Southern University Ag Center’s Horse Show and Trail Ride starts today

event flyer

Baton Rouge, LA - The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center will host its 44^th Annual Horse Show and Trail Ride, April 12-13 at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena in Baker. Gates open at 12:00 noon. Gate fees are: $20 for the weekend; $10 for Friday; and $15 for Saturday.

Trail riders from as far as Texas, Mississippi, and North Louisiana will travel to Baton Rouge for the event. The horse parade will gallop around the Baker area with different horse riding associations, from which, first and second place winners will be selected by judges. Participated in the parade will include riders of all ages. Local entertainers will be on hand to perform at the event. 

For further detail, please contact Christie Monroe at 225-771-4350 or via email: christie_monroe@suagcenter.com

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SU Ag Center scientists lead students to excellence at national conference

1st Place l-r: Delane Ross, Lilian Profit, Chris Chappell

Jacksonville, Florida - Southern University College of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences students mentored by SU Ag Center scientists raked up awards at the 17^th Biennial Research Symposium hosted by the 1890 Association of Research Directors in Jacksonville, FL., April 6-10, 2013.  Altogether, about 400 students competed in the different program areas for plaques and cash awards. Four students from Southern won awards for their excellent performance in the oral and poster presentation categories at the ARD Symposium. The students who won first place were: Christopher Chappell, doctoral student, Urban Forestry mentored by Dr. Andra Johnson; Delane Ross, Animal Science senior, mentored by Dr. Patricia McLean-Meyinsse; and Lilian Profit, graduating senior, Animal Science mentored by Dr. Renita Marshall.  And winning third place in the poster presentation category, Michael Breithaupt, pursuing a Master’s degree in Urban Forestry was mentored by Dr. Yadong Qi.  Kudos to our students and their advisors!

The symposium convened with more than 900 participants from 18 Historically Black Land-grant Institutions in 17 states to share research information, collaborate, network, and expose students to graduate school and job opportunities.  This year’s theme was “1890 Research: Sowing Seeds of Change for the Global Community,” and included five research program areas: Animal Health and Production and Animal Products; Family, Youth, Community and Economic Development; Food Safety, Nutrition and Health; Plant Health and Production and Plant Products; and Renewable Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment.  

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Annual Procurement Conference ends on high note

Gloria London please with conference attendance

Baton Rouge, LA - The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center had the Smith Memorial Student Union teeming with small business owners and experts in the field sharing and learning information at the 9^th annual "Connecting Businesses with Contracts" Procurement Conference today Thursday, April 4. The event kicked-off with registration at 7:30 a.m. on the Southern University A&M College campus, attracting a crowd of nearly 400 participants including new and existing businesses, exhibitors, private and government agencies.

“We wanted people to come out and learn how to do business right, and they showed up, I’m very pleased at the turn out,” said Gloria London, Director of the Center for Rural and Small Business Development at the SU Ag Center.

                                            

The annual conference fosters partnerships between all small businesses including small disadvantaged, woman-owned, veteran-owned, Hubzone, Federal, State and Local Government Agencies and major prime contractors. This event is free and open to all current and potential small business owners, contractors and the public.

Representatives from the United States Small Business Administration were available to discuss Small Business Administration programs and services, loan guarantees, certification process, government contracting opportunities and surety bonds. The Louisiana State Contractors License Board, Louisiana Economic Development and Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office were also available to answer questions from individuals and businesses.

For more information, contact Gloria London at (225) 771-4107; Eual Hall, Business Development Specialist, at (225) 771-4105; or LaKeeshia Giddens, Program Director, E-Learning Center, at (225) 771-2160.

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SU Ag Center Celebrates Leadership Class Graduation in Washington, DC

Class of 2013

Baton Rouge, La – The Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Institute is holding an official graduation ceremony in Washington, DC today, April 4, 2013 for its Class IV participants converging from 14 states across the nation.  Dr. Dawn Mellion-Patin, Director of the Institute and Chancellor Leodrey Williams, SU Ag Center, were there to bring greetings to the graduating class.  The team heard presentations from five of the 18 USDA Agencies.  Representatives from those agencies shared information about their programs that are of benefit to minority farmers, limited resource producers/land owners, etc. One of the presenters was Ronald Harris, Director NRCS, Outreach and Advocacy Division.  The Keynote Speaker for the ceremony was Dr. Kathleen A. Merrigan, Deputy Secretary, US Department of Agriculture.  Following graduation, class members were scheduled to visit both the US Senate and House of Representatives Chambers.  Several SU alumni in key positions with USDA were on hand to welcome them and share information about programs available from their agencies. The five USDA agencies represented were: Farm Service Agency (FSA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Forest Service (FS), and Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS).

