Livingston Parish consists of 642 square miles on 410,880 acres and is 32 miles long by 30 miles wide. The geographical landscape of the parish varies from rolling terrain covered by slash pine and hardwood forests in the northern part to rich cypress forests and marshes that border on Lake Maurepas and the Amite River in the southern end. The tremendous population growth and increase in property values in Livingston Parish is largely attributed to our excellent school system.

The Livingston Volunteers for Family and Community monthly newsletter provides information about events, nutrition and health, family development and family resource management

Livingston Parish 2012 4-H Achievement Day was held at Walker High School on April 20, 2012.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. You may have noticed that fire ants are actively foraging now. The heat brings them off the nest and closer to where we live, eat and enjoy recreation.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Crape myrtles trees are traditionally one of the last trees to put on leaves in the spring of the year. Sooty mold is that black crusty material that can cover the leaves during the growing season.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe . Spring blooming woody ornamentals should be pruned right after flowering but only if pruning is needed.

Weelky news article form LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Pecan trees are starting to bud up and this tells me that this is your opportunity to control all those black knots that get on pecan trees each year.

Weekly news articl from LSU AgCenter County Agent Kenny Sharpe. I started seeing the small worms hanging from silk threads in the oaks here at the courthouse several weeks ago. Now I see big groups of the caterpillars on the sides of the trees and lots of missing foliage where they have been feeding.

Weekly news articl from LSU AgCener county agent Kenny Sharpe. This past week I saw two different sets of tomato plants that had tomato spotted wilt virus. It has been a few years since I have seen much of this. To start so early is cause for concern.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Herbicides that contain 2,4-D are notorious for causing the twisting in the tops of tomatoes. Most of the damage occurs are from people spraying in their own lawn, near the garden or even in the garden prior to planting.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe about identifying and controlling azalea leaf galls.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe about tent moth and buck moth caterpillars.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter County Agent Kenny Sharpe. This past week Livingston Parish lost one of its great agricultural and community leaders with the passing of Mr. D'Armond.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Be ready to fertilize your azalea beds as soon as they have finished flowering.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. One of the crops that people like to plant early is sweet corn. I had someone tell me recently that they made cornbread with creamed corn and sour cream. I have never had cornbread made that way but how could that be anything but good especially if you used fresh sweet corn.

This report provides information on funding sources, program highlights for the area, and local issues that are being faced by the parish through the Extension Service.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Tips for preventing carpenter bees for boring into wood.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Fireblight is a severe problem in pears, which would include the flowering ornamental pears like Bradford and Cleveland.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Snap beans are one of the earliest spring crops that you can plant, since they can grow in the cooler temperatures. Here is information about types and planting recommendations.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter count agent Kenny Sharpe. This article explains proper soil pH and various types of tomatoes.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCener county agent Kenny Sharpe. Azaleas are blooming now but some may have dying buds.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. One of the problems for those with pecans is the gall forming insect that attacks the trees at green up.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. When you purchase plants for your landscape be aware of the sun's yearly rotation to help you determine plant selection and placement for their sun/shade needs.

Newsletter for local Livingston Parish 4-H leaders. Topics include: 4-H University, 4-H Camp, 4-H Day At The Capitol, Record Books Deadline, Talent Show.

Articles included: Citizenship Washington Focus Trip, Achievement Day, Character Counts! Corner, 4-H Day At The Capitol, LSU Football Tickets, March is National Nutrition Month, 4-H University, and Raising With Cane's Day.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Information about when to fertilize and control weeds in lawns.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. This week's article reviews the emergence of crane flies.

Weekly news article from LSu AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. the warmer spring-like weather continues for us and nature is responding accordingly. Each new day I see more plants bringing forward their floral displays.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Mid-February is the time that you can put out a pre-emerge herbicide to prevent crabgrass, which is a summer annual grass that is hard to remove from most warm season grass lawns.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Livingston Parish was once a bustling snap bean growing and shipping area. Beans were put in crates and shipped out by rail to points north. One of the draws to growing snap beans here is that our climate allows for early production.

