SU Ag Center Schedules Back-to-School Summit for September 12

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, LA - The Family & Youth Development Program at Southern University Ag Center will hold a Back-to-School Summit for 8^th graders on September 12, 2013, 8:30 am-1:00 pm.  The 13^th Annual Back-to-School Summit is organized by the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives located in Opelousas. The theme for this year’s event is “Reach for the Star in You!” The event will take place at the Blackham Coliseum, 2330 Johnston Street, Lafayette, featuring Danna Andrus "Dr. Truth"; Kwame I. Asanté, Attorney and Mentor; Byron Starks, Coach and Mentor; and Den Hussey, Motivational Speaker.

Participants will receive informational brochures along with school supplies from various agencies while learning from motivational speakers and video presentations.  Topics of discussion include a wide range of healthy living tips, from sexual conduct to drug abuse. The goal of the program is to give young people health alternative choices in life. The program targets eighth-graders because they are on the edge of becoming teenagers.

The Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives is a satellite arm of the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.  Its mission is to improve the socioeconomic wellbeing of citizens in rural communities within a ten-parish region of Southwest Louisiana. The Center performs functions consistent with the SU Ag Center’s mission of conducting basic and applied research and disseminating information to the citizens of Louisiana.

For further details, please contact Wanda Burke at 225-771-5184 or (337) 943-2410; via email at wanda_burke@suagcenter.com

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SU Ag Center produces video on gardening to improve health

Elwood, left, and Franklin, teach gardening hands-on 

Baton Rouge, La - The Southern University Ag Center’s Eradicating Food Deserts in Neighborhoods through the Development of School Garden’s project has produced the first of many videos that will encourage healthy living among school-aged children and their families. Typically, youth engage in more sedentary activities during their “down time” than when school is in session.  But, the Ag Center team had a different summer planned for a group of youth this year by partnering with Exxon Mobil’s YMCA and LPB to afford youth the opportunity to continue planting gardens and engaging in physical fitness activities during the summer to further reiterate the need to eat and exercise for healthier living.  The skills that youth ages, 6-14 have learned are transferable to their homes, schools, and neighborhoods.  Mr. Ron Smith, Executive Director for Exxon Mobil’s YMCA is an asset to the program and very “hands-on” with ensuring successful outcomes for participating youth.

The video entitled “Plant It, Grow It, Try It and Like It” is available online at http://youtu.be/OTurPf9-RX4

This is a USDA/NIFA funded Capacity Building Grant project directed by Tiffany Franklin, Extension Associate, assisted by Stephanie Elwood, Extension Associate-Community Gardens. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture is an agency of US Department of Agriculture.

For more information on the “Eradicating Food Deserts in Neighborhoods through the Development of School Gardens” project, contact Tiffany Wilkerson-Franklin at 225-771-2775 or via email at tiffany_franklin@suagcenter.com

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Southern University System Statewide Town Hall Tour: Update

Town Hall Tour Flyer

Baton Rouge, LA –The Southern University System will host a series of statewide town hall meetings for alumni, stakeholders, and supporters during the month of August. The tour, "Transforming the Southern System: From Good to Great," will include meetings in Baton Rouge, Monroe, Shreveport, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Franklinton, and New Orleans. The tour begins in Baton Rouge, Thursday August 8, and will conclude after a stop at SUNO on Monday, August 19. The detailed event flyer is available online.

There is a change for the Town Hall meeting at Southern University New Orleans. Please see attached flyer for details.

For more information, call 225.771.4680.

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You’re invited to the Southern University System Statewide Town Hall Tour in August!

Statewide Town Hall tour Flyer

Baton Rouge, LA - The Southern University System will host a series of statewide town hall meetings for alumni, stakeholders, and supporters during the month of August. The tour, "Transforming the Southern System: From Good to Great," will include meetings in Baton Rouge, Monroe, Shreveport, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Franklinton, and New Orleans.

This fiscal year is pivotal to the future of the SU System says SU System President Ronald Mason Jr. "The 'Reform and Renewal Agenda' as reflected in the Transformation Plans approved by the Board of Supervisors in June, charts a new, exciting path for Southern. When achieved, Southern will be a 21^st Century institution of higher learning. In addition, initiatives to increase enrollment are underway. There is much work to be done in order to secure the future of Southern."

