(Distributed 12/11/2003) Sweet potatoes or yams are extremely versatile. They can be decorative, but they also are nutritious and offer many health benefits to consumers.

(Distributed 12/19/2003) OAK GROVE – Youth from Northeast Louisiana are learning what it means to build a safer community with the help of the LSU AgCenter, the National Crime Prevention Council and the Teens, Crime and Community Organization.

(Distributed 12/01/03) The votes have been tallied, and the public has spoken – or at least they’ve responded to a survey to say the state of Louisiana should buy Elmer’s Island and keep it relatively primitive.

(Distributed 12/04/03) The LSU AgCenter is among the recipients of a $1.57 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation that will fund a five-year research and educational program on obesity to benefit children living in the Delta Region of Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas.

(Distributed 12/03/03) Outbreaks of foodborne diseases caused by fresh fruits and vegetables, such as the recent case of hepatitis A-contaminated green onions, are relatively rare in the United States.

(Distributed 12/23/2003) Registration is under way for the 2004 AgOutlook Conference Jan. 15 in Monroe.The conference, which will precede the opening of AgExpo 2004 in Monroe, will give Louisiana farmers and agribusiness leaders an opportunity to continue discussing issues facing agriculture and working toward solutions to the problems they face.

(Distributed 12/22/2003) POLLOCK – Several underprivileged Louisiana youth will be able to attend the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H Camp this summer as a result of a donation from two inmate organizations from the Dabadie Correctional Center in Pineville.

(Distributed 12/12/2003) ALEXANDRIA – Producers from across the state gathered here last week to learn about more efficient ways to produce, use and store quality forage on their farms.

(Distributed 12/12/2003) BATON ROUGE – The LSU AgCenter honored four individuals and a team of research faculty members with its top awards during ceremonies Monday (Dec. 15) on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 12/12/2003) The LSU AgCenter recently launched a diabetes education program in Lafourche Parish that will be taken statewide next year.

(Distributed 12/12/2003) A new piece of federal legislation should improve the quality and accuracy of credit information, provide more protection for consumers and improve access to financial services, according to an LSU AgCenter family economist.

(Distributed 12/12/2003) Two new seed treatments offer significant potential for corn producers, according to LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Jack Baldwin.

(Distributed 12/11/2003) Family and Consumer Education volunteers play a vital role in the mission of the LSU AgCenter across the state.

(Distributed 12/11/2003) A new ropes course at the LSU AgCenter’s Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center in Pollock can help group members and individuals learn about team-building and trust, as well as build self-esteem.

(Distributed 12/11/03) The 2004 Louisiana Corn Forum is scheduled for Jan. 23 at the Rayville Civic Center in Rayville.

(Distributed 12/11/03) After a semester of painstaking effort to prepare museum-quality displays of Louisiana insects, LSU entomology students generally have faced a disheartening finale – when their collections end up in the trash bin.

(Distributed 12/10/2003) Soldiers with the National Guard's 528th Engineering Battalion Company C were deploying for Afghanistan Wednesday (Dec. 10). But before they left, members of the LSU AgCenter's 4-H Clubs in West Carroll Parish helped give them a hearty send-off.

(Distributed 12/10/2003) The president of Character Counts! met recently with officials of the LSU AgCenter and others to discuss the success of the nationally known character education program in Louisiana.

(Distributed 12/10/2003) The LSU AgCenter’s cookbook "Serving Louisiana" has sold more than 10,000 copies and is in its second printing.

(Distributed 12/10/2003) It’s the time of year when corn producers start making decisions about the seed they’ll use for next year’s crop, and LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Jack Baldwin says Louisiana farmers should consider variety selection as one part of their plans to manage corn borers.

(Distributed 12/10/2003) The fall harvest season is near its end for this year, but farm safety still needs to be on the minds of farmers and farm workers, according to agents and specialists with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distribute 12/05/2003) The LSU AgCenter and LSU’s Earl K. Long Hospital have joined forces to help those whose health is at risk because of poor nutrition.

(Distributed 12/05/2003) Delia "Dede" Nunez of Cameron has been named one of six national outstanding adult volunteer leaders in 4-H wildlife and fisheries projects.

(Distributed 12/05/03) Eight 4-H’ers recently represented Louisiana at the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, Ky., and several came home with national honors.

(Distributed 12/04/03) Louisiana foresters will have the chance to participate in a series of classes along with others from across the South beginning Feb. 3.