SU Ag Center to Host Organic Training and Listening Session, December 1

Baton Rouge, LA - USDA NRCS Organic Training and Listening Sessions will take place in November and December throughout Louisiana.

December 1: Ashford O. Williams Hall - Southern University Ag Center, B.A. Little Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70813

November 29: Dean Lee Research Center, 8208 Tom Bowman Drive, Alexandria, LA 71302

November 30: Lomax Hall - Louisiana Tech University, 201 Lomax Drive, Ruston, LA 71272

For further detail, please contact Carl E. Motsenbocker, Ph.D., at 225-578-1036 or email: cmotsenbocker@agcenter.lsu.edu

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Historic Settlement for Black Farmers

CNN reporter announced on October 28 that “Tens of thousands of American farmers who suffered racial discrimination by the U.S. Agriculture Department in the 1980s and '90s may start getting compensation from a $1.25 billion settlement, a federal judge has ruled.”

"I'm very pleased that this has resolved itself," U.S. District judge Paul Friedman said. "It will provide relief to an awful lot of people."

 In an opinion filed in the case, Friedman deemed fair a proposed settlement that provides a system of compensation for black farmers who joined a class-action lawsuit claiming that they can prove racial bias in decisions related to Agriculture Department programs and support.

"Historical discrimination cannot be undone," Friedman wrote, citing a basis to establish payments "for the broken promise to those African-American farmers and their descendants."

As many as 68,000 African-American farmers who filed between 1999 and 2008 would apply for one of two forms of relief: "Track A" for a qualified claimant would lead to an uncontested payout of $50,000 after taxes, and "Track B" could yield up to $250,000 for damages that are substantiated by documents and other evidence.

"So many farmers had given up hope that this would ever come to pass," said John Boyd, the head of the National Black Farmers Association.

 Boyd said that "It's gonna take about a year to run all the farmers through the system, each case will have to be looked at in a forum that's also looked at by the court. Once the cases are checked, then the farmers start to get their money."

President Obama said in a statement that the settlement "is another important step forward in addressing an unfortunate chapter in USDA's civil rights history. This agreement will provide overdue relief and justice to African-American farmers and bring us closer to the ideals of freedom and equality that this country was founded on."

Friedman recalled details of presiding over the Pigford v. Glickman case in the 1990s, named after Tim Pigford, a black farmer who claimed racial bias in applications for USDA programs and financing.

"The farmers didn't think anything would come of it. They had been disappointed over the years by the government," Friedman said, "yet 16,000 of them collected something like $1.1 billion in that case."

Word spread that the government was willing to pay reparations, but other farmers who had valid claims of bias had missed the deadline to file. Friedman said Congress and the president then extended the statute of limitations "to get these disappointed people back in the case."

Boyd said the problem now is making sure farmers who became "late filers" are now aware the settlement is ready to go.

"Some of these guys were in their 60s and maybe by now have passed away," Boyd said. "Their family needs to know that if Daddy filed, they can still pursue his claim."

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who in recent years easily acknowledged a history of racial bias among federal and local staff members in managing farm programs, said that he is "thrilled by the court's approval so we can continue turning the page on this sad chapter in USDA history."

 Friedman, reflecting on having spent more than 10 years on the case, said a documented history of African-American farming is a side benefit from all the research that has gone into "Pigford I" and "Pigford II," as the follow-up case became known.

With the two Pigford cases come details on the farming lives of tens of thousands of African-Americans that Friedman said will stand as "a case history of the claimants parents and grandparents." He said historians and lawyers will figure out how to make that record public while respecting privacy concerns.

Paul Courson, CNN

Read the full announcement at: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/28/us/black-farmers/?hpt=us_c2

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SU Ag Center Receives Shares from Corporation





L-R: Joe Mule, A.W.Szur, Dr.Leodrey Williams, Dr.Kirkland Mellad, Dr.Bhattachary Pradeep, Dr. Yemane Ghebreiyessus



This summer, the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center conducted a performance test to evaluate equipment for Drinkable Air Technologies from June to August. The major goal of the company is to improve the environment using new technologies at affordable prices. 

