USDA Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights to Speak at Southern University

Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center

Press release

Contact: Bridget Udoh
225-771-2242/225-771-5714
Date: October 29, 2010

USDA Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights to Speak at Southern University

Dr. Leonard

Baton Rouge, LA - Dr. Joe Leonard, USDA Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights is scheduled to speak at the Southern University's Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity Symposium on November 9, 2010. Dr. Leonard will give remarks on Tuesday, November 9 at 9:30 am at the Southern University Royal Cotillion Ballroom, Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union. Leonard will address symposium participants including students, guests, staff, administrators, community and faculty members.

The Symposium will feature presentations and demonstrations from scientists and professionals working on the frontlines of global food security and plant biosecurity from Land-Grant Universities as well as various federal and state agencies.

The symposium will also feature graduate students' research in Global Food Security. An awards luncheon will be held on Tuesday to honor urban forestry graduate students for their outstanding achievements in Global Food Security. Students who completed Plant Biosecurity Internships during the summer of 2010 will receive a special recognition.

The Symposium is sponsored by the USDA/NIFA 1890 Capacity Building Grant awarded to Dr. Daniel Collins, entitled “Graduate Education and Training in Global Food Security and Agricultural Bio-security.” Collins is Professor of Plant Pathology in Urban Forestry Program at Southern University and A & M College, Baton Rouge. For further details, please contact Collins at: 225-771-2242 or via email: daniel_collins@subr.edu.

USDA Releases Report on the Impact of the Recovery Act on America's Rural Communities

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2010 – USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager today issued a report on how the agency's distribution of loan and grant funds provided to the agency through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) has helped the Nation's rural residents. The report estimates that millions of business owners and agricultural producers; Internet users, and thousands of homeowners will benefit and over 300,000 jobs are being created or saved. The job estimates contained in the report are derived from recipient reported data or program-based economic models.

"With Rural Development's loans, grants, and loan-grant combination financing for new and existing programs, we have leveraged our Recovery Act funds to ensure the greatest bang for the taxpayer's buck, allowing our agency to make unprecedented and lasting investments in rural America," said Tonsager. "I am proud of what we have accomplished over the last two years towards building livable, innovative, and sustainable rural communities."

The entire report can be read at: http://www.usda.gov/documents/USDA_ARRA_AnnualReport_10192010.pdf

President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) into law last year. It is designed to jumpstart the Nation's economy, create or save millions of jobs and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need. More information about USDA's efforts regarding the Recovery Act is available at www.usda.gov/recovery. More information about the Federal government's efforts on the economic stimulus is available at http://www.recovery.gov/

Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity Symposium

Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center

Press Release

Contact: Daniel Collins
225-771-2242
Daniel_Collins@subr.edu

Date: October 20, 2010

Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity Symposium

Baton Rouge, LA - Scientists and professionals who are working on the frontlines of Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity research will gather at Southern University and A & M College Baton Rouge, on November 9-10, 2010, to uncover potential threats to our nation’s natural resources and agriculture. They will participate in the university Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity Symposium.

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

Workshop topics include:

Sudden Oak Death: A Threat to Our Forest Ecosystems
Strategies for Safeguarding American Plant Resources
Food Biosecurity and Fresh Produce Safety
Agro-Forestry Systems and Food Security
Exotic Pest Detection in Urban Environments
Mycotoxins and Food Safety

www.urbanforestry.subr.edu/biosecurity.htm

Southern University Ag Center Satellite Headquarters Set for Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center

Press Release

Contact: Christopher J. Rogers
225-771-2242
chris_rogers@suagcenter.com

Date: October 20, 2010

Southern University Ag Center Satellite Headquarters Set for Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Opelousas, LA - The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center will be having a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the new headquarters for the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives (SCRI) on Wednesday, October 27 at 2:00 pm. The SCRI operates as a satellite entity of the SU Ag Center whose mission; in its land-grant role, is to conduct state-wide basic and applied research and to disseminate information to the citizens of Louisiana in a manner that is useful in addressing their scientific, technological, social, economic, and cultural needs. The SCRI serves a 10-parish region in Southwest Louisiana. Those parishes include: St. Landry, Lafayette, Vermilion, Acadia, St. Martin, Pointe Coupee, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Allen, and Evangeline. For the past five years, the SCRI has been housed in a temporary location at 242 S. Liberty Street in Opelousas. “This is a great day for the Southern University Ag Center! It’s been a long and tedious journey to this day,” says Chancellor Leodrey Williams. This accomplishment is due in part to the interest and tireless efforts of several elected, appointed and community leaders. The new headquarters is located at 1209 Diesi Street, Opelousas, LA 70570.

