Simon joins Communities of Color Network

The Southern University Ag Center welcomes Shirley Simon to the Communities of Color Network as regions 1 and 3 coordinator. In this capacity, she works collaboratively with members of the communities, organizations and partners to increase the awareness of the harmful impact of tobacco, secondhand smoke and tobacco use cessation among Louisiana citizens.

Simon is a native of Selma, AL. She earned a bachelor of arts degree from Southern University, New Orleans in business
administration and a master’s degree from Xavier University in post secondary counseling education.

Previously, Simon served as recruitment manager/instructor at Southern University, New Orleans, where she managed the day-to-day operations of the alternative teacher certification program until 2008.

Communities of Color Network is an affiliate program of the Louisiana Tobacco-Free Living Campaign.

Louisiana Lead encourages participation in annual conference

Our friends at Lead Louisiana have encouraged their friends to attend next week's Fifth Annual Procurement Conference, "Connecting Businesses with Contracts," at the Southern University Smith-Brown Memorial Union, March 24. 

For more information on the conference visit www.suagcenter.com or read the Lead Louisiana blog at  leadlouisiana.blogspot.com

Thank you, Lead Louisiana.

TV Show covers Ag Center teaching agriculture to urban youth

5th Annual 'Connecting Business with Contracts' Procurement Conference

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2009

7:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Southern University A & M College Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union Cotillion Ballroom Baton Rouge, LA

http://www.crsbd.com/events/registration/

This meeting will give small business owners an opportunity to meet contracting officers and purchasing agents; sell your products and services to private industry, federal and state goverments.

 

Workshops include:

• Marketing
  
• Financial Management
  
• The Future of Small Business Contracting
  
• 2009 Contracting Opportuninties
  
• Procurement Discussion Panel
  

Pre-Registration is Required. To Register online click here: http://www.crsbd.com/events/registration/

To print a registration form click here: : http://www.crsbd.com/events/docs/2009%20Participant%20Registration%20Form.pdf

For information please call (504) 589-2756 or (504) 589-6688 or fax your registration to (337) 484-5837 or email (prs6182@louisiana.edu) not later than March 20, 2009. For other inquiries, visit http://www.suagcenter.com/ or http://www.crsbd.com/.

State organization raises awareness about tobacco use

By Shawntell Lewis-Harrell

Regional Coordinator 

You can read this story at http://www.concordiasentinel.com/news.php?id=3252

Communities of Color Network (CoC) is a statewide initiative at Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center commissioned to reduce tobacco use, consumption and secondhand exposures among parishes such as Concordia that have an African-American population of 25 percent

or more.

CoC Network is an affiliated program of The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living.

 "Tobacco use is the number one killer among African Americans -- we're saving lives," comments CoC Network Program Director, Linda Early Brown. "We exist to make a difference through tobacco education and awareness. The tobacco industry spends millions marketing their product to smokers

and our children, especially in the African-American community. We educate citizens how to recognize these tactics and encourage others to join the fight to reduce morbidity and mortality rates in Louisiana's communities of color."  

"Research proves tobacco is a life threatening issue for our families and our communities," said Gina E. Eubanks, vice chancellor for extension at SU Ag Center. "It's alarming to know that more African Americans die annually from tobacco related diseases than homicides, HIV, diabetes and accidental deaths, combined. SU Ag Center is committed to supporting the efforts of CoC Network in reducing and eradicating tobacco consumption statewide."   

"More than 70 percent of African American smokers wish to quit smoking," said Brown. "But, we have the smallest success rate of any group because of a lack of tobacco education. These numbers can and will change for the better -- Louisiana's communities of color may one day lead the way

to tobacco-free living. Our motto is CoC Network is not waiting until the smoke clears, CoC Network is clearing the smoke."

For more information call 318-767-2609.

Partnering to Battle Diabetes

The Southern University Ag Center partnered with Louisiana Health Care Review (LHCR) to hold a workshop entitled “Diabetes Empowerment Education Program.” This “Train the Trainer” event which focused on diabetes prevention and intervention was held January 15, attracting more than 20 participants.

Training modules included: recognizing the human body, risk factors in diabetes, understanding diabetes, monitoring the body, managing diabetes through nutrition, complications of diabetes, physical activity: benefits and challenges, medications and medical guidelines, and coping with diabetes.