Also joining the 2013 tour is the Bayou Classic Roadshow featuring the Bayou Classic RV that will provide exciting promotions for the 40^th Annual Bayou Classic.

The public is invited to join President Mason as he shares the "Reform and Renewal Agenda" -- SU's path to the future, built on traditions of the past.

For more information, call 225.771.4680, or click here to see flyer

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8
Baton Rouge
Southern University
A.W. Mumford Stadium Fieldhouse
6 p.m.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10
Monroe
Clarion Inn & Suites
Canal Room
1051 Highway 165
Noon
Shreveport
Southern University Museum of Art
610 Texas Street
5 p.m.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 11
Lake Charles
Zion Tabernacle Baptist Church
910 North Shattuck Street
2:30 p.m.

Lafayette
Staybridge Suites
129 E. Kaliste Saloom Road
6 p.m.

MONDAY, AUGUST 12
Franklinton
Winan United Methodist Church
622 18th Avenue
6 p.m.

MONDAY, AUGUST 19
New Orleans
Southern University New Orleans
Gymnasium
6400 Press Drive
11 am.

SU Ag Center Launches Maiden Garden at New Light Missionary Baptist Church

L-r: Underwood, Franklin, Jackson harvesting cucumbers

Seniors enjoy harvesting cucumbers

Baton Rouge, LA – Southern University Ag Center’s extension associate for community garden, Stephanie Elwood is responsible for the vegetable garden at the New Light Missionary Baptist Church, which was created May 2013 to provide exercise and fresh produce for seniors.  This area of north Baton Rouge is considered a food desert. The USDA defines food deserts as urban neighborhoods and rural towns without ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food. The lack of access contributes to a poor diet and can lead to higher levels of obesity and other diet-related diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. Gardens help bring relief to food deserts. The SU Ag Center, by creating gardens in the community, is contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of local residents. Elwood worked with the seniors to establish the garden on church grounds in the Scotlandville area. The church is located at 650 Blount Road, Baton Rouge; Rev. Gil H. Wright, Pastor.

Elwood delivered three types of vegetable seeds (tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash) for the church garden and worked diligently with members to establish a raised bed for planting.  “The garden provides the seniors in the church opportunities to exercise and eat healthy, she stated.

The senior citizens meet daily from 9 am-2pm; part of this time is spent nurturing the garden, which is complete with ornamental sunflowers and citrus trees. Ms. Mable Franklin is the director of the Senior Citizen Program at the church, assisted by Riley Underwood.

“We are so excited about the garden; the deacons encourage us, and we have a wonderful time. It’s fun, fun, fun,” said Franklin. “The folks at Southern are very cooperative and supportive, and we are looking forward to the fall garden with all the greens.” The garden is producing cumbers in abundance for making salads, sharing and even selling some to local residents.

Story and photos provided by Angela Jackson, Administrative Assistant at SU Ag Center, and New Light Missionary Baptist Church member.

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SU Ag Center BOLD program holds class completion ceremony



L-r: Jessie Mae Davis, Margaret Celestine, Rev. Isaiah Nelson, Annette Nelson, Sherletha Nelson and Instructor Dana D. Isaac

Baton Rouge, LA - In May, the Southern University Ag Center launched a series of classes for Faith-Based Leaders in New Roads, Pointe Coupee Parish, through its Building Opportunities Leadership Development (BOLD) program. Classes were held every Saturday for six weeks, with the goal of enhancing and strengthening faith-based leaders to better equip them in serving their institutions and communities.

On June 29, the BOLD for Faith-Based leaders held its completion ceremony in New Roads, for seven participants who successfully completed the class curriculum. The classes were taught by Dana D. Isaac, Grant Assistant.

BOLD is a statewide grassroots leadership development project under the direction of Dr. Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, assistant specialist for community and economic development. BOLD for Faith-Based Leaders is an extension of the BOLD project, focused solely on faith-based institutions, ultimately benefitting individuals and families in the faith communities that participants lead.

For more information on how to have this class offered in your community, please contact Ms. Dana Isaac at dana_isaac@suagcenter.com or call 225-771-3902.

