(For Release On Or After 11/14/2003) Fresh, ripe strawberries are a favorite with just about everybody, and now is a great time to plant them into your garden so they’ll be ready next spring.

(Distributed 10/24/2003) Every year some 500 Americans die suddenly in their homes from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. A little knowledge about the gas and taking some simple precautions can help reduce the chances of a dangerous situation happening in your home, says LSU AgCenter housing professor Dr. Claudette Reichel.

(Distributed 10/24/2003) With fall comes yard and garden cleanup – especially leaves. For many homeowners, a leaf blower can be an efficient and effective grounds maintenance tool, according to Dr. Dick Parish, an engineer at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station.

(Distributed 10/24/2003) Diabetes is a serious, chronic – lifelong – and incurable disease. Because there is no cure, people with diabetes must learn to manage the disease and take care of themselves properly, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 10/24/2003) A recent study revealed that fat, energy, sodium and saturated fat intake were higher, and vitamin A and C intakes were lower, on days when diners ate fast foods. "The increased consumption of fast food and the increased energy and fat intakes may be related to increasing problems with overweight and obesity seen today," says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

(Distributed 10/24/2003) Thousands of Louisianians enjoy hunting this time of year. Most hunt safely, but chances are that if an accident happens, it’s because someone ignored safety rules, says LSU AgCenter hunter safety expert Dr. Don Reed.

(Distributed 10/24/2003) In many neighborhoods, the roar of lawnmowers has been joined by the howl of leaf blowers. "The primary complaint with leaf blowers is noise," says Dr. Dick Parish, an engineer at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station.

(Distributed 10/24/2003) LSU AgCenter 4-H Foundation Executive Director Johnny Arceneaux announces the installation of eight new foundation youth trustees and four adult trustees. The Louisiana 4-H Foundation inducted the new personnel at its September 9th board meeting.

(Distributed 10/24/2003) Three Regional 4-H/FFA Beef Leadership Camps successfully trained more than 300 participants in the Junior Beef projects, Character Counts and Leadership development, according to LSU AgCenter 4-H Animal Science professor Dr. Terry Dumas.

(Distributed 10/24/2003) You can trim and edge mechanically with a string trimmer or edger or chemically with a non-selective herbicide. Dr Dick Parish, an engineer at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station, says each method has advantages and disadvantages.