At Louisiana Health Care Review, the mission is to improve the quality of health and health care by using information and collaborative relationships to enable change. They believe that better care begins with better care management. The team of health care professionals has developed solutions to significantly impact the quality of health care and to focus on performance measures for public reporting. They have developed partnerships with key stakeholders - beneficiaries, governments, providers and the communities - to make health care healthier in their service areas. LHCR’s impact has led to rapid and sustainable improvements in the quality of care, utilization and overall management of health care services.

The event was organized by Christopher Williams of Louisiana Health Care Review. For more information on Louisiana Health Care Review visit http://www.lhcr.org/

Career Development Event returns for 15th year

Each year, Southern University and A&M College is privileged to host the Area IV, Career Development Event. This event brings together 1,100 students from 50 high schools and 25 surrounding parishes. Youth participants in Future Farmers of America compete in ten judging contest: livestock, beef, floriculture, dairy cattle, welding, small engine, poultry, nursery and landscaping, meats, and dairy products. This event develops student's leadership ability, provide them with the opportunity to visit an 1890 land-grant institution, and enlighten them on issues that impact agriculture in the state of Louisiana. The CDE is held annually in March at Southern University and A&M College and Southern University Ag Center, M.A. Edmund Arena.

Join Us

March 25, 2009

M.A.Edmond Livestock Arena

Southern University Ag Center

Baton Rouge, LA 70813

Contact: Willie Rawls or William Augustine at (225) 771-2242.

North Central High School wins quiz bowl

The winners of the Second Annual Livestock Quiz Bowl were North Central High School students: (L to R) Kristen Casse, 11^th grade; Brittany Taylor, 12th grade; (Back Row) Preston Bryant – 12 grade; Matthew Stelly, team coach – North Central High School; Daleonne Smith, 12th grade. The team received awards from Gina Eubanks, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research, at left,  and Renita Marshall, DVM, director,  livestock show programs. Photo by Christopher Rogers.

Communities of Color Network clears the smoke

Louisiana statistics indicate that students engage in the harmful practice of smoking at early ages. To combat this, the Ag Center’s Communities of Color Network continues its mission of reducing tobacco use, consumption, and second-hand smoke exposure among Louisiana’s African-American communities. The CoC Network builds solution-oriented coalitions and provides educational experiences to teach citizens about dangers of tobacco and the industry’s marketing strategies.

CoC staff actively participates in more than 14 coalitions statewide and are established many and with more coalitions on the horizon. Regional coordinator Latricia Dixon provided a general tobacco workshop to students at Jackson Middle School.  Dixon engaged the children in activities and allowed them opportunities to express concerns about tobacco in their environments.

Educational opportunities and interactive activities were provided in Avoyelles Parish where Shawntell Harrell, CoC Network regional coordinator, taught Bunkie Middle School students about the chemicals found in such products as cigarettes, cigars and smokeless tobacco.

Paula Jordan, CoC Network regional coordinator, presented a tobacco basics workshop to patients of the Lydia Outreach Clinic, January 20.  Jordan provided the group with useful tips on how to keep their homes and kids tobacco-free. She also introduced the tobacco curriculum to Second Baptist Deliverance Church in Eunice, January 25.  It was the first of a series of workshops to encourage a 100% tobacco-free church, based on criteria and guidelines established by the Communities of Color Network.  The curriculum is customized to fit the needs of Second Baptist.  The importance of the workshop was further emphasized when the ministers correlated the message with a biblical passage for the parishioners.

Regional coordinator Eric Murphy utilized visual presentations to engage approximately 15 participants at the Adult Learning Center at Southern University, Shreveport, in interesting dialogue concerning the health risks associated with smoking.

Program director Linda Early Brown persistently encourages the citizens of Louisiana to seek opportunities to get their communities involved in the initiative provided by Communities of Color Network in tobacco education of Louisiana citizens. “Coalition and educational opportunities are available statewide,” said Brown. 

Local producers attend national conference

By Bridget Udoh

Local producers from Louisiana attended the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group’s (SSAWG) 18th Annual Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee, January 21-24.

Forty-five producers, students, extension agents and other agricultural professionals received scholarships from the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program to attend the conference.