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SU Ag Center to hold free healthy living workshop for youth in Opelousas

Baton Rouge, LA – The SU Ag Center will hold a free healthy living workshop for youth ages 14-17 on its satellite campus, the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives, located in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish. Yesterday, the Opelousas Daily World announced the free healthy living workshop for youth to be held July 15-18, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 1209 Diesi St., Opelousas. Click here to see full announcement online or call the Southwest Center at (337) 943-2410 for further details.

Registration forms can be picked up on location and returned no later than 5 p.m., Friday, July 12, 2013.

The workshop is organized by Ursula Ransburg, associate youth agent, St. Landry.

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Oak Park Plaza Senior Housing Garden Flourishing

SNAPEd Garden at Oak Park Senior Housing

Baton Rouge, LA - Through the SU Ag Center’s SNAPEd program headed by De’Shoin York, Assistant Specialist, nutrition, Stephanie Elwood, Extension Associate, Community Gardens, implemented the Oak Park Senior Living garden, and tied it into the nutrition weekly classes taught by the Center’s Nutrition Educator - Kaci Ernest. The apartment residents are all seniors that enjoy independent living who attend a weekly Nutrition Education class. In addition to nutrition education, they built a raised bed garden and planted vegetables. Elwood expressed her gratitude to the active residents and faculty of Oak Park for delightfully maintaining the garden and producing tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, peppers, and basil.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low income individuals and families and provides economic benefits to communities. SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net.  SNAP-Ed is a nutrition education program funded by the US Department of Agriculture.

For further details, contact Stephanie Elwood at 225-771-2134.

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The Peterson Brothers in Kansas release “A Fresh Breath of Farm Air” Video on YouTube

This video is refreshing and you may want to take a couple of minutes out of your day and watch the new video at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F1dSLxHE8c&feature=youtu.be

Enjoy!

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SU Ag Center Concludes Fruitful Youth and Family Exposition

L-r: Marshall, Alante’ Jackson (EBR Parish, 1^st place winner in Public Speaking Contest), Chancellor Williams 

Baton Rouge, LA - The 2013 SU Ag Center youth expo, which attracted more than 250 students across the state, concluded successfully on June 15. Highlights of the event included the East Baton Rouge Sherriff’s Office demonstration of their Bomb/Haz Mat Unit to middle and high school students, showcasing the robot, suit, and other tools for the first time at the event; keynote speaker, Kwame I. Asante, a practicing attorney; youth competitions in public speaking and illustrated talk; talent show and dance; chemistry demonstrations; science education by LIGO Science Educational Center; and the culminating quiz bowl.  Winners of the quiz bowl competition in the senior category were from Bossier Parish, 1^st place; Calcasieu Parish, 2^nd place, and 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, 3^rd place. In the junior category the 1^st place went to Calcasieu Parish; 2^nd place, Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives in St. Landry Parish; and 3^rd place, West Carroll Parish.

Grant Henry, 11^th grader from Bossier Parish and member of the 1^st place winning team in the senior category said, “This is my third year attending the expo, I’m always excited about the quiz bowl, and I look forward to next year’s contest.”

The Public Speaking and Illustrated Talk contests were organized in three age categories: 9-12, 13-15 and 16-18 years old.  In the Public Speaking first category, Miracle Styles from Madison Parish took 1^st place; Breanna Scott, Bossier Parish, 2^nd, and Olivia Viltz, St. Landry Parish, 3^rd.  The 1^st place went to Kanessia Crothers, Madison Parish in category two; 2^nd place, Sandreca Citizen, St. Landry; and 3^rd place, D’Anthony Butler, Calcasieu Parish. In the 16-18 year-old category, Alante’ Jackson, EBR Parish took 1^st place; Crystal Jackon, Madison Parish, 2^nd, and James Zachary, Caddo Parish, 3^rd. 

Illustrated Talk Content Category one had Jordan Page & Keonia Freeman of West Carroll Parish in 1^st place, and Alaina Schaffer & Jeremiah Schaffer, St. Landry Parish in 2^nd place. In Category two, Grant Henry, Bossier Parish, took 1^st place; Seth Poirier, St. Martin, 2^nd place and Taylor Threads, West Carroll Parish, 3^rd place. The 1^st place and lone winner in Category three was the Juwan Nimer & Jaylen Nimer team. 