For further information, contact Dawn Mellion-Patin at 225-771-3532 or via email: dawn_mellion@suagcenter.com

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LaKeeshia Giddens assisted with this press release.

Southern University Ag Center’s 44th Annual Horse Show and Trail Ride is April 12-13

Baton Rouge, LA - The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center will host its 44^th Annual Horse Show and Trail Ride, April 12-13 at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena in Baker. Trail riders from as far as Texas, Mississippi, and North Louisiana will travel to Baton Rouge for the event. The horse parade will gallop around the Baker area with different horse riding associations, from which, first and second place winners will be selected by judges. Participated in the parade will include riders of all ages. Local entertainers will be on hand to perform at the event.

For further detail, please contact Christie Monroe at 225-771-4350 or via email: christie_monroe@suagcenter.com

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The SU Ag Center’s 9th Annual Procurement Conference is April 4

Exhibitor registration form

Baton Rouge, LA – The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center will hold its annual "Connecting Businesses with Contracts" Procurement Conference on Thursday, April 4. The event will kick-off with registration at 7:30 a.m. in the Smith-Brown Student Union on the Southern University A&M College campus, 500 Jesse N. Stone Avenue, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70813.

                                            

The conference fosters partnerships between all small businesses including small disadvantaged, woman-owned, veteran-owned, Hubzone, Federal, State and Local Government Agencies and major prime contractors. This event is free and open to all current and potential small business owners, contractors and the public. For participant or exhibitor registration form, contact Gloria London at (225) 771-4107.

Now in its 9^th year, this annual Procurement Conference has become the premier event for small businesses throughout the state of Louisiana. Attendees will receive information on developing effective marketing strategies and capability statements, pricing, contracting with federal, state and local government agencies, methods of financing, licensing laws and consumer protection issues. Participants will also be able to network with other small business owners and contracting agents.

Representatives from the United States Small Business Administration will be available to discuss Small Business Administration programs and services, loan guarantees, certification process, government contracting opportunities and surety bonds. The Louisiana State Contractors License Board, Louisiana Economic Development and Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office will also be available to answer questions from individuals and business owners.

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

Please fax your participant registration form to (337) 482-1215, ATTN:  Peggy Sammons at the Louisiana PTAC before March 29, 2013.  Onsite registration will also be available. Federal, State, Local Government Agencies and major prime contractors are welcome to serve as exhibitors for the event. Potential exhibitors are urged to submit an exhibitor registration form to jo.lawrence3@sba.gov or fax to (504) 589-2339, by April 2, 2013. For further detail, please call (504) 589-6688 or (504) 589-6690. 

To obtain more information or a registration form to serve as a participant or exhibitor, contact Gloria London, Director of the Center for Rural and Small Business Development, at (225) 771-4107; Eual Hall, Business Development Specialist, at (225) 771-4105; or LaKeeshia Giddens, Program Director – E-Learning Center, at (225) 771-2160.

Visit us at www.suagcenter.com or http://www.crsbd.com/

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LaKeeshia Giddens assisted with this press release.

Deadline extended for Hispanic and Women Farmers, Ranchers to file Claims by May 1, 2013

Baton Rouge, LA - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the extension of the voluntary claims process for Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who allege discrimination by the USDA in past decades. All claims must now be filed by MAY 1, 2013.

Call center representatives can be reached at 1-888-508-4429. Claimants may register for a claims package (by calling the number or visiting the website) or may download the forms from the website. All those interested in learning more or receiving information about the claims process and claims packages are encouraged to visit the website at any time or to contact the call center telephone number Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

Claim packages and other documentation may be mailed to Hispanic and Women Farmers and Ranchers Claims Administrator, PO Box 4540, Portland, OR 97208-4540. Claim packages and other documentation may also be emailed to claims@hwfr.org. Claimants may also fax claims packages and other documentation to (855) 626-8343. Completed forms and documentation must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. PDT on May 1, 2013.

Once a claim is submitted to the Claims Administrator, the Claims Administrator will determine if it is timely and complete. If it is, the claim will move to the Claims Adjudicator for a determination on the merits of the claim. USDA may submit evidence to the Claims Adjudicator regarding the claim. If a claim is deemed incomplete, a claimant will be notified by the Claims Administrator and given the opportunity to provide additional information within a certain timeframe. Claimants may check the status of their claims on the claims website.

Website: www.farmerclaims.gov

Phone: 1-888-508-4429

Fax: (855) 626-8343

Email: claims@hwfr.org

Claims Period: September 24, 2012 – May 1, 2013.