The conference provided 56 educational sessions, five field trips, five intensive short courses, four mini courses, and a bonus USDA grant writing workshop. The meeting consisted of farm tours and presentations on numerous topics including organic production, cut flowers, pastured poultry, goat production, and farm management.

Fifty-year veteran peach farmer Jonathan Jackson, from Shreveport, was accompanied by his mentee Rafeeq Naji on the trip. The duo are neighbors and Naji attended the conference to garner additional information on starting an organic vegetable farm. Jackson invited Naji because he was aware of the benefits associated with the conference attendance through networking with other producers and professionals.

Participants expressed appreciation for the networking opportunities at the conference, and many said they were greatly inspired because they received information that would benefit their farming operations and enhance their professional capabilities. 

“I have learned valuable lessons from the conference by talking to other farmers and attending the sessions. I will start small and expand gradually,” Naji said.

Jackson attributes his success in farming to information provided by his local extension agents. “I highly commend all extension agents for the work they do. Keep up the good work,” he said.

Our own Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives assisted with the recruitment and registration of local farmers and agricultural producers and high school students from its 10-parish region to attend the conference. LaVonya Malveaux, Southwest Center director, co-sponsored the trip for Louisiana participants.

The group traveled under the leadership of Owusu Bandele, Ph.D., professor, horticulture, Southern University Ag Center, and Carl Motsenbocker, Ph.D, professor, horticulture, LSU. The two professors served as the state coordinators.

>By Bridget Udoh,Ph.D., communications specialist, bridget_udoh@suagcenter.com

Ag Center scientist publishes 'Practical Rabbit Housing Manual'

Most publications about rabbits have some information about housing but the material is often so general that it is of little practical use. That information also often omits many of the important "hows" and "whys" that are learned through experience which is a difficult and expensive way to learn. In order to provide more comprehensive information for rabbit owners and producers, James McNitt, Ph.D., researcher at the Southern University Ag Center and animal science professor at Southern University and A&M College, has published a Practical Rabbit Housing Manual.

This publication brings together information on rabbit housing and includes the reasons why certain designs, materials, or methods are favored by rabbit raisers. This information is especially important when the preferred method is more expensive or more difficult than an alternative method.

This rabbit housing manual covers:

• Requirements for rabbit housing
  
• Types of housing
  
• Construction of cages and hutches
  
• Types of wire and building materials
  
• Cage types
  
• Building cages
  
• Hutches
  
• Rabbitry buildings
  
• Location
  
• Ventilation
  
• Interior design
  
• Cage location
  
• Feeders
  
• Watering systems
  
• Nestboxes
  
• Waste handling
  
• Lights
  
• Office area

Download the manual at http://www.suagcenter.com/documents/publications/Rabbit%20Housing%20Manual.pdf

For more information, contact McNitt at james_mcnitt@suagcenter.com or (225) 771-2242.

Livestock show gets interview with local media

For two consecutive days, Southern University Ag Center's Livestock Show was the talk of two local media outlets in Baton Rouge. WAFB Channel 9 announced the event Thursday and WRKF 89.3FM (Louisiana's National Public Radio station) launch the Friday morning Jim Engster Show with the activities of the 66th annual show.

Dr. Renita Marshall, livestock programs director and assistant professor, was interviewed by both stations and the Louisiana Agri-News Network which is a radio news network for farmers. The later segment will air next week. Announcements of the show are also appearing on local websites, community calendars, and community newspapers.

Watch the Channel 9 interview here: http://www.wafb.com/global/Category.asp?C=151146&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=89761&topVideoCatNoB=92715&topVideoCatNoC=151875&topVideoCatNoD=89780&topVideoCatNoE=89943&clipId=3463940&topVideoCatNo=undefined&autoStart=true&activePane=info&LaunchPageAdTag=homepage&clipFormat=flv

Listen to The Jim Engster Show here: http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wrkf/local-wrkf-821900.mp3

Congratulations Dr. Marshall for great interviews. Congratulations also to the Livestock Show team Christie Monroe, Brenda DeRouen, Joyce Tubbs, and Lisa Gray for their hardwork preparing for next week's activities.

'Cash for Conservation' video available for land owners, farmers

Land owners and farmers who are interested in expanding or diversifying their land can learn about incentive programs available from the federal government by watching "Cash for Conservation," a new video produced by the Southern University Ag Center. Researcher LaShunda Anderson, Ph.D., leads the Center's Wildlife Habitat and Native Grasses Outreach Project which educates land owners about these opportunities. 

