Posts in LSU AgCenter
Bill Richardson, Longtime Dean of LSU’s College of Agriculture, to Step Down, President Says

Bill Richardson, the veteran dean of the LSU College of Agriculture, is leaving his post, LSU's president said Thursday.

The change marks the second shakeup in LSU's leadership since President Wlliam F. Tate IV took the job last month.

Executive Vice President and Provost Stacia Haynie was removed from her job a few days after Tate assumed office and returned to teaching in the College of Humanities & Social Services.

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LSU AgCenter Receives Grant To Improve Vaccination Rates

The LSU AgCenter has been awarded $24,178 to fund the Extension COVID Immunization Training and Education (EXCITE) program from May 1, 2021, to April 30, 2022.

The program will target medically underserved minority populations in Caddo Parish. Abigail McAlister, AgCenter agent and Northwest Region family and consumer science coordinator, will serve as principal investigator for the grant.

“Our goal is to reach these communities through faith-based organizations, specific ZIP codes and in partnership with other organizations,” McAlister said.

Sharing the grant responsibilities with McAlister are Caddo Parish nutrition agents Grace Peterson and Elizabeth Martin.

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In-Person Sugarcane Field Day Returns With New Varieties

Two newly released sugarcane varieties took center stage at the LSU AgCenter Sugar Research Station’s first live field day since 2019 after the coronavirus pandemic forced a virtual version last year.

Attendees of the July 21 event included some from as far away as Seattle and the nation of Colombia as well as new LSU President William F. Tate IV. They braved hot weather and muddy conditions to hear about fertilization techniques, pest control, cover crops and the two new varieties.

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LSU AgCenter Nutrition Agents Bring ‘Flavors of Health’ to Louisiana Communities

LSU AgCenter Flavors of Health nutrition agents from across the state were chopping, dicing, whipping and meal planning as part of a training to help enhance their cooking demonstration skills on July 15 on the LSU campus.

The agents regularly put on nutrition programs and demonstrations in their own communities, but the agents had spent the previous year doing programs virtually, so this was a good time for a demonstration refresher.

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LSU AgCenter Master Farmer Program Celebrating 20 years

The Louisiana Master Farmer Program is celebrating 20 years of existence, and the program is getting a new “toolbox” that will help spread the message of conservation and environmental stewardship.

The program began in 2001 when the LSU AgCenter partnered with several agricultural organizations to develop a voluntary program that helped ag producers address environmental issues, such as water quality, best management practices and improving productivity on their farms.

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Agronomic Crops School

The Dean Lee Research & Extension Center will host an agronomic Crops School August 5th, from 4-7 PM.

The event starts at the State Evacuation Shelter, adjacent to the LSU-A Campus near Alexandria. A sponsored meal will be provided.

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LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station Plans July 23 Field Day, Virtual Content

After having to cancel its annual horticulture field day last year amid the coronavirus pandemic, the LSU AgCenter will once again welcome nursery and landscape industry professionals to the Hammond Research Station on July 23 to hear about plant trial results and research projects.

The station also will release a package of virtual content, including video tours of the trial gardens and research presentations. The videos will be accessible at app.lsuagcenter.com/hammondtrials.

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Youth From Around The State Win Big At The 2021 State 4-H Horse Show

Members of Louisiana 4-H and FFA recently competed in the 51st Annual LSU AgCenter 4-H and FFA State Horse Show on July 5-9 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

AgCenter horse show manager Dwayne Nunez said the annual horse show provides young people with opportunities to participate in a series of activities designed to improve citizenship, sportsmanship, horsemanship, character, competitive spirit, discipline and responsibility.

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H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station: A Rich History Of Research & Variety Deveolopment

Rice production in southwest Louisiana began in earnest during the early 1880s. The rice industry rapidly increased in the region in the years that followed. From 1896 to 1909, rice acreage in southwest Louisiana expanded from 148,000 to 370,000 acres with average rice yields ranging from a low of 855 pounds per acre in 1896 to a high of 1,642 pounds per acre in 1908. Rice industry leaders in the region recognized the importance of rice to southwest Louisiana and began to take measures to ensure the sustainability of the rice industry.

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