The 2nd Annual Flower and Garden Conference draws large crowd

Karen "Mimo" Davis demonstrates how to arrange fresh cut flowers during the SU Land-Grant Campus' 2nd Annual Spring Flower and Garden workshop on April 25. Davis was the conference's guest speaker. 

Baton Rouge, La. – The aroma of fresh cut flowers flowed throughout the room during the Southern University Land-Grant Campus’ 2nd Annual Flower and Garden Conference on April 25.

Approximately 100 individuals attended the conference, which was held at the Southern University Ag Center.

Karen “Mimo” Davis, founder of ‘Urban Buds: City Grown Flowers’ in St. Louis, Mo., was the conference’s guest speaker.

Davis has 24 years of experience growing specialty cut flowers. Prior to founding Urban Buds, Davis operated Wild Thang Farms in Ashland, Mo. When Davis operated the farm it was considered the largest cut flower farm in the state. She is also a graduate of the SU Land-Grant Campus' Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Institute.

During her presentation, Davis discussed the history behind the historic farmstead in which the business operates, the growing techniques that are used to grow the 70 different types of flowers that the business grows, and the different services that the business provides. Davis also demonstrated how to make a flower arrangement from fresh cut flowers.

Sara Woods, owner of Sunshine Tea Louisiana, made a presentation on how to make sunshine tea and discussed how she uses flowers in her tea blends.

Florist Rita Stephens demonstrated how to make a corsage with either fresh or silk flowers.

At the end of the conference participants were given an opportunity to put what they learned during the day to the test by working in groups to make their own floral arrangements.

Participants were also able to tour the SU Ag Center’s greenhouse and Urban Demonstration Farm. 

Everyone in attendance also received a flowering plant to take home.

The conference was hosted by the SU Land-Grant Campus’ Wisteria Alliance Program, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program and the Flower Lovers’ Garden Guild.

The Wisteria Alliance Program prepares women to own and operate their own farms and other agricultural based businesses. It began in 2012 as a pilot program aimed at providing practical, hands-on training for women who live on farms, and those whose interest lie in starting a farm, and/or urban or community garden.

The Flower Lovers’ Garden Guild begin on November 20, 1953 with a group of women gathering to organize a club that would enable them to learn more about flowers, exchange ideas about their culture and fellowship together. In March 1954, the women decided to call the club the “Town and Country Garden Club.” In October 1956, the name of the club was changed to the “Flower Lovers’ Garden Guild.” Its focus is the beautification of the community and homes with flowers and plants.

The SU Land-Grant Campus will hold its annual ‘Fall Garden Workshop’ on November 20, 2018 at the SU Ag Center.

For additional information about the Spring or the upcoming Fall Garden Workshop, call 225-771-2242 or email zanetta_augustine@suagcenter.com, mila_berhane@suagcenter.com or stephanie_elwood@suagcenter.com.

The SU Ag Center and SU College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences together are call the SU Land-Grant Campus.

Click here to view photos from the 2018 Spring Flower and Garden Conference.

                                                                             

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SU Land-Grant Campus to host Spring Flower and Garden Conference

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Land-Grant Campus’ Wisteria Alliance Program - in partnership with the “Flower Lovers’ Garden Guild” and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program - will host the 2^nd Annual Spring Flower and Garden Conference on April 25 at the SU Ag Center, 181 B. A. Little Dr., in Baton Rouge.

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the conference opening at 9 a.m.

The conference, which is free, will include several information sessions, demonstrations and tours.

Karen “Mimo” Davis, the founder of Urban Buds: City Grown Flowers, will service as the guest speaker for the conference.

Davis has 24 years of experience in growing specialty cut flowers. Prior to founding Urban Buds, Davis operated Wild Thang Farms in Ashland, Mo. When Davis operated the farm it was considered the largest cut flower farm in the state.

Davis earned a Master’s Degree in Horticulture from North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, N.C. She is also a graduate of the SU Land-Grant Campus' Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Institute.

Urban Buds is an urban specialty cut flower farm located in the Dutchtown neighborhood of St. Louis, Mo. The farm grows more than 70 different types of flowers and specializes in flowers that are “locally grown, not flown.”

The farm focuses on environmental sustainability by using Integrated Pest Management techniques, cover crops, compost, minimal tillage, and drip irrigation.

