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.

Researchers take findings to Atlanta

Fifteen Southern University researchers and seven students presented 28 research projects at the 15th Biennial Association of Research Directors’ Symposium. Students, faculty, and staff from the nation’s historically black land-grant universities converged in Atlanta, Georgia, March 28-April 1.

Three presentations were made in the emerging technologies category, 11 in renewable resources, four in food safety, one in human nutrition and health, and nine in small farms and rural development. Researchers from Southern University Ag Center made five oral presentations in two categories. All symposium attendees were sponsored by the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

In the Renewable Energy and Environmental Stewardship category were LaShunda Anderson,Ph.D., on “Cash for Conservation: Potentially Increasing Small Landowner Income via Wildlife and Native Grass Environmental Stewardship Educational Outreach”; Daniel Collins, Ph.D., on “Training the Next Generation of Agricultural Scientists in Plant Biosecurity”; Yadong Qi,P h.d., on "Application of Paclobutrazol Tree Growth Regulator into Urban and Utility Forest Management.”

In the Small Scale Agriculture and Rural Development category were Sebhatu Gebrelul, Ph.D., on “Influences of Forage Quality and Quantity on the Performance of Goats and Cattle under Mixed-Species Grazing Systems” and Yemane Ghebreiyessus, Ph.D., on “Effects of Joint Cattle and Goats Grazing System on Soil Physical Properties.”

Researchers also displayed posters in various categories including:

“GIS Analysis of Environmental Factors and Socio-climatic Factors Relating to Tapeworm Infection in the State of Bahia, Brazil from 2002-2005” by Fulbert Namwamba, Ph.D;

“The Effect of Mixed Species Grazing in the Determination of Gastro-intestinal Infections of Haemonchus contortus in Spanish Does” by Renita Marshall, DVM;

“An Empirical Analysis of Nutritional Knowledge and Importance Rankings of the Dietary Guidelines for Sodium Intake” by Patricia McLean-Meyinsse, Ph.D.,;

“Impact of Tree Based Mulch on the Growth and CO2 Uptake of Quercus nuttallii” by Zhu Ning, Ph.D.;

“Application of Sonic Tomography Technology into Detection of Internal Decay in Water Oak (Quercus nigra L.)” by Yadong Qi, Ph.D.;

“Hibiscus, (Hibiscus sabdariffa) species grown in Louisiana” by Kit Chin, Ph.D.;

“The Performance of Brangus Calves under Mixed-Species Grazing Systems” by Sebhatu Gebrelul, Ph.D.;

“Improving UV protection of Cotton Fabrics Through Digital Textile Printing” by Grace Namwamba, Ph.D.;

“A Comparison between Regular Sugar Cookies and Hibiscus Cookies” by Fatemeh Malekian, Ph.D.;

“Mixed Species and Grazing Practices Effects on the Yield and Quality of Forage Crops," by Veera Bachireddy, Ph.D.;

“Roselle Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Research at Southern University by Kit Chin, Ph.D.;

“Assessment of Food Safety Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices Among College Students” by Janet Gager; and

“Nanotechnology Application in Forest Health Management” by Yadong Qi, Ph.D.

The purpose of the symposium was to showcase the land-grant commitment to teaching and research by sharing research information, and highlighting research accomplishments.

By Bridget Udoh, Ph.D.
Communications Specialist

Photography lesson begins Ag Center's professional development series

By Bridget Udoh, Ph,D
Communications Specialist

The Southern University Ag Center is starting a professional development series to be hosted quarterly. The first session, "How to Use a Digital Still Camera," will be held tomorrow, Thursday, April 30 at 3:30 pm in Room 191 of the Ag Center.

Chris Rogers, director of technology services, will teach the Rule of 3s; how to take, download, save and email pictures; and proper camera care.

This is a hands-on training, come with your camera and all accessories.

Goat field day opens doors for production, consumptions options

Goat producers from across the state exchanged ideas and learned new strategies Saturday at the Southern University Ag Center's annual goat field day. Ag Center research associate and retired USDA meat specialist Curtis Chisley (pictured) surveyed participants' opinion of goat sausage. Chisley and Albert Howard, meat manager, made four samples of goat sausage from 100% goat meat to a 50%-50% goat meat and pork combination. Fatemeh Malekian, Ag Center food scientist, analyzed the nutritional value of the variations and provided the findings to the producers. The group most preferred the 100% goat sausage and a sausage with goat and pork. "This shows promise for goat producers," said Chisley. "There is a market for goat products in the state." For complete coverage, see Advocate article SU hosts Goat Day <http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/43733417.html> .