The parade of parishes on Friday afternoon assembled all participating extension agents and volunteers who chaperoned students to the Expo.  Representing Orleans Parish was Krystal Sugulleh; East and West Carroll, Carolyn Robinson and Thomas Legiandeny; Bossier, Katherine Ervin; Morehouse and Union, Odis Hill; St. Landry -  Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives,  Aubrey Williams; DeSoto and Caddo, Patricia Lee; East Baton Rouge, Terrence Marshall; St. Martin and Iberia, Chris Robichaux; Calcasieu and Jefferson, Carol Sensley; Madison, Sarah Sims; and Rapides, Terry Washington.

“This was an exciting year. Thanks to all who made the event successful,” said Dr. Wanda Burke, Youth Development Specialist and event organizer.

For additional information, contact Wanda Burke, at 225-771-5184.

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SU Ag Center receives Congo medical doctors

L-r: Collins, Qi, Kashala, Chin, Correa, Pierre

Baton Rouge, LA – Today, the Southern University Ag Center welcomed visitors from the Democratic Republic of Congo who are on tour of the United States. The two medical doctors came to learn about the best ways to involve agriculture in holistic medical practice. They are missionaries in search of innovative ways to address health issues in their country. One of their challenges is providing medical treatment without adequate nutrition to sustain good health. Their goal is to offer medical care along with nutrition education and sustainable small garden production. The duo came under the auspices of the United Methodist Church. Dr. Adell Brown Jr., Executive Vice Chancellor and Vice Chancellor for Research, took an interest in their discussion at the 100 Hundred Black Men forum and invited them to learn what the SU Ag Center has to offer in terms of possible medicinal crop production. Dr. Kit Chin, professor of plant science and Dr. Yadong Qi, professor of Urban Forestry, currently conducting research on the health benefits of hibiscus offered relevant suggestions about a partnership to introduce the tropical plant to the Congo on a trial basis. The visiting medical doctors embraced the idea and left with high hopes for collaboration, sample of hibiscus seeds; and promised to report the result of the hibiscus trial progress.

The team visiting the SU Ag Center included: Dr. Manya D. Pierre, General Board of Global Ministries; Dr. Simeon K. Kashala, Samuteb Memorial Hospital, Congo; Marie Correa, SU Baton Rouge alumnus/translator; and Eugene Collins, STD/HIV Regional Coordinator, LA Department of Health & Hospitals. To welcome the guests at the Ag Center were: Oscar Udoh, Coordinator for Planning & Evaluation; Kit Chin, professor of plant science; Yadong Qi, professor, Urban Forestry; and Bridget Udoh, Communications Specialist.

For additional information, contact Dr. Adell Brown, Jr., at 225-771-2244.

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SU Ag Center Youth and Family Exposition kickoff



Students arrive ready for fun, competition, information

Baton Rouge, LA – The Southern University Ag Center has students arriving from across the state poised to participate in the 2013 Family and Youth Exposition. The Expo is a two-day educational event that includes informative seminars, tours, speaking competitions, and motivational sessions for youth of all ages. Registration began promptly on Thursday, June 13 at Ashford O. Williams Hall. Later tonight, Expo attendees will engage in a game of basketball in the Seymour Gym on SU Baton Rouge campus.  Tomorrow is packed with competitions, meetings, talent show and dance.  On Saturday, the event concludes with the annual quiz bowl challenge followed by awards program.  All events are open to youth groups.

For additional information, contact Dr. Wanda Burke, at 225-771-5184.

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SU Ag Center: Youth and Family Exposition starts June 13

Event flyer

Baton Rouge, LA – The Southern University Ag Center will host youth from across the state who will participate in the 2013 Family and Youth Exposition. The Expo is a two-day educational event that incorporates informative seminars, tours, oratory competitions, and motivational sessions for youth of all ages. With speakers from an array of experts, seminar topics will include academic, social, and financial investment strategies. Representatives from the University’s Office of Admissions will also be on hand with recruitment information for the participating high school students. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2013 at Ashford O. Williams Hall and concludes on June 15. All events are open to youth groups.