On October 18, the company donated ten thousand (10,000) fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Drinkable Air, Inc. to the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center in return for participating in evaluating their equipment.

The objective of the study is to perform equipment performance test on the machine with respect to quantity and quality of water produced and electric usage in terms of kilowatt hours (KWH) consumed. 

The equipment was placed on level concrete blocks and was connected to 220 volts electrical box and meter to measure the electric usage (KWH) for water production. Volume of water produced and KWH consumed were measured at different intervals (5 min, one hour, 12 hours and 24 hours). Daily hourly temperature and relative humidity were obtained from the Southern University weather station located approximately 300 ft away from the equipment. Water was collected in a graduated cylinder and 5-gallon containers. For water quality analysis, filtered and unfiltered water was collected and is being analyzed in a laboratory.

Water production varied from 1.98 to 4.45 gal/hr and the average electric usage per hour was 6 KWH. Clouds and rain significantly influenced the temperature, humidity and water production. 

The advantage of this study is an opportunity to conduct further research that could integrate the unit with solar panels or wind turbine to harvest water for drinking as well as for watering gardens. This way of atmospheric water harvesting has great potential for wide agricultural use. For example, using solar panels and the machine can grow plants with no need of rainfall. Details of the study are available at http://www.drinkable-air.com/index.htm

Yemane Ghebreiyessus, professor, urban forestry; Roosevelt Payne, research associate; and Mila Berhane, senior research associate of the SU Ag Center conducted the equipment evaluation.

For further details, please contact Dr. Yemane at 225-771-2242.

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SU Ag Center Receives USDA Funding for Rural Economic Development

On October 28, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced funding to provide business development assistance to entrepreneurs, agribusinesses, cooperatives and communities in economically challenged rural areas. USDA Rural Development is providing the assistance through cooperative agreements with ten 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities. The announcement was made on the Secretary's behalf by Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Doug O'Brien while attending a local Farm Bill listening session in Selma, Alabama.

"These 1890 institutions have some of the best agricultural science and business education programs in the nation," Vilsack said. "They also have the capacity and expertise to help small and emerging rural businesses develop income-producing projects."

The institutions will use funding from USDA Rural Development to deliver entrepreneurial training, business start-up assistance, renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, website development training, and other programs designed to cultivate new business opportunities and create jobs. For example, Delaware State University's Delaware Center for Enterprise Development is among this year's recipients. The Center's mobile training facility is receiving a $75,000 USDA award to increase the capacity of entrepreneurs, small and limited-resource farmers, community leaders and others to develop and use renewable energy.

"Projects like these will increase employment and income opportunities for rural Americans, which is a key priority for USDA and the Obama Administration," Tonsager said.

Below is a complete list of awards included in the current announcement:

Alabama A&M University AL, $75,000; Delaware State University DE, $75,000; Florida A&M University FL, $75,000; Fort Valley State University GA, $75,000; Langston University OK, $75,000; North Carolina A&T State University NC, $75,000; Southern University and A&M College LA, $75,000; University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff AR, $75,000; University of Maryland Eastern Shore MD, $75,000; and West Virginia State University WV, $75,000.

Since taking office, President Obama's Administration has taken historic steps to improve the lives of rural Americans, put people back to work and build thriving economies in rural communities. From proposing the American Jobs Act to establishing the first-ever White House Rural Council – chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack – the President wants the federal government to be the best possible partner for rural businesses and entrepreneurs creating job opportunities and for people who want to live, work, and raise their families in rural communities.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of more than $155 billion in affordable loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

Read the full announcement at: Rural Developmenthttp://www.rurdev.usda.gov/Home.html

For further detail, please contact Gloria London at 225-771-2242.