The SCRI was created as an extension of the Louisiana Center for Rural Initiatives. The Center coordinates and links university-based needs and strategies to address the current status of socioeconomic conditions, with particular emphasis on rural and persistent poverty areas.

- www.suagcenter.com-

Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity Symposium

Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity Symposium


NOVEMBER 9-10, 2010


SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY - BATON ROUGE

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

Please click below to view flyer.

The Jaguar Nation gears up for the 20th Annual Radiothon

The Jaguar Nation gears up for the 20^th Annual Radiothon

http://www.sus.edu/

Seminar on Plant Pests

Seminar on urban plant pests will address trees, gardens and lawns. Flyer is displayed below: 

Group Suites and individual suite tickets are available for purchase NOW!

Bayou Classic group and individual suite tickets are available for purchase NOW!

Southern University students connect in Mayor’s beautification project

Southern University students connect in Mayor’s beautification project

Mayor-President Kip Holden recently announced plans to beautify the city of Baton Rouge. Students from Southern University and Louisiana State University have designed, and will take charge in executing the two beautification projects.

According to a plan created for The Green Light Beautification Program, students from Southern University's School of Urban Forestry will work on one project while LSU Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture students will work on the other. Each of the projects will cost $50,000 to complete.

Students from Southern University will improve the median on North Acadian Thruway between Winbourne and Chippewa Avenues by planting several southern live oak, bald cypress, and red maple trees. They will work under the supervision of Dr. Kamran Abdollahi, SU Ag Center scientist.

The LSU students will plant a rain garden at the I-10/Dalrymple interchange at the LSU Lakes, to replace the current lawn area, and other rain gardens along the lakeside to cleanse the storm water running into the lake.

The Green Light Plan was created to improve traffic for the city, and a portion of the funding was set aside for a physical facelift in some areas, creating the Beautification Program. In the last two years, the program has completed several beautification projects including the areas of Ashley Place on Marque Ann Drive, Melrose Place, The Lakes at Highland on Burbank Drive, Gus Young Avenue, and Corporate Boulevard.

Beware of Fall Army Worms

Beware of Fall Army Worms

Fall army worms are on the march in Louisiana, and heavy populations are causing major damage to lawns across the state. No lawn grass is immune to their attack.

Fall army worms can have up to four generations per year in Louisiana, and each generation takes about a month to complete its life cycle from egg to adult moth. In epidemic years, heavy moth flights can result in overlapping generations.

The larva or caterpillar stage lasts two to three weeks. The full-grown larvae are about 1-1.5 inches long, brown to green in color, with a prominent, inverted Y on the front of the head. They are called army worms because they move together in large numbers, just like an army.

Large caterpillars can devastate a turfgrass lawn’s foliage in just a few days. Areas affected by army worms in lawns may start small but rapidly expand in a few days. Damage resembles major scalping with a weed eater or lawn mower. Grass will grow back, but recovery will be slow. The damaged areas will be more susceptible to disease invasion this fall.

In urban areas, homeowners can treat their lawns when fall army worms threaten turf establishment or survival. Bermuda grass is normally the most susceptible lawn grass. Major infestations and damage have been found in Centipede grass and St. Augustine grass in the past month.

Insecticides recommended for control of insects on lawns are Acelepryn, Azatin XL, Battle GC, Mach 2, Lepinox WDG, Conserve SC, Talstar 10WP, Dylox, Condor XL, Crymax and Sevin.

Contact:
RONALD J. NICHOLAS, SR.
COUNTY AGENT
ST. LANDRY PARISH

Tel: 337-948-0561
E-mail: RNicholas@agcenter.lsu.edu

Morrill Inducted into USDA Hall of Heroes

Morrill Inducted into USDA Hall of Heroes

Today, Southern University is among the nation’s 18 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities because of the legislation introduced by Vermont Representative Smith Morrill in the “Agricultural College Act of 1890” as part of the Morrill Acts. The Morrill Land-Grant Acts allowed for the creation of land-grant colleges. The first Morrill Act was passed in 1862, and the second in 1890 to establish black land-grant colleges. The bill did not pass until Morrill proposed that the institutions would teach military tactics, engineering and agriculture.

In Washington, D.C., Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced five new inductees into the USDA Hall of Heroes, September 15. Established in September 2000, the USDA Hall of Heroes recognizes those that have had a lasting impact on agriculture and related programs. These leaders – both past and present – receive a permanent tribute for their contributions to agriculture. This year’s honorees include Justin Smith Morrill, Norman Berg, Thomas Monroe Campbell, Senator Tom Harkin, and Senator George McGovern.

