(For Release On Or After 02/01/2008) At some point, many gardeners discover there is a much greater selection of annual flowers and vegetables available in seed catalogs than can be found at local nurseries. To grow those wonderful plants, however, you must be able to grow your own transplants from seed.

(For Release On Or After 02/15/08) Most trees are just beginning to enter a growth phase – or they will within a few weeks. Fertilizing this month provides them with nutrients just when they can use them most effectively.

(For Release On Or After 02/22/08) Color is very important to us. We use it everywhere in our surroundings, including in our landscapes and on our bodies.

(For Release On Or After 02/08/2008) Homeowners often are dismayed to find trees that existed on their lots when their houses were build start declining in health or dying a few years after construction. But this tragedy can be avoided if existing trees are properly protected during construction around them.

(Distributed 02/27/08) Learn the basics of athletic field maintenance at an LSU AgCenter workshop to be held at the University of Louisiana-Monroe Malone Stadium on March 20 from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Dr. Buck Bounds, a Master Gardener and retired professor at ULM, will give the introduction.

(Distributed 02/27/08) Master Farmer Phase I training via distance learning will be offered by the LSU AgCenter on March 5-7 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sites available for producers in north Louisiana include the Scott Research and Extension Education Center in Winnsboro, West Carroll Parish Extension Office in Oak Grove, Red River Research Station in Bossier City and the Grant Walker Educational Center in Pollock.

(Distributed 02/25/08) Three LSU AgCenter scientists were honored at by the Rice Technical Working Group. They are Dr. Chuck Rush, professor in the Department of Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology, and Dr. Richard Dunand, retired plant pathologist at the AgCenter’s Rice Research Station in Crowley, with Distinguished Service Awards. Dr. Don Groth, plant pathologist at the Rice Station, received the Distinguished Rice Research and Education Award.

(Distributed 02/21/08) BOSSIER CITY – A capacity crowd of 50 people gathered at the Red River Research Station Feb. 13 to learn about blackberries – the fruit, not the mobile telephone/e-mail device.

(Distributed 02/20/08) The LSU AgCenter and EPA Region VI will conduct a series of three workshops across the state to help local officials and consultants develop storm water management plans and make sure the ones they have will fulfill the requirements of the new storm water permit.

(Distributed 02/20/08) Roll with the Changes is the theme of the 24th annual Ark-La-Tex Forestry Forum to be held Thursday, March 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Airport Financial Plaza in Shreveport.

(Distributed 02/20/08) The LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Equine Council (LEC) are sponsoring the 2nd Annual Louisiana Horse Expo on March 8-9 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

(Distributed 02/19/08) Educational access to underserved areas is increasing with the LSU AgCenter’s participation in the Rural Community College Initiative, educators learned Feb. 12 at a meeting of RCCI updates and recommendations.

(Distributed 02/19/08) Officials with the LSU AgCenter and the Ascension Parish Council have signed an agreement to extend the lease of the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center for the annual statewide 4-H and FFA livestock show for two more years with the option for another two years.

(Distributed 02/18/08) Hundreds of young people from across Louisiana were named state champions during the 73rd Annual LSU AgCenter 4-H and FFA Livestock Show Feb. 9-16 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

(Distributed 02/16/08) Six exceptional Louisiana youths were recognized Saturday (Feb. 16) for their knowledge, skills and communication abilities as they were named winners of the Gerry Lane Premier Exhibitor Awards at the 73rd annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show held at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

(Distributed 02/16/08) Six 4-H and FFA members and a volunteer leader were honored Saturday (Feb. 16) for their outstanding work with youth livestock projects.

(Distributed 02/27/08) The 9th Annual Southwest Louisiana Garden Festival will be held in Lake Charles on March 29-30 at Burton Coliseum at 7001 Gulf Highway.

(Distributed 02/18/08) A groundbreaking new Web site that provides a gateway to Cooperative Extension Service experts from across the country will officially launch this week. Billed as a “next gen Google,” the site dubbed eXtension.org promises to be a gateway to answering all of life’s little questions – from parenting to saving and investing, gardening, controlling fire ants, caring for livestock, running a business and much more.

(Distributed 02/01/08) Hannah Montana gave a breathtaking performance at the Regional Livestock Show in Lafayette recently (Jan. 25). That’s the Santa Gertrudis cow owned by LSU AgCenter 4-H student Brett Broussard of Kaplan – and not the pop-star performer.

(Distributed 02/04/08) Rice farmers are looking forward to the 2008 growing season as prices continue to rise, but the uncertainty of a pending farm bill remains.

(Distributed 02/07/08) How many acres of cotton will be planted in 2008 in Louisiana is anybody’s guess at this point. But no matter how many are planted, farmers can save money by using best management practices for bug control, according to Dr. Ralph Bagwell, LSU AgCenter entomologist.

(Distributed 02/04/08) Ag Adventures, an educational experience in agriculture for fourth graders, attracted 700 students Jan. 28-29 at the Northeast District Livestock Show Barn and Civic Center in Delhi. Showcased were poultry, rice, livestock and horses.

(Distributed 02/01/08) Commercial tomato growers will learn the latest about the greenhouse tomato industry at the 12th annual Tomato Field Day at the Red River Research Station in Bossier City on Feb. 29.

(Distributed 02/08/08) Camellia enthusiasts are invited to “Camellia Morning at Burden,” Feb. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon at LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center in Baton Rouge. The three-hour event will include a slide presentation, a tour and a pruning and propagation demonstration.

(Distributed 02/12/2008) The 2008 Bonne Terre Garden Fair will be held Saturday, May 3, at Southdown Plantation in Houma.

(Distributed 02/27/08) Food and nutrition misinformation can have harmful effects on your health and well-being, as well as your wallet. That’s why the theme for this year’s National Nutrition Month observed in March is "Nutrition: It’s a Matter of Fact."

(Distributed 02/15/08) Louisiana consumers have an average credit score of 672. At 20 points below the national average of 692, Louisiana ranks near the bottom nationally, with 48 states having higher average credit scores, according to the Experian National Score Index.

(Distributed 02/08/08) One of the most powerful ways to increase your financial security and grow wealth over time is to develop a savings habit. Form that habit by “paying yourself first” and saving regularly.