This conference is the ideal event for gardens, flower lovers and urban agriculturalists.

To register or for additional information, visit http://www.suagcenter.com/PageDisplay.asp?p1=12752, call 225-771-2242 or email zanetta_augustine@suagcenter.com; mila_berhane@suagcenter.com; stephanie_elwood@suagcenter.com or tee6@cox.net.

                                                                

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SU Land-Grant Campus to host the ‘Jaguar Rodeo on the Bluff’

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus will host the ‘Jaguar Rodeo on the Bluff,’ on Saturday, April 14 from 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena, 14600 Scenic Highway (Hwy 61 North), in Baker, La.

The event will consist on a Rodeo, Trail Ride, and Zydeco Dance.

The rodeo will begin at 10 a.m. and will include activities for youth and adults.

The trail ride will begin at noon starting at the Arena, turning right onto Highway 61, traveling to Heck Young Road, then turning onto Chamberlain Avenue, making a right onto Groom Road, going left onto Highway 61 and ending at the Arena.

The day’s activities will end with a zydeco dance at 5 p.m. The dance will feature zydeco artist Lil’ Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers and singer, songwriter, and entertainer Sweet Nay.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Children under the age of five admitted free. Discounted tickets are available for Southern University students.

Vendor booths are available for $200. Vendors may reserve their spot with a $50 deposit paid in cash or money order. Potential vendors may pay their deposit and vendor fee in person at the SU Land-Grant Campus' Office of the Chancellor-Dean located in the SU Ag Center, 181 B.A. Little Drive, Baton Rouge, LA.

Proceeds from the rodeo will be used to provide financial assistance to students in the SU College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences.

For additional information about the rodeo, to purchase tickets, or for vendor and sponsorship information, visit https://foundation.sus.edu/bayou-jaguar-rodeo/; call Joy at 318-218-0604 or C. Reuben Walker at 337-344-8634.

           

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SU Land-Grant Campus to host ‘One Health Symposium’

Promoting Sustainable Communities

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus will host a symposium themed, ‘One Health Symposium: Promoting Sustainable Communities.’ The event will be held April 12 – 13, 2018 at the Southern University Law Center.

The 'One Health' concept is a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment.

This symposium, which is free and open to the public, will bring the various disciplines of the One Health community - medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, social sciences, nutrition, food science, engineering, agricultural and environmental sciences – together to improve the health of people, animals and the planet.

Participants will have an opportunity to come together and share strategies as well as learn about the latest educational tools and resources which could facilitate the improvement of their health, the health of their animals - both pets and livestock - and the overall health of the environment.

Sessions during the symposium will include:

• Bacterial Diseases and Zoonosis
• Community and Economic Development
• Designing Health Communities
• Developing a healthy and vibrant food system in Louisiana
• Diversity in the Health Care Field
• Economics and Health Disparities
• Environmental Health
• Exercise, weight loss and well-being. Is weight loss imperative to obtain wellness?
• Health Equity: “Health Care for all”
• Healthy Child Development
• Human Animal Bond
• Human Disease Prevention and Intervention
• Louisiana Opioid Epidemic
• Mental Health Issues
• Pet Equity
• The Effects of Nutrition Policy on Population Health
• The Science of Human “Sense of Taste and Health Diet”
• True Care Health and Wellness “Healing with Herbs”

This is the ideal event for new and beginning farmers, agricultural business owners, community leaders, non-profit and community based organizations, pet owners, students, faculty, staff and anyone eager to learn!

The symposium is also designed to increase the marketability of the students in the SU College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences, while exposing them to individuals in their respective professions.

Students will participate in FASpitch (elevator pitch), Oral, and/or Poster competitions. The students will also be able to participate in student ‘HUDDLEs’ where they will meet with agency representatives, academicians, and practitioners one-on-one to share their experiences and learn about job and scholarship opportunities.

A highlight of this symposium will be a ribbon cutting for the SU Land-Grant Campus’ three institutes - the Southern Institute for One Health One Medicine, the Southern Institute for Medicinal Plants, and the Southern Institute for Food Science, Nutrition and Wellness.

For additional information about the symposium or to register, visit www.suagcenter.com/symposium.  