"Each of these individuals has dedicated their public and private lives to improving various facets of food and agriculture," Vilsack said in a statement. "As a result, rural communities are stronger, people in America and throughout the world have abundant food, kids have access to more nutritious meals, and our public and private lands are better conserved. It is an honor to recognize and pay tribute to those who have contributed greatly not only to USDA, but also those who live in this great country."

Justin Smith Morrill (1810-1898) acted as the driving force behind the College Land-Grant Act, the legislation which laid the framework for the highly productive, science-based agricultural systems still in place today. This legislation, known as the Morrill Acts, is complete with two governing principles: the equality of opportunity and the utility of knowledge. The Land-Grant Acts helped set up the Nation's system of land-grant colleges, providing public land to each state that financed Agricultural Education. The second Morrill Act required that no funding be distributed to any state that differentiated education on the basis of race, or that did not issue funds equitably to parallel institutions.

Norman Berg, Thomas Monroe Campbell, Justin Smith Morrill, and Senators Tom Harkin and George McGovern have their names added to plaques featured at the Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building in Washington, D.C.

Seminar on European Fashion Study Tour

A seminar entitled "European Fashion Study Tour" will be presented by Dr. Doze Butler and three students on Thursday, September 23 at 3:30 pm in A.O. Williams Hall, room 191.  Please see attached flyer.   Hope to see you there. Thank you.

Focus: Insight On the SU Ag Center video

The "Focus: Insight On The SU Ag Center" video is out

Across Louisiana, there remains a need to improve the quality of life especially for residents with limited resources. This is where the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center steps in with its team of specialists to enhance the conditions of limited-resource and underserved families, businesses and farmers.

With TV viewers being bombarded with all the Big TV Fall Line-up of shows, please be sure to watch the Southern University Ag Center's program entitled, "Focus: Insight On The S U Ag Center." This edition of Focus Show targets some of the programs we offer the citizens of Louisiana. We also report on several research projects that are on-going at the SU Ag Center. Also, the SU System President, Dr. Ronald Mason makes a statement in one of our stories. Please watch the video online at: http://www.suagcenter.com/focus_show.html

This is one show you won't want to miss!

Only on Cox Cable Metro 21 (channel 21) - Baton Rouge, LA

Television air times:

Wed, September 15th @ 8:00PM

Sun, September 19th @ 8:30PM

Stay tuned!

USDA Awards Grants to 18 Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Southern University was among the top universities that captured the highest number of 12 funded projects and placed fourth in the funding amount of $2,881,820 in the Capacity Building Grant Program.


On September 9, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that 18 Historically Black Colleges and Universities received grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to strengthen their research, teaching, and extension capabilities.

Grants totaling more than $50 million were awarded through the department’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture which supports historically Black institutions designated as land-grant universities. This year, the institute awarded $32,514,064 through the Capacity Building Grants Program and $18,979,200 through the Facilities Grants Program to the 18 institutions.

“Our 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities play a critical role teaching students to meet the high quality, innovative research needs that are vital to the wellbeing of our nation’s food, fuel and fiber,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said during the announcement. “These awards mark a substantial investment in addressing the robust and varied research challenges facing the American agriculture today, but more importantly it is also an investment in our future scientists and engineers, farmers and foresters.”

For more details, please visit the National Institute of Food and Agriculture at:
http://www.nifa.usda.gov/newsroom/news/2010news/09091_hbcu.html

Back-to-School Summit. Theme: "Healthy Youth-Healthy Future."

When: Fri, September 10, 8:30am – 2:00pm


Where: William H. Scott Memorial Civic Center, New Roads, Pointe Coupee Parish (map)

Event Description: This parish-wide event for 8th graders is a collaborative effort between the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center- through its Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives, the Louisiana Department of Education, and 40 other non-profit organizations, state agencies, local municipal governments, and businesses. This year’s speakers include: DEN HUSSEY, Motivational Speaker; Danna Andrus, “Dr. Truth”; RANI WHITFIELD, MD “Tha Hip Hop Doc”; HOLLIS CONWAY, Two-time Olympic Medalist; and BYRON STARKS, Coach & Mentor.

For more information, contact the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives at 337- 943-2410 or email Edna Lastrapes at Edna_lastrapes@suagcenter.com

Ag Leadership Institute members appointed to USDA Committee

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the appointment of members to Beginning Farmer Committee on August 12. Out of the 11 appointees, two of them are members of the SU Ag Center Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Institute. Luciano Alvarado of North Carolina is a graduate of the 2nd class and Frances Benton Gibson of South Carolina is a member of the Institute’s 3rd class.