For full detail, visit http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDAOC-72d6da

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Southern University Ag Center scientists, students ready for national conference

Contending students conduct mock presentation

Baton Rouge, La - Research scientists who hold joint appointment on the SUBR campus and Southern University Ag Center are mentoring students to present their research findings at the 2013 ARD Symposium scheduled for April 8 in Jacksonville, Florida. The scientists have been working with 13 graduate and undergraduate students towards the 17^th Biennial competition. The Symposium targets students from 1890 institutions across the nation, vying for top cash prizes in a stiff competition.

The Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD), Inc. is the federation of the 18 autonomous 1890 land grant universities that provides coordination of research initiatives among member 1890 Institutions in cooperation with federal, state and private partners.

In 1890, Congress passed the Second Morrill Act for the enhancement of African American higher education. Since then, the Historically Black Land-Grant Institutions, commonly referred to as 1890 Institutions and located in 17 Southeastern states, have served as a vital national resource by supplying most of America’s university trained black population in the land-grant tradition. The 1890 institutions have a strong commitment to improving social and economic success for the United States.

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Southern University Ag Center’s program acquires biofuel-making training

Abdollahi addresses question posed by trainee

Baton Rouge, La - Southern University Ag Center’s Urban Forestry & Natural Resource Management Program research scientists, led by Dr. Kamran Abdollahi are always seeking different ways to reduce waste in the urban ecosystem in an environmentally friendly way, particularly in the aftermath of hurricanes. Dr. Abdollahi sought a novel and efficient technology to recycle tree debris that had stressed most of Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In his quest, Abdollahi collaborated with the industry sector and identified a state of the art Micro biofuel system that could produce biofuel from biomass.  He obtained funding from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture to enhance bioenergy education, research and outreach in Louisiana and the region. He also secured additional funding to acquire three Micro-Fueler systems from E-Fuel Corporation  in California.  Since then, Floyd Butterfield, the inventor of Micro-Fueler System and VP Biofuels, has made several trips to train research scientists and students on the proper utilization of the system. The Micro-Fueler (a Mini Biofuel Factory) is capable of converting processed waste biomass into biofuels such as diesel and ethanol.  Mr. Butterfield indicated that the company’s goal is converting waste and agricultural feedstock such as corn, into fuel for vehicles and/or to generate power, further citing this as a more economical approach than transporting debris to landfills.

“We think that fuel independence is valuable for everyone,” said Butterfield.

The company foresees many additions and directions for the machine as well as biofuel production, especially given the constantly rising gasoline prices.

Energy production is currently controlled by huge companies. Making the home ethanol system available to small scale producers through a sustainable self-generated means would boost the local and regional economies while benefiting the environment.

Abdollahi and Butterfield are collaborating on creating public awareness with the possibility of setting up a training facility at Southern University Ag Center to benefit the south. Louisiana State University is also a partner in the project and a representative made a presentation on the topic.

According to the BioMass Energy Center, Biomass is biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms. In the context of biomass for energy, this is often used to denote plant based material, but biomass can equally apply to both animal and vegetable derived material.

For further detail, contact Dr. Kamran Abdollahi at Kamran_abdollahi@suagcenter.com or 225-771-2242.

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Southern University Ag Center Schedules 44th Annual Horse Show and Trail Ride

Horse show 

Baton Rouge, LA - The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center will host its 44^th Annual Horse Show and Trail Ride, April 12-13 at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena in Baker. Trail riders from as far as Texas, Mississippi, and North Louisiana will travel to Baton Rouge for the event. The horse parade will gallop around the Baker area with different horse riding associations, from which, first and second place winners will be selected by judges. Participated in the parade will include riders of all ages. Local entertainers will be on hand to perform at the event.  Click here for event flyer.  

For further detail, please contact Christie Monroe at 225-771-4350 or via email: christie_monroe@suagcenter.com

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Southern University Ag Center hosts workshop to boost student recruitment

Executive Vice Chancellor & Vice Chancellor for Research
Adell Brown welcomes counselors

Baton Rouge, LA –The Southern University College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences, in collaboration with the Agricultural Research and Extension Center, hosted a workshop for 30 High School counselors to encourage student enroll in the food and agricultural sciences at Southern. 

The workshop was sponsored by USDA/NIFA grant entitled “JAGS in AG: Recruitment, Exploration, and Retention.” Dr. Renita Marshall, Associate Professor, serves as the PD for the project with co-PDs Dr. Rawls, Associate Research Director, Dr. Kenyetta Smith, Extension Specialist and Dr. Gary Simon, D.V.M.

A website that can be downloaded onto mobile devices is available at www.jagsinag.org. This site will be updated as the project progresses.

