(Distributed 05/09/08) When asked “How does your garden grow?” students at a Baton Rouge elementary school have a plethora of plants to list. LSU AgCenter Master Gardeners and Kids Hope volunteers have helped transform a once dull courtyard at University Terrace Elementary school into a flowering oasis.

(Distributed 05/08/08) The discovery of malignant catarrhal fever in cattle shouldn’t be a reason for panic but is a “wakeup call” for better animal identification, according to LSU AgCenter veterinarian Dr. Christine Navarre.

(Distributed 05/08/08) Wheat experts from the LSU AgCenter say growing conditions are good and diseases are minimal for the 2008 crop.

(Distributed 05/08/08) Childhood brain development, protecting memory, eating healthy, financial management and leadership were the hot topics at the spring professional development conference for LSU AgCenter Extension Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Programs.

(Distributed 05/06/08) This year’s AgMagic had a record number of visitors – 13,840 – and LSU AgCenter officials are already starting to plan next year’s event. “It was a huge success. We had a lot more and a lot nicer exhibits this year,” said Dr. Terry Dumas, LSU AgCenter animal sciences professor, who co-chairs the project.

(Distributed 05/05/08) The LSU AgCenter is looking for news articles tracing the 100-year history of Louisiana 4-H. Officials say copies of 4-H news articles from 1908 through 2008 are needed from past and present 4-H’ers. The articles, in turn, will help LSU AgCenter faculty members and others in compiling an accurate history of the state’s youth development program for the new Louisiana 4-H Museum.

(Distributed 05/02/08) Local and state officials celebrated the grand opening Wednesday (April 30) of a new facility to house the Avoyelles Parish office of the LSU AgCenter and the Southern University Ag Center and the LSU AgCenter 4-H Museum.

(Distributed 05/02/08) Decreasing costs by increasing efficiency on cattle operations was the focus of the field day May 1 at the LSU AgCenter’s Rosepine Research Station. “It’s a scary time for a lot of beef producers,” said Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter vice chancellor for extension.

(Distributed 05/02/08) Louisiana Master Gardeners from 33 parishes attended their annual state conference in Covington April 28-30.

(Distributed 05/01/08) Processing nonfood crops to produce biofuels and value-added chemicals can provide Louisiana with another vehicle for economic growth, according to LSU AgCenter officials.