Fall Horse Clinic scheduled for Nov. 14

Area horsemen are invited to bring their herd to the Southern University Ag Center's Fall Horse Clinic on Saturday, November 14, 8 am -  noon, at the M.A Edmond Livestock Arena in Alsen, Louisiana.

Staff from the Livestock Show Programs Office and Center veterinarian Renita Marshall will administer vaccinations, Tetnus shots, micro-clipping, and Coggins exams.

"This is an affordable opportunity for our herdsmen to take care of their horses and to insure that the herd stays healthy this winter," said Christie Monroe, assistant director, livestock show programs.

Contact Monroe at (225) 771-2242 ext. 328 or christie_monroe@suagcenter.com for more information on registration and fees.

Chancellor's Wellness Challenge Tip 1: Portion Control

By Celia Jackson

Nutrition Educator

Practicing portion control can be the start of developing healthy lifestyle habits.  You have all heard the saying, “no food is bad food, as long as you practice moderation.”  This statement is true when practicing portion control.  Controlling your food portions involves being knowledgeable of what the correct food portions are.    However, knowing correct portions and actually observing correct portions on your dinner plate can seem distorted.  In the nutrition education community this is referred to as “portion distortion.”  Do not become a victim of portion distortion.  Use the following links as simple on the go guides of correct portion sizes: http://www.webmd.com/diet/printable/portion-control-size-guide

http://www.webmd.com/diet/printable/wallet-portion-control-size-guide

To prevent portion distortion follow these tips:

• ·       Practice using measuring cups and spoons to portion out your food.  This will allow you to actually visualize the correct food portions.
• ·       Weigh your portions (if you have a scale available).  If you do not have a scale compare your food portions to common items such as a standard deck of playing cards, which represents a 3oz serving of meat.   Other examples are available in the guides referenced above.
• ·       Use a smaller plate.  The standard dinner plate is too large.  The smaller plate provides less space to add more food.
• ·       Use plastic snack size bags to pack snacks for school or work.  Having the entire package of snack crackers may tempt you to eat more.  Leave the box at home and pack a 1-2 oz portion in a plastic snack bag.
• ·       Continue to use measuring cups and spoons to portion out your food occasionally.  As we discontinue this practice our portions tend to get larger.  Using the measuring cups and spoons will serve as a reminder of the correct portion.
• ·       When eating out request a take-out box when your entrée is served.  Removing half of the large restaurant portions before you start eating will prevent you from overeating.
• ·       At fast food restaurants stay away from the Biggie and Supersize options.  Avoiding these options will prevent consumption of extra calories and will save you money.
• ·       Prepare a healthy plate.  A healthy plate consists of ½ vegetables and/or fruits, ¼ starches, and ¼ meats or other protein.

Contact Celia Jackson, MPA, LDN, RD, FF-NEWS Nutrition Educator, East Baton Rouge and East Feliciana Parishes, (225) 389-3055 or celia_jackson@suagcenter.com

2010 Louisiana Farmer of the Year

Nominations for the 2010 Louisiana Farmer of the Year are being accepted now through Dec. 11, 2009. Application forms can be obtained at any parish LSU AgCenter Extension Service office or online at www.lsuagcenter.com/farmeroftheyear. Producers from all areas of agriculture are eligible to enter. Three finalists will be recognized at White Oak Plantation in Baton Rouge on Feb. 26, 2010, with the winner receiving a cash award and other prizes.

Symposium focuses on threats to agriculture, natural resources

BATON ROUGE— Scientists and professionals who are working on the frontlines of biosecurity research will gather at Southern University on November 10-12, 2009, to uncover potential threats to our nation’s natural resources and agriculture. They will participate in the university’s third annual Frontline Biosecurity Symposium.

This symposium features presentations and demonstrations from researchers at universities and federal and state agencies who are monitoring high consequence plant pathogens, insect pests, and invasive weeds that threaten our nation’s agriculture and renewable natural resources, says Daniel Collins, professor of plant pathology and symposium organizer.