For further detail, please contact Renita Marshall at 225-771-0252 or via email: renita_marshall@suagcenter.com

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SU Ag Center concludes annual livestock show

 Elvadus Fields (Center) receives award for 50 years of service
with the SU Livestock Show
L-r: Chancellor Leodrey Williams, Livestock Show Mgr, Christie Monroe, Vice Chancellor EubanksPicture by Christopher J. Rogers

Baton Rouge, LA –The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center concluded its 70^th Annual Livestock Show with more than 350 participants from across the state this past weekend. This year, the show was a celebration of decades of service to youth, providing them opportunity to learn leadership and life-long skills, and build friendships for life. The Ag center developed a video depicting an oral history of the show. During the two-day event, young farmers and ranchers from across the state had the opportunity to display animals that were showcased or have won in parish competitions. After the show, judges named state champions in various breeds of beef and dairy cattle, hogs, sheep, lamb, and goats.  The all-time favorite mini-farm, featuring a variety of small farm animals, and tours attracted school-age youth from local schools. Tour stops explained different animals, their food sources, farming, and how agriculture affects everyday life.

Winners received premiums, rosettes, ribbons, and banners. An awards presentation for exhibitors of champion market animals was held, followed immediately by the Junior Auction Sale. This year’s show was dedicated to long-time Livestock Show Director, James C. Archie who died this past December.  He worked for both Southern University and Louisiana State University Ag Centers for more than 30 years.

Results from the 2013 Livestock Show

 2013 Beef Breeding Division

Chris Robichaux, Superintendent

Curtis Chisley, Ring Master

Category:  Brahman Influence – Heifer

Champion: Regan Cornet, DeSota Parish

Reserve Champion: Regan Cornet, DeSota Parish                             

Category:  Non-Brahman Influence – Heifer

Champion: Chloe Thompson, Bossier Parish

Reserve Champion: Cassie Decoteau, East Baton Rouge Parish                                           

Category:  Brahman Influence – Bull

Champion: Chase Cornet, DeSoto Parish

                   

Category:  Non-Brahman Influence – Bull

Champion: Mitchell Miles, Winn Parish

Reserve Champion: Cassie Decoteau, East Baton Rouge Parish

Category:  Commercial Heifer

Champion: Mitchell Miles, Winn Parish

Reserve Champion: Trevor Delee, West Feliciana Parish

Category:  Beef Showmanship

Champion: Chloe Thompson, Bossier Parish

Reserve Champion: Cassie Decoteau, East Baton Rouge Parish

2013 Junior Dairy Division

Beth Brakeville, Superintendent

Victor Womack, Ring Master

Category: Supreme Champion

Champion: Chandler Salley, Sabine Parish

Reserve Champion: Chandler Salley, Sabine Parish

2013 Commercial Dairy Division

Beth Brakeville, Superintendent

Victor Womack, Ring Master

Category: Supreme Commercial Champion

Champion: Hayden Spann, Sabine Parish

Reserve Champion: Emily Revera, Sabine Parish

Category:  Dairy Showmanship

Champion: Chandler Salley, Sabine Parish

Reserve Champion: Hayden Spann, Sabine Parish

2013 Market Goat Division

Mary McMahon, Superintendent

Lisa Gray, Ring Master

Category:  Goat Showmanship

Champion: Jarred Coleman, Bossier Parish

Reserve Champion: Ethan Coker, Claiborne Parish

2013 Market Lamb Division

Terrance Marshall, Superintendent

Category:  Lamb Showmanship

Champion: Caroline Dupee, Bossier Parish

Reserve Champion: Kalee Wich, Bossier Parish

2013 Market Hog Division

Terry Washington, Superintendent

Jason McCray and Odis Hill, Ring Masters

Category:  Swine Showmanship

Champion: Catlin McBride, Ouachita Parish

Reserve Champion: Mitchell Miles, Winn Parish

Market Champions

Division	Exhibitor	Parish
Grand Champion Market Steer	Destiny Morris	West Feliciana
Reserve Champion Market Steer	Freddie Allen	Tensas
LA Breed Market Steer	Dalacey Jackson	Tangipahoa
LA Bred Reserved Champion Steer	Mashayla Dyson	Tangipahoa
Champion Market Hog	Kade Huval	St. Martin
Reserve Champion Market Hog	Mitchell Miles	Winn
Champion Market Lamb	Caroline Dupree	Bossier
Reserve Champion Market Lamb	Katilyn Matthews	Claiborne
Champion Market Goat	Shae Fontenot	Cameron
Reserve Champion Market Goat	Spencer Lipsey	Winn

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