(Distributed 11/06/09) Thanksgiving is a perfect time to enjoy Louisiana yams. The Louisiana yam is an exceptional type of sweet potato – sweet and flavorful, with a soft, moist flesh, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames .

(Distributed 11/06/09) Truancy problems go beyond the school grounds, and an LSU AgCenter family life specialist says it is a problem for the community.

(Distributed 11/04/09) Lead poisoning is a disease caused by swallowing or breathing anything that has lead in it. Even tiny amounts of lead can harm a child in many ways.

(Distributed 10/30/09) Well-managed lawns and landscaping are good for the environment as well as being attractive. Bad management, however, can negate a lot of the environmental benefits.

(Distributed 10/29/09) Every November during American Diabetes Month, LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames reminds people healthful eating is important for managing diabetes.

(Distributed 10/28/09) Today’s lifestyles might be causing people to miss out on the unique love and belonging that come from family bonds, according to LSU AgCenter family and child expert Diane Sasser.

(Distributed 10/23/09) A home remodeling project – and your investment in it – can do so much more than update. It can make your home a healthier place to live and breathe for you and your family.

(Distributed 10/23/09) Shrubs are important background plants for any home landscape. They have definite growth habits in height, spread and form.

(Distributed 10/16/09) Azaleas are the most widely planted shrub in Louisiana, but few gardeners would ever think about planting them in the fall because many of the varieties aren’t blooming in the nurseries for gardeners to compare colors.

(Distributed 10/13/09) Family traditions and rituals have been shown to help strengthen families – both the individual members and the family as a whole, according to LSU AgCenter family life expert Dr. Diane D. Sasser.

(Distributed 10/02/09) Who knows when we will get another bad storm blowing through Louisiana? We may get just a nasty wind from some front or tornado-like activity. In any case, there will be fallen limbs and branches to deal with.

Trash is everyone’s problem. We all create it. Every time we empty a plastic milk jug or read a newspaper, we create eventual trash. Of course things wear out, spoil or are no longer useful.

(Distributed 09/18/09) Thanks in part to technology and the age of communication, our gardens these days are more often being looked at as extensions of our homes to live in and use, rather than just being pretty plantings to look at.

(Distributed 9/17/09) TALLULAH, La. – LSU AgCenter 4-H youth development staff members provided literacy training to more than 110 parents and Head Start and elementary school teachers from a three-parish area Aug. 19 to help prepare them for the upcoming school year.

(Distributed 09/15/09) When dealing with electrical appliances in the home, it’s often aggravating to have a three-prong plug with only a two-prong outlet, such as with extension cords.

(Distibuted 09/02/09) With the current economic situation, home buyers have to be especially careful when shopping for reputable lenders.

(Distributed 08/28/09) One of the LSU AgCenter’s many educational efforts is the Louisiana Yards and Neighborhoods program for gardening and landscape enthusiasts.

(Distributed 08/21/09) Lifelong eating habits often are learned early. Eating while watching TV may become a habit for your young child and lead to unhealthy eating habits, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 08/21/09) You can help your child develop good eating habits by making mealtime pleasant and relaxed, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. “Mealtime can be a time to enjoy being with other family members and to learn about food,” the nutritionist says.

(Distributed 08/14/09) Yes, we are getting to late summer and hopefully less lawn mowing over the next couple months. Nevertheless, it’s still important to mow your lawn properly.

(Distributed 08/07/09) Low landscape maintenance is the goal of homeowners, but it’s possible only through proper planning. With the fall planting season coming soon, begin your planning now.

(Distributed 07/31/09) The Irrigation Association recently wrapped up its national campaign to educate industry professional and homeowners on proper irrigation in the landscape. The association’s efforts reminded us to talk about best practices for watering our Louisiana landscapes.

(Distributed 07/24/09) Tenants in foreclosed properties have new protections under a bill signed by President Barack Obama May 20, according to LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 07/24/09) If you are having trouble making your mortgage payments on time, resolving the problem fast is critical, according to LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 07/24/09) The trend today is to minimize fertilizer and chemical applications in the home landscape. If you are looking for a grass that is well-adapted to soil with high moisture levels and low fertility, common carpetgrass may be your most sustainable choice.

(Distributed 07/23/09) New guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy focus not only on how much weight to gain but also on the importance of being a healthy weight when you become pregnant.

(Distributed 07/15/09) Summer is not the most enjoyable time to work in the yard in Louisiana, but rose bushes need attention to ensure good performance through the summer and into the early fall months.

(Distributed 06/12/09) This Father's Day, let your father know how much you care by helping him choose and eat a healthy diet.

(Distributed 05/29/09) A team of nine LSU AgCenter educators recently won top honors for their home-buyer education program at the Louisiana Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences annual meeting.

