Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture

Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Deadline to Register to Vote is October 9

Baton Rouge, LA – for the November 6, 2012 election, the last day to register to vote is fast approaching on October 9^th. Voting is an essential part of our participatory Democracy. If you don't vote, you are allowing others to make your choices for you. Your vote is your voice. It is your right as an American, and you need to exercise it. You may register online at http://www.sos.la.gov/tabid/457/default.aspx.

Before you get to that voting booth, however, you need to prepare yourself. The first, and most important, step is registering to vote! Tomorrow is national voter registration day and it is a perfect time to confirm you're prepared to cast your ballot on Election Day. Whether this is your first time registering or just an opportunity to refresh and renew your existing registration, take this opportunity to get registered. Our democracy depends on it. Remember, you MUST be registered by October 9^th, 2012, in order to vote in the November 6^th Presidential Elections.

Takes steps to prepare for election 2012 online, by telephone or in person:
On the web, go online at www.GeauxVote.com, where you can check your registration or download a voter registration form. Remember, even if you believe you are ALREADY registered to vote, it is still useful to "refresh" your registration at your current address to make sure you can vote at your nearest precinct.

In Person, Visit Your Registrar of Voters for Registration Forms or Questions or call.

The only qualifications you need to vote in Louisiana are: United States citizenship; at least 17 years old but must be 18 years old prior to next election to vote; Not under an order of imprisonment for conviction of a felony; Not under a judgment of full interdiction for mental incompetence or partial interdiction with suspension of voting rights; Reside in the state and parish in which you seek to register.

Early Voting Schedule for November 6^th Presidential Election is Oct. 23-30, 2012 at the Registrar of Voters office in each parish and at designated locations in certain parishes.

To find more information on where to vote in your parish, visit the Louisiana Secretary of State website at http://www.sos.la.gov/tabid/457/default.aspx; or http://www.sos.la.gov

Get out there, register and GEAUX VOTE!

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Team SU Ag Center to Participate in Annual Step Out to STOP Diabetes Walk!!!

Baton Rouge, La – The Southern University Ag Center will participate in the STOP Diabetes Walk, October 20, 2012. By taking part in this event, the team will be stepping out onto the streets to help change this growing epidemic. This annual event takes steps towards preventing and curing this deadly disease.

The walk takes place on Saturday, October 20, 2012, SU Home game day, at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. The walk is no more than 3 miles in 45 minutes.

How you can help: Join the team or give a tax-deductible donation by calling or visiting Erica Williams at the SU Ag Center; or emailing erica_williams@suagcenter.com; or following this direct link to the SU Ag Center Team page on diabetes.org: http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/StepOut/A2LAM-LouisianaSouthernMSArea?team_id=555195&pg=team&fr_id=8402 ; or following this direct link to donate on Erica’s Page on diabetes.org: http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/StepOut/A2LAM-LouisianaSouthernMSArea?px=1688195&pg=personal&fr_id=8402.

Please make all check/money order donations payable to: American Diabetes Association. Cash donations are also welcome. No amount is too large or too small just desperately needed to help cure this overwhelming disease!

Here are reasons you should take pride in participating in Step Out: Walk to STOP Diabetes: About one in 10 American adults now has diabetes; Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death by disease in the U.S.; One out of every three Americans born today will develop diabetes in their lifetime if present trends continue; Nearly 7 million people of the 25.8 (8.3%) million children and adults in the U.S. living with diabetes are unaware that they have the disease. This annual event takes steps towards preventing and curing this deadly disease.

It's Not a Walk for Heart Disease, Stroke or Kidney Disease. And Yet It Is! Diabetes can, and does, lead to a wide range of other serious health complications.

By participating in Step Out, we're not just walking and raising funds to eliminate one disease. We're also battling cardiovascular problems, kidney failure, blindness, lower limb amputations, and much more.

You may join the walk or support Team SU Ag Center and help make a difference to millions of Americans living with diabetes, as well as the other 20 million at risk for developing this life changing disease.

Please show your support and add your HAND to the Diabetes Tree of Life in the SU Ag Center Foyer!