Because U.S. crop production and forest ecosystems are vulnerable to deliberate and natural plant pathogens and pests capable of causing significant economic damage, plant biosecurity protects plants from exotic pathogens or pests whether they are introduced intentionally by an agro-terrorist, accidentally, or by natural means, says Collins. This event is a key factor in preparing professionals in defending the nation and preparing students for plant biosecurity positions,” Collins says, “this is an important venue which provides an opportunity to network with scientist and professionals addressing research, educational, and career opportunities.”

The symposium is free and open to the public. Registration form, locations and schedules are posted online at http://www.urbanforestry.subr.edu/biosecurity.htm

Workshop topics include:
        Microbial Forensics and Plant Biosecurity
        Sudden Oak Death: A Threat to Our Forest Ecosystems
        Strategies for Safeguarding American Plant Resources
        Food Biosecurity and Fresh Produce Safety
        Training The Next Generation: Educational and Career
        Opportunities in Plant Biosecurity

Participating in the symposium are representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, USDA ARS and APHS offices, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry - Horticulture and Quarantine Programs, US Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security,  and Howard, Louisiana State University, Oklahoma State, and Pennsylvania State universities.

Background
Disruption of US agriculture by the unintentional or intentional release of high risk plant pathogens would be catastrophic to the US/global economies and stability.  Preparedness is a critical strategy in defending the nation against intentional or unintentional release of exotic plant pathogens that pose a threat to plants (crops) important to our nation’s agriculture.  Many reports have addressed the need to provide more   post baccalaureate training, and experiential learning in plant health management at the U.S.  land-grant universities to counter the threat of high-risk plant pathogens to our nation’s agriculture.   Southern University and A&M College and other land-grant institutions are key components in training the next generation of scientists and professionals in   plant health management to protect our nation’s domestic food supply, and renewable natural resources.
                             
The Plant Biosecurity Symposium is sponsored by a grant awarded to Collins by the U. S. Department of Agriculture,  National Institute of Food and Agriculture  1890 Teaching Capacity Building Grants Program for enhancement of the M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs in urban forestry at Southern University through plant biosecurity training.

For more information, contact Collins at (225) 771-2262 ext. 268 or Daniel_Collins@suagcenter.com

Technology helps homeowners, provides experiential learning

New technology that can depict structural defects in trees is available now at the Southern University Urban Forestry Program to assist homeowners in tree diagnosis.

Known as Tree Resistograph, the instrument measures wood resistance and can identify where decay, cracks and hollowness exist within tree trunks.

Recently, the Ag Center chancellor Leodrey Williams received a call from a homeowner concerned about
the structural soundness of two large water oak trees (3ft in diameter) in his backyard. Yadong Qi, Ph.D., professor of urban forestry, and Yongsheng Li, doctoral student, surveyed the site and tested the trees using the Resistograph.

The team discovered the main  trunks of both water oak trees were solid and sound, without decay at
the base. However, they suggested that the homeowner contact an arborist to prune the trees and
lighten up the crowns above.

The homeowner received the good news with a smile.

“The tree survey using the Tree Resistograph technology enhances our ability to help home owners in making informed decisions about their trees,” said Williams.

The Tree Resistograph has also been used in class lectures to provide hands-on experiential learning opportunities for urban forestry students at Southern University and A&M College. “This instrument
is a new addition to our existing Picus Sonic Tomography system which will augment our capacity to
conduct research, education and outreach in urban forestry,” said Qi.

The Picus Sonic Tomography is another technology that can detect the soundness and structural defects of tree trunks. Both instruments were funded by the SU HBGI program. For more information, contact Qi at yadong_qi@suagcenter.com.

School garden nurtures community

The principal and teachers of St. Helena Central Middle School collaborated with Angela Myles, area youth agent, to establish a junior master garden club. Today, mustard greens are sprouting in the garden which doubles as a community garden. The garden is used to nurture community spirit, common purpose and culture appreciation among the diverse populations in the parish.

The children involved in the school-based 4-H Club, along with their parents, said the vibrant garden would be an environmental classroom for tangible educational projects, service learning and leadership development.

Several community leaders and local businesses are excited about volunteering in the garden project as a way of giving back to the community. The mission of the community garden is to bring school children and community members together to work for a sustainable planet. The project is designed to motivate and equip St. Helena residents to take action on behalf of youth at the community, organizational, family and individual levels.

