FCS agents Deborah Cross and Monica Olinde are pleased to present ithe Gumbo Net newsletter.This newsletter provides vital information for parents of preschool children.

Be an educated home buyer. Learn the steps needed to save your money and to protect your interests. You'll learn how to select the right home, deal with home buying professionals, manage your money, choose the right mortgage for you, and to protect your investment

Through non-formal, research based, experiential educational activities, 4-H members gain knowledge, leadership, and life skills enabling them to become positive, productive, capable and compassionate members of their communities. For more information read article.

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

Planting a tree seems to be like an easy task but there is a process involved from start to finish. To give your tree a good chance for success, follow these guidelines to help make planting your tree as easy as one – two –three!

What makes a successful container garden? A combination of high quality potting soil, proper irrigation and aeration are keys to producing a flourishing container garden. For more tips on container gardening essentials read our article.

Involving people in program development is a fundamental philosophical tenet of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service (LCES). This ensures that extension programs are based on local and state needs and issues. The Extension Advisory Leadership System (ALS) is the mechanism that provides for stakeholder involvement in assuring educational programs conducted by the LCES are in keeping with the mission, vision and goals of the organization and are effective in meeting the needs of clients.

On March 21, 2009, 4-H’ers from Iberville, West Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes gathered in Port Allen to become certified as camp counselors.

On Saturday March 28,2009, Iberville 4-H members gathered with LSU AgCenter agent Ashly Pitre to master skills needed to babysit.

Deborah Cross, family and consumer science agent in Iberville Parish, works closely with neighboring extension agents to enhance the lives of individuals and families. Layne Langley, Monica Olinde and Deborah Cross strive to strengthen communities while shaping the future of Louisiana through educational outreach. See the attached file for more details on this tri-parish LSU AgCenter effort.