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SU Ag Center Let's Be Totally Clear Program Implements Smoke-free Policy

Baton Rouge, LA - After years of creating educational awareness, booth displays, telephone communications, the Communities of Color Network at SU Ag Center has moved to the next level.

Communities of Color Network  has been working diligently throughout the SU System and Louisiana to effectively disseminate information regarding a tobacco-free existence. After many discussions and considerations, Darren Mire, Chairman of the SU Board of Supervisors, has implemented a 100% Tobacco-Free Policy for the SU System effective January 2, 2012. This policy affects employees, students and visitors.

Southern University System is committed to providing its employees and students with a safe and healthful environment. Southern University System also recognizes the use of tobacco products on campus grounds is detrimental to the health and safety of students, staff, faculty and visitors.

 For further details, please contact Linda Early Brown at: 225-771-2242.

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SU Ag Center set for Community Gardening Seminar

Baton Rouge - Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center will hold a Community Gardening Seminar, November 1, starting at 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Lori Bushway, Senior Extension Associate, Cornell University will present the seminar themed “Sowing Seeds of Success.” Bushway leads family & adult education in the Garden-Based Learning Program. The event will bring visitors from Cornell University, LSU, Mississippi State and Alcorn State Universities.


Participants will leave this workshop with all the tools needed to launch any type of gardening program in any community setting. Gardening is one of the most notable positive trends in the nation today. This workshop includes introduction to garden benefits; program planning and evaluation; gardening 101; and fundraising.

The seminar is part of the Military Community, Youth and Family Extension Project at the SU Ag Center. For further details, please contact Project Coordinator Tiffany Franklin at (225)771-2775 or via email tiffany_franklin@suagcenter.com

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USDA Designates Louisiana a Primary Natural Disaster Area

Baton Rouge — On Oct. 13, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated all 64 parishes of Louisiana as natural disaster areas due to the combined effects of severe storms, tornadoes, severe spring flooding, Tropical Storm Lee, widespread drought and excessive heat that began Jan. 1, 2011, and continues.

 This designation provides emergency farm loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to natural disasters. Interested farmers may contact their parish Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for this loan program. Loan applications will be received through June 2012.

“Louisiana producers can continue to count on USDA to provide emergency assistance during difficult times,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “America’s farmers and rural communities are vitally important to our nation’s economy, producing the food, feed, fiber and fuel that continue to help us grow and out-compete the rest of the world. President Obama and I are committed to using the resources at our disposal to reduce the impact of Tropical Storm Lee and other disasters affecting Louisiana producers and help to get those affected back on their feet.”

All parishes designated natural disaster areas are eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merit, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.

USDA also has made other programs available to assist farmers and ranchers, including the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE), which was approved as part of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008; the Emergency Conservation Program; Federal Crop Insurance; and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.

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SU Ag Center to Host a Gaited Horse Show, November 12

The SU Ag Center will host the first JAG-Jubilee Gaited Horse Show on November 12 at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena in Baker. The gate will open at 12 noon and the show will begin 4:00 pm. The gate fee is $10 per adult and free for children 10 years old and younger.


For further details, please contact Christie G. Gremillion- Monroe, Livestock Programs Manager at: 225-771-4350 or christie_monroe@suagcenter.com

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SU Ag Center to Hold Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity Symposium, Nov. 8-9

Symposium reminder

SU Ag Center to Hold Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity Symposium, Nov. 8-9

Scientists and professionals who are working on the frontlines of Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity research will gather for a Symposium at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge on November 8-9 to uncover potential threats to our nation’s natural resources and agriculture.

“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 food security and renewable natural resources,” said Daniel Collins, professor of plant pathology and symposium organizer.