Weekly news article frm LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. The ground cover, liriope, can come out of the dry fall and winter looking pretty ragged this time of year. Now would be a good time to go and evaluate the foliage quality

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe with helpful tips on fertilizing your trees.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. If you want to have fruit that is free of worms, then you will need to spray your fruit trees. Go ahead and check our your equipment now.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Arbor Day is celebrated in Louisiana on the third Friday in January. It is the day that we observe as a national tree planting day.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. In south Louisiana we recommend that Irish potatoes be planted from mid-January through February. The earlier you can get them planted the better potential you have for higher yields.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. With the warm weather we have been having I noticed one of my Knock Out Roses had a few blooms just this past weekend. As I was looking at the tremendous growth on the plant, I was reminded that it was time to prune.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. I really enjoy seeing the dried plums from the ornamental grasses swaying in the wind during the winter, but the end of February is time to cut them back.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. There are a few winter maintenance issues that we should probably go ahead and take care of now since the dormant season looks to be a little short.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter count agent Kenny Sharpe. Every year I have a number of people who are interested in new varieties of vegetable plants that they can not find locally. The way to resolve that problem is to grow your own transplants or at least the ones that you cannot purchase.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. The first crop for many vegetable gardeners to plant in the year is Irish potatoes. Read about varieties and planting tips here.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. With all the leaves off of the trees you can see all the imperfections in the deciduous plants. It is interesting to see the galls up the oak trees and even the occasional hornets' nest that you never knew was there.

Weekly news articl from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe giving advice on when and how to prune correctly.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. The cool winter months are a good time to control weeds.

Topics include - 4-H Calendar, Club Meeting Schedule, Record Books, Heart Fund Drive, Elementary Demonstration/Public Speakin Day, 4-H Night at the New Orleans Hornet's Basketball Game, Shooting Sports Activity, 4-H Summer Camp, Talent Show

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe giving some excellent ideas on what to buy the gardener in your family.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. I have observed quite a few moths flying around while I have been on local farms this past week. Closer inspection reveals that they are buck moths.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. It's beginning to look like Christmas and many of you are getting poinsettias for Christmas decorations. Kenny gives helpful advice on how to select and care for poinsettias.

Growing your own fruit can be profitable and satisfying, and many fruit trees can add beauty to your landscape. But you can't expect to grow quality fruit without caring for the plants. This publication explains how your success will depend largely on variety selection, soil management, pruning, fertilization, pest control and other cultural practices.

Provides list of members and links to meeting minutes for the Beef Advisory Council.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. I did go by one of the local Christmas tree farms over the weekend and it looked like lots of people were enjoying a festive time selecting their fresh Christmas tree.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Now is a good time to replenish some of the nutrients that the vegetable crops take from the soil.

Weekly news article form LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. If patience is your virtue then you can plant garlic through the end of November. The beauty of the growing season is that you plant in moderate weather, grow through the cold winter and harvest next May before it gets too hot.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe giving advice on what to do with your citrus during the cold weather.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. This week, he explains how to have a green lawn all year long.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe with information about selections and planting trees in the landscape.

Provides list of members and links to meeting minutes for the Livingston Parish Forestry Board and Advisory Council

Quarterly newsletter for Livingston Beef Producers on recommended cultural practices. This edition includes recommendations for planting Cool Season Pastures, Fall Army Worms, and information on Calf to Carass Program

The Family Nutrition Program (FNP) is a federally funded program that has been providing nutrition education to low-income families in Louisiana for more than 13 years. FNP works with local agencies to meet the needs of families with limited resources.

Articles included: Welcome to 4-H!, Outdoor Sports, Project Training Day, Volunteer 4-H Leaders, Junior Leadership Club, Catch Phrase for Camp Contest, Fashion Board, National 4-H Week, Officer Training Day, Livingston Parish Fair, LSU Football Tickets, Important Dates for Livestock Exhibitors.

