The LSU AgCenter and LSU College of Agriculture have named P. Lynn Kennedy head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness.

Kennedy has served on the faculty of the department for 27 years and is the Crescent City Tigers Alumni Professor for Agricultural Economics.

He replaces Michael Salassi, who is now the AgCenter associate vice president and program leader of animal and plant sciences.

Louisiana wheat farmers are in the midst of their harvest, and despite some adverse weather, yields have been better than expected. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has this report from south central Louisiana.

What’s in a name? For the LSU AgCenter Food Innovation Institute, it is the promise of partnering researchers with entrepreneurs to shape the future of food production, consumption and, as the name suggests, innovation.

A Patrick S. Taylor Best Management Practices Field Day will be held June 24th in Tensas Parish. Dr. Donna Gentry, Coordinator of the Master Farmer Program at the LSU AgCengter says the field day will begin with registration at 8:30 AM at 1651 Highway 888 in Newelton at the Hardwick Farm.

LSU AgCenter researcher Kristen Healy understands the delicate balance of protecting loved ones and pets from the dangers of mosquito-borne illnesses, while also ensuring the safety of the honey bee population, which provides a significant food source through pollination. This was the basis of the May 25 online presentation she conducted via Zoom and Facebook Live.

A love for cooking has propelled some New Orleans-area students into the cooking scene of the city where they are getting experience and awards.

A group of fifth through eighth grade students took time from their busy schedules on May 15 to tour the Southern Food and Beverage Museum and taste test some delicious “Big Easy” banana splits.

If your home was flooded, the tremendous work, expense and stress that follows can mean a daunting time ahead. But it is possible to find a silver lining. Claudette Hanks Reichel, LSU AgCenter housing specialist, said if you restore for more than before, you can return to a better home – a more resilient, comfortable and healthy home to enjoy with peace of mind.

The LSU AgCenter and Louisiana 4-H are pleased to announce that Todd Tarifa has been named department head for 4-H youth development effective July 1.

Tarifa received his doctorate in human resource education and workforce development from Louisiana State University in 2006. He rejoins the AgCenter after nine years of serving as an agriscience teacher at Northshore High School in Slidell.

The record-breaking 2020 hurricane season, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, saw 30 named storms, with 12 making landfall in the continental United States. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting another active season with between 13 and 20 named storms, six to 10 hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes (category 3 or above).

Weeks of wet weather in Louisiana has led to damage from one of the most serious diseases of crops such as tomatoes, eggplant and bell peppers.

LSU AgCenter plant doctor Raj Singh said the disease is called southern bacterial wilt and is caused by the soil-borne bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum.

If you have started construction on a new home or want to update a room in your house, you probably have experienced sticker shock when it comes to the price of building materials, especially lumber.

Last year, the price was $354 per thousand foot of lumber. By the first week of May, the price had risen to an all-time high of $1686, an increase of nearly 475%. By May 18, the price had cooled some, down to $1,264.