Leadership

Ag Leader Program Grooms Best, Brightest For the LSU AgCenter’s Agricultural Leadership Development Program, the vision is to develop leaders who can tackle challenges. The reality is a program that has produced more than 275 graduates since 1988. New class begins LSU AgCenter leadership program (Distributed 01/17/08) Twenty-five men and women from across Louisiana began a two-year venture in the LSU AgCenter’s Agricultural Leadership Development Program when they attended their first class last week (Jan. 8-10) in Baton Rouge. Ag Leaders visit nation’s Capitol (Distributed 06/30/08) Participants in the LSU AgCenter’s Agricultural Leadership Development Program visited Washington, D.C., in mid-June as part of the two-year study program. Briefings on agricultural issues and visits with Louisiana’s legislative delegation were some of the highlights of the June 10-14 study tour to Washington, D.C., for this 11th class to participate in the program coordinated by the LSU AgCenter. Chalkley family The Chalkley family of Lake Charles established an endowed chair for Ag Leadership that attracted a $400,000 match from the state of Louisiana. more...

Disaster Resilient Communities

LSU AgCenter Lessons Help Students Learn About Storms, Coastal Erosion, More Students at South Cameron Elementary School recently learned about beach erosion control by using an LSU AgCenter lesson plan about hurricanes. The educational material, which is being made available to schools throughout the area, includes details on how storms are formed, Hurricane Rita’s effects on agriculture in the area, hurricane terms, hurricane preparation measures and more. Provide help to volunteers during disasters (Distributed 09/07/08) When disasters happen, dedicated volunteers and professionals swing into action to help those affected by the tragedy. But these helpers also have needs, says LSU AgCenter family and consumer sciences specialist Becky White. Take ‘Hurricane Quiz’ To Determine If You’re Prepared Having the right answers before a storm comes your way can help you be prepared if a hurricane strikes. Protect Your Boat During Hurricane Season You need to take some precautions during hurricane season if you have a boat moored, docked or stored in a recreational harbor along the Gulf Coast, an LSU AgCenter expert says. more...

Pest Management

‘Termite hunters’ hard at work in New Orleans (Distributed 12/22/07) Armed with flashlights and long, sharp probes, LSU AgCenter inspectors search for termites in homes and businesses in the historic New Orleans French Quarter. They crawl through attics and prowl every room in a building, poking at walls suspected of harboring termites and knocking on baseboards listening for hollow sounds that would indicate termites have eaten away the wood. more...

Public Policy

Louisiana's Rural Poverty This fact sheet breaks down the poverty rates by parish and population density. It includes a map of the areas of persistent poverty in Louisiana. more...

Community Rural Development

Agritourism -- a new agricultural business enterprise Agriculture and tourism together present unique opportunities for farmers to diversify and expand their operations. This brochure provides the steps in developing an agritourism business venture. Agenda Agenda for the two-day training course titled E-Business: Build or Buy? Louisiana Center for Rural Initiatives: Fact Sheets Louisiana Center for Rural Initiatives is a development initiative of the LSU AgCenter and Southern University AgCenter. Creating Your Own E-Business In 10 Easy Steps There are many advantages to opening an e-business. An e-business eliminates the need for a storefront and allows the owner to have flexible hours. It can also expand markets for existing brick-and-mortar businesses. In addition, owning an e-business is an advantage for some people who have physical challenges and cannot work in a normal work environment. Course Curriculum Browse the course curriculum to learn more about the economics and management of e-commerce. Ten Frequently Asked Questions for Small Business Start-Ups Every person starting a business has questions. Of all the questions asked, here are ten asked most often. Also listed are resources available to you. The first agency you should contact is ... more...