Events

LSU AgCenter recognizes award winners

The LSU AgCenter recognized six individuals, three teams of faculty members and two staff members for outstanding service and exemplary performance of their duties during ceremonies Dec. 14.

The Tipton Team Research Award recipient was the LSU AgCenter’s team of plant pathologists and plant breeders who worked together to create the Asian soybean rust action team. The team includes plant pathologists Dr. Patrick Colyer and Dr. Blair Buckley from the Northwest region of the AgCenter.

The team has been instrumental in assessing fungicides and times of application and turning what could potentially be a devastating plant disease into one easily managed by growers. Researchers and soybean farmers across the country have benefitted from the team’s efforts.

Buckley attends 2009 National Soybean Rust Symposium

Dr. Blair Buckley attended the National Soybean Rust Symposium in New Orleans Dec. 9-11.

The annual symposium highlights research and extension efforts to understand, monitor and control Asian soybean rust. The meeting was attended by researchers, extension specialists and state and national soybean promotion board members from throughout the United States, as well as scientists from Canada and Brazil.

Information was presented on the latest advances in monitoring the presence and movement of the rust pathogen, fungicide control of the disease and genetic and breeding efforts to identify and incorporate resistance into new soybean varieties.

Asian soybean rust was not present in the U.S. until 2005 when it was discovered in Louisiana by AgCenter plant pathologist Dr. Raymond Schneider. It is believed that the pathogen was carried to the U.S. by Hurricane Ivan.

Chefs in the Kitchen offered in Caddo

Youth will learn about choosing healthy foods, utilizing MyPyramid, food safety, physical fitness, hand washing, safety in the kitchen, manners and etiquette, reading food labels and preparing dishes at Chefs in the Kitchen.

Youth ages 11 to 18 can sign up for the event to be held at the Caddo Parish Extension Office Thursdays, Jan. 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11 and 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Cost is $20 per child.

Registration is limited to 20 youth and is open until Jan. 11. Call 226-6805 to reserve a spot.

EFNEP moves

The Caddo-Bossier EFNEP office has moved to a new location at Bethune Elementary, 4331 Henry Street, Room A18, Shreveport, La. 71109.

4-H

4-H achievement winners honored

Eleven 4-H members and one adult volunteer were honored at the Louisiana 4-H Educational Awards Trip banquet at LSU’s Lod Cook Conference Center Nov. 24.

Among the winners was Alex Sauer of Bossier Parish.

Each of the young people submitted a portfolio of three projects they have focused on, along with their leadership and service records. Then, a panel of judges chose 11 winners from 67 entries.

As part of their three-day educational trip to south Louisiana, the 4-H’ers toured various sites in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Webster holds wrapping race

Webster 4-H Junior Leaders Derek Rice, Keith Taylor, Kei'Ayra Martin and Tan Williams won a "wrapping race" against other Junior Leader teams before Christmas.

Each team of four had to use limited supplies, strategy, cooperation and lots of teamwork to wrap three Christmas gifts.

It was a close race, and the teens learned the importance of each member taking responsibility and doing their part for the whole. This activity, along with other hands-on Christmas-related games, was conducted by 4-H agent Lisa Holmes at the December Junior Leader meeting, continuing the parish educational focus on leadership.

Red River Parish Celebrate Girls Club makes gifts

During the December monthly meeting of the Celebrate Girls Club, members had an enjoyable time making gifts for the Red River Parish School Board and Green Meadow Haven Nursing Home.

Girls decorated a Christmas wreath in red poinsettias to give to the School Board. Agent Cindy Smith presented the wreath to Superintendent Kay Easley on behalf of the girls.

Green Meadow Haven Nursing Home received a gingerbread house made and decorated by the girls. Club members had fun with icing the house and decorating it. The club members also decorated gingerbread cookie ornaments that were hung in the LSU AgCenter office in Red River Parish.

Red River Parish Junior Leaders wrap gifts

The Red River Parish Junior Leaders met for their December meeting at the Red River Parish Parent Center to help wrap gifts.

The Parent Center had a wish list for children’s gifts. This project is sponsored by the Parent Center each year.

The Junior Leaders sponsored a child this year. During the club meeting they wrapped 100 gifts that had been donated.

Gifts were delivered by the Parent Center employees to the children’s parents so they could receive them Christmas morning.

Red River Elementary 4-H clubs collect canned goods

During the months before the holiday season, the Red River Elementary 4-H clubs decided to collect canned goods for Red River Parish.

On Dec. 17, 4-H Agent Cindy Smith received the canned goods and delivered them to the Red River Council on Aging.

Red River Parish Livestock Quiz Bowl team takes second place

This year at the Louisiana State Fair, Red River Parish was represented for the first time by a Livestock Quiz Bowl team and won second place.

The competition covered the areas of beef, dairy, goats, swine and sheep. The members of the team were Carmen Latiolais, Yancy LeGrande, Michael Arnold, Lathan Keith, Madison Lewing and Darrell McLemore.

4-H shotgun shooters travel to Lake Charles

Several Red River Parish 4-H'ers and one Natchitoches Parish 4-H’er recently attended the Crying Eagle 4-H Invitational Shoot.

They participated in the modified trap division shooting 50 targets. Those attending were Michael Arnold, Natalie Webb, Garrett Anderson, Brent Trichel and Gene Durr, coach/instructor. Arnold placed sixth.

Farm Bureau presents check to Red River Parish livestock supporters

The Red River Parish Farm Bureau presented a $500 check to the Red River Parish livestock supporters to purchase show shirts for all the livestock exhibitors.

The exhibitors will wear their shirts during competitions locally and statewide.

Red River Parish livestock exhibitors presented jackets

Rowdy Burleson, Yancy LeGrande and Carmen Latiolais were presented a jacket from the Red River Parish Livestock Supporters on Nov. 30 at the annual Livestock Supporters Supper.

In order to receive his jacket, each exhibitor had to show for two consecutive years and show at two major shows. Rowdy has been showing market broilers and commercial heifers, Yancy has been showing commercial heifers and Carmen has been showing market goats and breeding goats.

Employees

Golden accepts agronomy position

Bobby Golden will assume the agronomy position at the Red River Research Station on Jan. 15.

Debra Jo Hailey is the new nutrition educator in Natchitoches Parish and is working in the parenting program.

Calendar