Monthly newsletters about upcoming events, workshops and award programs for 4-H'ers and 4-H leaders in Ouachita Parish.

Information about obtaining a private applicator's pesticide license for purchasing restricted use pesticides from the Ouachita Extension Office. Information includes how to purchase The National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual, which is used for study purposes.

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

Grocery shopping can be a stressful experience when trying to save money on food purchases. Here are tips for helping you to shop wisely.

The newsletter is published monthly and includes information about plants, a message from the NELAMG president, upcoming events, minutes of the previous month's meeting and often features "Meet a Master Gardener."

The results of the 2011 Louisiana Soybean Performance Trials have been finalized and can be found here with key points.

Family Nutrition Program newsletters provide information on a wide range of nutrition and health topics. Smart Choices for Seniors is designed to provide seniors with nutrition facts specifically targeting older adults.

Homeowners often have questions on controlling sticker weed in their lawns. The best defense against weeds in a home lawn is to have a dense, healthy turf canopy. Herbicides are used as supplemental aids in controlling weeds.

As you head to the kitchen to prepare your holiday feast, keep food safety principles in mind to ensure your holiday meal is safe as well as delicious. There are four simple food safety steps you can follow every day to keep your meals safe to eat.

Blueberries fit into any general home landscape design. Researchers have shown that a serving of blueberries provides more antioxidant activity than many other fresh fruits and vegetables.

Our regional climate lends itself to home gardeners having a spring and fall vegetable garden. There is a vegetable that can be planted every day of the year in Louisiana.

Current information about Ouachita Parish programs: Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H, Horticulture/Forestry, Family Nutrition Program, Parenting Education.

Students at Jesus the Good Shepherd School grew vegetables in a school garden project.

Honey bees are being developed to take advantage of hygienic behaviors to help control varroa mites. The detecting and removing of a mite infested brood guarantees the health of the colony and helps eliminate varroa mites.

Tips on how to keep varroa mites from affecting a bee hive.

Description of termites, the time of year they swarm and the difference between termites and ants.

Improve your horse skills by attending this clinic offered to 4-H members.

Wood boring insects have been a challenge to homeowners and gardeners all season. Long-term invasions by these borers weaken and damage wood. When sprinkles of sawdust are seen, it is a good idea to investigate.

Information to provide knowledge on insecticides used for termite control and prevention.

The latest information on Pest Management. Includes links to articles and publications.

Information about small hive beetles (SHB). The larvae tunnel through combs, killing bee brood and ruining combs. The SHB eats pollen, brood, honey, dead adult bees and combs. Maintaining strong, healthy colonies with young productive queens is one of the management techniques for resisting SHB damage.

Forty -six 4-H members and six junior counselors from Ouachita Parish attended 4-H Camp Grant Walker in 2011.

Family Nutrition Program newsletters provide information on a wide range of topics including nutrition facts, nutrients that are needed, making nutritious snacks, food safety, getting ready for school with nutritious lunches, easy-to-prepare meals and delicious recipes for the family, especially those on a fixed income.

Information for safely and properly canning, preserving and freezing vegetables, fruits and prepared foods.

(Distributed 04/13/11) LSU AgCenter agents in northeast Louisiana are conducting classes in detention centers in Franklin, Richland, Morehouse and Union parishes to help prisoners prepare for reentering society.

In early March, caterpillars will begin to build tent like webs in area trees. While feeding on tree foliage the caterpillars will grow to the length of about 2 inches. The caterpillars then leave the tree and may be found anywhere in your yard looking for a place to pupate.

Information about and highlights of the Ouachita Parish nutrition program, parish facts, teaching methods and plans for 2011.

They are huge and they are everywhere and are often called "mosquito hawks".

Termite swarming season is here, and tiny gossamer winged insects can be seen flying in small clouds. If you are unlucky these insects will be found flying within your house, emerging from tiny holes in your wall. Are they ants or termites?

There are more than 240,000 species of flowering plants which must transfer pollen from the male parts to the female parts to reproduce. This is accomplished by a fascinating array of mechanisms and manners.

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become weak and can break more easily. Read about the risk factors here.

Parents need to encourage children to be more active and eat healthy.

Scholarship application forms for Ouachita Volunteers For Family and Community and also Louisiana Volunteers For Family and Community state scholarship application forms. The parish scholarships are due by May 31, and the state scholarships by April 10.