For additional information, donation or to register, please contact Erica Williams at 225-771-4394 or erica_williams@suagcenter.com; or go directly to the SU Ag Center Team page at http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/StepOut/A2LAM-LouisianaSouthernMSArea?team_id=555195&pg=team&fr_id=8402

This annual event is organized by the American Diabetes Association whose mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Friday, September 21

SU Ag Center Holds Summit for Lafayette Area 8th Graders

Students arrive at event venue

Baton Rouge, La. – Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center on Wednesday, September 19 held its first joint Back-to-School Summit at the Blackham Coliseum in Lafayette. The event brought together approximately two thousand 8^thgrade students from six surrounding parishes. Students from St. Landry, Lafayette, Vermilion, St. Martin, Pointe Coupee, and Evangeline were exposed to several motivational speakers on the topics of bullying, self-esteem, abstinence, and "Discovering the Winner in YOU." Participants enjoyed two musical performances by 16-year old Recording Artist Shalyric Self. They also won several door prizes including safety helmets, musical headphones, and educational materials. A member of the SU Admissions Office was on hand to share information about the university.

Event attendees and the public have provided lots of positive feedback on the success of the summit. Participating students reported that they enjoyed the Back-to-School Summit.

When asked if she enjoyed the summit, Heather Gilmore from Lafayette Parish stated, "It was very fun and I liked the prize drawings and the speakers!"

The event was organized by the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives, a satellite entity of the SU Ag Center whose mission is to conduct 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. Dr. Wanda Burke serves as director of the Center.

For further detail, contact Meloni Hutchins at (225)771-2242 or via email meloni_hutchins@suagcenter.com

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Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/suagcenter

Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

SU Ag Center Chancellor featured in the Advocate

L-r: Williams, Brown, Eubanks, Keller, Heitman, Kalmback

Baton Rouge, La. – Southern University Research and Extension Center administrators and writers recently paid a visit to the Advocate editorial board to share the spectrum of programs in place to address issues in Louisiana parishes.

Present at the meeting from the SU Ag Center were Leodrey Williams, Chancellor; Adell Brown Jr., Vice Chancellor for Research; Gina E. Eubanks, Vice Chancellor for Extension; Bridget Udoh, Communications Specialist; and Charisma DeBerry, Research Associate. Attendees from the Advocate were Danny Heitman, Editorial writer/columnist; Fred Kalmback, Managing Editor; and Lanny Keller, Editorial Writer.

In the Opinion section of the September 20^th issue, the Advocate published an article highlighting the core message of the meeting. The story entitled “Our views: lifting urban, rural poor” is available at http://theadvocate.com/news/opinion/3878896-123/our-views-lifting-urban-rural#.UFvIL1iZdNQ.mailto

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Friday, September 14

SU Ag Center Nutrition Project Recruits at Tailgating Event

Malekian, right, explains study to Donna Dantzler

[Baton Rouge, La September 12, 2012] To kick off the home opener of the Southern University football season, Fatemeh Malekian, professor, nutrition; Janana Snowden, research associate; and De’Shoin York, nutrition specialist, Southern University Ag Center passed out disposable meat thermometers to Southern University football fans on the bluff.

“We want to make sure that tailgaters are practicing food safety, and by passing out meat thermometers we hope that they will begin to test the temperature of their food before it is taken of the grill and served,” said Dr. Janana Snowden of the SU Ag Center.

Nutrition education materials were also distributed to tailgaters, giving them important tips on what to do with food before and after tailgates.

Dr. Fatemeh Malekian and Dr. Janana Snowden also recruited participants for the weight loss study that begins soon at the SU Ag Center. The goal of the study is to find new ways to combat childhood obesity. To qualify for the study, participants must be African American, 18-40 years old, and willing to lose weight. Upon completion of the study, participants will be compensated at $300.

For additional information, or enroll in the weight loss study, please contact Dr. Fatemeh Malekian at fatemeh_malekian@suagcnter.com or Dr. Janana Snowden at janana_snowden@suagecenter.com or by calling 225-771-0251.

Story and photo by Kelli E. Palmer, 225-771-5696 or kelli_palmer@suagcenter.com

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

tiffany_franklin@suagcenter.com

Wednesday, September 12

Join us October 10 for 4-H National Youth Science Day

National Science Experiment

Baton Rouge, La - On behalf of the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, you are invited to join us on October 10, 2012 for 4‑HHHh National Youth Science Day, during which we will conduct the National Science Experiment, the 4-H Eco-Bot Challenge. This national event, designed to engage hundreds of thousands of American youth in a single science experiment, will demonstrate that by utilizing engineering principles, youth can have a positive impact on communities and ecosystems. The “Southern Lab School 6^th Grade Bot-Sperts” are ready for the challenge!

