General information on gathering soil and plant samples to be tested at the LSU AgCenter Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory.

Excitement, fun, a chance to learn new skills and meet new friends. St. Helena 4-H'ers learned this is what 4-H camp is all about.

This course provides training and certification for adults interested in helping youth develop responsibilities and learn valuable life skills in the 4-H Shooting Sports program. More information and a registration form are available in the attached file.

This bi-annual publication is the official report of current news and events of the St. Helena Forestry Association and its related industry.

The National Wild Turkey Federation and the Natural Resources Conservation Service have partnered to restore 500 acres of traditional longleaf pine habitat. To learn more, see the article and links.

The 4-H Outdoor Skills Program is an active program that is attractive to both youth and adults interested in the areas of shooting sports, sport fishing and ATVs. These disciplines are used to help young people develop self-confidence along with a positive image.

Plans have been finalized for an area-wide cook-off to promote knowledge of and interest in the culinary arts field. Information about the cook-off is proveded here, including rules and an entry form.

This link is an introduction to various practice sessions within the 4-H shooting sports program.

A brief description of the proper handwashing technique and related Web links are given.

(Distributed 10/13/09) Many household appliances such as gas heaters and dryers, fireplaces, furnaces and gas ranges operate by burning a combustible fuel such as natural gas, propane, wood or other fossil fuel. Appliances of this type (combustion appliances) need proper venting to operate safely.

(Distributed 11/04/09) CARENCRO, La. – Having bulls tested for reproductive soundness is a simple precautionary measure that could prevent a disastrous year for a cattle producer, said Stan Dutile, LSU AgCenter extension agent in Lafayette Parish, who was among the speakers at a cattle field day here on Oct. 31.

Information about the 28th Ag Expo Livestock Show can be found here including show regulations, schedule, descriptions of divisions and entry forms.

(Distributed 11/16/09) Don't have room in your oven for the turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, casseroles and pies? LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames suggests you can free-up oven space by frying the turkey outside.

Riding an ATV can be fun, but safety is a very serious consideration. This article gives a few reasons why.

Not intended to be used as a certified riding course, this 4-H ATV Safety Leader's Guide emphasizes safety issues while enhancing the abilities of participants to think critically and assess risk more successfully. This guide is provided from the National 4-H Council. For additional resources, visit www.4-H.org.

This newsletter features topics on the purchase, care and training of horses, and includes news and upcoming events.

You are the most important influence on your child. You can do many things to help your children develop healthy eating habits for life. Use MyPyramid to help your preschooler eat well, be active, and be healthy. MyPyramid for Preschoolers is for children 2 to 5 years of age.

(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.

Youth Wetlands Week lessons for grades 4 through high school for the 2007-2008 school year can be downloaded here.

This annual show is open to all 4-H and FFA members in the southeast district. Links provided here include the judging schedule, poster contest guidelines and entry forms for the king and queen contest.

Stay informed about 4-H events in St. Helena Parish with the Cloverland News newsletter. It features articles on recent 4-H activities and upcoming events.

You will find the dates and times of the beef breeding, steer, commercial heifer, dairy, market goat, breeding goat, market lamb shows along with the jackpot and pee wee showmanship.

The sale of satsumas, oranges and sweet potatoes is an annual event which benefits the 4-H program in St. Helena Parish. Read on for more information.

(Distributed 10/21/09) Everything looks good for the Christmas tree crop in Louisiana, according to Dr. Don Reed, LSU AgCenter forestry and wildlife specialist.

This educational program is designed to promote wetlands education and conservation across Louisiana. It provides interested teachers with lessons and all materials needed to engage fourth-graders through high school students in understanding the importance of Louisiana's wetlands.

A fall field day, hosted by the Southeast Research Station Nov. 12, will feature topics of interest to those working in dairy, beef and forages. The program includes experimental dairy lagoons/dairy waste management research, oat ryegrass grazing and dairy feeding research, economics of dairying and milk pricing, equipment demonstrations and more.

The Washington Parish Junior Beef Classic will be held Nov. 20-21, 2009, at the Washington Parish Fairgrounds in Franklinton, La.

This link is to the overall national program. It includes items for youth, resources for training instructors, and information on state shooting programs as well as national competitions.

Learn all about safe ATV riding and protective gear from certified ATV Safety Institute (ASI) instructors at this 4-H ATV Rider Course. A registration form is included.

