Louisianians love pecans. And they also like to grow them. Pecan production contributes nearly $5 million to the Louisiana economy each year. Producers learn how to grow pecans and manage pecan orchards at the nation's No. 1 – and only – Pecan Research and Extension Station, which is located in Shreveport.

Enter the World of Wonder and follow a path through a forest as you listen to birds chirping and water trickling in the wetlands. Feel the soft fur of different types of animals, and count the years of growth on a large tree “cookie.” These are some of the experiences at AgMagic – an interactive, visually stimulating educational experience for children and their families – at the State Fair of Louisiana.

Louisiana’s got milk because the LSU AgCenter supports a research program that helps keep the Louisiana dairy industry surviving and thriving. In 2007, Louisiana had 207 dairy operations that contributed nearly $200 million to the state’s economy. The concentration of dairy research is at the LSU AgCenter’s Southeast Research Station in Franklinton.

Researchers at the Calhoun Research Station are developing new uses for small-diameter trees and for recycled wood. They are producing new chemicals and products by recycling preservatives and wood fiber from decommissioned telephone poles. They also have projects involving partial harvesting of unmanaged forests to improve tree growth and production of wood chips for energy.

Smart Bodies is an educational program aimed at preventing childhood obesity. A joint initiative of the LSU AgCenter and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation, Smart Bodies is taught in schools across the state and helps children learn how to build strong bodies and develop active minds.

Louisiana has stepped out ahead of all other states in the nation in helping farmers learn to voluntarily comply with stricter environmental regulations governing water quality. This has happened because of the LSU AgCenter’s Master Farmer Program.

Routines are an important part of a baby’s life. Every day parents feed their babies and bathe their babies. But do parents routinely read to their babies? The LSU AgCenter started the Little Bookshelf program to encourage parents to read to their babies daily.

We encounter choices that affect our health all day long. Take the steps or the elevator? What to have for lunch? Watch television or go for a walk? LSU AgCenter nutrition educators are empowering people to make smart choices for a healthier lifestyle. They’re doing this through a nutrition education program aimed at a variety of audiences called Smart Choices.

Getting students excited about science is a big focus of National 4-H Week, Oct. 4-10, 2009. Students across Louisiana and the country will be making ethanol, one of the most common biofuels in the United States.

Asian soybean rust, a globe-trotting disease that ravages soybeans, found its way to North America in 2004 and has changed farming in Louisiana ever since.

Nestled among rolling pastures framed by tall pines is the LSU AgCenter’s Hill Farm Research Station – so named for the geography of Claiborne Parish, where it is located. It is the northernmost of the AgCenter’s 20 research stations across the state.

Many people feel fortunate that they managed to hold onto their jobs this year, but few were fortunate enough to see a pay increase. Some who work hourly or on commission are actually seeing a decrease in their pay check, which leaves many families trying to figure out how to live on less.

Nearly all of the rice grown in Louisiana was developed at the LSU AgCenter’s Rice Research Station in Crowley. The world’s first herbicide-resistant rice, which helps Louisiana producers fight the weeds that historically have plagued their rice, was discovered at the station. The station celebrates 100 years in 2009.

Fall is a transitional time of year for Louisiana gardeners. And the LSU AgCenter has a wealth of information to help you keep your landscaping green and blooming year-round.

“Reduce the use.” That’s the mantra of a water conservation campaign spearheaded by LSU AgCenter educators in north Louisiana, where people are dependent on the gradually disappearing Sparta Aquifer.

The LSU AgCenter’s “LaHouse” is designed to hold up against strong winds and flooding and serve as a model for how to build homes with hurricane-resistant features in Louisiana.

LSU AgCenter scientists continue to add weapons to their arsenal as they battle the spread of the Formosan subterranean termite. And they’re making headway. This pest voraciously consumes wooden structures and woody plants and causes hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.

From cotton and corn to soybeans and cattle, just about every major agricultural commodity in Louisiana grows in central Louisiana. The LSU AgCenter’s Dean Lee Research Station in Alexandria serves this region, the heart of Louisiana agriculture.

Yards and gardens generally look a little frayed by this time of the year. The final really hot days that usually come at the end of a long, hot summer are especially hard on plants, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill.

From pre-K through college, LSU AgCenter experts offer advice about preparing for and making sure of a successful school year. Getting ready involves more than students. It’s important to the family, the community and, ultimately, our society.

Holidays cause stress even under the best of circumstances. And many Louisiana families continue to have far from an ideal situation this Christmas season. Loss can trigger depression during the holidays. And many Louisiana families have experienced great loss because of the hurricanes, an illness or death in the family. Some have family members far away from home in Iraq or Afghanistan or have lost their jobs.