For additional information, contact Dr. Wanda Burke, Youth Development Specialist at 225-771-5184.

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SU Ag Center welcomes Joe Leonard and David King from USDA

L-r: Mellion-Patin, Williams, Leonard, Mason, Namwamba

Baton Rouge, La - The Southern University Ag Center received two guests this morning from Washington, DC, Dr. Joe Leonard, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, and Mr. David King, Deputy Director, Office of Adjudication, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

SU System President, Ronald Mason; Chancellor Leodrey Williams; Grace Namwamba, Interim Dean, College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences; and a host of SU Ag Center employees offered the duo a warm welcome. The one-day visit will involve meetings with faculty, staff, and small farmers. 

Also present to welcome the guests were John K. Pierre, Vice Chancellor and Law Professor, SU Law Center; Allison Johnson, USDA Liaison; Byron Williams, Executive Consul to the System President; and Raymond Lockett, Professor and retired Chair of History Department at SU Baton Rouge.

Dr. Leonard is scheduled to visit several small farms in Louisiana. He will be directed on the tour by Dr. Dawn Mellion-Patin, Specialist-Agriculture.

For further detail, contact Dawn Mellion-Patin at 225-771-3532.

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Southern University Ag Center Concludes Second Chance 2 Recover Session

The Southern University’s Second Chance 2 Recover program helps individuals prepare for quality life after incarceration. Inmates have completed a Second Chance 2 Recover session organized in East Baton Rouge Parish prison by Tiffany Franklin, extension associate. Click here to view video clip from WAFB covering the event.

For further details, contact Tiffany Franklin at 225-771-2575 or email tiffany_franklin@suagcenter.com

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SU Ag Center helping community children improve health

Elwood, Franklin and students in the garden

L-R: Hogan, Smith and Franklin, poised for session

Baton Rouge, La - The Southern University Ag Center’s Eradicating Food Deserts in Neighborhoods through the Development of School Garden’s project, on May 31, 2013 recorded the first of many segments that will encourage healthy living during the school year and the summer.  Typically, youth engage in more sedentary activities during their “down time” than when school is in session.  But, the Ag Center team had a different summer planned for a group of youth.  Their partnership with Exxon Mobil’s YMCA affords youth the opportunity to continue planting gardens and engaging in physical fitness activities during the summer to further reiterate the need to eat and exercise for healthier living.  The skills that youth ages, 6-14 will learn are transferable to their homes, schools, and neighborhoods.  Mr. Ron Smith, Executive Director for Exxon Mobil’s YMCA is an asset to the program and very “hands-on” with ensuring successful outcomes for participating youth.

This USDA/NIFA funded Capacity Building Grant project is directed by Tiffany Franklin, Extension Associate, assisted by Stephanie Elwood, Extension Associate-Community Gardens. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture is an agency of US Department of Agriculture.

“The SU Ag Center is delighted to partner with Louisiana Public Broadcasting to assist with marketing and publicizing our project!  This is only the beginning of great things to come!  Stay tuned,” says Franklin. 

Keith Crews, Cameraman and Dorothy Kendrick, Senior Producer, both from LPB, were excellent to work with. Also present at the taping was Kristen Hogan, Marketing Director, YMCA of the Capital Area.

For more information on the “Eradicating Food Deserts in Neighborhoods through the Development of School Gardens” project, contact Tiffany Wilkerson-Franklin at 225-771-2775 or via email at tiffany_franklin@suagcenter.com

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Correction: St. Helena Parish Ag Day slated for June 10

Event flyer

Baton Rouge, La – The SU Ag Center in collaboration with the LSU AgCenter will hold a Save Rural America field day in St. Helena Parish on Monday, June 10, from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm.  Extension agents, specialists and state experts will provide educational programs at the St. Helena Parish Park, 227 Park Loop Road, Greensburg, LA 70441.  Activities will include tours to Southeast Research Station in Franklin, Goat Farm/Johnson Rodeo Pen in Montpelier, and J&L Farms Home Garden. The event will also feature nutrition demonstration and USDA exhibit.  The event is free to everyone who is interested in learning about agriculture, gardening, irrigation, wild life and livestock management.  Lunch will be provided.

