SU Ag Center & College of Ag Professor Oscar Udoh and Student Kennedy Orr Receive the SU Board of Supervisors Above and Beyond Award

Two individuals in the Southern University Ag Center and the College of Agricultural, Human and Environmental Sciences (CAHES) received the Southern University System’s Above and Beyond Award during the Southern University System Board of Supervisors meeting on August 16, 2024.

Dr. Oscar Udoh, Coordinator for Planning and Evaluation and Professor of Human Nutrition in the Department of Human Sciences, within the CAHES, received the faculty and staff Above and Beyond Award.

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Pop chefs: Kid Entrepreneurs Get Down to Business With the Help of FOODii

Inspiration can be found through a variety of situations, but sitting in front of the TV with a bowl of snacks and watching “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” might not be the first way one thinks of to start a business.

Yet this perennial Christmas favorite was the jumping-off point for young entrepreneurs, or “kidpreneurs,” Bailey and Harper Galloway and their mom, Ebony McCallister.

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Louisiana Lawmakers Look for Emergency Funds to Remove Dangerous Dead, Beetle-ridden Trees

Have a dead tree in your yard from the dry summer last year? It could be infested with beetles, making it more likely to fall. Lawmakers are looking for an emergency declaration to get people funds to remove dangerous trees before that happens.

After the drought of 2023 that cost the state millions of dollars in agricultural losses, more than 12 million trees across the state are dead because of it. Those dry conditions make the perfect home for the ips beetle to dig into the bark, further weakening the tree.

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ForestryAvery Davidson
Report from Horizon Ag Field Day

Farmers, consultants, and industry experts gathered on August 15 at the new Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center in Harrisburg, Arkansas, for the annual Horizon Ag Arkansas Field Day. This year’s event included updates on the new rice station, row rice in Clearfield, state reports, introduction to Horizon’s new breeding program, staff presentations on the success of high-yielding rice varieties like CLL18 and CLL16, along with updates on the strong performance of new lines PVL04 & CLL19.

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RiceAvery Davidson
EBR Schools Creates Agricultural Curriculum for Students

The East Baton Rouge Parish School System has announced the creation of an agriculture curriculum to guide students toward career opportunities with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The opportunity will give EBRPSS students access to a variety of programs designed to provide hands-on experience and industry-specific training. Westdale Middle School, which has its own aquaponics lab on campus, will be one of the select schools in the district to offer this opportunity to its students. District leaders are still determining when the curriculum will be implemented.

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Avery Davidson
A New Beginning: How Rural Development Made Homeownership Possible for a Louisiana Family Copied to clipboard

Meet Kaitlyn, a determined single mother from rural Louisiana whose dream of owning a home became a reality through the USDA Rural Development's Section 502 Direct Loan Program. Kaitlyn envisioned providing her son, Tyrin, with the comfort and stability of a home of their own after facing the unimaginable loss of her fiancé shortly before Tyrin's birth. Her dream then became even more poignant.

Kaitlyn's journey to homeownership was driven by her desire to offer her son a better life. "I have wanted to own my own home since I knew I was going to be a mother," she shares. "I wanted my son to enjoy a yard and home that was ours." Her dream came true eight months ago when they moved into their new home. The transition from a cramped apartment to a spacious, welcoming house has been transformative for both mother and child.

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USDAAvery Davidson
Agreement Finalized on Future of Grow Dat Urban Farming in City Park

City Park Conservancy (CPC) and Grow Dat Youth Farm finalized a cooperative endeavor agreement (CEA) to keep urban farming at its current New Orleans City Park location for years to come.

“We appreciate the collaboration with Grow Dat and board support to develop this agreement and keep urban farming in the Park,” said City Park Conservancy President and CEO Rebecca Dietz.

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Congress Hasn't Passed a Farm Bill in Six Years. Here's Why a New One is Needed.

As we approach this critical election season and remainder of the 118th Congress, there are numerous issues vying for the attention of voters and policymakers alike. Among them, the upcoming farm bill stands out because it holds profound implications for our nation’s agriculture, food security and rural communities.

As a member of the agricultural community, I understand firsthand the essential role this bill plays in sustaining the backbone of our food system and supporting the livelihoods of countless families across the country.

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USDAAvery Davidson