(Distributed 10/24/2003) As American families and friends gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, cooks head to the kitchen to prepare bountiful meals. One item not on the grocery list, but that should be in the kitchen, is food safety, says 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) Flowering kale and cabbage are becoming increasingly popular as fall bedding plants for Louisiana. An alternative to garden mums and pansies, these plants have feathery leaves of robust colors that make them well suited for landscape and container plantings, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings.

(Distributed 10/24/2003) One of South Louisiana’s favorite holiday dishes is deep-fried whole turkey. For a great-tasting bird, LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames offers food safety and nutrition tips.

(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.

(Distributed 10/24/2003) Digging ditches and trenches is a fairly common but nevertheless unpleasant do-it-yourself job. All of the do-it-yourself methods involve hard work, but some are not as hard as others, according to Dr. Dick Parish, an engineer at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station.