(Distributed 02/26/07) March 27 is American Diabetes Alert Day, an annual, one-day call to action for people to find out if they are at risk for diabetes. The Risk Test is an easy way to find out if you are at risk for diabetes. The test is available from the American Diabetes Association online at www.diabetes.org or by calling 1 888 DIABETES.

(Distributed 02/26/07) Consumers are encouraged to go "100% Fad Free" during March Nutrition Month, sponsored by the American Dietetic Association. This year’s theme reinforces the importance of nutrition as a key component of good health along with physical activity, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 02/23/07) Gov. Kathleen Blanco and several area officials joined a Massachusetts company in a groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremony recently (Feb. 16) for two facilities that will use agricultural wastes to make ethanol.

Photos from 2007 LSU AgCenter Livestock Show, including grand champion winners in these categories: Steers, Lambs, Goats, Hogs and Broilers.

(Distributed 02/16/07) Over the last 10 years, a new revolution in herbaceous annual and perennial plants for landscape use have been developed, released and extensively marketed, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings.

(Distributed 02/16/07) Gardening enthusiasts have always enjoyed hearing about and raising All-America Rose Selections, All-America Selections (which include bedding plants, flowers and vegetables) and other award-winning landscape plants each year. One of the newer groups of winning plants is the All-American daylilies.

(Distributed 02/16/07) Spring garden shows are set for Hammond, Covington, Baton Rouge and New Orleans in March and April.

(Distributed 02/16/07) It’s not impossible to grow grass in the shade, but it does take a willingness to change one’s mindset. That’s the prescription from LSU AgCenter Northwest Region horticulture agent Denyse Cummins.

(Distributed 02/16/07) Poison ivy is a year-round problem in Louisiana. It gets us in the spring and summer when it’s out in full glory but also in the winter when we spend so much outside once the days cool off.

(Distributed 02/16/07) Our warm-season lawn grasses are now showing spring re-growth across much of the state, but LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske warns against rushing out and applying fertilizers that will cause too much growth.