As an outside classroom, the vegetable garden provides real life, hands-on experience to study health and nutrition, oral health, science, mathematics, ecology, agriculture and more.

The concept builds upon the existing community resources and assets; it has the power to change peoples’ lives and can affect St. Helena children in profound ways," said Myles.

Eubanks discusses Managing in Tough Times

Gina E. Eubanks, Ph.D., vice chancellor for extension, recently participated in a panel discussion addressing “Some Marketing Ideas” along side Linda Fox, Washington State University, Dennis Calvin, The Pennsylvania State University, and Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter. The panel was part of  Managing in Tough Times National Extension Initiative webinar, sponsored by Extension Committee on Organization and Policy Program Subcommittee on September 15.

Agent pieces parenting tips, quilting

Bossier Parish parent educator Katherine Ervin has been busy teaching residents from varied background, age groups, education and culture how to quilt. They gathered at the Martin Luther King Center for some educational sessions. The sessions began with the group being reminded that challenges and problems in life have a purpose and a lesson.

Cocaine, crack and marijuana pose a major illicit drug problem in Bossier Parish. Women with children make up half the number of people admitted for drug abuse treatment.

These negative behaviors are key indicators of the need for the Southern University Ag Center’s Full Circle Parenting classes which help individuals “piece it together,” said Ervin. In September, three educational sessions were conducted including self-esteem, anger management, family values and simple scrap quilting to empower these parents to take control of their family situations.

An overwhelming number of today’s parents and grandparents believe it is more difficult to raise a family now than it was a generation ago. All parents want their children to succeed.

But knowing how to help them make smart choices and avoid pitfalls is not easy. These parenting sessions equip parents and guardians to strengthen relationships with children and other family members, improve communication, and manage family stress. 

After a few sessions, participants said they would apply the new techniques to parenting and share with family members. During the Scrap Quilting classes, participants enjoyed choosing colors, cutting, and laying out the pieces for their scrap quilt tops. Piecing the patterns together brought smiles to many faces. “The lesson learned was that hard work pays off like the beautiful quilt as the finished product,” said Ervin.

USDA grant supports ongoing business development

The Center for Rural and Small Business Development at Southern University Ag Center has been awarded a $100,000 economic development and business promotion grant by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Only 13 other 1890 institutions received the competitive award. "These funds help provide entrepreneurship
training and benefits to rural youth," said USDA secretary Tom Vilsack. "President Obama believes our nation's economic competitiveness and the path to the American dream depend on providing every student with an education that will enable them to succeed in a global economy. Using these funds, students will learn to take advantage of existing economic development opportunities in their communities - such as renewable energy resources - as well as the vast business knowledge and connections that these schools and their faculty members have."

The grant, provided through USDA Rural Development, will help the Center for Rural and Small Business Development continue creating businesses, promoting cooperatives and providing jobs training. For more information, visit http://crsbd.com/ or www.suagcenter.com

USDA announces National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Thursday, October 8, will be a very important day for USDA science, with the formal launch of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture .  USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack intends to deliver a major address on the future of USDA science at the National Press Club.  

The event – including the Secretary’s remarks – will be webcast live at www.Visualwebcaster.com/NIFA-Rollout  beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.  


NIFA replaces USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Services. Like CSREES, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.nifa.usda.gov.  CSREES continues to fund programs at the Southern University Ag Center throughout the state.

Software training gain momentum

The Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives’ basic computer software training is gaining momentum throughout the Center’s 10-parish reach. 

Since November, more than 200 citizens have participated and benefited, said class organizer Latonia Morrison-Frank. Many participants are using this new training on their jobs, businesses and for self improvement. 

“Participation in these basic courses are yielding a more confident citizenry in using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to create and edit documents, forms, business advertisements, presentations, and tracking of data,” she said.

The chambers of commerce in several of the parishes served have founded the trainings positive for their communities. Each session is met with increased participation from local sheriff departments, governmental departments, banks, businesses and other community entities. 