Watch the video at www.youtube.com/suagcenter 

To request a free copy of this video, contact: LaShunda Anderson, Ph.D. at (225) 771-2242 ext. 235 or lashunda_anderson@suagcenter.com

Let the Quiz Bowl Begin!

The College of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences and the Southern University Ag Center are hosting the 15th Annual Black History Quiz Bowl at 3:00p.m., Thursday, February 18 in the Studio of the Ag Center. The competition will consist of teams from various student organizations. The teams will be quizzed on questions covering current events, politics, history, sports, entertainment, and the achievements and contributions of African Americans.  For more information, contact Owusu Bandele at (225) 771-2242 or owusu_bandele@suagcenter.com

Ag Center in the News

Last week, the Ag Center garnered the attention of two newspapers for three separate events:

1. The Advocate reported on the Center's Communities of Color Network "Wake Up Louisiana!" seminar at the Southern University J.K. Haynes School of Nursing. There, scientist Victor DeNoble, Ph.D., relayed his experience as a researcher in the tobacco industry where he learned how the industry intentionally lied about the dangers of nicotine. Read about it at: http://www.2theadvocate.com/features/39292137.html

2. The Shreveport Sun reported on a local farmer's trip to Tennessee for the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group's 18th Annual Practical Tools and Sustaining Family

 Farms Conference. Shreveport farmer Jonathan Jackson credited LSU and Southern University ag centers and our agents for continued assistance throughout his farming career. 

3. The Advocate columnist Smiley Anderson shared a note from Renita Marshall, DVM, livestock programs director, on the opportunities to purchase meat for the upcoming livestock show. Read it at: http://www.2theadvocate.com/columnists/smiley/39354127.html

Ag Center brings fifth annual procurement conference

Individuals, potential and existing business owners who are contractors, or non-profits in small towns and municipalities can learn how to contract with the state of Louisiana, federal agencies and other businesses at the Center for Rural and Small Business Development's fifth annual Connecting Businesses with Contracts Procurement Opportunities Conference, Tuesday, March 24 in the Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union.

Workshops begin at 9 a.m. with topics on successfully managing your business, improving presentation and marketing skills, and contracting with others. Several of the sessions will be held concurrently but will be repeated in order to allow participants to attend all sessions.

Shaw Group vice president Matthew Butler will be the luncheon keynote speaker. Online registration at www.http://www.crsbd.com/events/registration/ is required to attend this free conference.

Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration will discuss its SBA programs, guarantees, certification process, bonds and surety and GO and disaster loans.

The Louisiana State Contracting and Licensing Department will have representatives available to assist conference attendees who want to become licensed, or who are already licensed but want to increase their knowledge.

Other sponsors for the conference are Southern University Ag Center, the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation, Louisiana Small Business Development Centers in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors and the Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

Exhibitors for the conference include: Shaw Environmental Infrastructure Group, Entergy Corporation, U.S. Army, New Orleans District Corps of Engineers; FEMA; USDA Rural Development; Textron Marine and Land; Ameriplan; Operation Hope; Alcatec, LLC; Louisiana National Guard; Department of the Navy; Louisiana State Office of Purchasing; Baton Rouge City Purchasing; Today’s Money Makers; Louisiana Secretary of State Office; Small Business Transportation Resource Center/U.S. DOT; Brown and Brown Insurance, Picerne Military Housing, CAMTRACO and others.

For more information, call Gloria London at (225) 771-2242; or email gloria_london@suagcenter.com

Ag Center to appear on This Week in Louisiana Agriculture

Tune in to "This Week in Louisiana Agriculture" Saturday, Feb. 14 and Sunday, Feb. 15 to see a segment on agricultural science program at Capitol High Academy. Southern University Ag Center's specialists and researchers are introducing Baton Rouge inner-city youth to agriculture through plant science and research. The class recently harvested greens and held a school market selling their produce to the community just in time for Thanksgiving. "This Week in Louisiana Agriculture" air time varies by location, so please review the listing below:

In Baton Rouge:
COX 4 Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m
WAFB-TV 9 Sundays at 5 a.m.
KPBN-CH. 22 Monday-Thursday at 9 a.m.

