(Distributed 08/28/08) If you're planning to tailgate this football season, a strong defense is your best protection against foodborne illness, says LSU AgCenter food safety “coach” Dr. Beth Reames. Microorganisms that cause foodborne illness are all around and, given the right conditions, can grow in foods and make us sick.

(Distributed 08/27/08) A commonly asked question LSU AgCenter extension agents face every year is, “Why is my neighbor’s yard greener?” The answer can be simple or quite complex, depending on what's wrong. “If there are many issues interacting, sometimes it's just better to kill it all off and start all over,” said Tom Koske, LSU AgCenter turfgrass specialist.

(Distributed 08/27/08) The LSU AgCenter has a wealth of information on preparing for hurricanes and other storms as well as what to do in the aftermath of a storm.

(Distributed 08/27/08) If you don't know your cholesterol number, now is a good time to get your blood cholesterol checked and take steps to lower it if it is high, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. September is National Cholesterol Education Month.

(Distributed 08/27/08) An insecticide will be available soon for homeowners to use to treat their citrus trees for the Asian citrus psyllid, according to Alan Vaughn, LSU AgCenter extension agent in Plaquemines Parish. “We’ve been told a product called Merit 2F will be available in a few weeks. Homeowners should be able to obtain it from their local garden centers.”

(Distributed 08/27/08) ALEXANDRIA – Corn with improved resistance to aflatoxin and soybeans that won’t lose quality from Louisiana’s heavy rains are two of the crop breeding goals of an LSU AgCenter researcher at the Dean Lee Research and Extension Station in Alexandria. And Dr. Steve Moore is making progress on both fronts, which was good news for the 150 farmers and agricultural industry representatives gathered for a field day there on Aug. 21.

(Distributed 08/26/08) Bobby H. Fletcher Jr. has been named assistant director of the LSU AgCenter’s Extension Service.

(Distributed 08/26/08) 4–H and FFA goat exhibitors from across Louisiana took part in the second 4-H goat educational trip in Louisiana and Mississippi Aug. 3-8.

(Distributed 08/26/08) Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, with outdoor grilling a popular way to celebrate the occasion. Cookouts require extra care to prevent foodborne illness, and LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames offers several extra-care steps.

(Distributed 08/26/08) Note: LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker was among the thousands of victims of a recent massive cyber theft of Louisiana and Mississippi restaurant databases. Here is her story and the actions she took.