Topics include - What is the Leader News?, Old & New Business, Club Meeting Schedule, National 4-H Week, National Character Counts! Week, Jr. Leadership Club, 4-H Outdoor Skills: Shooting Sports, Catch-phrase for Camp Contest, Broiler Chicks, Project Training Days, Things to do this month, 2011 Agenda Tailgate Program, Old & New Business Cut-outs

This 4-H newsletters contain information for 4-H'ers, parents and volunteers. Topics include: Project Training Day, National 4-H Week, Officer Training Day, Catch-phrase for Camp Contest, Character Counts! Corner, Pumpkins Are Nutritious, Livestock Exhibitors, Broiler Chicks, Challenge Camp.

Articles included: Welcome to 4-H, Outdoor Sports, Project Training Day, Volunteer 4-H Leaders, Junior Leadership Club, Catch Phrase for Camp Contest, Fashion Board, Character Counts!Corner, National 4-H Week, Officer Training, Livingston Parish Far, LSU Football Tickets, Validation Dates for Livestock.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. This week, how to get last year's poinsettia to have bright color this Christmas.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe with tips on planting mustard greens in the fall garden.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. It is time to make your preparation if you will be planting strawberries later this month.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. October provides another good time to control fireants. Here is information about the best baits to use and how to use them.

Weekly news article from LSU Agcenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Shallots make a great fall crop and are very useful during the holiday season. Here's how to grow them yourself.

The 2011 Livingston Parish Fair Information and Premium Catalog is available through the link on the right. It includes information about entering crafts, livestock, floral and other contest details. The Livingston Parish Fair will be at the Livingston Parish Fairgrounds, 19125 Florida Blvd., Livingston, LA. Dates for the fair are October 4 - 10, 2011. Come join in the fun!!

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe with information about planting deer food plots.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe with tips on how to control weeds in your vegetable garden.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe helping you to make preparations for fall tomatoes.

A list of personnel at the Livingston Parish Office and directions to the office.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. The cooler weather gets me in the mood for fall. There is something about the cooler temperatures that makes me think about mustard greens, sweet potatoes, pork chops and corn bread.

The Livingston Volunteers for Family and Community monthly newsletter provides information about events, nutrition and health, family development and family resource management

Newsletter for local Livingston Parish 4-H leaders, providing information about upcoming events and activities, contest results and other items of interest to share with club members.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Extend your vegetable garden season by planting additional summer crops that are not very high maintenance.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe about planning and planting ahead for dove season.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Learn to determine if your fish are dying due to low oxygen levels in the water and what you can do to help remedy the problem.

Newsletter for Livingston Parish Beef Producers on recommended cultural practies. This edition includes: Soil Sampling, Cool Season Pastures, Cool-season Pasture and Forage Crop Varieties, Seeding Rates for Cool-season Pasture and Forage Crops, Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), Fall Eat'n Meeting; Florida Parishes Beef Improvement (FPBI); Select Heifer Sale.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. This week, learn why trees shed bark and what to do about it -- nothing!

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe.This week he solves the mystery of trees covered in webbing and looking like Halloween decorations.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. If deer hunters and livestock producers want the best results from fertilizers, now is the time for the to take soil samples before planting food plots and cool season pastures.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Where are all the mushrooms coming from? What to do about them?

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. What cool season pastures are recommended? When to plant them?

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Roses have been a garden favorite for many years. Now is the time to take special care of them for next year's blossoms.

Weekly news arrticle from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Fall vegetable gardens are not as popular as the ones planted in the spring. It is much easier to plant in the cool of the year and end up hot than it is to plant in the heat and harvest in cooler weather.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Red-headed azalea caterpillars eating the foliage of azaleas can be controlled.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. It is time for livestock producers and deer hunters to begin planning their winter pastures and wildlife food plots.