Goat Field Day photos available

Southern University Ag Center's goat researchers, farm managers, and research assistants, along with LSU staff, conducted a successful goat field day today.

The day brought a taste of goat and lessons on herd management for adults and children.

See a few photos on our Facebook page.

Who Moved My Cheese? session continues tomorrow

Part two of the Who Moved My Cheese seminar presentation will continue on tomorrow. Faculty and staff are invited to participate in this hands-on professional and personal development session. 

Participants completed a S.W.O.T analysis during Part 1. Session presenters Dawn Mellion-Patin, Ph.D, MBA, agricultural specialist, and Candace Semien, communications coordinator, said participants will develop individual plans on tomorrow to prepare for when "the cheese moves or is cut". 

"The interesting thing is that it does not pertain to cheese but life as we know it.  You need to hear it even if you have not read the book yet," said Bridget Udoh, Ph.D., communications specialist.

The presentation is tomorrow, Thursday, April 23, in the Ag Center, Room 191, at 3:30 p.m.

"Who Moved My Cheese?" presentation is part of the seminar series presented by faculty and staff of the Southern University Ag Center and the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences. The seminars are held every other Thursday at 3:30 p.m., free of charge and open to everyone. If you would like to present, or have questions, please contact James McNitt, Ph.D., at: (2325) 771-2262 ext. 270.

For information on the book, Who Moved My Cheese, by Spencer Johnson, M.D., visit www.whomovedmycheese.com

Goat field day slated for Saturday

Louisiana goat producers are invited to learn more about basic goat health care, including artificial insemination, during the 4th Annual Goat Field Day, Saturday, April 25, 2009, at the Southern University Ag Center in Baton Rouge.

The field day will feature presentations on basic goat health care, direct marketing and product development, cost benefit analysis, artificial insemination, forage based production, parasite control including, and FAMACHA training. The day will also include demonstrations and hands-on learning for a number of basic goat husbandry tasks.

A fee of $5 (pre-registration) and $10 (on-site registration) will be charged. Those who are interested in becoming FAMACHA trained will incur and additional $10 for the color guide chart. Registration will begin at 7:30 am in the Ag Center, A.O. Williams Hall, and the  program will begin at 8 am.

Contact: Lisa Gray, research assistant, (225) 771-2242 ext. 316 or lisa_gray@suagcenter.com

Calling all Gardeners! Time for Veggies

Spring is the time to begin planning snap beans, butter beans, collards, cucumbers, eggplants, cantaloupes, okra, Southern peas or field peas, peanuts, pumpkins, winter squash, summer squash, sweet corn, sweet potatoes in late April, tomato transplants, pepper transplants, and watermelons.

Now is the perfect time to begin planting Cucurbits especially for transplants, which you should start in pots two or three weeks before transplanting. All members of the cucurbit family can be planted in May, but yields of squash and cucumbers may be lower than normal with the late plantings.


Mila Berhane, Southern University Ag Center senior research associate, sustainable agricultural systems, reminds gardeners to plant cucurbits outside well after the danger of frost is over.

Learn about more gardening tips for these spring crops and others at www.suagcenter.com under the Garden Tips topic.

Family service providers begin professional development Thursday in Baton Rouge

Parent educators, child care providers, and health care and other family service professionals from across the state are gathering later this week at the Baton Rouge Marriott to gain professional skills, learn methods of evaluating programs, and develop emergency preparedness plans during the Southern University Ag Center's Family and Health Conference.

The conference, “Building Healthy Foundations for Families,” explores best practices, new strategies, and effective approaches to addressing the challenges Louisiana families face, said Southern University Ag Center chancellor Leodrey Williams. “In order for our state to improve, we have to continue creating, implementing, and sustaining programs that strengthen families and empower healthier lifestyles,” Williams said.