Teach the young about the value of Louisiana’s coastline and marshes, and they’ve learned a lesson for a lifetime. That’s the philosophy behind the LSU AgCenter’s annual series of Marsh Maneuvers camps. They’re unique opportunities to mix fun with education – and in the end, help save our coast.

Mosquitoes buzz around Louisiana every day of the year. More than 60 species inhabit the state. While many are benign, some are carriers – or vectors – of several worrisome diseases. It's everyone's responsibility to keep their numbers down.

Louisiana is renowned as an outdoor sports paradise. It’s a reputation earned by the world-class outdoor opportunities found across the state. To take advantage of these opportunities and make them safer, Louisiana 4-H is involved with an outdoor skills program that has become the fastest growing program within 4-H.

Sugarcane has been an integral part of the Louisiana economy and culture for more than 210 years. When the Jesuit priests first brought sugarcane to Louisiana in 1751, little did they know that they were laying the foundation for an industry that now contributes $2 billion to the Louisiana economy. The industry could not be sustained, however, without LSU AgCenter research.

The primary areas of research at the Iberia Research Station are efficient production of sugarcane and beef cattle and production of sweet sorghum as a biofuel. The station is in Iberia Parish, just a few miles north of the Gulf of Mexico.

Developments in molecular biology, immunology and genetic engineering have given new dimensions to research on farm animal production. The LSU AgCenter’s Reproductive Biology Center is recognized worldwide as a leader in assisted reproductive technologies for use in livestock improvement, biomedical applications, and propagation of exotic and endangered animal species.

The LSU AgCenter offers home gardeners opportunities to develop their skills and share their knowledge with others through participation in the Louisiana Master Gardener program.

“Camp Grant Walker – It'll Grow on You!” That’s the theme of the summer 2009 4-H camping experience at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center near Pollock, La. The fun starts with the first of 10 weeklong camps, May 25-29. But the preparations and sign-ups are going on now.

Established as the Fruit and Truck Experiment Station in 1922, the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station in Hammond has served the needs of the strawberry and vegetable industries in Southeast Louisiana for more than 80 years. While continuing to serve this industry, the station has now embarked on a new initiative to provide research and education for the green service industry.

More than 1,600 4-H’ers and volunteer leaders from Louisiana's 64 parishes will converge on the LSU campus to participate in competitive activities and learning experiences June 23-26, 2009. This marks the 95th year of 4-H University, but the beginning of the second century of 4-H in Louisiana.

The LSU AgCenter’s Red River Research Station in Bossier City serves the agricultural research needs of northwest Louisiana. The primary crops are cotton, soybeans and corn. Research on these crops includes variety evaluation, insect pest management and soybean breeding. The horticultural research is focused on the production of greenhouse tomatoes and southernpea breeding. Some beef cattle research, forage evaluation and environmental research are also conducted at the station.

There's a hurricane forming. It's time to pull out your family disaster plan. What's that? You don't have one? See how many of these questions you can answer with a "yes."

Northeast Louisiana's economy depends on the LSU AgCenter’s Northeast Research Station near St. Joseph in Tensas Parish. That's because agriculture is the backbone of the regional economy, contributing about $1 billion.

Though the number of dairies in Louisiana has been decreasing, the dairy industry remains strong, contributing more than $160 million to the state’s economy in 2006. Louisianans benefit from having local dairies supply fresh, wholesome milk. These local dairies exist because of the strong dairy research and extension program at the LSU AgCenter.

The aim of the LSU AgCenter’s Master Cattle Producers program is to put quality beef on the table, not just hundredweight on the hoof. The program, a spinoff to the LSU AgCenter’s Master Farmer Program, is designed to help producers improve the efficiency and management of their cattle operations – and make more money.

Red imported fire ants are not just a nuisance. They pose a health threat to many individuals allergic to their sting. LSU AgCenter entomologists are working to control these pests.

It will take a village to stem the growing trend of childhood obesity. And the LSU AgCenter has joined a community push to keep kids healthier.

Parenting is already a challenging job. And in many households both parents work outside of the home, making parenting even more of a challenge. The LSU AgCenter has resources that can help parents be successful at their most important job – raising their child.

A rose can say a lot. The beautiful blossoms speak of love, sorrow and appreciation. If a dozen roses can say so much, then the rose garden at the LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center speaks volumes. The garden has 150 varieties of roses and more than 1,500 individual plants. Research on this popular flower is conducted at this station in Baton Rouge.

For the LSU AgCenter’s Agricultural Leadership Development Program, the vision is to develop leaders who can tackle challenges. The program has produced more than 300 graduates since 1988.

A well-groomed, lush, green lawn is not only pleasing to look at but adds value to housing property. The attractiveness of golf course turfgrass is one of the reasons this sport is so popular. But this beauty comes with a price – proper management. Here are some tips from LSU AgCenter experts.