Workshop topics include: Graduate Student Poster Session on Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity; Global Challenges of Invasive Species to our Forest Ecosystems; Strategies for Safeguarding American Plant Resources; Global Food Security and Food Safety; Special Session on Contributions of Dr. George Washington Carver to Global Food Security; History of African Americans in Plant Pathology; Educational and Career Opportunities in Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity; Hands-on Demonstrations for K-12 Students, Parents, and Teachers in Global Food Security; Mollusk Detection using Canine Demonstration: USDA National Detector Dog Training Center.

A special session will discuss the contributions of Dr. George Washington Carver to Global Food Security, highlighting the historical and scientific significance of Dr. Carver’s Fungal Specimens he collected as a Collaborator for the Mycology and Plant Disease Survey, USDA Bureau of Plant Industry 1935-43. A display will feature a variety of archival data such as the correspondence between Dr. Carver and the USDA mycologists concerning the survey, digital copies of the fungal specimens, and publications.

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

The Global Food Security and 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 Graduate Education and Training in Global Food Security and Agricultural Bio-Security.

For more information, contact Collins at (225) 771-0218 or Daniel_Collins@subr.edu

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Southern University Ag Center to Host a Container Gardening Workshop

Workshop Reminder

Baton Rouge, LA - Do you have dead plants in the garden or in your home? Do not fret! The Southern University Ag Center will host a Container Gardening Workshop to assist you with all your plant questions and needs, on October 26, from 2-4:30 pm at the greenhouse. This workshop is designed with you in mind. Come out and learn tips from one of our professional plant experts.

What to bring: problem plants, plants (new or old); and planters /containers

What SU Ag Center will provide: potting soil, and fertilizer.

For more information contact: Mila Berhane, Dawn Mellion-Patin, or  Zanetta Augustine at 225-771-2242

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SU Ag Center to Hold Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity Symposium, Nov. 8-9

Scientists and professionals who are working on the frontlines of Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity research will gather for a Symposium at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge on November 8-9 to uncover potential threats to our nation’s natural resources and agriculture.


“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 food security and renewable natural resources,” said Daniel Collins, professor of plant pathology and symposium organizer.

Workshop topics include: Graduate Student Poster Session on Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity; Global Challenges of Invasive Species to our Forest Ecosystems; Strategies for Safeguarding American Plant Resources; Global Food Security and Food Safety; Special Session on Contributions of Dr. George Washington Carver to Global Food Security; History of African Americans in Plant Pathology; Educational and Career Opportunities in Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity; Hands-on Demonstrations for K-12 Students, Parents, and Teachers in Global Food Security; Mollusk Detection using Canine Demonstration: USDA National Detector Dog Training Center.

A special session will discuss the contributions of Dr. George Washington Carver to Global Food Security, highlighting the historical and scientific significance of Dr. Carver’s Fungal Specimens he collected as a Collaborator for the Mycology and Plant Disease Survey, USDA Bureau of Plant Industry 1935-43. A display will feature a variety of archival data such as the correspondence between Dr. Carver and the USDA mycologists concerning the survey, digital copies of the fungal specimens, and publications.

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

The Global Food Security and 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 Graduate Education and Training in Global Food Security and Agricultural Bio-Security.

For more information, contact Collins at (225) 771-0218 or Daniel_Collins@subr.edu

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SU Ag Center Rabbit Production Book Reprinted

Dr. McNitt

Baton Rouge - A reprint of the 8th edition of the book “Rabbit Production” is now available. This is a reprint of a highly successful book about the production of rabbits originally published by Interstate Publishers, Inc. in 2000. The book concentrates on rabbits bred for meat and fur, but also has plenty of information on pet rabbits and show rabbits. Beginning with an introduction to rabbit production around the world and some basic breed and equipment information, further topics covered include rabbit diseases, feeding, reproduction, behavior, welfare, genetics, showing, rabbit production in developing countries, fur and meat production, slaughter and the marketing of rabbit products.

J. I. McNitt, Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, N. M. Patton, formerly of Oregon State University, S. D. Lukefahr, Texas A & M University, and P. R. Cheeke, Oregon State University, co- authored the book.