Presenters include representatives from Southern University Ag Center, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Louisiana Department of Social Services, LSU AgCenter, Prairie View A&M University, Woman’s Center for Wellness, Office of Public Health, and Louisiana Spirit. Read more on the family and health conference at www.suagcenter.com.

Administering Medicine to Children

By Kristin Brandon
Parent Educator, Southern University Ag Center

Taking care of children can be challenging, but administering medicine when a child is sick can be an even bigger challenge for parents. When giving prescription or over-the-counter medicine, safety should always be a parent's top concern. First and foremost, parents need to make sure that they have carefully read the dosage instructions and are giving the right amount at the right time. Keep in mind, young children under the age of 2 must have doctor's approval before given over-the-counter medications. Read eight tips for parents and child care providers to consider before administering medicine to young children.

Ag Leadership Institute graduates second class

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack presided over the graduation ceremony of 26 minority farmers from the Southern University Ag Center’s Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Training Institute.

The Institute is a two-year course of study that gives small, socially disadvantaged, limited resource and/or minority farmers the knowledge to become successful agricultural entrepreneurs. "President Obama recognizes that small farm operators are the custodians of about 48 percent of this nation's farm and ranch land," Vilsack said. "It's vital that we support programs such as this that provide the tools needed to promote the sustainability of small family farms."

This is the second class to graduate from the program with the first taking place in 2007.

Throughout the course, participants studied a broad range of agriculturally-important topics, including the effects of global agriculture on the U.S. economy; leadership and analytical skills; business management and marketing, communications; and public policy.

The program is unique in that it is the only one in the country specifically targeting minority, socially disadvantaged and limited resource agricultural producers. Participants were from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, Texas, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Maryland and North Carolina.

The most dynamic aspect of the Institute is the relationships that have been built. “Each session I sit back and watch the participants interact, assist and motivate each other as if they have known one another forever. The camaraderie is phenomenal," said Dawn Mellion-Patin, Ph.D., institute director and Ag Center agriculture specialist.

The Southern University Ag Center has collaborated with the Southern University Law Center, Alcorn State University Small Farm Development Center, Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension Program, and North Carolina A&T State University Cooperative Extension Program to bring the Institute to the farmers in various locations.

The ceremony was held at the USDA headquarters, in the Jamie L. Whitten Building on March 27. USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service administers and funds the program through the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program, which teaches participants the enhanced decision-making skills and leadership development to become successful agribusiness managers and community leaders. Patin is currently pursuing multiple funding sources to sustain this unique institute. For more information on the Institute, visit www.aginstitute.suagcenter.com.

By Bridget Udoh, Ph.D.
Communications Specialist

Ag Institute graduates 26 with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack

WASHINGTON DC--US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack congratulated the 26 graduates of Southern University Ag Center's Small Farm Agricultural Leadership Institute. The Institute's program director and Ag Center agricultural specialist Dawn Mellion-Patin,Ph.D., MBA, said this unique program helps farmers become proactive leaders and producers. Patin is developing a curriculum for the third Institute class. AJ Sabine covers the ceremony in Washington DC for This Week in Louisiana Agriculture. The show is broadcasted nationally by the Louisiana Farm Bureau.






For more information on the Institute, visit www.aginstitute.suagcenter.com or contact Patin at (225) 771-2242.

Delta Initiative works to transform state's poorest region

MONROE--State Sen. Francis Thompson told community and government leaders last week that the Louisiana Delta Initiative might be the region's "last best chance to do something in the Delta".

During a two-hour summit, "One Voice: Communities Moving from Poverty to Prosperity", committees brought together action plans on improving access to education, health care, jobs, and broadband connectivity in the region where one out of every four people live in poverty.

"We hope those attending realize these are concepts that will require further development and more involvement by others in the region to bring about real change," Southern University Ag Center agent Glenn Dixon told the Monroe News Star.

Southern University and LSU Ag centers have led the development of the initiative since last year, in collaboration with economic development groups in the Delta area. A team of professionals have been recruited to address poverty issues in Caldwell, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Pointe Coupee, Richland, Ouachita, Tensas, West Carroll, Franklin, Madison, and Morehouse parishes, said James Barnes, director, LSU Ag Center's Delta Rural Development Center.