(Distributed 04/14/09) This is one in a series of four articles in observance of the national 38th annual Week of the Young Child, April 19-25.

(Distributed 04/14/09) This is one of a series of four articles in observance of the national 38th annual Week of the Young Child, April 19-25.

(Distributed 04/14/09) This one in a series of four articles in observance of the national 38th annual Week of the Young Child, April 19-25.

(Distributed 04/14/09) This is one in a series of four articles in observance of the national 38th annual Week of the Young Child, April 19-25.

(Distributed 04/02/09) Although dyed Easter eggs may look like decorations, they are a food, and they are perishable. In fact, hard-cooked eggs spoil faster than fresh eggs because their protective coating is washed away in the cooking process, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 03/30/09) Many home gardeners are aware that a soil test is a good practice to determine the soil’s nutrient status, pH and other characteristics. Most of us, however, do not know the proper procedures for taking soil samples, which can make the test results inconclusive.

(Distributed 03/20/09) The major grass produced on Louisiana sod farms and most widely planted in residential lawns is centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides). It thrives with less care and usually requires less mowing than many other grasses.

(Distributed 03/16/09) Azaleas are Louisiana’s most popular shrub. Fall is the best time to plant the flowering shrub, followed by winter, spring and summer. The vast majority of azaleas, however, are planted in spring.

(Distributed 03/06/09) Early March is the time to begin preparations for adding warm-season annuals to your home landscape. Annual plants are usually simply referred to as “bedding plants” or “color.”

(Distributed 03/06/09) Even though most people agree that healthy eating is important, doing so may seem almost impossible when money is tight and time is short, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 02/20/09) Urban and suburban areas can create heavy loads of pollutants in their water runoff from the concentrations of people, vehicles, homes, parking lots, streets, small and large businesses, industry and sewage. This water runoff is referred to as urban stormwater.

(Distributed 02/17/09) Knock Out roses have changed the way home gardeners perceive roses. With the debut of the original Knock Out roses in 2000, the emergence of shrub roses for landscape gardening has taken Louisiana and the nation by storm, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings.

(Distributed 02/13/09) Crape myrtles are the most popular of our flowering trees, and questions abound about their proper care and cultural practices. Keys to crape myrtle success include abundant sunlight, ideal soil pH and drainage, proper pruning, regular fertilization, proper mulching and insect control.

(Distributed 02/06/09) Normal food safety practices at the consumer level could not have prevented the recent outbreaks of food-borne illness caused by eating certain peanut products. The conditions that caused the unsafe products occurred before the products reached the public, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 02/06/09) Many people with diverticular disease pass up nuts and popcorn in fear that eating these will aggravate the condition and lead to complications. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says, however, such fears may be unfounded.

(Distributed 02/06/09) The spring gardening season is upon us, or will be shortly, and it is time to begin purchasing new trees, shrubs and related plant materials for our landscapes. When selecting ornamentals, think how they will look when they mature as well as how they look now. Consider size, form, texture and color.

(Distributed 02/02/09) LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames observes February as American Heart Month by stressing the importance of taking steps to prevent heart disease. Coronary heart disease is the nation’s single leading cause of death, according to the American Heart Association.

(Distributed 01/30/09) Growing roses in Louisiana has been a challenge for home gardeners, mainly because of diseases brought on by our environment. Heat and humidity adversely affect the many rose varieties we grow.

(Distributed 01/26/09) People who feel a sense of control over life’s events are often happier, cope better and are more resilient in times of stress than others, according to LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker. One of the best ways to take charge of your finances in today’s uncertain economy is to set a savings goal, Tucker says.

(Distributed 01/23/09) When it comes to home landscaping, many gardeners remain confused about how to create what they want. Efforts at landscaping can be disappointing despite spending a substantial amount of money. The important thing to remember is that developing an attractive, properly functioning landscape is best done using a process.

(Distributed 01/16/09) Three new roses representing three classes of roses are the 2009 All-America Rose Selections winners. The three are Pink Promise, a hybrid tea; Cinco de Mayo, a floribunda; and Carefree Spirit, a landscape shrub.

(Distributed 01/16/09) When the cost of heating your home gets uncomfortable, you can do a lot to control how much energy you use to stay warm, according to LSU AgCenter housing specialist Dr. Claudette Reichel. The housing expert offers her top choices to save energy in a southern climate.

(Distributed 01/16/09) Whether you’re renovating an existing landscape or developing a new one, keep in mind the importance of soil pH and proper bed preparation. These two factors are essential for the success of your ornamental plants.

(Distributed 01/09/09) An important part of LSU AgCenter educational programs focuses on environmental issues. This includes teaching Louisiana gardeners that our yards and neighborhoods are channels to our waterways.

