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

Highlights of activities and programs presented by the St. Helena Extension office, funding and facts about the parish are given in this report to St. Helena Parish stakeholders.

The 2011 Commodity Cookery Contest for the youth of St. Helena Parish will take place on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011. Information and forms can be found here.

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.

A publication from the National 4-H Council intended for use as an additional resource by adults volunteering as leaders in the ATV safety portion of the 4-H Outdoor Skills program.

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

The Greater Turner Chapel A.M.E. Church, the LSU AgCenter and SU Ag Center held its second annual Health Fair in Greensburg, Louisiana

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

4-H'ers in St. Helena Parish enjoy a variety of programs throughout the year including: 4-H club meetings, cloverbuds, Character Critters, Reading to the HEART, outdoor skills, livestock and horse shows, gardening projects, 4-H Day at the Capitol, 4-H University, Youth Wetlands Week, fundraisers, Ag Awareness, and Achievement Day.

Youth received the basics in cooking at a cooking camp held July 26-28, 2011.

A group of 4-H'ers participated in the events at 4-H University in Baton Rouge from June 21 - 24, 2011.

A group of students enrolled in Southern University's Youth Educational Support program recently visited the LIGO facility in Livingston Parish.

The purpose of this publication is to document what is deemed as accepted and approved planting, management and harvest procedures for a variety of species planted in Louisiana for wildlife management purposes by LSU AgCenter personnel. In all cases, the greatest possible window of opportunity has been provided as to planting dates, planting practices and other management activities as they relate to overall management. (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. (PDF Format Only)

Youth from St. Helena Parish had fun and learned to be more self-sufficient while at Grant Walker Educational Center in Pollock, Louisiana.

(Distributed 06/16/11) Louisiana beef producers overwhelmingly voted to continue a 50-cents-per-head assessment on all cattle marketed in Louisiana for the next five years, according to LSU AgCenter officials.

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

St. Helena Parish 4-H'ers visited the Louisiana State Capitol and learned about the legislative process.

Youth competed in several areas at the St. Helena parish 4-H Achievement Day.

From April 25 - 27, 2011, 4-H'ers from St. Helena Parish enjoyed outdoor activities at Tickfaw State Park.

Students at the St. Helena Central Elementary School participated in activities to promote having a healthy lifestyle.

Youth from St. Helena Parish schools enjoyed learning about food and fiber products at LSU AgCenter's AgMagic in Baton Rouge.

St. Helena Parish 4-H'ers who will be in 7th or 8th grade in May 2011 are encouraged to attend LOST Camp at Camp Grant Walker. This article and flyer explain the purpose of camp and provide detailed information.

Ambassadors of the Louisiana State 4-H Shooting Sports program created this newsletter to highlight Louisiana 4-H Shooting Sports activities.

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.

Leadership, communicarion, service learning and time management are skills St. Helena 4-H'ers practiced at the 2011 4-H Junior Leadership Conference described in this article.

This is a brief article on ATV safety, which will be the focus of the February, March and April 4-H meetings in St. Helena Parish.

Minutes from the Florida Parishes 4-H Outdoor Skills Advisory Board meetings are included here.

Obesity in youth has become a national concern. LSU AgCenter staff in St. Helena Parish and organizations in the community will work together to address issues relating to childhood obesity with funds from a grant from the Louisiana 4-H Foundation.

The basic process of planting Irish potatoes is discussed in this article.

Many home growers in St. Helena Parish want tomatoes, but they do not want to plant large gardens to get them. Growing tomatoes in containers is discussed in the linked article.

St. Helena Parish 4th graders delivered food and cheer to those in need during the 2010 holidays as a Service Learning project.

Proper handling of game meat or fish from the field or stream to the table is extremely important. This publication contains guidelines and hints to help you make sure the food you are consuming is handled and prepared safely.

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

2011-2012 Recommendations. One of the most important decisions a forage producer must make is which variety or varieties to plant. To help farmers make logical choices among crops and varieties, the LSU AgCenter conducts variety trials and makes recommendations each year. Suggested varieties, seeding rates, planting depths and seeding dates are included. (PDF Format Only)

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.

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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

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. (PDF Format Only)

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)

(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.

(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.

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. (PDF Format Only)