the new Disadvantaged business Enterprise American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Bonding Assistance Reimbursable Fee Program, as well as SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program which can now be guaranteed for up to $5 million. GSA federal supply schedules and USDA food commodity contracting opportunities will be explained. According to organizers, conference participants will also gain a sure-fire plan to finally become proactive in marketing their businesses.

Representatives from the Louisiana Office of State Purchasing will answer questions from individuals on programs like the Hudson and Veteran initiatives, which help small businesses contract with State offices.

The conference is hosted by the Southern University Ag Center, the Center for Rural and Small Business Development, Louisiana Small Business Development Centers in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center, and the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation.

Registrations forms are available online at http://www.crsbd.com/events/ and be faxed to (337) 482-5837 or e-mailed to prs6182@louisiana.edu.   All registrations must be received by March 18. For more information, call the Small Business Administration at (504) 589-6688.

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

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.

West Feliciana high wins 3rd livestock quiz bowl

Five teams of future farmers participated in the 3rd Annual Livestock and Poultry Quiz Bowl last November at the SU Ag Center. The teams included FFA Chapters from Clinton, West Feliciana, Church Point, Northwest and North Central high schools.


Each team consisted of four players and an alternate who answered questions about livestock management, business, and terminology. The teams competed in several rounds, but Clinton and West Feliciana high schools dominated the championship round. West Feliciana was named this year's champion after three intensive rounds of questions. West Feliciana team was coached by Jason McCray a graduate of Southern University A&M College.


"The contest is growing every year, and we look forward to it every year,” said Renita Marshall, DVM, livestock show programs director.


West Feliciana High—1st place winner (pictured above)
Clinton High—2nd place winner