St. Francisville:
Weeknights at 8 p.m. on Ch 21

Lafayette:
COX 4 Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m.
KATC-TV3 Sundays at 6:30 a.m.

Alexandria:
KALB-TV5 Saturdays at 5:35 a.m.

Shreveport:
KPXJ UPN 21 Saturdays at 5 a.m.

Lake Charles:
KPLC Saturdays at 5:30 a.m.

Monroe
KNOE-TV Sundays at 5:30 p.m.

Opelousas
KDCG-TV 22 Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 a.m.

Hammond
Southeastern Ch 13
Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
Thursdays at 6:30 a.m.
Sundays at 8 a.m.

For more information on this project contact Renita Marshall, DVM, Owusu Bandele, Ph.D., Dawn Patin Ph.D., or LaShounda Anderson Ph.D. at 225-771-2242.

Seminar to teach strategies for land use, income

The Southern University Ag Center is hosting a free seminar for landowners on the economic impact of native grass and wildlife in Louisiana. Dr. Lashunda Anderson will share information on using land as an easy source of residual income.  Anderson, an agronomist, is project director of the Center’s Wildlife and Native Grass Outreach Project. She will share information on conservation, native grasses, federal incentive programs for landowners, and alternative agricultural practices with environmental benefits. Landowners can also learn about growing a habitat for wildlife. 

The seminar is Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 3:30pm at the Southern University Ag Center in Room 191. Contact: Lashunda Anderson at (225) 771-2242 ext. 235, lashunda_anderson@suagcenter.com 

Presentation celebrates African Americans' contributions to Louisiana Agriculture

OPELOUSAS— In observance of Black History Month, the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives is hosting “We Are the Ones We've Been Waiting For," an educational presentation Thursday, February 26, 2009 at the LSU/SU Agricultural Extension Office (1065 Highway 749, Suite A in Opelousas).

The 6pm program is free and open to the public.

Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center horticulturist Owusu Bandele, Ph.D., will profile three dynamic African-American trailblazers and grassroots leaders: the Reverend John H.  Scott,  a farmer who courageously led  a voter registration campaign in Lake Providence, Louisiana; Mr. Wilbert Guillory, founder of the Zydeco Music Festival, farmer coops and many other notable accomplishments; and Leonard Julien, inventor of the sugar planting machine, musician, and local leader. These rural leaders have roots in agriculture and represents different parts of the State of Louisiana.

For more information, contact the Southern University Ag Center’s Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives at (337) 943-2410 or Keydron Guinn,Ph.D., rural sociologist, at keydron_guinn@suagcenter.com.    

66th Annual State Livestock Show starts February 27

Young farmers and ranchers from across the state are gearing up for the 66th Annual State Livestock and Poultry Show hosted by the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

They are grooming, weighing, and even breeding their champion animals in preparation for the February 27-28 competition to be held at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Show Arena on James C. Archie Drive in Baker off of Highway 61N. School groups and families are invited to attend this free event. Prize meats (beef, lamb, pork, and goat) are available for sale.

"This culminating event not only showcases the showmanship of Louisiana's young herdsmen, it also shows the hardwork, dedication, and financial investments they and their families have made in raising the livestock," said Renita Marshall, DVM, livestock show programs director. According to Marshall, proceeds from the meat sales go directly to the youth.

The show features animals that have been showcased or have won in parish competitions. During the two-day event, judges will name the 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, will open Friday, February 27, 9 am. Tour guides will discuss different animals, their food sources, farming and how agriculture affects everyone's lives. The show will also have livestock and poultry quiz bowl, face painting, food, craft booths, and the Hall of Louisiana Agriculture, until 1 pm Friday for local school groups.

The Southern University Ag Center has hosted the competition as a means to "develop champion youth," said chancellor Leodrey Williams. Youth, age seven to 19, whose animals successfully weigh-in will be judged on showmanship and the animal's grooming. 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, February 28, at 8 am and will be immediately followed by the Junior Auction Sale at 10:30 am. Meat buyers, who have not pre-purchased their meat, will be on hand to bid for show livestock meat.

To pre-order meat or register a group, call the livestock show office at (225) 771-2242 or emailing Marshall at renita_marshall@suagcenter.com