(Distributed 12/22/08) BATON ROUGE – The LSU AgCenter and the Southern University Ag Center recognized nine individuals and three teams of faculty members for outstanding service in 2008 during the centers’ joint annual conference Dec. 15.

(Distributed 12/19/08) A wise New Year’s resolution for parents is to talk more to their young children by reading aloud to them, according to LSU AgCenter family and child development expert Dr. Rebecca White.

(Distributed 12/18/08) Yes, Virginia, they do exist – the holiday blues, that is. How can you feel blue with all the glitz of decorations, party invitations, cheerful TV ads and so on? LSU AgCenter family sciences professor Dr. Diane Sasser says feeling blue is common, but it doesn’t have to be.

(Distributed 12/18/08) Are you or members of your family homebound for the holidays? Many families are limited to their homes, hospitals rooms or nursing homes this year.

(Distributed 12/18/08) Perennials are plants that live for three years or more and often require two years or more from seed to flower. Technically, trees, shrubs and lawn grasses are all perennials, but gardeners use the term perennial as an abbreviation for “hardy, herbaceous perennial” – a group of nonwoody plants that reliably survive winter cold and grown for their attractive flowers or foliage.

(Distributed 12/18/08) Knowing what nutrients are in your soil and what nutrients are needed is a basic step towards good plant health. Soil nutrient balance must be managed for best plant growth, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

(Distributed 12/15/08) Although the exact costs aren’t in yet, the unexpected snowfall on Dec. 11 caused more damage to Louisiana’s commercial ornamental horticulture industry than hurricanes Gustav and Ike. “Wholesale growers in the Forest Hill area and the Florida parishes saw the most damage, and these areas represent the two major nursery production areas in the state,” said Allen Owings, LSU AgCenter horticulture specialist at the Hammond Research Station.

(TV News 12/15/08) Sweet satsumas and juicy navel oranges are a winter staple in Louisiana. Consumers can find Louisiana citrus fruit this month. Quantities may be lower than producers expected, but quality is just right. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Distributed 12/12/08) U.S. rice industry leaders met recently for the USA Rice Federation Outlook Conference with one eye on the economy and the other peering at the prospects for the 2009 crop.

(Distributed 12/12/08) Photographers have the chance to contribute their work to the LSU AgCenter’s popular Get It Growing Lawn and Garden Calendar. Although 2009 is just about to begin, preparations for the 2010 Get It Growing calendar are under way, and the LSU AgCenter is once again offering photographers an opportunity to participate in the competition that selects photos for the upcoming edition.