People are filing their 2008 income tax returns earlier this year, according to the Internal Revenue Service. Early filing statistics also show that the average individual refund is up. Reasons for larger refunds may include benefits from tax breaks such as the first-time homebuyer credit. If you haven’t filed yet, there is still time.

Use LSU AgCenter resources to help you with the perfect plan for a beautiful lawn and garden. A beautifully landscaped yard doesn’t just happen. It’s carefully planned.

Four major hurricanes battered Louisiana’s coast in the past few years. During Youth Wetlands Week, April 20-24, the state’s youth will learn how they can protect Louisiana’s coastline from storms and also protect wetlands across the state. A goal of the program is to teach students they have the power to make a difference, said Youth Wetlands Week program director Ashley Mullens.

Adding value to sugarcane has always been the mission of the LSU AgCenter’s Audubon Sugar Institute. But that mission has taken a new twist in these times of high fuel costs. One of newest projects is making ethanol from cane.

Spring is just around the corner. And now is the time to plan for a beautiful yard and productive garden. Whether you’re a veteran gardener or one who’s never dug in the dirt before, the LSU AgCenter has information to help you grow flowers, vegetables, fruits and improve the looks of your lawn and home landscaping.

Situated on a tract of 440 acres of open land in the heart of Baton Rouge, Burden Center is one of the LSU AgCenter’s 20 research stations around the state. Acquired by John Charles Burden in the mid 19th century and originally dubbed Windrush Plantation, Burden Center is the home of a wide array of horticultural research projects as well as formal and informal gardens and woods.

The economic downturn affects agriculture just as it does the rest of the economy. LSU AgCenter economists offer their predictions for Louisiana agriculture in 2009.

The 74th LSU AgCenter Livestock Show begins Feb. 14, with the concluding awards ceremony on Feb. 21, at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. Working with livestock helps young people develop knowledge, a sense of responsibility and skills that last a lifetime. That philosophy is at the core of the LSU AgCenter’s livestock educational programs for youth.

You’re not alone if you’re experiencing financial pain during these tough times. The number of people claiming unemployment benefits has reached a record number, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Dozens of big businesses have announced massive layoffs. Some workers are keeping their jobs but finding their salaries cut. Retirees watch while their nest eggs dwindle in value.

February is a month dedicated to the heart – in more ways than one. This is the time to celebrate love and give your sweetheart a valentine. This is also the month to wear red and call attention to prevention of the No. 1 killer of women – heart disease.

Not only do Louisiana strawberries taste good. They’re good for the state’s economy. And this year Louisiana strawberry growers have had a jump on success with an earlier-than-usual season.

2008 had many ups and downs for Louisiana farmers. The outlook was good as the New Year started, but economic and weather conditions didn’t remain favorable. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry looks back at 2008 and ahead to 2009.

The nation’s financial crisis is casting a shadow on Christmas. Unemployment rates are high, and budgets are tight. The financial uncertainty has many people cutting back this holiday season. LSU AgCenter family economist Jeanette Tucker recommends approaching spending this season the way one should every year – with a plan and a budget, even if that budget is smaller this year.

Harvest has begun in Louisiana for one of our most popular crops – the sweet potato. Louisiana farmers produce about 5 million bushels a year. The total value to the Louisiana economy in 2007 was more than $110 million. Louisiana boasts the only sweet potato research station in the country – a 307-acre facility in Chase. The Sweet Potato Research Station will host a field day Aug. 14.

Pointy and pretty, no flower quite has the petal power of poinsettias at the holidays. And the selection would be far fewer in Louisiana were it not for the LSU AgCenter. Although AgCenter horticulturists do not develop new varieties of poinsettias, they do evaluate the varieties that come on the market and test them for their suitability to grow here.

Although Louisiana boasts 15,000 miles of shoreline and 40 percent of the nation’s wetlands, it loses an average of one acre of marsh lands every 20 minutes. To stem the relentless erosion of coastal wetlands, the LSU AgCenter has been applying proven scientific techniques for more than a decade to improve native marsh and coastal plants, conducting educational programs for Louisiana’s leaders of tomorrow and providing important information to the state’s public policy leaders.

You can fry it or roast it. Just don’t let that turkey or other foods served at the holidays spoil, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames. Learn ways to keep food safe and how to avoid overindulging.

The LSU AgCenter's "LaHouse" is designed to stand up to hurricane-force winds, swarming insects and harmful humidity. This family-type home is designed to showcase innovations in home construction for Louisiana’s sub-tropical climate.

Pick up Louisiana citrus at roadside stands and in local markets and groceries from now through the holidays.

Improving the lives of Louisiana families and children has long been a goal of the LSU AgCenter. The “Be Child Care Aware!” educational campaign is one example of that work.

The "Be Child Care Aware!" initiative involves many projects including the training of child-care providers. The following photos were taken over the past two years and include some of the sites where training was held.