The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center will host the “Southern Lab School 6^th Grade Bot-Sperts,” for the 4-H Eco-Bot Challenge on Wednesday October 10, 2012 from 9:00 am-12:00 pm, Room 191, 1^st floor, A. O. Williams Hall.

Your attendance in this event will encourage the children in our community to take an interest in science education, and develop a passion for important issues facing our nation today.

During 4-H National Youth Science Day, youth in 4-H clubs, after-school programs, camps and affiliated organizations across the country will enhance their engineering skills by assembling their own Eco-Bots and surface controls to manage an environmental clean-up. Youth will then test the interaction between the Eco-Bot’s design features and various surface control configurations to determine the most effective clean-up solution for the simulated spill.

For further detail, contact Tiffany Wilkerson-Franklin at 771-2775 or email her at

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Tuesday, September 11

Business Recovery Centers Opened for Isaac Victims

Isaac map

Baton Rouge – The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Louisiana Department of Economic Development (LED) and the Louisiana Small Business Development Centers (LSBDCs) recently announced the opening of nine Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by Hurricane Isaac.

“Due to the severe property damage and economic loss Hurricane Isaac inflicted on businesses in Louisiana, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet,” said Michael Ricks, SBA’s Louisiana District Director. “These centers will provide a single one-stop location for businesses to access a variety of specialized help,” he added.

Business Recovery Centers opened at the times and locations below:

Jefferson Parish Coastal Communities Consulting Hong Kong Shopping Center 925 Behrman Highway, Suite 17 Terrytown, LA 70056 Thursdays & Fridays, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Opened Friday, September 7	Jefferson Parish UNO Jefferson Center 3330 North Causeway Boulevard, Suite 422 Metairie, LA 70002 Mondays – Fridays, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Opened Friday, September 7
Jefferson Parish JEDCO 700 Churchill Parkway Avondale, LA 70094 Mondays & Tuesdays, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Opened Monday, September 10
Orleans Parish JOB 1 Business and Career Solution Center Goodwill Building 3400 Tulane Avenue, Suite 2400 New Orleans, LA 70119 Mondays & Tuesdays, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Opened Monday, September 10	Plaquemines Parish Fisheries Assistance Center 8018 Hwy 23 (Regions Bank Building) Belle Chasse, LA 70037 Mondays – Fridays, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Opened Monday, September 10
St. Bernard Parish Gulf Coast Bank 1801 East Judge Perez Drive Chalmette, LA 70043 Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Opened Monday, September 10	St. John the Baptist Parish Business Resource Center 2015 West Airline Highway La Place, LA 70068 Thursdays & Fridays 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Opened Thursday, September 13
St. Tammany Parish St. Tammany EDF 21489 Koop Drive Mandeville, LA 70471 Mondays & Tuesdays, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Opened Monday, September 10	St. Tammany Parish City of Slidell Mayor’s Office 2055 Second Street, 2^nd Floor Slidell, LA 70458 Thursday & Fridays, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Opened Friday, September 7

Specialists from the following organizations will be available to meet individually with each business owner:

U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

Louisiana Small Business Development Centers (LSBDCs)

SBA customer service representatives will be available to meet individually with each business owner to explain how an SBA disaster loan can help finance their recovery. “We can answer your questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and issue and accept your completed application,” Ricks said.

Businesses of any size and private, nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. These loans cover losses that are not fully covered by insurance or other recoveries.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Business owners may also get help from SBA representatives at any Disaster Recovery Center in Louisiana. They may also contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling toll-free (800) 659-2955, e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visiting SBA’s Web site at http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Additionally, disaster victims may now go online to file an SBA application for disaster loan assistance. The Electronic Loan Application (ELA) is accessible via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

SBA Field Operations Center - West, P.O. Box 419004, Sacramento, CA 95841

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Http://www.suagcenter.com/

Monday, September 10

SU System enforces policy to make all campuses 100% tobacco-free

Baton Rouge, LA - The Southern University System (SUS) Board of Supervisors, October 2011, approved a policy to make all campuses within the SU System 100 percent tobacco-free. You are urged to support the implementation and awareness of this important policy and health initiative.