Newsletter for Livingston Parish Beef Producers on recommended cultural practies. This edition includes: Army Worms, Ryegrass, Hay, Cool-Season Pasture and Forage Crop Varieties, Mean Dry Forage Production, Seeding Rates for Cool-season Pasture and Forage Crops, The La. Calf to Carcass Program, Livingston Parish Fall Eat'n Meeting.

Provides list of members and links to meeting minutes for the Joint Advisory Council.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. This week, tips on preparing your fall garden.

Information about the 2011 Livingston Parish 4-H Food Festival, which is open to all 4-H members in Livingston Parish.

Information about the 2011 Livingston Parish4-H Fashion Revue, which is open to all 4-H members in Livingston Parish.

Information about the 2011 Livingston Parish Elementary 4-H Demonstration/Public Speaking Day open to all 4th and 5th graders 4-H members from Livingston Parish.

Information about the 2011 Junior/Sentior 4-H Demonstration and Public Speaking Day open to all 6th - 12th grade 4-H members from Livingston Parish.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Fall armyworms have been on the march this summer and they coninue. Here are tips for identifying and treating them.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. This week, how to control coco grass.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Hot and dry would describe the weather as of late. Not exactly the kind of weather that beckons you to the garden to plant another crop. It is however getting close to the end of time for planting fall tomatoes for this year.

Information and resource links for club leaders to helpful publications on planning club meetings, making meetings exciting, planning a 4-H program, giving demonstrations and leader guides.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Pumpkins can be a lot of fun and educational for children. They take great pride in going out and checking the progress of the pumpkins, especially when they know it will be a part of their Halloween decorations.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Play close attention to your azaleas and if you find red headed azalea caterpillars spray them right away.

Weekly news article rom LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. I have received several calls from moms and grandmothers who have seen some very large hornet like creatures flying around their yard. The insect they described was a cicada killer.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. We have recently discussed irrigation to supplement rain fall. Another lawn management practice to help with drought conditions is the mowing height.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. The 4th of July is a great celebration of the independence of our nation. Today we celebrate that freedom with traditions such as fireworks, barbecue and fresh watermelon.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. The difference between your lawn burning up from lack of water and chinch bugs is the yellowing. Usually when your lawn is too dry it will turn brown. When chinch bugs begin to feed on the grass, it will turn yellow or orange before it turns brown.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. I have heard from a lot of gardeners who had trouble this past year. The season started off very dry and then turned wet and hot.Many of the problems were disease related but some were nutritional. The long hot days of summer are a good time to take soil samples.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. As the heat cranks up, the outside chores really get to be a chore. The hunters I know are dreaming of cool frosty mornings and getting back into the woods. The first opportunity for most hunters to get back to their outdoor adventure is dove hunting.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter County Agent Kenny Sharpe. Choosing a Christmas tree can be a great experience and tradition for your family. Call our office for a list of local Christmas tree farms.

Provides list of members and links to meeting minutes for the Beef Advisory Council meetings.

A healthy snack using the five food groups from MyPyramid.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. I have heard from a lot of people who tell me that this has been a great year for the wild blackberry.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Stink bugs have been active on tomatoes. Their damage appears as yellow spots on the exterior of the tomato fruit once it turns red.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. Blueberries have been getting ripe for a few weeks but June is usually the bulk of the production. The normal season is only about four to six weeks so get them while they are fresh.

Weekly news article from LSU AgCenter county agent Kenny Sharpe. I am seeing more brown spots in lawns from lack of water. The drought continues and we are way behind in water for the year.

Calendar of 4-H events and activities for the 2010-2011 school year.

Provides list of members and links to meeting minutes for the 4-H Advisory Council.

This collection of recipes is kid approved and good for them, too! Cooking can get the whole family involved in creating and tasting new foods. Also, when families prepare meals together, youth can learn important life skills and see the importance of math and science.

Provides list of members and links to meeting minutes for the Forestry Advisory Council meetings