This article compares the sweet potato to the yam. Is there a difference. Let's find out.

Results from the Adult Division of the 2009 Rapides Parish Fair can be found here.

General Information on entertainment, contests, senior day and link to carnival ride prices at the Rapides Parish Fair.

4-H enrollment forms are available for download here for the 4th-6th, 7th-8th and 9th-12th grades. Feel free to photocopy the forms you need. For additional information, call the LSU AgCenter's Rapides Parish 4-H office at (318) 767-3968.

This article contains general information on how to protect yourself from the nationwide flu outbreak.

Bagworms create problems for many homeowners. Timing is critical in controlling bagworms.

The LSU AgCenter provides consumers with helpful information on what to do before and after a storm.

This article contains useful information on preparation and storage of figs. It also contains a fig preserve recipe and the often requested Strawberry-flavored Fig Jam.

Tips on keeping food safety in mind to prevent foodborne illness during summer holidays where cooking out is popular.

The fourth class of the Avoyelles/Rapides Master Gardener class held their graduation on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 in Mansura, Louisiana.

Images from the 2009 4-H Achievement Day.

Producers will have the opportunity to have their private pesticide cards recertified at the following meetings.

A 4-H document (for all ages enrolled in 4-H) to assist club members in project work/record-keeping of their 4-H experiences.

There are some wonderful opportunities for college funding through the 4-H scholarship program! Check out the criteria for both Rapides Parish 4-H scholarships and for the 4-H scholarships offered on the state level. Applications can be completed by processing them on your personal computer, and then saving and printing them for submission. If you have questions, contact the parish 4-H Office at 767-3968.

Students from the Louisiana School for Agricultural Sciences (LASAS) visited the state e\Emergency shelter located next to LSU-A on Dec. 10, 2008.

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.

The 2009 Rapides Parish Fair Premium Book provides parish exhibitors in the adult, senior citizens, nursing home, handicap, 4-H and Pre 4-H Divisions with information on entering exhibits in the fair.

This newsletter provides Information to parish 4-H members on activities, events and deadlines for the month of November 2009.

Blossom-end rot can occur when sunny days follow a cloudy, wet period. It is a symptom of calcium deficiency in the plant.

This article describes how to care for your Christmas tree once you get it home.

The 49th annual Rapides Parish Fair seen through photos.

This article contains results from 4-H Arts and Crafts Division of the Rapides Parish Fair held in October 2009.

Explore some ot the rich culture and heritage of Rapides Parish in this article.

Information is provided on Rapides Parish's history, culture, tourism, elected officials and related links to more about the parish.

Results from the Livestock Divsion of the Rapides Parish Fair.

4-H Poster Contest for Character Counts is going on through the month of November. Click here for details.

The Red River Rumble is an Open 4-H Youth Livestock Show to be held November 27-28, 2009, in Rapides Parish.

Celebrate the awesome colors of fall at the annual 4-H Pumpkin Party to be held Thursday, October 29, 2009, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Rapides Parish 4-H Clover Clippings newsletters provide information to parish 4-H members and contain activities, events and deadlines occurring monthly.

The Fourth Annual Rice Cook-Off for the Rapides Senior Citizens Centers Inc. took place on Thursday, September 17, 2009, at the Woodworth, La., Senior Citizens Center.

Rapides Parish 4-H'ers attend the 2009 Summer Camp held at Camp Grant Walker in Pollock, LA.

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

The Open Goat Show will be held during the Rapides Parish Fair on Saturday, October 17, 2009.

The September 11 Lunch and Learn was held in conjunction with the Central Region Health Expo and Blood Drive at the Dewitt Livestock Facility.

This article describes how family mealtime promotes healthy nutrition habits for children and adults, as well as giving tips on meal preparation and a recipe for a B.L.T. in a Bowl.

This article provides links to some of the more requested crop publications for farmers and landowners compiled by experts with the LSU AgCenter.

The Open Poultry Show will be held Saturday, October 17, 2009, during the Rapides Parish Fair on the Rapides Parish Coliseum Fairgrounds.

Shooting Sports enrollment is underway. Call the 4-H office for details.

The LSU AgCenter is helping the efforts of the Department of Social Services to get the word out about applying early for Disaster Food Stamps.

Provides links to monthly newsletters designed to keep 4H'ers up-to-date on what activites are going on in Rapides Parish.

Information is provided on rules, regulations, entries and premiums for the Special School Division of the Rapides Parish Fair.

The Rapides Parish Fair's Queen Contest will be held October 3, 2009. If you are interested in competing, see this information for more details.

The Rapides Parish 2009 4-H Sewing Workshop was held July 20-24 at the LSU AgCenter Extension Office.

Information is given on completing Rapides Parish Fair entry tags. Entry tags can be obtained at the Rapides Parish Extension Office.

You can make your monthly meeting an inspiration to your members by incorporating exciting activities to help 4-H'ers gain a sense of belonging. This article provides information and resource links for club leaders on planning club meetings, making meetings exciting, planning A 4-H program, giving demonstrations And leader guides.