The SUS Tobacco-Free policy is available at: http://www.sus.edu/PageDisplay.asp?p1=5275

For more information on how you can help keep SUS tobacco-free, contact:

Linda Early Brown
Director
SU Ag Center-Communities of Color Network
PO Box 10010
Baton Rouge, LA 70813
225-771-4456.
linda_brown@suagcenter.com.

and

Frankie Poland
Regional Coordinator
SU Ag Center-Communities of Color Network
P O Box 10010
Baton Rouge, LA 70813
225-771-6237
frankie_poland@suagcenter.com

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

Baton Rouge, La. - September marks the start of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, a time for us to encourage America’s children to develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime. All kids deserve to experience the positive health benefits of daily physical activity and healthy eating, and have those opportunities available to them. In light of this, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has developed programs and resources to help children and parents through agencies such as the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health’s We Can!(Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition)® Program.

That is why HHS, with the President’s Council, supports First Lady Michelle Obama’s goal to end childhood obesity within a generation through her Let’s Move! Initiative. Everyone has a role to play – parents and caregivers, school teachers and administrators, community leaders, local elected officials, after school programmers, and health care providers.

Available through public-private partnerships, safe places to play and nutritious food options are being made available in neighborhoods and schools across America. Exciting new programs include the Partnership for a Healthier America and Olympic Team USA’s commitment to provide 1.7 million kids the opportunity to participate in free and low cost physical activity programs offered by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USOC National Governing Bodies for sport, and others over the next year. And, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released a new farm to school grant program designed to educate children about food sources, and increase the availability of locally sourced foods in schools.

Over the past 30 years, the childhood obesity rate in America has almost tripled. According to the CDC, in 2010, approximately 17 percent of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years were already obese. Children and teenagers who are obese are more likely to become obese adults. Overweight and obese youth are at greater risk of developing serious adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.

Let’s work together to make the healthy choice, the easy choice! In coming weeks and months, HHS and the President’s Council will announce exciting initiatives that will go a long way towards ensuring that our nation’s children grow up to be healthy, fit and strong.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Thursday, September 6

SU Ag Center Professor Emeritus, Haiti Micro-Enterprise need your vote

rabbit production

Baton Rouge, La. – Southern University Professor Emeritus James McNitt was among the pioneers in the USAID Farmer-to-Farmer program to assist Haitian Makouti Non-Governmental Organization with rabbit production in the early 2000s. In Haiti, where the unemployment rate is estimated at 40.6% and much of the country is food insecure, empowering rural farmers to develop their own small agro-enterprises is a win-win approach. Haitians can create their own job opportunities rather than waiting for them to be created, while also filling gaps in the agricultural markets and improving food security. The project is highly successful and impacts many lives in Haiti despite its numerous natural disasters.

This project needs your vote to win the cash prize on the World Bank competition. To read the full story and/or cast your vote by September 15, click here: Job Knowledge. Once at the site, scroll down the page and click on a star below “Rate this post.” This brings up a dialogue box with five stars. Click on the fifth star and submit your vote. Thank you.

Makouti was established in 2004 for this reason and supports more than 1,000 producers of a wide-variety of agricultural products. Rabbit production is an example of one type of micro-enterprise promoted by this project. Rabbit production is an ideal activity for Haitian farmers since it is less feed-intensive than other types of animal production. Rabbits are easy to manage by anyone and do not require much space; the reproduction cycle is short; and rabbit meat is higher in protein than other meats.

Dr. James McNitt has contributed immensely to this project by working with rabbit producers in Haiti, and is highly excited about its impact saying, “I was one of the first rabbit "NGO experts" to work on the rabbit project during my four 2-week trips in the early 2000s.”

The project has been so successful that it was recently entered into an online competition on the World Bank Jobs Knowledge Platform, which aims to collect and share practices for job-creation and entrepreneurship project with the possibility of winning a cash prize.

For further details, please contact Dr. James McNitt at 225-771-2081 or via email james_mcnitt@suagcenter.com

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Friday, August 31

Center for Rural and Small Business Development Success Story #-2

Left-New Education Center

[Baton Rouge, La.] The Disciple Baptist Church of Ville Platte, La was experiencing a growth in membership and needed additional space to accommodate them. They estimated the cost to build an educational center at $150,000. Church leaders sought assistance from the Center for Rural and Small Business Development. Staff members assisted them in identifying a lender and guided them through the financing process. The center was financed and there is now a beautiful addition that consists of six classrooms.