If you want rabbit information, please contact CAB International at http://www.cabi.org/

CABI gives a 10% discount for orders from their website.

Order book by emailing: orders@cabi.org

For further details, please contact James I. McNitt, Professor Emeritus, at 225 771 2242 or via email at: james_mcnitt@suagcenter.com

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Beginner Farmer Workshops Scheduled for October 26, 27

Baton Rouge, LA - The Louisiana Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education PDP program will hold two Beginning Farmer Workshops this month. The same workshop will be offered Wednesday, October 26 at Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville, and on Thursday, October 27 at the St. Martin Parish Office in Breaux Bridge.

This events are in collaboration with the SU and LSU Agricultural Research and Extension Centers.

The workshop will be led by Alex Hitt, co-owner of Peregrine Farms in North Carolina. Alex teaches at Central Carolina Community College and provides trainings and workshops for the annual Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group meetings.

The workshop is free for county agents and other agricultural professionals, but pre-registration is required and space is limited. Registration includes lunch and any workshop materials. Please find attached a flier for the workshop and the registration form.

If you would like to attend, please fill out the registration form and submit it as soon as possible. Please encourage other participants to attend. You can also offer a ride to others attending the workshop.

If you have any questions, please contact Carl E. Motsenbocker, Ph.D. at 225-578-1036 or via email: cmotsenbocker@agcenter.lsu.edu


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SU Ag set for Bioenergy and Biofuel Seminar, Thursday OCT 20

L-r: Johnson, Ning, Abdollahi

Baton Rouge, LA - The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center will hold a Bioenergy and Biofuel Seminar on Thursday October 20, 1:00-5:00 pm in room 138.


The SU Urban Forestry Program, SU Ag Center and College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences in collaboration with LSU Ag Center sponsor this very informative seminar.

Dr. Kamran K. Abdollahi , Program Leader and Project Director; Dr. Kirkland E. Mellad, Vice Chancellor for Research, SU Ag Center; Dr. Doze Butler, Interim Dean, College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences, will give opening remarks.

Dr. Zhu H. Ning and Dr. Andra Johnson, urban forestry professors and Co-Project Investigators will introduce speakers.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Kamran K. Abdollahi at 225-324-8206 or via email: kamrana664@cs.com

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SU Ag Center Specialist Featured on Radio Show

Savingruralamerica

Dawn Mellion-Patin, PhD, Agricultural Specialist with the Cooperative Extension Program at Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center was interviewed by Saving Rural America radio show on October 10.

Listen to the interview at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/savingruralamerica/2011/10/10/saving-rural-america-features-dawn-mellion-patin

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USDA awards $18 million grant for new farmer training

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan recently announced that USDA has awarded 36 grants totaling $18 million to organizations that will provide training and assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers to help them run successful and sustainable farms.

The grants will go to groups in 21 states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands that can help people who want to go into farming but do not know much about the business or marketing side.

“You can’t just love the soil. You have to love the accounting and books as well,” Merrigan said in a call to reporters today.

Merrigan noted that USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded the grants through its Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, established through the 2008 farm bill. Although a lot of the focus is on young farmers, Merrigan noted that USDA defines beginning farmers as anyone who has been in farming or ranching for 10 years or less, and that many people want to make farming a second career.

Projects were awarded in Arizona, California, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The Latino Farmers Cooperative of Louisiana, New Orleans, received $103,700. This project will address priority-training needs of Latino farmers, including production and management strategies, business management and decision support strategies and marketing strategies.

For further detail, please visit: National Institute of Food and Agriculture FY 2011 Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Grants

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CALL IN RADIO SHOW ABOUT SMALL FARMER AG LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Baton Rouge, LA – SU Ag Center continues to disseminate information to clientele beyond the state of Louisiana. In Mississippi, the Winston County Self Help Cooperative Live Internet Talk Radio Show: Saving Rural America’s Host will Feature Dawn Mellion-Patin, Ph.D., MBA on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 6:00 Pm CST.

The Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Institute is an 18-month course specifically designed to guide small, socially disadvantaged, limited-resource and minority farmers through the transformative process of becoming highly successful agricultural entrepreneurs. The primary goal of the Institute is to promote the sustainability of small family farms through enhanced business management skills and leadership development.

To date, 81 small farmers from 14 of the southern states have successfully completed the curriculum designed for this training. Each of these farmers has become a change agent in his/her community. Mellion-Patin, recently received funding from USDA, Office of Advocacy and Outreach to conduct Class IV, which begins later this month with 35 farmers from 12 states.

The Ag Leadership Institute is an 1890 system-wide initiative, hosted by the Southern University Ag Center, in collaboration with Kentucky State University, Prairie View A & M University, Tuskegee University, USDA, South Carolina State University and North Carolina A & T State University.

To hear more about the Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Institute, please tune in on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 6:00 Pm CST.
The call in number to speak with the host is (323) 580 5735.

Find past and upcoming shows at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/savingruralamerica

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Southern University Ag Center to Host a Container Gardening Workshop

Baton Rouge, LA - Do you have dead plants in the garden or in your home? Do not fret! The Southern University Ag Center will host a Container Gardening Workshop to assist you with all your plant questions and needs, on October 26, at the greenhouse. This workshop is designed with you in mind. Come out and learn tips from one of our professional plant experts.


What to bring: problem plants, plants (new or old); and planters /containers

What SU Ag Center will provide: potting soil, and fertilizer.

For more information contact: Mila Berhane, Dawn Mellion Patin, Zanetta Augustine at 225-771-2242



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SU Ag Center set for i-Tree Model Workshop, October 5-6

Baton Rouge, LA - The i-Tree Model Workshop on Quantifying Urban Forest Ecosystem Services and Climate Change Mitigation Potential is scheduled for Oct. 5-6, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, at Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Rm 138. Southern University Urban Forestry Program and USDA Forest Service Urban Forestry South will host the event. Instruction will be provided by Eric Kuehler, Technology Transfer Specialist, Urban Forestry South, USDA Forest Service.


About i-Tree: Forests, both in urban and rural areas can help mitigate climate change by sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide and by reducing energy use in buildings, and consequently reducing carbon dioxide emissions from fossil-fuel based power plants. To understand better the forest resource and its numerous values, the U.S. Forest Service has developed i-Tree models that quantify urban forest ecosystem services such as CO2 sequestration, carbon storage, building energy saving, and pollution removal. i-Tree tools allow students to make use of USGS-NASA Landsat satellite data to assess the community’s land cover, including tree canopy, and the ecosystem services, such as climate change mitigation, that is provided by the urban forests.

The workshop registration is complementary. Please email the registration form below to Dr. Zhu H. Ning, professor, Urban Forestry Program, Southern University, at zhu_ning@subr.edu

For more information, contact Dr. Ning via email or phone at 225-771-6292.

Registration Form

Name of the participant:

Title:

Affiliation:

Email address:

Phone:

Address:

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Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center set for Mentor Training Forum

Baton Rouge, LA - The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center Cordially invites and encourages you to attend a 4-H LIFE Mentor Training Forum!


Topic:
“Breaking the Communication Barrier: Effective Mentoring Strategies for Children with Challenges”

Date: Wednesday, October 5, 2011; 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Venue: SU Ag Center, located just off Mills Ave., Baton Rouge; Room 191

Guest Speaker: Dr. Chenika R. Jones, Southern University, Criminal Justice Department

PLEASE RSVP to Tiffany Franklin at (225) 771-2775 or tiffany_franklin@suagcenter.com.

“Invest in the future by becoming a MENTOR”

*Refreshments will be served*

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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714
bridget_udoh@suagcenter.com