For more information on the Louisiana Delta Initiative, visit www.lsuagcenter.com/drdc or contact Glenn Dixon,  agent, at glenn_dixon@suagcenter.com

19-year-old gives tobacco testimony

Nineteen year old Brandon Dorn recently sat down with the Ag Center's Communities of Color Network to share his experience with tobacco and why he chose to stop smoking. Here is his story:

Brandon Dorn is only 19 years old, but he’s experienced numerous hardships which led him down an undesirable path.  With mounting pressures at school and home, Dorn began using tobacco four years ago because, he said, it was “something to do and it calmed my nerves.”  Although it was something to do at the time, Dorn said, he soon realized smoking wasn’t the right thing to do—at least not for him.   

 “I stopped because I have a future!  I had scouts coming to watch me play basketball and football, and I had to get myself into shape.  I didn’t want to ruin my chance of going to college and an opportunity for a better life.  If I could go to college, then I could really go somewhere and achieve my dreams.  A lot of people helped me out; I didn’t want to disappoint them.  I didn’t want them to know that I was hurting myself by smoking, so I just stopped.  I could smoke if I wanted to, but I really don’t want to smoke anymore!” he said.

“I would tell other young people, if you have a future and know you can do something with your life—smoking is not a wise choice.  Smoking should not be a part of your life at all.  It will not benefit you.”

For more information tobacco risks, contact Linda Early Brown, M.Ed., Communities of Color Network, (225) 771-2242 or linda_brown@suagcenter.com

The Cowboys are coming!

The Bayou State Trialriders have left Monroe and are in route to the Southern University Ag Center's annual horse show. Other trailriders from Arkansas, Texas, and Mississippi will meet Bayou State in Baton Rouge for the April 4 show. The association will present their annual scholarship to Southern University agriculture students. Read the News Star's article on the group's sendoff below:

Cow pokes hit the 'Bayou Trail' on today

By Johnny Gunter, The News Star

Published March 29, 2009

The Bayou State Trailriders Association will make its fifth annual 125-mile journey from the Monroe Civic Center Baton Rouge campus of Southern University beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday. (March 29,2009)

The purpose of the trail ride is to raise scholarship dollars for students enrolled in Southern University’s agriculture program.

Sgt. Justin January, the association’s founder and president, said the group over the past four years has given out more than $5,000 in scholarship money.

This year’s honorary trail bosses are Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo and Monroe native and Minnesota Vikings All-Pro defensive lineman Pat Williams.

“You know Williams is a big man so we’re going to have a big wagon for him to ride in,” January said. “They’re both going to ride out with us from Monroe.”

The ride will begin at 8 a.m. so January said those interested should arrive early.

“This is all about helping kids. We truly look forward to this event each year and we are excited to see that it continues to grow in popularity,” January said. “Combining the pleasures of horse riding and the worthy cause of helping promote education makes for a magnificent event.”

January said the Trailriders’ event has grown from seven riders the first year to 55 last year counting horses, wagons and buggies.

He expects more than 70 cowboys and cowgirls from Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi to participate in this week-long journey from Monroe to Baton Rouge.

They will travel Louisiana 15 and camp in Archibald, Winnsboro, Sicily Island, Ferriday and St. Francisville.The ride is open to anyone who enjoys the outdoors and horses.

This year the trail ride will make stops at Winnsboro Elementary School on Monday and Ferriday Elementary School on Wednesday to visit with children. Both stops will be between noon and 1 p.m.

Anyone interested can register on site Sunday morning. The cost for participation is $10 for one day; $15 for two days; or, $35 fee for the week’s journey.

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For more information on the horse show, contact Christie Monroe, livestock show programs assistant director, at 225-771-2242 or christie_monroe@suagcenter.com.

Horse riders and young egg hunters invited to horseshow, trail ride, rodeo

Horse riders and young Easter egg hunters are invited to come out to the M.A. Edmond Arena on Hwy 61 near Baker for the Southern University Ag Center's 36th Annual State and Regional Horseshow, Trail ride, and Rodeo, Saturday, April 4 at 9a.m. Gates open at 8:30a.m.

Trophies will be awarded to egg hunters who find the silver, golden, and most eggs in the one-year-old to five-year-old group and the six-year-old to 10-year-old group. Participants can pet rabbits at the mini-farm before heading to the stick horse rodeo.