Social Security recipients may be one of the few groups with happy news during the recession. They started their New Year with their largest raise since 1982, a 5.8 percent increase. This cost of living adjustment (COLA) affects some 50 million Americans.

(Distributed 12/18/08) Perennials are plants that live for three years or more and often require two years or more from seed to flower. Technically, trees, shrubs and lawn grasses are all perennials, but gardeners use the term perennial as an abbreviation for “hardy, herbaceous perennial” – a group of nonwoody plants that reliably survive winter cold and grown for their attractive flowers or foliage.

(Distributed 12/18/08) Knowing what nutrients are in your soil and what nutrients are needed is a basic step towards good plant health. Soil nutrient balance must be managed for best plant growth, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

(Distributed 12/12/08) Flowering trees add color and beauty to our landscapes in late winter and early spring. These great trees add flower color at a time when many of us think we have to wait for spring. Most of these trees also are low-maintenance and reliable for long-term performance.

(Distributed 12/05/08) Pines are one of our many great native tree species. They, along with baldcypress, southern magnolias and oaks, are typically associated with Louisiana.

(Distributed 11/26/08) Nov. 15 to Dec. 31 each year is the open enrollment period for Medicare’s Part D prescription drug plans. Because these drug plans can change from one year to the next, it is important for seniors to comparison-shop annually for the best deal and the best coverage for their own personal prescription needs, according to LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Gloria Nye.

(Distributed 11/26/08) Many of us think about planting shrubs in the spring, but fall is the best time to plant shrubs in Louisiana. There are advantages to planting woody ornamentals, such as trees and shrubs, at this time.

(Distributed 11/21/08) Southern live oaks, known by the scientific name Quercus virginiana, are one of the most popular trees found in Louisiana landscapes. They certainly are considered to be a signature tree in many public places across the state and are widely used in home landscapes.

(Distributed 11/13/08) Not so long ago, nursery and landscape professionals, along with the vast majority of home gardeners, were not fully aware of the multiseason blooming potential of many azalea varieties.

(Distributed 11/13/08) When Louisiana cooks shop for their Thanksgiving meal, they’ll find the cost of the basic dinner items cost more this year but remain affordable, according to LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 11/13/08) The color of cooked poultry is not always a sure sign of its safety. Turkey can remain pink even after cooking to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. The meat of smoked turkey is always pink.

(Distributed 11/13/08) The holidays are time to enjoy special desserts that you might make only once a year. Some of these foods require special care to prevent foodborne illnesses, warns LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 03/25/08) BOSSIER CITY – A soil analysis is the first thing to consider when planting fruit trees, said Dr. Charles Graham, research horticulturist, at the monthly Lunch and Ag Discovery talk at the LSU AgCenter’s Red River Research Station March 18.

(Distributed 02/08/08) One of the most powerful ways to increase your financial security and grow wealth over time is to develop a savings habit. Form that habit by “paying yourself first” and saving regularly.

(Distributed 01/31/08) Whether you’re house hunting or having a house built, consider the many options available that help protect the structure against severe weather and related disasters. LSU AgCenter Disaster Programs Coordinator Pat Skinner explains a few basic techniques.

(Distributed 01/18/08) With the New Year come announcements of ornamental plant winners. One popular competition is the All-America Rose Selections. AARS winners for 2008 are Mardi Gras and Dream Come True.

(Distributed 01/15/08) You’ve taken good care all your adult life to pay bills on time and maintain a high credit score. You expect your high rating to continue after marriage, but it could drop if your new spouse has a low credit score.

(Distributed 01/15/08) The church and reception hall are reserved, the dress is selected, the invitations are addressed, the photographer and caterer are ready. You might even have your new residence “ready-to-go.”

(Distributed 12/05/07) A certain type of staph infection (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus – MRSA) can easily be prevented with proper hygiene and heal with treatment, according to Terri Crawford, Northeast region nutrition agent with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 10/26/07) Halloween is a favorite holiday for many children, but candy is not necessarily the kids’ favorite treat, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. Research reveals that youngsters enjoy nonfood treats, too.

(Distributed 09/24/07) Among the many natural threats homeowners face is termite infestation. Precautions can minimize that threat.

(Distributed 09/06/07) Tailgating in Louisiana gets in full swing with the kickoff of football season. To prevent food-borne illness, build your game plan around the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Partnership for Food Safety Education’s food safety steps, says Dr. Beth Reames, LSU AgCenter food safety specialist. The four steps in the plan are clean, separate, cook and chill.

(Distributed January 2005) Consumers often ask about the safety of using plastic wrap or plastic containers in microwave ovens. According to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames, only plastic containers or packaging labeled "microwave safe" should be used in microwave ovens.

(Distributed July 2004) An increasing body of research shows that quality child-care and educational programs early in a child’s life has a profound impact on their development, says LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.