Search
Louisiana Agriculture Magazine Spring 2026 Issue
Food scientists at the LSU AgCenter regularly study how consumers react to new ingredients, helping agricultural producers find new markets. These scientists also help feed the world’s growing population by finding new uses for underused products. In this issue of Louisiana Agriculture, scientist Witoon Prinyawiwatkul writes about two ways the team has found new uses for catfish pieces that regularly end up in the landfill or as animal feed, embracing the AgCenter mission — Louisiana Solutions, Global Impact.
This issue includes other ways AgCenter researchers and extension personnel help Louisiana. Beef cattle nutrition expert Marcelo Vedovatto explains practical ways one south Louisiana farm raises cattle using fewer outside inputs, and horticulturist Damon Edward Abdi details exciting research into rain gardens. Read more about the AgCenter’s research and education efforts in this issue.
Inside a Regenerative Cattle Operation: The Case of the Choctaw Model Farm
Marcelo Vedovatto and Brittany B. Zaunbrecher
Choctaw Cattle Company serves as a showcase of an efficient cattle operation for students, extension agents, faculty and ranchers. It also hosts farm research projects designed to evaluate practical, science-based management strategies for small- and medium-sized beef operations.
Studying Consumer Preferences for Underused Catfish Products
Witoon Prinyawiwatkul, Silvia Murillo, Ryan Ardoin and Evelyn Watts
Converting seafood byproducts, such as bones and skin, into human food rather than waste or animal feed can contribute to an increasingly circular and sustainable food supply where natural resources are fully exploited. AgCenter food scientists tested how consumers reacted to two uses of underused catfish products.
Runoff to Rain Gardens: Engineering Environmental Infrastructure for the Louisiana Landscape
Damon Edward Abdi
Ongoing research at the LSU AgCenter is developing solutions to soak up stormwater with style. Green infrastructure features such as rain gardens offer both engineering and aesthetics to support sustainable landscapes.
Interactive Training Brings Food Safety to Life for Food Processors Nationwide
Shannon M. Coleman, Amanda J. Kinchla, Matheus Cezarotto, Ashley Gutierrez, Ruth Torres Castillo, Rachel Boren, Barbara Chamberlin and Adina Arshad
LSU AgCenter experts joined a multistate team to develop the Interactive Tools to Improve the Practice of Food Safety (iTIPS) program, which includes an interactive game and an on-demand, self-paced online curriculum. This collaboration was created to support small food processors and production-level employees nationwide.
Farm to Fork: Implementing the Growing Minds Toolkits with 4-H SPIN Club
Cecilia Stevens
Concordia Parish 4-H agent Paige Pirkey created a Special Interest Club to help 4-H’ers learn about Louisiana commodities and participate in lessons that incorporate agricultural product history and production requirements. The club uses the Growing Minds Toolkit, developed by Seeds to Success: Louisiana Farm to School Program alongside 4-H leadership.
Leadership, Career Readiness and Grit: How Louisiana 4-H Shapes Future Professionals
Meggan Franks, Asia Delasbour, Christina Zito-Hebert, Shelly Kleinpeter, Madeline Smith and Mayar Nickols
A five-year look at Louisiana’s 4-H Honor Cord program shows that teens involved in 4-H graduate with more than memories and awards. They leave with real-world readiness — and grit.
LaHouse Studies Flooding to Educate, Protect Louisianans
Shelly Kleinpeter and Md Adilur Rahim
The LSU AgCenter’s LaHouse Research and Education Center displays research-based practices and approaches to building homes more resilient to wind and flood. With more than 250 exhibits, LaHouse provides homeowners, home building professionals, insurance professionals and policymakers strategies to reduce the risk of wind and flooding on homes.
Louisiana Farm to School Institute Inaugural Cohort Impact Report
Cecilia Stevens and Tyne Bankester
The Louisiana Farm to School Institute is a yearlong professional development program designed to help schools build long-term farm to school practices into their community and culture through initiatives that connect cafeteria, classroom and community.
From Poetry to Pests: An AgCenter Entomologist’s Unlikely Path to Protecting Louisiana Forests
Olivia McClure
Entomologist Todd Johnson focuses on insects that affect forests. An early interest in literature and advice from a poet helped lead him to his area of expertise.
Kyle Peveto
Marcel Vedovatto grew up around dairy cattle and grew to love the ranching life in his native Brazil. Now at the LSU AgCenter Dean Lee Research and Extension Center in central Louisiana, Vedovatto instructs American beef producers to raise strong, healthy cattle.