           

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High school students set to celebrate National Ag Day with the SU Land-Grant Campus

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus - consisting of the SU Ag Center and the SU College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences – will host its 6^th annual National Ag Day celebration on April 10, 2018.

The interactive event themed, “Food for Life,” will be held from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Southern University Event Center and the SU Ag Center.

High school students will experience live animal and food demonstrations, technology and more. Students will learn how agriculture impacts their daily living and how to sustain a healthy living for life through food.

“We will demonstrate and give individuals the opportunity to see how agriculture is closely linked to science, technology, engineering and math. It is a chance for students to journey through agriculture gaining innovative hands-on learning experiences that they will never forget,” said Dr. Renita Marshall, event organizer and chair of the department of animal science at the SU College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences.

Presentations in relevant areas will be made by university faculty, staff, students and other community partners.

Participants will also tour the Southern University’s campus!

The event is free and open to all high school students, but pre-registration is required.

For additional information about the Southern University Land-Grant Campus’s National Ag Day activities, contact Dr. Renita Marshall at 225-771-0252 or email renita_marshall@suagcenter.com.

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Hundreds registered to attend 14th Annual ‘Connecting Businesses with Contracts’ Procurement Conference

Photos from the 13th Annual 'Connecting Businesses with Contracts' Procurement Conference held in the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union.

Baton Rouge, La. – Hundreds of current and potential small business owners will gather at the Felton G. Clark Activity Center on March 27 for the Southern University Land-Grant Campus’s 14^th Annual ‘Connecting Businesses with Contracts’ Procurement Conference.

The event, which will be held from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., will feature sessions on International Markets; Capital Access and Financing Options; IRS Resources, Services and Hot Topics for Small Businesses; Five Things Every Business Owner Should Know About the Government Contracting Process; How to Get a Contract and How to Respond, Manage and Maintain Successful Government Contract Proposals. There will also be a session for millennial business owners and a procurement panel.

The conference provides a venue for potential and existing business owners, contractors, non-profits, small towns, and municipalities to learn about the resources that are available through federal, state and local government agencies and prime companies. 

Co-sponsors for the conference include the U. S. Small Business Administration, Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southern University, Louisiana Economic Development (LED), the Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), Entergy, Brian Harris Audi of Baton Rouge, Manson Construction, DEMCO and Capital One.

For more information about the Procurement Conference or to obtain registration forms, contact Eual Hall at 225.771.4105 or via e-mail at eual_hall@suagcenter.com.

The Southern University Ag Center and the SU College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences together are called the Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus.

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East Feliciana High School visits the SU Land-Grant Campus

Eighty-one, 9th grade students from East Feliciana High School visited the SU Land-Grant Campus on March 20, 2018.

Eighty-one, 9th grade students from East Feliciana High School visited the Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus on March 20, 2018. The high school students learned about the opportunities available through the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences and the SU Ag Center. The students also learn how to apply to Southern University.

The visit was organized by Dr. Renita Marshall, Professor of Animal Science at the SU Land-Grant Campus.  

Photos from the event are available here.

Hundreds attend SU Land-Grant Campus 8th Annual Louisiana Small Farmer Conference

Photos from the 8th Annual Louisiana Small Farmer Conference held in the Felton G. Clark Activity Center March 15-17, 2018.

Baton Rouge, La. – Three hundred and eighty small farmers from throughout Louisiana gathered at the Felton G. Clark Activity Center for the Southern University Land-Grant Campus’s 8^th Annual Louisiana Small Farmer Conference.

The three-day conference themed, “Transforming and Elevating Louisiana Small Family Farms,” was held March 15-17, 2018.

Events kicked off on March 15 with a ribbon cutting for the Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus’s Mobile Education and Technology Center.

The mobile center will be used to provide educational training, bring Interact access, hands on testing and live instruction to low-to-moderate income families residing in the most marginalized areas and remote corners of the state.

Sessions held during the day included Grant Writing, Emergency Preparedness and Integrated Pest Management.

The second day of the conference began with an address from Louisiana’s Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, DVM. The keynote address was delivered by Leonard Jordan, the Acting Chief of the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Session included Programs for Veterans, Intensive Small Scale Farming, Agro-Tourism, Farm Liability Insurance, Social Media Marketing, Biodiversity on Your Farm, Estate Planning, Record-Keeping and Urban Farms.