Due to limited number of computers, the majority of the trainings can only accommodate ten participants per session. However, this has not impacted the interest. In Acadia and Allen Parishes, the Chamber of Commerce wants the Southwest Center to “keep coming back”. They are anxious about future offerings of the trainings and eager to get the word out to the community, said Morrison Frank.

For more information, contact Morrison-Frank, regional market/analyst developer, at the Southwest

Center for Rural Initiatives (337) 943-2410 or latonia_morrisonfrank@suagcenter.com

Bourlaug Fellows train at Southern University

The Southern University Center for International Development Program hosted the 2009 Borlaug Fellows Women in Science Fellowship and the Southern University Ag Center provided assistance and training to the Fellows.

The Fellowship provides training to agribusiness entrepreneurs from the African countries of Kenya and Malawi. 

Four fellows were selected based on their leadership skills and business experiences. The group travelled to Southern University's Center for International Development Program for six weeks, ending this month. During this period, they attended lectures, went on field trips and shadowed trainers assigned to them.

Program participants included: Eunice Mwongera, Managing Director of Hillside Green Growers and Exporters Company, exporter of fresh fruits and vegetables from Kenya. She came to gain knowledge that will assist small scale farmers to increase and improve the quality of their fruit and vegetable products for export; and to improve business skills and ability to mentor other female business entrepreneurs.  

Stella Kachoka, Traditional Authority Coordinator for “Concern Worldwide,” Malawi, interested in crop diversification techniques, specifically in cassava and sweet potatoes. She came to gain increased understanding of food production that matches domestic and export market needs. Patience Mgollimwale, Farmer Organization Development Coordinator with Malawi Enterprise Zones Association, came to seek skills in farmer cooperative development and trade policy issues related to agricultural exports.

Maness Nkhata, Managing Director for Kakoma Estate, a company that specializes in livestock and crop production, wanted to gain knowledge in business development, management and financial resource mobilization,specifically microfinance for small to medium-scale businesses. 

The program was coordinated by Rufus Nwogu, PhD, assistant director, Southern University Center for International Development Programs. Several faculty from the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center provided training.  Fatemeh Malekian, PhD, food scientist, provided the ServSafe Essentials for food handling. Adell Brown, PhD, vice chancellor for finance and administration, and Oscar Udoh,PhD, coordinator for planning and evaluation, provided lectures on risk management, forming cooperatives, marketing and building trade capacity. James McNitt, PhD, retired animal science professor, provided a series of farmer training modules for production of safe food. Renita Marshall, DVM, director of livestock programs, and Mila Berhane provided tours of the Experiment Station and Horticulture area.

The program is administered by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service in cooperation with the U.S. Agency for International

Development, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. To read more about the Borlaug

Fellowship Program, visit: http://www.fas.usda.gov/icd/borlaug/borlaug.htm

Malekian receives Polaris Award

Southern University Ag Center researcher Fatemeh Malekian received the Polaris Award from The Greater Baton Rouge Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. during its seventh annual banquet.   Named for the North Star, the award highlights volunteers who have favorably affected diversity and unity in the Baton Rouge area.  Malekian was recognized for her research and work with  health and nutrition, community outreach, childhood obesity, and food safety. The Greater Baton Rouge Pan-Hellenic Council is a non-profit service organization composed of representatives from eight of the nine Greek-letter organizations. 

Beat the Back to School Blues

Many children feel nervous or even scared the first few weeks of  school because of all the new things: new teachers, new friends, and maybe even a new school. Luckily, these "new" worries only stick around for a little while. You can beat the back to school blues by knowing what to expect.

Going Back to School Tips

• Get enough sleep so you will be able to stay awake in class.
• Eat a balanced breakfast to give you the energy you will need.
• Try to go to school with a positive attitude every day (although it's OK to have a blue funk sometimes).
• Give school your best effort.
• Develop good work habits. That means writing down your assignments and turning in your homework on time.
• Take your time with assignments in and out of the classroom, If you don't understand something, ask the teacher.
• Keep a sense of humor.

