Rice and Roses – A New Year’s Tradition
The Tournament of Roses Parade, held here on New Year's Day since 1890, is an annual explosion of activity with vibrant floats, spirited marching bands, horseback riders, and hundreds of thousands of spectators who line the five-mile route to cheer on the electrifying procession.
The 2024 parade once again included an entry from Explore Louisiana, the state’s office of tourism, that featured a larger-than-life Mardi Gras jester, fleur-de-lis, and flourishes incorporating the iconic purple, green, and gold color scheme.
Read More
With Nutrition and Community Health Name Change, LSU AgCenter Focuses On Its Nutrition Mission
Much of the work LSU AgCenter nutrition agents are doing centers on the specific needs of the communities they serve.
In East Baton Rouge Parish, AgCenter nutrition agent Dewanna Bandy Drewery partnered with a local high school to provide nutrition classes for students and their parents.
Read More
USDA Announces January '24 Lending Rates For Ag Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for January 2024, which are effective Jan. 2, 2024. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.
Read More
USDA Offers Grants For Programs To Create High-Wage Jobs & New Businesses In Underserved Rural Communities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that USDA is accepting grant applications for community-driven programs that will help create high-wage jobs and new businesses in underserved rural communities. The Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) program encourages regional, innovation-driven approaches to economic development by funding job accelerator partnerships in low-income and underserved rural communities.
Read More
El Nino Expected To Bring Drought Relief In '24
As U.S. producers continue to make production decisions regarding the 2024 season, the weather forecast is an important consideration. Will El Nino break the Southwest drought? What about rainfall in the Southeast? Will the Mississippi River see relief? What is the moisture outlook in the Western U.S. in states such as California?
Read More
La. Rose Parade Float Wins Award
A Louisiana float in the Rose Bowl Parade has been honored with an award.
According to the Louisiana Office of Tourism, the Celebration Riverboat float was awarded the Showmanship Award for the most outstanding display of showmanship and entertainment.
Read More
Southern University Ag Center signs MOU with St. Kitts and Nevis Ministry of Education
The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center (Southern University Ag Center or SU Ag Center) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Saint Kitts and Nevis Ministry of Education.
The signing of the MOU by Orlando F. McMeans, Ph.D., Chancellor-Dean of the Southern University Ag Center and the College of Agricultural, Human and Environmental Sciences, was held on December 27, 2023, hosted by Dame Marcella Liburd at the Government House in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Read More
People Honored and Awarded in Southeast Agriculture in 2023
Despite 2023 challenges farmers and workers in the agriculture industry kept pushing forward, many going above and beyond. Farm Press wanted to take a second to recognize those who were honored with awards in 2023. Congratulations to all, and we can't wait to see what things are accomplished in the year to come.
Read More
A Year Of Billion-Dollar Disasters—And The Maui Fires Weren’t Even The Costliest
A record-breaking number of natural disasters that each caused at least $1 billion in damage cost the United States a total of $81 billion this year, data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows, including a devastating wildfires in Hawaii, Hurricane Idalia in western Florida and a drought that killed more than 200 people across the South and Midwest.
Read More
Ferriday Native Joins Trustee Board
The Louisiana 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees is welcoming two new members — a longtime 4-H volunteer from Tensas Parish and the CEO of one of the state’s largest agricultural equipment companies.
Kristen VandeVen, a technology consultant from Newellton originally from Ferriday, joined the board in October, and Rob Richter, the president and CEO of Sunshine Quality Solutions Inc. from Baton Rouge, will join in January.
Read More
USDA Appoints New Members To The Federal Advisory Committee For Urban Agriculture & Innovative Production
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appointed four new members to the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Federal Advisory Committee (Committee). The new members are replacing four members whose terms are expiring and rotating off the Committee. The Committee is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) efforts to support urban agriculture and innovative production, creating a network for feedback. The Committee’s public meetings give the urban and innovative production community and others an opportunity to witness deliberations and voting procedures.
Read More
Kennedy Welcomes USDA Purchase of $36 Million of Shrimp to Feed Louisiana Families
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to purchase $36 million of shrimp to help alleviate food insecurity. The USDA made the purchase under the Agriculture Act of 1935, which provides for national food assistance during emergencies.
Read More
He Spent Decades Growing Christmas Trees for His Popular Louisiana Farm. He Died on Christmas Eve.
Born on the third day of Christmas in 1944, the owner of New Orleans area Christmas tree farm that delighted families for decades has died — on Christmas Eve.
Clarke J. Gernon Sr. made it to the end of one last holiday season, his son Clarke J. Gernon Jr. said. He would have turned 79 on Wednesday.
Read More
Targeting Insects In Louisiana Hemp: Which Products Work The Best For Catepillars?
Research efforts across all aspects of hemp production are currently needed to aid in the successful reestablishment and long-term success of this crop in the U.S. A 2020 survey of licensed U.S. hemp farmers determined one of the most challenging aspects of production was the lack of information on the efficacy of currently labeled hemp insecticides.
Read More
Select Scab-Resistant Pecan Varieties for Home Orchards
Pecans and pecan trees are quintessential parts of the southern diet and landscape, although, as reflected by its scientific name (Carya illinoinensis), the pecan tree’s native range extends beyond the South.
A primary criterion for choosing pecan varieties for yards and home orchards is resistance to a fungal disease called pecan scab.
Read More