The Louisiana Living Legends Banquet was held on the evening of March 16 following the conference’s sessions. This banquet honors individuals who have made significant contributions to Southern University in the areas of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences.

The 2018 honorees were Winzer Andrews, retired County Agent/ Parish Chairman with the LSU AgCenter’s Cooperative Extension Service in Caddo Parish; Dr. Barbara West Carpenter, Dean of International Affairs and University Outreach at Southern University and Louisiana State Representative; and Dr. Veeraraghava R. Bachireddy, professor emeritus of Plant and Soil Sciences at the SU College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences.

The three join 24 others who have been honored with this recognition since 2005.  

Anthony Reed, Director of Special Projects for the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences at Alcorn State University, served as the speaker for the banquet.

The conference concluded with a workshop on Managing Feral Hogs. During the workshop Gene Cavalier, a biologist with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry spoke to the attendees about the rules and regulations for feral hogs in Louisiana. Derrick Banks, Extension Agent at Prairie View A & M University also made a presentation on managing feral hogs.

Photos from the Small Farmer Conference are available here.

           

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SU Land-Grant Campus to host free Personal Health History Workshop

Event Registration Form

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus’ Family and Human Development Unit will host a ‘Personal Health History’ Workshop on April 26 at the SU Ag Center, 181 B.A. Little Drive, from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

                                                                                       

The free workshop will show individuals how to create a personal health history journal that can be used to keep track of not only their health history, but also the health history of their family’s including illnesses, medications, treatments and any past medical procedures. This information is often asked for by medical professionals when being admitted to the emergency room or seeing a doctor for the first time.

Topics covered during the workshop will include:

•           Proper Foot Care

•           How Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Levels Respond to Dietary Factors

•           Keeping Activity with Low Impact Exercises                      

•           Protecting Yourself from Mosquitos 

•           How to Prepare a Flower Garden for Spring

The event is free, but pre-registration is required.

To request a registration form or to pre-register, email milissia_jbaptiste@suagcenter.com, delores_johnson@suagcenter.com or call 225-771-2583, 225-771-3704.

The deadline to pre-register is April 23, 2018.

The Southern University Ag Center and the Southern University College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences together are called the Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus.

           

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SU Land-Grant Campus set to host 8th Annual Louisiana Small Farmer Conference

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La. – The three-day Louisiana Small Farmer Conference, themed “Transforming and Elevating Louisiana Small Family Farms,” will be held March 15-17 at the Felton G. Clark Activity Center on the Southern University Baton Rouge campus.

The conference is designed to educate, provide expanded awareness of educational opportunities, USDA programs and services and other resources to help small farmers stay in business.

Events will kick-off at 10:30 a.m. on March 15 with a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus’s Mobile Education and Technology Center. Other events occurring during the conference will include a grant writing session and the Louisiana Living Legends Banquet, which honors individuals who have made significant contributions to Southern University in the areas of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences.

Additional conference sessions will cover the topics of:

• Managing Feral Hogs
• Programs for Veterans
• Composting Large Animals
• Social Media Marketing
• Biodiversity on your Farm
• Breeds for Changing Climates

 This year’s conference will also feature an Exhibit Hall, which will provide an opportunity for vendors from various companies and organizations to share information about their products and services with the participants.

On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. daily during the conference.

Click here to view the conference’s agenda.

For additional information, visit our webpage at https://goo.gl/vVvfQc or contact Kelli Hollins at 225.771.5782 or via e-mail at kelli_hollins@suagcenter.com. 

           

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SU Land-Grant Campus produces video on 2018 Black History Quiz Bowls

Top: Middle School Black History Quiz Bowl Championship first place winners. Bottom: College Black History Quiz Bowl first place winners.

The Office of Technology and Communications Services at the Southern University Land-Grant Campus has produced a video on the Elementary, Middle and College Level Black History Quiz Bowls held throughout the month of February.

The quiz bowls, which were organized by SU Land-Grant Campus Professor Emeritus Owusu Bandele, Ph.D., covered a variety of topics including: current events, politics, history, sports and entertainment.

Members of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams of every quiz bowl received medals and every participant recieved a book by or about some aspect of the Black experience.

The video can be viewed here.

Baton Rouge's local NBC 33/FOX 44 TV News station also aired a story on the Middle School's Black History Quiz Bowl Championship on February 28.