This page on fire ants and their control has links to publications, instructional videos, educational resources, materials in Spanish, and youth and K-12 teacher content.

Junior Master Gardeners in St. Helena Parish are working on a community garden as a service project. Their mission and goals are provided in this article.

This national Web site is intended to be used as a guide to safe ATV practices. It has links to state and national resources, the National 4-H Web site, 4-H ATV safety products, curriculum materials and grants, games, quizzes, downloads and more.

The first 4-H meetings for the 2009-2010 school year were held recently at the St. Helena Parish Central Middle School. These 4-H'ers were elected officers.

(Distributed 10/09/09) Petunias continue to be one of our most popular bedding plants. They long have been relied on for their consistent landscape performance and can be used as either warm-season or cool-season ornamentals.

Helpful cooking tips, food substitutes and a recipe for bread pudding are offered in this article.

Proper hand washing can help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. This article offers the how and why of washing your hands more thoroughly.

Healthier food choices can be made by using this list while shopping.

(Distributed 10/08/09) FRANKLINTON, La. – LSU AgCenter 4-H agents, parents and volunteers celebrated National Hunting and Fishing Day Sept. 26 at the LSU AgCenter’s Southeast Research Station here.

Cloverbuds is designed especially for young children who want to be share the fun their older siblings have in 4-H.

A newsletter ffrom the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service animal science specialists featuring current topics on animal health.

Weight loss advice abounds in our society, and most of the diets touted as new and revolutionary are actually old fad diets with a new name, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

This newsletter by Dr. Allen Owings, professor of horticulture for the LSU AgCenter, includes information for commercial growers and the landscape industry.

Toasted pumpkin seeds have a nutty flavor and are packed with protein and fiber. Pumpkin seeds are delicious toasted and salted -- or flavored with sweet and savory spices.

Images of major poisonous plants are presented to assist livestock owners with plant recognition. Toxic effects are also mentioned.

(For Release On Or After 02/20/09) Swiss chard is a leafy vegetable that can be grown easily in Louisiana vegetable gardens during fall, winter and spring. It is reliable and very productive and should be more commonly planted.

(For Release On Or After 02/23/07) Horticulturists don’t often discuss the fact that many of the plants we grow as ornamentals are considered poisonous. After all, cases of people eating poisonous plants are relatively rare, and there is no need to cause the public undue alarm. But there is a need for people – particularly those with children – to be aware that poisonous plants exist in our landscapes and inside our homes and to know how to deal with the situation.

On August 22, 2009, 4-H agents, members and instructors from across the state met to discuss the Louisiana 4-H Shooting Sports program. Their recommendations are covered in this posting.

This PowerPoint presentation describes the 4-H Outdoor Skills program and its activities in the Florida Parishes.

Parents or guardians and all youth participating in the Florida Parishes 4-H Outdoor Skills program must sign this form stating they will conduct themselves in an honorable manner.

Thorough research will help match the right all-terrain vehicle (ATV) with the its use. This article gives size limitations.

Young people, as well as their parents or guardians and witnesses, must sign this form to participate in the 4-H ATV Safety program.

Information on leader training and certification, events, contests and forms can be found in this handbook.

The benefits youth derive from the 4-H Shooting Sports program are described in this brochure.

(Distributed 09/24/09) Here’s some more depressing news about losing weight – the older you get, the less you can eat. Heli Roy, LSU AgCenter nutritionist, says one reason people aren’t successful with weight-loss programs is as they age, they have to gear down the quantity and richness of the foods they eat. So even though they may be eating less calorie-dense food – and less food – their bodies need fewer and fewer calories.

A quarterly newsletter from the LSU AgCenter's Family and Consumer Sciences Division.

Keys to Successful Organic Vegetable Gardening

(Distributed 08/24/09) Innovative uses for forest and forage biomass will be featured at the LSU AgCenter's Calhoun Research Station field day Oct. 29.

Tailgating is one of America's pastimes. This article offers helpful tips to keep a tailgating feast safe.

A quarterly newsletter on recommended cultural practices including pasture, forage and other topics of interest to beef producers.

This summer, youth from St. Helena Parish learned how fun, challenging and rewarding reading can be. They are shown in some of the many activities they did while participating in the reading program.

