Terry Washington introduced preschool students at North Bayou Rapides Elementary to agricultural products grown in Louisiana.

Producers will have the opportunity to have their private pesticide cards recertified at the a series of meetings.

4-H & FFA Central District Livestock Show Results and Rapides Parish Livestock Show Results

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.

This is the rabbit form for the 2010 Central District Livestock Show. All rabbit entries are due to the Rapides Parish Office by January 11, 2010. For more information contact Terry Washington at (318) 767-3968.

The 4-H youth development program in Rapides Parish held workshops in November focused on "Holiday Fun," "Kids in the Kitchen" and "Electricity."

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

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 Louisiana 4-H Museum is now open in Mansura, Louisiana, at 8592 Highway 1.

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.

We can learn a lot about having winning forestland from the New Orleans Saints. Let's see how.

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

The Rapides Parish Fair will celebrate it's 50th year anniversary in October. We would like you to take part in a slogan contest. Click here to learn how.

Mari Novasad, Wellness Works of Cenla, will present a program on nutrition for the monthly Lunch 'N Learn meeting on March 16, 2010 in Rapides Parish. Click here for more details.

Rapides Parish winners from the 75th Annual LSU 4-H and FFA State Livestock Show held in Gonzales, Louisiana.

The 16th Annual Cause We Care Fair was held on February 27, 2010. The LSU AgCenter unveiled the new "Germ Cave". Click here for more details and images of the event.

Quincy Cheek, the new LSU AgCenter extension agent in nutrition for Rapides Parish, will be featured on the "Jambalaya" television program on News Channel 5 in Alexandria, La., each month. She will be providing viewers with delicious recipes and the nutritional information for consumers to make healthy choices.

Rapides Parish 4-H Achievement Day will be held Saturday, March 27, 2010, at Peabody Magnet High School.

Information for Rapides Parish 4-H members on activities, events and deadlines for the month of March 2010.

Rapides Parish winners from the 75th Annual LSU 4-H and FFA State Livestock Show held in Gonzales, Louisiana.

Operation Military Kids set up an education station during the Central District Livestock Show in February 2010 to educate the public about the military deployment process.

4-H members from Phoenix Magnet in Rapides Parish are learning what it means to be good citizens, and they’re showing it through a variety of community service projects.

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

This article contains information on the 2010 parish, district and state livestock shows. It includes dates, times, show schedules and registration forms.

Photos from the 42010 -H & FFA Central District Livestock Shows held February 4-6, 2010 at the Dewitt Livestock Facility, Alexandria, La.

Photos from the 2010 Central District Livestock Show.

Images from the 2010 4-H & FFA District Livestock Show

Photos from the 2010 4-H & FFA Central District Livestock Show.

FCS Advisory Leadership Council members and advisory minutes.

Quincy Cheek, agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, provides helpful information aobut Mardi Gras safety.

Winners of the Rapides Parish 4-H Winter Food Festival held on January 28, 2010.

This newsletter provides Information to parish 4-H members on activities, events and deadlines for the month of Feburary 2010.

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.

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

Images from the October Lunch 'N Learn program entitled "Sensational Salsa". A demonstration on making salsa was done and simple salsa dancing techiques were shown.

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 AgCenter, provides parenting classes to clients in Rapides and Avoyelles parishes.

This newsletter provides Information to parish 4-H members on activities, events and deadlines for the month of January 2010.

Information provided on completing the log for the "Spirit of the Clover Award".

This article contains information on the 4-H Winter Food Festival to be held on Thursday, January 28, 2010.

4-H clubs in Central Louisiana participated in the annual Veteran's Day Parade. Click here for images.

The 4-H Youth Development program are doing several promotions this year to raise money. Click here to learn more.

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

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

Information is provided on the 2010 Central District Rabbit Show to be held Saturday, Feburary 6, 2010.

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.

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.