The Center for Rural and Small Business Development under the auspices of the Southern University Ag Center had previously assisted the church in setting up a computer laboratory which is utilized by members of the church, as well as, others in the community. It was equipped with ten computers and a printer. Software was installed that assisted in studying the LEAP and Exit tests, increased computer skills and introduced the use of social media. The Center also provided additional computer technology training via the mobile computer laboratory.

The church continues to meet the needs of its members and the community at large. Their vision remains clear and they are on target to meet all goals and aspirations.

For additional information, contact Gloria London at 225-771-4107 or gloria_london@suagcenter.com

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Disaster Assistance Available for Louisiana Small Businesses

Baton Rouge, LA – Small, nonfarm businesses in 11 Louisiana parishes and neighboring counties in Arkansas are now eligible to apply for low‑interest federal disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA). “These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by the drought that began June 19, 2012, in the following primary parishes,” announced Alfred E. Judd, Director of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West.

Primary Louisiana parishes: Morehouse, Richland, Union and West Carroll;

Neighboring Louisiana parishes: Caldwell, Claiborne, East Carroll, Franklin, Lincoln, Madison and Ouachita;

Neighboring Arkansas counties: Ashley, Chicot and Union.

“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster,” Judd said.

Small, nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.

“Eligibility for these loans is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 4% for businesses and 3% for private, nonprofit organizations, a maximum term of 30 years, and are available to small businesses and most private, nonprofits without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship,” Judd said.

By law, SBA makes EIDLs available when the U. S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster. Secretary Tom Vilsack declared this disaster on August 15, 2012.

Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency (FSA) about the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assistance made available by the Secretary’s declaration. However, in drought disasters nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling SBA toll-free at (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877‑8339.

The deadline to apply for these loans is April 15, 2013.

SBA Field Operations Center - West, P.O. Box 419004, Sacramento, CA 95841

For further detail, contact Dr. Dawn Mellion-Patin at 225-771-2242 ext. 201 or dawn_mellion@suagcenter.com

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Wednesday, August 29

UPDATES ON HURRICANE ISAAC

Baton Rouge- The Southern University Ag Center will remain closed through Thursday, August 30th, 2012. Chancellor Leodrey Williams made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that offices will reopen Friday. He urges everyone to remain safe.
www.suagcenter.com
Contact Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714
bridget_udoh@suagcenter.com

Monday, August 27

Update on Southern University Ag Center campus closure

Baton Rouge, LA - Southern University Ag Center Chancellor Dr. Leodrey Williams has announced the closure of offices on Tuesday, August 28, and Wednesday, August 29, 2012.

“All parish staff should consult with their Parish Chairs as to closures affecting their offices,” said Chancellor Williams.

All staff, faculty and personnel are asked to monitor their SU Ag Center email accounts, the social media sites and local news to get updates concerning work resumption and the path of now Tropical Storm Isaac.

The University encourages everyone to take all safety precautions available when leaving and entering campus.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Southern University Ag Center campus to close Tuesday, Wednesday

Baton Rouge, LA - Southern University Ag Center Chancellor Dr. Leodrey Williams has announced the closure of offices on Tuesday, August 28, and Wednesday, August 29 for state and parish staff except for those in essential services.

All staff, faculty and personnel are asked to monitor their SU Ag Center email accounts, the social media sites and local news to get updates concerning work resumption and the path of now Tropical Storm Isaac.

The University encourages everyone to take all safety precautions available when leaving and entering campus.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

Safety Tips for Livestock and Pet In Advance of Tropical Storm Isaac

Goat herd

Baton Rouge, LA - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued guidance for residents in states who have livestock and pets that might be affected by Tropical Storm Isaac. USDA is offering these tips to help residents protect the health of these animals in the event of power outages, flooding and other issues that can be associated with strong storms.
Follow the direction of state and local officials and stay tuned to your local Emergency Alert System television or radio stations, and fire, police and other local emergency response organizations for relevant emergency information.

Livestock Safety

Make sure barns and structures where livestock can be sheltered are in good repair. If more space is needed for your stock, make arrangements for the use of other sheltering facilities in close proximity to your facilities.
Calculate the feed and water requirements to maintain livestock and poultry during an emergency.
Make preparations for protecting feed and water supplies and providing emergency electrical power if necessary.
If possible, cover feed and forage stored outdoors with a tarp or plastic sheeting. Routinely cover open water supplies, such as troughs and stock tanks.