Camping, canoeing, fishing and other educational outdoor activities are offered in this 4-H Outdoor Skills Adventures Camp.

Find out how you can implement a Junior Master Gardener program in Louisiana.

Anyone with a willingness to learn and desire to help others can become a Louisiana Master Gardener™. Volunteers should be interested in horticulture, willing to help people, outgoing, flexible, dependable, unbiased and open-minded. Previous volunteer work and good verbal skills are desirable.

The Louisiana Master Gardener™ program is a service and educational activity offered by the LSU AgCenter. The program is designed to recruit and train volunteers to help meet the educational needs of home gardeners while providing an enjoyable and worthwhile service experience for volunteers.

The October field day is identical to the one planned for September, but the location is different. It also is for youth from the Florida Parishes area with shooting, fishing and wildlife as areas of interest.

Shooting, fishing and wildlife are the focus in this field day planned for youth from the Florida Parishes area.

Louisiana Sweet Potato News aims to update and inform all those associated with or interested in Louisiana sweet potatoes. Among the topics featured in this newsletter are such items as crop profiles, information related to various aspects of sweet potato production, the latest details on insect, weed and disease management, and current industry news and events.

4-H'ers from across Louisiana came together recently at the 2009 State 4-H and FFA Horse Show to compete and exhibit their horsemanship skills and equine knowledge in a wide range of events. This year St. Helena Parish 4-H'ers did really well.

Education can be a fun-filled experience. This is what some St. Helena 4-H'ers discovered at Marsh Maneuvers camp.

The bugs of August 2009 include: Ensign wasps, Armyworms, Red-headed azalea caterpillars, Lantana lace bug, Asian hackberry aphid, Rose borer, Grape leaf skeletonizer.

(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.

Provides list of members and links to meeting minutes for the St, Helena Parish 4-H Foundation Advisory Council.

Y.E.S. is an organized after-school program that incorporates education and fun. Click here to learn more about this program.

Learning how to show poultry can be fun. Check out this link.

Questions often are asked about biting pests in swimming pools. The two most common problem insects are the water boatman and backswimmers. Here are some possible solutions to these problem pests.

(Distributed 07/20/09) BATON ROUGE, La. – Three loan and grant programs are assisting farmers and agribusinesses affected by hurricanes Gustav and Ike and aquaculture producers facing high feed costs.

(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.

All Louisiana 4-H members are invited to participate in the upcoming 4-H Honey Bee Essay Contest sponsored by the Louisiana Beekeepers Association and the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc.

This newsletter provides current information and updates on issues and laws relating to hunting, fishing and boating sports and their industries.

The Louisiana Farm Record Book is designed to provide a farmer with an organized system for keeping vital records. Its 72 pages provide space for recording farm income and expenses, as well as data on loans, open accounts, land use and crops planted. It also provides a means of producing an income statement, evaluating cash flow, analyzing farm enterprises and more. Cost: $12 + tax (free shipping). Order a printed copy through our online store by using the Order Publication button below.

(Distributed 07/07/09) The transition to middle school occurs at a time when children are transitioning to adolescence. The preteen years can be stressful for children as their bodies prepare for puberty.

(Distributed 07/07/09) A child might be facing the unknown when starting kindergarten, but parents need to prepare as well. They are faced with many responsibilities.

(Distributed 07/07/09) For most high school graduates, high school brings back fond memories. Starting high school, however, can be an overwhelming experience.

(Distributed 07/08/09) As the first day of kindergarten approaches, many parents find themselves anxious about how their children will adjust.

Working with wood is a special gift for this 4-H'er.

A series of lessons designed to provide teaching activities that are fun as well as educational

The Horticulture Update includes gardening information from Dr. Allen Owings, Professor of Horticulture at LSU, and web links to related articles by Dan Gill, Associate Professor of Consumer Horticulture.

A low level of worms in goats is a normal part of the animal’s ecosystem; however, excessive worms cause disease. This article is an introduction to the use of management practices as the first line of defense against worms in sheep and goats.

Students from St. Helena Parish competed with hundreds of other 4-H'ers from across the state in several events at 4-H University June 23-25. Read about it in the attached article.

According to new data released by USDA's Agriculture Census, organic food sales have tripled since 2002. This guide discusses assistance programs available to Louisiana farmers who are certified organic producers or are transitioning to organic farming.