“One of the primary goals of the Leadership Institute is to develop leaders and advocates for the small farm community, and I am of the opinion that both of these individuals will be excellent representatives,” said Dawn Mellion-Patin, Agricultural Specialist and Institute program director.

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2010/08/0405.xml

Ciggy Butts fight tobacco smoke

The Communities of Color Network is spreading a tobacco-free message to youth with help from a friend, "Mr. Ciggy Butts." Ciggy Butts became a part of the Communities of Color Network in July 2010. He began his statewide travels in Baton Rouge, at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center's Family and Youth Expo. Since then, he has traveled throughout Southwest Louisiana with a Regional Coordinator. While on his journey, Mr. Ciggy Butts used his friendly appearance to remind youth that the tobacco companies use symbols, language, pictures and flavorings to trick them into thinking that tobacco products are not harmful. He also told youth about the over 4,000 dangerous chemicals found in tobacco smoke and the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure. Mr. Ciggy Butts will continue his statewide travel with his next stop in the New Orleans area.

Honoré to motivate Ag Center Youth

Retired Lt. General Russel L. Honoré will speak with 300 youth attending the Family and Youth Expo at 2pm tomorrow in the Southern University Smith-Brown Memorial Union.

At 6 p.m. today, youth will get acquainted and enjoy Funtastic activities on the grounds of the Southern University Ag Center. Educational seminars and workshops on technology, hand washing, juvenile justice, 4H, poultry, bullying, and making scent bars will be held through out the day tomorrow.

“These youth are participants of Southern University Ag Center’s Youth Educational Support (YES) programs across the state,” said Wanda Burke, youth development specialist. Expo is the Ag Center's culminating youth development activity. The event ends Saturday at 10:30am

Honoré will keynote the general assembly, delivering a message on the expo theme: “Inspiring Youth with Tools for Achieving Excellence”. For more information, contact Burke, youth development specialist, at the Southern University Ag Center, (225) 771-2242, or visit www.suagcenter.com.

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture Grants $1 Million to study E-Coli

Project targets Louisiana, Texas small-scale beef operations

Escherichia coli O157:H7, a deadly bacteria, has gathered attention as a major public health concern due to the large outbreaks and associated recalls in recent years. Cattle are often implicated as a source of this foodborne pathogen.

Scientists at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center say on-farm production practices may affect the pathogen load of cattle entering slaughter facilities, however, information is limited on the impact of production practices of small-scale cow/calf operations, where calves are raised primarily on pasture until shipped to feeder cattle finishing sites or to the abattoir.

“Understanding the factors that affect prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in these cow/calf operations can be a critical path in the farm-to-fork continuum, and targeted educational and research efforts are useful risk management strategies,” said Divya Jaroni, Ph.D., food microbiologist, Southern University Ag Center.

Jaroni recently received a $1,077,639 grant from the USDA through its National Institute of Food and Agriculture - Agricultural and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program to study the ”Reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on Small-Scale Cow/Calf Operations using Best Management Practices”

She has been involved in food safety research for the past several years with emphasis on strategies to control foodborne pathogens. She has assembled a team of experts who will help look at the problem from different perspectives. The project will be carried out in collaboration with Louisiana State University and Texas Tech University.

The study will determine the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 on small cow/calf farms located in Louisiana and Texas. The project will also address pre-harvest food safety issues associated with the small-scale cow/calf operations.

“Through this study, we can enable cattle farms to compete against larger operations by helping them implement effective on-farm management strategies and possibly reduce E. coli within the farm environment and on the cattle before shipping to  stock barns,” said co-project investigator Renita Marshall DVM, assistant professor and livestock programs director, Southern University Ag Center.

The researchers will study the prevalence  of  E. coli under different herd, farm and environment conditions across several  farms. Guidelines for on-farm Best Management Practices  will be developed and the effectiveness of these practices in reducing E. coli O157:H7 on small-scale cow/calf operations will be validated. All producers will be trained on pre-harvest food safety and best practices, and researchers will follow the changes in  E. coli populations on their farms after implementing the practices.

This project will contribute to the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center’s goal of strengthening the productivity, profitability and competitiveness of Louisiana’s agriculture.

Other  project investigators are Marlene Janes, associate professor, food microbiology, LSU; Mindy Brashears, associate professor and director for the International Center for Food Industry Excellence, Texas Tech; Todd Brashears, assistant professor, agricultural education and communications, Texas Tech; Mark Miller, professor, meat science and muscle biology, Texas Tech; and Guy Loneragan, associate professor, animal science, West Texas A&M University.

For further information, contact Jaroni at the Southern University Ag Center, (225) 771-2262 ext. 255. or divya_jaroni@suagcenter.com.

Louisiana Farm Bureau: Southern Trail Ride