Young riders will compete in open barrel racing, buddy pick up, and cold drink run on their stick horses.

This annual event attracts more than 400 horse ranchers, riders, and ropers young and old. Trail riders from as far as Arkansas, Texas and North Louisiana will travel to the arena just in time for young riders to see an authentic horse corale and adult horse competitions. Trophies will be awarded for all youth and adult competitions. The day ends with a Blues and Zydeco Extravaganza.

The event is free to children 12 years old and younger. Adults and older youth will pay a $5 gate fee. The public and media are invited to attend.

Schedule of activities:
8:30 a.m. -Gates Open
9:00 a.m. -Easter Egg Hunt*
10:30 a.m. - Youth Stick Horse Rodeo*
1:00 p.m. - Trail Ride leaves from Southern University Mini Dome
3:30 p.m. - Halter and Western Pleasure Open Barrel Racing
4:00 p.m. - Open Barrel Racing, Buddy Pick Up and Cold Drink Run
5:00 p.m. - Gaited Horse Show
6:30 p.m. - Fashion Show (Best Dressed Cowboy and Cowgirl)
7:30 p.m. - Ranch Rodeo
9:00 p.m. - Blues and Zydeco Extravaganza
*open events for all participants.

For more information or to register, call Christie Monroe, assistant livestock show programs director, (225) 771-2242.
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CoC takes radio interview for Kick Butts Day

Shreveport radio station interviews the Ag Center's Communities of Color Network regional coordinator Shawntell Lewis for Kick Butts Day. Great interview! Congratulations CoC Network!

Mentor leads new farmer to national conference

Shreveport farmer Rafeeq Naji has a one-track mind these days: start an organic  vegetable enterprise. The native Louisianan has returned from California to manage his family farmland. Now the 60-something entrepreur has a new line of work and a new mentor in agriculture, Johnathan Jackson.

Jackson, who is a 50-year veteran peach farmer, invited Naji to a national family farm conference because he was aware of the benefits he receives from attending the conference and networking with other producers and professionals.

Naji, Jackson, and 43 other farmers, students, extension agents and other agricultural professionals received scholarships from the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program to attend the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group’s 18th Annual Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms conference in Chattanooga Tennessee. They traveled with the Southern University Ag Center to earlier this year.

They attended educational sessions, field trips, intensive short courses, mini courses, and a USDA grantwriting workshop. The meeting consisted of farm tours and presentations on numerous topics including organic production, cut flowers, pastured poultry, goat production, and farm management.

“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. He first encountered the Southern University Ag Center while still in California. “I was doing some research and a friend told me to call Orlando Phelps (USDA Liason at Southern) to get more information on agriculture in Louisiana.”

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. 

The group traveled under the leadership of Owusu Bandele, PhD, professor, horticulture, Southern University Ag Center, and Carl Motsenbocker, PhD, professor, horticulture, LSU.  The two professors served as the state coordinators. More than 1,000 conference attendees including farmers, producers, professionals, students, and vendors converged in Chattanooga, traveling from 13 states.

Photo: Louisiana peach farmer Johnathan Jackson

Corn, soybean production among presentations to Morehouse GROUP

The Morehouse Black Farmers’ Association and Southern University Ag Center held a meeting for growers on Friday, February 20, at the agricultural auditorium in Bastrop. Shane Bray presented information on corn and soybean production while Mila Berhane, Southern University Ag Center’s senior research associate, talked about vegetable production.

The importance and opportunities in agriculture were discussed by April Hardie, Nathan Crisp and Nicole Woods. Lester Scott gave the overview on soybeans while Dewayne Goldmon talked about the National Black Growers Council. More than 117 individuals were in attendance.

Several school children attended the meeting as well. At the end of the meeting, the group enjoyed lunch during which Tim Daniels told the group about biofuel. He showed the students plastic car parts and explained to them that agricultural products were used in making the parts. One example of an agricultural product that can be used to make plastic is sweet potato starch.

SU Ag Center Odis Hill serves as extension agent in Morehouse Parish.