To register, please contact Angela Myles, Parish Chair Youth Development or Rev. John Holiday, Extension Aide at 225-222-4136 or Warner Hall at 225-931-0534.

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St. Helena Parish Ag Day slated for June 10

Event flyer

Baton Rouge, La – The SU Ag Center in collaboration with the LSU AgCenter will hold a Save Rural America field day in St. Helena Parish on June 10, from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm.  Extension agents, specialists and state experts will provide educational programs at the St. Helena Parish Park, 227 Park Loop Road, Greensburg, LA 70441.  Activities will include tours to Southeast Research Station in Franklin, Goat Farm/Johnson Rodeo Pen in Montpelier, and J&L Farms Home Garden. The event will also feature nutrition demonstration and USDA exhibit.  The event is free to everyone who is interested in learning about agriculture, gardening, irrigation, wild life and livestock management.  Lunch will be provided.

To register, please contact Angela Myles, Parish Chair Youth Development or Rev. John Holiday, Extension Aide at 225-222-4136; or Warner Hall at 225-931-0534.

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Youth arrive at SU Ag Center for summer program

Zanetta Augustine welcomes students

Baton Rouge, La – The Southern University Ag Center welcomed 20 students to the 3^rd “Academy for Academic Enhancement of High School Students in the Food and Agricultural Sciences” program. Chancellor Leodrey Williams, and Gina E. Eubanks, vice chancellor for Extension were among the administrators, faculty and staff of the Ag Center who brought greetings to the students and their families.

The five-week program, which kicked off May 26, 2013, recruits students in 11^th grade based on strict criteria to benefit from skill enriching activities ranging from classroom instruction to outdoor tours. Candidates were selected from East Baton Rouge and surrounding parishes. The goal of this all-expense paid residential program is to prepare youth for college or agriculture related careers.  Participants, who will live on Southern University campus will hone their skills on American College Test (ACT) taking, engage in other activities such as field trips, receive community service certificate and $500 at the end of the program.

The “Academy for Academic Enhancement of High School Students in the Food and Agricultural Sciences” is a US Department of Ag/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) funded project directed by Zanetta Augustine and Dawn Mellion-Patin.

“This program has been successful in increasing ACT scores as high as six points, qualifying students for TOPS and enrollment at Southern,” Mellion-Patin said.

Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) is a Louisiana scholarship program.

For further detail, contact Zanetta Augustine at 225-771-2591.

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Farmers’ Market Launches Better Baton Rouge Mobile Unit

Community members shop at mobile unit location

 
Baton Rouge, La – The Red Stick Farmers’ Market under the auspices of the Big River Economic and Agricultural Development Alliance (BREADA), officially launched its mobile market unit at the Scotlandville Branch Library on Scenic Hwy, May 15, 2013. Henceforth, the market will open every Wednesday, 9:00 am-11:00 am.

The Blue Cross Foundation is building a healthier Louisiana by sponsoring the mobile fresh produce unit.  The Fresh Beginnings Program, developed through Mayor-President Melvin L. “Kip” Holden’s Healthy City Initiative, has been awarded a $1 million grant by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation’s Challenge for a Healthier Louisiana Grant Program. The purpose of the funding is to support innovative partnerships that promote healthy eating and active lifestyles which are aimed at reducing the rate of obesity in Louisiana, especially among children. Funds have enabled the new Mobile Market to Start Rolling in May 2013.

BREADA received a sub award for the Mobile Market Unit from the Mayor's Office. The goal of this collaborative effort is to encourage healthy eating and active lifestyles of the “Food Desert” communities in the Baton Rouge area. The Red Stick Farmers’ Market totes the slogan “Buy Local, Buy Fresh” on signs and t-shirts to transform producers and consumers toward a more robust economy and lifestyle in Louisiana.

Present at the launching were Copper Alvarez, Executive Director, BREADA with staff members; Lydia Marin, Foundation Initiative Manager, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of LA Foundation; Sunanna Chand, Coordinator, Mayor’s Healthy City Initiative, Office of Mayor President Melvin “Kip” Holden; several Southern University Ag Center employees and community shoppers.

“Southern Ag Center has been in the conversation from the beginning when we were planning strategies to solve the USDA food desert declaration of North Baton Rouge,” Alvarez said.

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