Insects of the month for June 2009.

(Distributed 06/02/09) Power outages often accompany summer storms, but there are steps you can take before a storm to give the food in your refrigerator or freezer a little more time. “After a disaster, electrical power may be disrupted for hours, sometimes days,” says LSU AgCenter nutritionist and food safety expert Dr. Beth Reames. “There are things you can do to prepare for an outage which may extend the life of foods in your refrigerator or freezer.”

(Distributed 05/28/09) Food is a necessity for life, and as a result, a three-day emergency food supply is something you hear a lot about when hurricane season approaches. But just what is a three-day emergency food supply? LSU AgCenter nutritionist and food safety specialist Dr. Beth Reames says it involves more than just the food.

(Distributed 05/29/09) Regularly checking the trees in your yard for damage, disease and other indications of danger is important, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter. They say the beginning of hurricane season can serve as a good reminder to do it now.

(For Release On Or After 06/26/09) When I’m asked about what should be done in the garden this time of year, I generally reply, “As little as possible.” The period from late June to mid-September is the most stressful time of the year for gardeners and their plants.

(Distributed 06/22/09) The LSU AgCenter is offering a series of educational programs across the state, beginning July 21, to help people get into the agritourism business. Agritourism is a business venture on a working farm, ranch or agricultural enterprise that offers educational and fun experiences for visitors while generating supplemental income for the owner, according to Dora Ann Hatch, LSU AgCenter community rural development agent.

Provides list of members and links to meeting minutes for the 4-H Livestock Advisory Council.

This publication provides yield performances of various warm-season forage crops grown in Louisiana.

(Distributed 04/09/09) Want to know why bugs rule or help kids learn where their food actually comes from? Or how about exploring the inside of the brain? All that and more are possible during AgMagic, the LSU AgCenter’s fun, interactive and educational journey through Louisiana agriculture and much more April 20-26 at Parker Coliseum on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.

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

(Distributed 05/05/09) SHREVEPORT, La. – The LSU AgCenter can help people with managing their ponds, Dr. Greg Lutz, an AgCenter aquaculture specialists, said April 27 at the AgCenter’s Red River Research Station.

Bugs of the month

A quarterly newsletter from the Horticulture Division of the LSU AgCenter's School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences.

(Distributed 04/21/09) What does it take to become a more effective leader for agriculture? Many of the answers to that question are part of the LSU AgCenter’s Agricultural Leadership Development Program. Applications for potential participants in the program are available for its 12th class, which will begin the two-year program of study in January 2010.

Insects for March: Buck moths, Eastern tent caterpillars, Forest tent caterpillars, Tussock moths, Varied carpet beetles, Mites, White flies, Scales.

This book gives an accounting of the value of agriculture in Louisiana. It focuses on the animal, forestry, fisheries, plant and wildlife commodities that comprise our vital agricultural industry. This industry continues to contribute significantly to the state’s economy and has the potential for increased contributions through value-added processing.

A monthly fisheries newsletter from the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant.

(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 03/12/09) Louisiana’s wetlands face a crisis, and the youth of the state need to understand this so they can do something about it. That’s the philosophy behind the third annual Youth Wetlands Week, April 20-24, sponsored by the LSU AgCenter, with funding help from the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.

(Distributed 11/26/08) Donations from across the state are beginning to make their way to the St. Helena Parish High School where students are in makeshift classrooms following a Nov. 3 fire that destroyed their school.

(Distributed 03/03/09) The LSU AgCenter’s AgMagic, an event focused on helping young people have fun while also learning about the role of agriculture in their daily lives, will be presented April 20-26 at Parker Coliseum in Baton Rouge.

Bugs of February

The 28th Co-op Leadership Conference will be held April 3-5, 2009, at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center. This combined effort of the LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Council of Farmer Cooperatives provides a hands-on opportunity for our youth to learn about the cooperative process of business by creating and managing their own co-op while having a great time at camp. The application form, a flier about the conference and the required health forms are attached.

This is a link to quick facts about St. Helena Parish.

(For Release On Or After 02/06/09) February is a great time to plant hardy fruit trees, bushes or vines in your landscape. Local nurseries should have an excellent selection of these plants newly arrived for planting in late winter and early spring.

Announcement for the winner of the Florida Parishes 4-H Ruger Rifle Raffle.