The event was covered by the Bastrop Daily Enterprise on February 21: http://www.bastropenterprise.com/archive/x426337905/Farmers-meeting

Livestock show champions named, church buys Grand Steer

When the Rev. Rene F. Brown attended the Southern University Ag Center Livestock and Poultry Show last year, he returned to the Mt. Zion First Baptist in Baton Rouge with a renewed connection to agriculture and a desire to help the youth during the junior auction.

“I saw our children’s animals being sold for little to no money,” Brown said "I told the congregation we have to do something to help our children.”

The peak of the livestock show is usually the live auction, where buyers pay premium price for livestock. This year, Brown and his congregation were present to bid on and ultimately purchase the 1,200-pound Grand Champion Steer. The church also proposed for, and won more than $7,000 of meat—two steers, three hogs, and one lamb—to feed the community, senior citizens, and members through the church’s various ministries.

Now in its sixty-sixth year, the Ag Center’s livestock show remains the premiere event for youth to display showmanship and quality animals. Year round, youth prepare to compete in this culminating event by attending educational activities and programs. They learn leadership, character development, and entrepreneurship skills.

Three hundred young farmers gathered at the M.A. Edmond Livestock Arena, February 26-28 for the competition and fun. More than 500 animals were exhibited, and more than 1,200 pre-schoolers attended the show and participated in the barnyard tours, said livestock show programs director Renita Marshall.

Youth traveled from all over Louisiana to participate in the 2009 competition, ultimately vying for the top title of Grand Champion, and hoping to be awarded prize ribbons in the show ring. The livestock entrants individually groom and raise their animals in preparation for the show. “This is the first time I had to talk to a cow this much!” said Ashley Jackson, 17, Tensas parish, who’s been showing ever since she can remember.

“Sometimes you get attached to them because they have different personalities. But you still have to sell them.” Jackson, whose family is constant at livestock shows, said she enjoys participating in this show even though it is a lot of work.

“We had to be here for six o’clock (in the morning) to walk them and wash them…I walked him and talked to him and he was listening!”

Two of her cattle sold during the junior auction: one for nearly $1.30 a pound and the other $2 a pound. Even if she were to travel back home with the animals, she would “still have to sell them to not lose money because at a certain age they are going to die anyway,” said Jackson who wants to attend Southern.

“A lot of kids are interested in animals but they don’t know the right thing to do.” So she said she will open a large farm to the public after earning degrees in agriculture and law.

The time-honored, family tradition of Southern’s show carries a strong legacy of providing an excellent opportunity for the youth of Louisiana to exhibit their prized livestock.

“This exhibition has also become an important means of providing youth with valuable life skills that will prepare them for whatever career path they may choose to pursue,” said livestock show programs director Renita Marshall. “It enables them to be competitive, and develop responsibility and leadership skills.” The show featured animals that have been showcased or have won in parish competitions.

During the two-day event, judges named the state champions in various breeds of beef and dairy cattle, hogs, sheep, lamb, and goats.

Thirty-three youth were named state champions. Winners received premiums, rosettes, ribbons, and silver platters. The all-time favorite mini-farm, featuring a variety of small farm animals opened on Friday.
Tour guides explained different animals, their food sources, farming and how agriculture affects everyone’s lives.

The show also brought a livestock and poultry quiz bowl, face painting, food, craft booths, and the Hall of Louisiana Agriculture for local school groups. For these youth to have their animals purchased at premium prices is a much-needed motivation for them to continue raising livestock and pursuing careers in agriculture, said Marshall.

But to see a church auction to purchase their livestock is something special. “Our hope is that (the church’s purchase) will build self-esteem and it will help them” financially, said Brown, who studied plant and soil science at Southern. “We want to encourage them to keep doing this.

The grand champion and reserve champion winners and their parishes are:

• Henri Carrol, Tensas, Grand Champion Market Steer
• Hunter Millician, EBR, Reserve Champion/
• Grand Champion LA Bred
• Ashley Jackson, Madison, Reserve Champion LA Bred
• Malkayla Conner, Calcasieu, Grand Champion Market Hog
• Hayden Moffett, Caddo, Reserve Champion Market Hog
• Morgan Dunn, Union, Grand Champion Market Lamb
• Paige Quebedeaux, Lafourche, Reserve Champion Market Lamb
• Adriana Wohletz, Nachitoches, Grand Champion Market Goat
• Mercedes Jordan, Winn, Reserve Champion Market Goat