Pet Safety
If you have not been ordered to evacuate, make sure you have enough pet food and water on hand to feed your pets during an emergency.
If you have been ordered to evacuate by state or local authorities, take your pets with you when you go. If you need assistance, such as persons relying on public transportation or with medical special needs, contact your emergency management agency for instructions.
An emergency pet shelter might be available near the human emergency shelter, check with your local emergency management agency to find the nearest emergency pet shelter to you. Do not stay behind with your pet if state or local officials order you to evacuate.
Pet owners should be prepared to provide the following information to pet shelter workers if possible: name; species and breed; sex; color; distinctive markings; age; microchip identification number; vaccination records; health conditions and required medication.

Other useful items to bring to a shelter are:

· a clear and current photo of you with your pet

· an extra collar, leash, and/or harness that fits

· favorite toys

· any medications and special diets for their pets

· information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets

· a pet carrier/kennel large enough for your pet to sleep in comfortably

More information about pet preparedness is available at:
http://www.ready.gov/animals
http://www.avma.org/disaster/
Additional information and updates about USDA's hurricane relief efforts are posted at www.usda.gov/disaster. And information about the U.S. Government's response efforts is available at www.ready.gov.

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714

USDA: Food Safety Preparation Tips as Isaac Approaches

Baton Rouge, LA — With Tropical Storm Isaac's potential blast, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued food safety tips to citizens in affected areas last Friday. Power outages and flooding that often result from weather emergencies compromise the safety of stored food, and planning ahead can minimize the risk of foodborne illness.

"Storing perishable food at proper temperatures is crucial to food safety but can become difficult if you lose electricity for your refrigerator and freezer," USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elisabeth Hagen said. "For those living in Tropical Storm Isaac's projected path, we recommend stocking up on canned food, bottled water, batteries, and dry ice."

The publication "A Consumer's Guide to Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes" is available atwww.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/
Severe_Storms_and_Hurricanes_Guide.pdf to print and keep for reference during a power outage.

Steps to follow to prepare for a possible weather emergency:

Keep an appliance thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer to help determine if food is safe during power outages. The refrigerator temperature should be 40° F or lower and the freezer should be 0° F or lower.
Store food on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water in case of flooding.
Group food together in the freezer — this helps the food stay cold longer.
Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately — this helps keep them at a safe temperature longer.
Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerator food cold if the power will be out for more than 4 hours.
Purchase or make ice and store in the freezer for use in the refrigerator or in a cooler. Freeze gel packs ahead of time for use in coolers.
Plan ahead and know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased.

Steps to follow if the power goes out:

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
A refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if you keep the door closed.
A full freezer will keep its temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if half-full).
If the power is out for an extended period of time, buy dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible. Fifty pounds of dry ice should keep a fully-stocked 18-cubic-feet freezer cold for two days.

Steps to follow after a weather emergency:

Check the temperature in the refrigerator and freezer. If the thermometer reads 40° F or below, the food is safe.
If no thermometer was used in the freezer, check each package. If food still contains ice crystals or is at 40° F or below when checked with a food thermometer, it may be safely refrozen.
Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers and deli items) that have been kept in a refrigerator or freezer above 40° F for two hours or more.
Discard any food that is not in a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with flood water. Containers that are not waterproof include those with screw-caps, snap lids, pull tops, and crimped caps. Discard wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers.
Thoroughly wash all metal pans, ceramic dishes and utensils that came in contact with flood water with hot soapy water and sanitize by boiling them in clean water or by immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water.
Undamaged, commercially prepared foods in all-metal cans and retort pouches (for example, flexible, shelf-stable juice or seafood pouches) can be saved. Follow the Steps to Salvage All-Metal Cans and Retort Pouches in the publication "Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency" at: www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/
Keeping_Food_Safe_During_an_Emergency/index.asp
Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters. If bottled water is not available, tap water can be boiled for safety.
Never taste food to determine its safety!
When in Doubt, throw it out!

For Additional Information on Emergency Preparedness, visit http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Emergency_Preparedness_Fact_Sheets/index.asp

Follow FSIS on Twitter at twitter.com/usdafoodsafety

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Contact:

Bridget Udoh

(225) 771-5714