Read more tips at http://www.suagcenter.com/News%20Archives/Jul-Aug2005/BackToSchool.html

Ag Center scientists attend international conference

Kirkland Mellad, vice chancellor for research, and Sebhatu Gebrelul, professor of animal science, attended the 2009 joint meeting of the American Society of Animal Science, American Dairy Science Association, and Canadian Society of Animal Science, July 12-16, in Montreal, Canada. Gebrelul presented a paper on performances of kids and calves grazing together and separately. The meeting brought together nearly 3,000 scientists from around the world and addressed issues of interest in research, extension, teaching, and commercial activities in all areas of animal agriculture. For more information, contact Gebrelul at (225) 771-2262 or sebhatu_gebrelul@suagcenter.com

CoC Network educates hundreds at Essence Music Festival

On July 3-5 all roads led to New Orleans for the 15th Annual Essence Music Festival. The Festival is a weekend celebration of African-American music, culture, fashion, beauty, and empowerment seminars. Each day of the festival, Center’s Communities Network coordinators dangers of tobacco consumption secondhand smoke youth and members grassroots community.

For more information on the Southern University Ag Center's Communities of Color Network, visit www.suagcenter.com/communitiesofcolor

Business Development Center holds information exchange workshop

The Center for Rural and Small Business Development recently hosted its annual 1890 USDA, Rural Development Land-Grant Entrepreneurial Informational Exchange Workshop in New Orleans. Center director Gloria London, technology specialist Wilbert Harris, and business development specialist Eual Hall were participants at the workshop.

The overriding theme for the event was “Creating Sustainable Communities where all Persons Can Live and Work.” The theme is aligned with the USDA, Rural Development Mission: “to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development and critical community and technology infrastructure.”

The USDA/RD 1890 program manager Edgar Lewis opened the workshop with warm welcome and guiding instructions. The new director Judith Canales, USDA Rural Development of Rural Business-Cooperative Programs, announced support for all participating 1890 land-grant educational institutions.

Workshop participants reviewed new goals and objectives, changes, rules and guidelines about funding, as well as to answer any questions about USDA, Rural Development programs.

Information exchange included: sharing project successes and challenges; networking among USDA Rural Development employees, both national and state offices; reviewing Rural Development’s new program initiatives and policies/regulations; strategizing on training businesses on cash flow management through more seminars, workshops for cooperatives and small businesses, among others.

Many new topics were added to the existing and expected tasks, including renewable energy, the American Recovery and Reinvestment

Act, youth entrepreneurship, and outreach to minority producers and cooperatives.

Center hosts University of Wisconsin Extension visitors

Members of the Multicultural Immersion Experience Group from the University of Wisconsin visited the SU Ag Center last month. The group visited Southern to learn more about the 1890 land-grant institution in order to broaden their understanding of its role in extension education and to acquire insight in order to create new ways of leading the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Systems towards increased relevancy in a multicultural and changing society. The visit was organized by SU Ag Center vice chancellor for extension Gina Eubanks.

Linking citizens to technology

Grant could bring access to residents near SU campuses.

The Ag Center's director of technology services Christopher J. Rogers is interviewed about linking citizens to technology. See the August 26th interview with WBRZ Channel 2 at http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/55457012.html. 

Rogers is assisting the Southern University System and the for Digital Equality™ who have plans to provide public computer accessibility, through 30 community-based centers, to nearly 200,000 residents situated in rural and underserved communities. Once funded, the initiative will establish technology services in communities surrounding the System’s five member institutions, along with targeted parishes where services are provided by the Southern.

For more information, email Rogers at chris_rogers@suagcenter.com

First seminar held today

You are invited to our first seminar in the series for the fall semester at the SU Ag Center, Thursday, August 27. Presenters of this seminar are professional agricultural producers Don Ashford and Wedge Barthe who will present "Sustainable Forage Management in South Louisiana." The seminar begins at 3:30pm in Room 191 of the Southern University Ag Center.

This is a regular seminar series presented by faculty and staff of the Southern University Ag Center and the SUBR College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences. The seminars are held every other Thursday at 3:30 p.m. and are free to the public. If you would like to present, or have questions, please contact Dr. James McNitt at 225-771-2262 ext. 270 or james_mcnitt@suagcenter.com