Growing up in Concordia Parish, Xavier Bell thought his love of music would guide him toward a future as a band director. That was until his 4-H agent saw something within him that he didn’t see himself, paving the way for a new passion.
Bell became the new 4-H agent for St. John the Baptist Parish on June 1, 2022. He looks forward to building a community atmosphere around the organization and tailoring the program to help each individual child reach their full potential.
Read MoreMike the Tiger is a major part of the heart and soul of LSU. Tiger pride runs deep on campus, and the LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation is turning its love of our tiger into research to benefit the species as a whole.
Read MoreThe application for Class XVIII of the LSU AgCenter Agricultural Leadership Development Program is now available. The new class will begin in January 2023 and will be completed in February 2025.
Read MoreHere at the LSU AgCenter, we choose new Louisiana Super Plant selections each fall and spring.
Usually, only a particular cultivar or variety of a plant receives this prestigious designation. But this year, we couldn’t pick just one.
Read MoreCotton planting in Louisiana is nearing the end. We might still have a few growers trying to finish planting and/or replanting, but for the most part, I’d say we’re about 98% complete.
Read MoreAs Louisiana’s sugarcane acreage expands, farmers and scientists are learning more about how the crop performs outside of its traditional growing area.
Read MoreWhile the crop was small, the outcome was big. Louisiana wheat farmers are finishing up their harvest with good yields and are being supported by great prices. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has this report from southwest Louisiana.
Read MoreIn four decades as an agronomist with the American Sugar Cane League, Windell Jackson had a profound impact on the Louisiana sugarcane industry.
Jackson died in March at the age of 74. To honor his contributions to the industry, the League recently added $25,000 and Jackson’s name to an existing scholarship fund for LSU students.
The Lloyd Lauden/Windell Jackson Memorial Endowed Scholarship is available to College of Agriculture students. Preference is given to those from Louisiana’s sugarcane-growing region and those who have an interest in the sugarcane industry.
The fund was established in 1990 as the Lloyd Lauden Memorial Endowed Scholarship. Lauden, who also was an agronomist with the league, hired Jackson in 1973.
Read MoreInsects and other pests can destroy a crop at any stage, reducing yields and grower profits.
Over the past few years, Louisiana has experienced a multitude of pests attacking the rice industry. Growers and researchers continue to be diligent in finding ways to combat the issues that arise to have a successful and productive harvest.
Read MoreSweet potatoes are prone to several soilborne diseases, including those caused by nematodes and fungi. While some of the large acreage agronomic crops have had yearly systematic surveys of the incidence of diseases, there has not been such a program for sweet potatoes in the U.S. and much of what we know is from anecdotal records.
Read MoreHurricane season is once again upon us, and the LSU AgCenter has recommendations to mitigate potential damage and losses to yards, homes and pets as well as tips for keeping food and cleaning supplies on hand.
While not as active as the historic season of 2020, 2021 saw 21 named storms — including seven hurricanes, four of which were major. One of these, Ida, was a Category 4 storm second only to Katrina in its damage to Louisiana.
This year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an above-average season with the potential of 14 to 21 named storms, six to 10 hurricanes and three to six major hurricanes. AgCenter specialists have some guidance for staying prepared.
Read MoreThere are symptoms of manganese (Mn) deficiency in soybean appearing in some areas. The symptom of Mn deficiency is interveinal chlorosis.
Read MoreA community center in Bogalusa has been facing challenges accessing safe drinking water. With the summer heat setting in, the LSU AgCenter wanted to ensure that visitors are staying both hydrated and active.
Read MoreThe East Baton Rouge 4-H Junior Leader Club has proven that doing good work in the community can be done despite the pandemic.
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