Images from the 4-H U competition held in Baton Rouge, La., in June 2009 can be found here.

The Louisiana Calf to Carcass project is a program in which Louisiana beef cattle producers can participate by sending a minimum of three steers to the feedlot while retaining ownership of them throughout the feeding period.

A list of forms needed for campers and chaperones attending overnight 4-H activities.

The 49th Annual Rapides Parish Fair will be held in Alexandria, Louisiana, October 14-18, 2009, on the Coliseum and Fairground site on the Leesville Highway.

Information is provided on the Pretty Cow Contest, the Rooster Crowing Contest, the Best Dressed Chicken Contest, the Hay Stacking Contest and the Compact Tractor and Tractor Contest to take place during the Rapides Parish Fair. The Rapides Parish Fair will run at the Rapides Parish Coliseum October 14-18, 2009.

Nothing says summer in the South like the fresh, airy blooms of crape myrtles. Follow these recommendations to ensure proper growth and blooming.

Two three-hour child care provider training clases were hel on Saturday, June 13, 2009, at the Christian Care Children's Center near Pickering.

Periodically, grasshoppers have been of economic importance, but a few species sometimes occur in large enough numbers to damage citrus, vegetable crops and landscape ornamentals seriously. One of the species most commonly causing damage is the eastern lubber grasshopper.

Mowing the grass correctly improves the health and appearance of any lawn. Your lawn will look greener, stay thicker, resist weeds more effectively by following some of these basic tips.

This childcare article gives parents and caregivers alternatives to "spanking".

Images from the Lunch 'N Learn Series held in April 2009 on learning about culinary knife skills and the importance of vegetables in the diet.

This article describes some basic brain research principles that are important to know when working with young children.

Many Rapides Parish homeowners are asking about problems with St. Augustine grass. One problem could be gray leaf spot.

Teaching character education and conflict resolution can reinforce basic attitudes and values of society in a child’s setting.

The article describes how spending time with children is critical in determining whether he or she reaches their goals in life.

This is a an introductory page to the Family and Consumer Sciences Page for Rapides Parish.

The 4-H Area Commodity Cookery Contest was held at the Alexandria Mall March 19, 2009. Images and link to first-place winning recipes can be found here.

Provides information on fire ants including how to control and treat mounds.

Did you know that the choices you make now as a teen can affect your health when you are in your 20’s and 30’s? Learn to make smart choices now- - -view these informative fact sheets and learn how you can live a healthy life. After all, “smart choices = smart youth”.

A lawn can be functional and beautiful if planned properly. Find out which grass is best suited for your location.

Vegetables can be grown in containers, community garden lots, home yards or large ranch areas. To be successful, follow these basic rules.

Step-by-step instructions on taking a soil sample. This presentation was conducted by Terry Washington and Barry Crain.

Provides information on the Louisiana Master Gardener Program in Rapides Parish.

Learn more about the care of roses and how they can add beauty to your landscape.

Two Extension Service Childcare Provider Training workshops were hosted by Assembly Preschool in Leesville.

4-H Achievement Day will be held Saturday, April 4, 2009 at Peabody Magnet High School.

A Rapides Parish Family and Consumer Science (FCS) Advisory Committee/Working Luncheon was held at the Rapides Parish Extension Office.

Guidelines for the 2009 4-H Pennant contest

This article focuses on how children must be engaged for learning to occur.

This article contains the placing results from the 4-H Food Festival held in Alexandria, LA on February 19.

FCS Advisory Leadership Council members and advisory minutes.

This form is to be filled out and submitted by clubs who wish to be recognized for Outstanding Club Community Service Achievement. The award shall be called the Club CSA Award. This award application should be placed in an appropriate folder or cover and should be submitted by April 15th to the parish 4-H office. For more information contact the 4-H office at 767-3968.

Guidelines for the Volunteer Service Award

This article describes what herbicides homeowners can use to control those "sticky" weeds in their lawns.

Rules are provided for the 2009 Spring Food Festival to be held at the Alexandria Mall in Alexandria, Louisiana on February 19.

The LSU AgCenter offered two child care provider training classes on “Learning Through Literacy” at the Rapides Extension Office on January 25 and 27, 2009.

Results from the 4-H Winter Food Festival held at the Alexandria Mall in Alexandria on January 22, 2009.

Winners posted from the Character Counts Art Contest held in December 2008.

4-H Teen Leaders and Teens in Action club members volunteer at their local Food Bank.

Blueberries are nature’s No. 1 source of antioxidants among the more than 50 fresh fruits and vegetables. They also are a good source of fiber and vitamin C. Information on pick-your-own operations, selection, storage, preparation, freezing, canning and using Louisiana blueberries can be found in this publication.

Debra Jackson, parent educator with the Southern Ag Center, provides parenting classes to clients in Rapides and Avoyelles parishes.

Information provided on the annual Penny King and Queen Contest for 4th - 8th graders.

One of the best things you can do for a small child is to spend time reading aloud to him/her.

Problems occasionally occur with items purchased as holiday gifts, but being prepared to handle those problems can go a long way in making the season more festive for you.

A listing of livestock show forms