To our Louisiana Vegetable Planting Guide, please add these new possibilities for 2009.

Quarterly reports of forestry and wildlife management information for 2009 provided by Ricky L. Kilpatrick, area agent in forestry.

(Distributed 1/23/09) With nutrition-related diseases like obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer on the rise, the LSU AgCenter is developing ways to improve the eating habits of food stamp recipients.

(Distributed 01/21/09) Nearly every speaker at the Ag Expo Forestry Forum sponsored by the LSU AgCenter Jan. 17 said youth are important to forestry.

(Distributed 1/22/09) Youth from across Louisiana are preparing to compete in the 74th annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show next month at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

Bugs to watch for in December

Bugs for January.

(Distributed 12/01/08) The Louisiana 4-H Educational Awards Trip is one that 4-H members across the state look forward to. In addition to receiving awards, winners are treated to meals and tours in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

The goal of the 4-H Shooting Sports Program is youth development. Through participation in firearm safety training and shooting sports activities, young men and women are given the opportunity to learn responsibility, sportsmanship, self-discipline and other qualities critical to the development of productive citizens. This handbook deals with 4-H Shooting Sports only.

Designation of over a million acres of bottomland and upland hardwood forests with a diverse species of plants has been proposed as critical habitat for the conservation and protection of the Louisiana black bear.

Controlling and trapping moles require a little time and patience. Your success with controlling moles depends on locating active runways and the proper placement of a trap.

(Distributed 10/01/08) Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) is Louisiana’s state tree, and it is one of our featured trees at LaHouse on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. As one of our most distinguished native trees, it is one of the top five tree species planted in Louisiana landscapes.

Toddlers bite because it is a natural part of their growth and development. This article will look at some strategies parents and caregivers alike can implement to prevent biting behavior.

(Distributed 08/18/08) Louisiana’s oldest living 4-H’er, Elaine Marchand Edmonston, and the Louisiana 4-H organization have some notable things in common.

Importance of Soil Fertility, Method for Proper Soil Sampling, Interpreting Soil Tests, Adjusting pH, Available Forms of Lime, Available Forms of Sulphur, Applying Fertilizer and Examples of Applications included.

Use this guide to plant a successful vegetable garden. The information has been developed after considerable research and practical experience.

This newsletter is intended for Louisiana’s non-industrial private forest landowners. It provides them with educational information, current policy analysis, economic trends and upcoming events related to forestry education programs.

Proper identification is the key to successful disease management. This fact sheet is intended to aid in the identification and management of the disease known as southern blight. (PDF Format Only)

Hunters and land managers are always seeking new and more innovative ways to improve the quality and attractiveness of their hunting areas. “What should I plant to attract and hold deer on my hunting area?" Find your answers in this publication.

(Distributed 07/02/08) The No. 1 yard tree problem in Shreveport-Bossier is construction damage, according to Ricky Kilpatrick, LSU AgCenter area forestry agent.

4-H’ers are under the supervision of all Extension personnel and other adults helping with the event. Each club member will be expected to participate fully in all programs and uphold exemplary standards of behavior.

A farm pond or recreational pond can serve many purposes. This publication reviews planning considerations and management recommendations relating to a number of potential uses for small ponds in Louisiana.

(Distributed 06/17/08) The LSU AgCenter has conducted a considerable amount of evaluation research on crape myrtles over the last 10-plus years, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings. “Probably 40-50 varieties are worthy of being grown and sold in Louisiana,” Owing says.

(Distributed 02/22/08) Mulching is one of the most important tasks for a successful landscape. Ornamental plants benefit greatly from it. Mulching should be part of garden maintenance at least twice a year, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings.

An LSU AgCenter and Southern University Ag Center Community Nutrition Programs newsletter.

Smart snacking is a great way to meet daily nutrient requirements that may be missd at mealtimes. Use these quick and nutritious snack ideas to add nutrients to your diet without adding too many calories.

This manual is a study guide for preparing to take the Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Exam. This manual satisfies the basic applicator training requirements of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Louisiana Pesticide Laws and Regulations. Cost: $15 plus tax (free shipping). You can order this book through our online store by using the Order Publication link below.

(Distributed 06/26/06) One part of a safe and happy 4th of July celebration is ensuring your food is safe to eat, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.