Agriculture

Farmers markets help support communities and Black farmers.

Farmers markets help support communities and Black farmers.

Celebrating Black History Month in the garden

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, February 17, 2023
For nearly 50 years, Black History Month has been celebrated in the U.S. The story took root when Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard-trained historian, and minister Jesse Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1926.

Louisiana is the top sugarcane state for 2022

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
American Sugar Cane League director Jim Simon reported that the Louisiana sugarcane industry produced more than two million tons of raw sugar in 2022 for the first time ever and is now the number one cane sugar producing state in the United States.
Brushes, scouring pads, sandpaper and lubricating oils are best for hand pruner maintenance. (Photos by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Brushes, scouring pads, sandpaper and lubricating oils are best for hand pruner maintenance. (Photos by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Clean up those dull, rusty garden tools before pruning

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, February 10, 2023
Benjamin Franklin said, “The best investment is in the tools of one’s own trade.” I would take that one step further and say that taking care of one’s tools is insurance on your investment. Everything requires a little maintenance, and garden tools are no exception.
Garlic is perhaps one of the most frequently used herbs in cooking. It grows well in Louisiana. (Photo by Kiki Fontenot/LSU AgCenter)

Garlic is perhaps one of the most frequently used herbs in cooking. It grows well in Louisiana. (Photo by Kiki Fontenot/LSU AgCenter)

It’s always a good thyme for herbs

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, January 27, 2023
By Heather Kirk-Ballard LSU AgCenter horticulturist Nothing completes a great recipe better than fresh herbs straight from the garden. Have you ever pulled out a recipe that calls for a specific fresh herb, gone to the grocery and couldn’t find it?
Trent Broussard, of Acadia Parish, was designated a Louisiana Master Farmer at a Jan. 12 ceremony. From left, are Michael Salassi, director of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station; Matt Lee, interim LSU vice president for agriculture; Broussard; Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry; and Chad Kacir, of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

Trent Broussard, of Acadia Parish, was designated a Louisiana Master Farmer at a Jan. 12 ceremony. From left, are Michael Salassi, director of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station; Matt Lee, interim LSU vice president for agriculture; Broussard; Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry; and Chad Kacir, of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

Louisiana Master Farmer Program recognizes graduates, awards winner

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, January 20, 2023
The Louisiana Master Farmer Program recognized three new graduates, two people who have completed recertification and the winner of the Outstanding Master Farmer Award at a ceremony Jan. 12.
By Heather Kirk-Ballard LSU AgCenter horticulturist Your lawn or turfgrass may be the last thing on your mind right now — but it’s no time to sit back on your laurels. Lawns are in their winter dormancy, and we have all enjoyed the reprieve from lawn mowing. But it won’t be long before our lawns literally “spring” back to life. If you want to give your turfgrass a leg up this spring, it’s time to get to work now. Despite our lawns’ winter slumber, weeds are still at work. If you look out into the law

By Heather Kirk-Ballard LSU AgCenter horticulturist Your lawn or turfgrass may be the last thing on your mind right now — but it’s no time to sit back on your laurels. Lawns are in their winter dormancy, and we have all enjoyed the reprieve from lawn mowing. But it won’t be long before our lawns literally “spring” back to life. If you want to give your turfgrass a leg up this spring, it’s time to get to work now. Despite our lawns’ winter slumber, weeds are still at work. If you look out into the law

For a beautiful lawn in the spring, get to work now

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, January 20, 2023
Your lawn or turfgrass may be the last thing on your mind right now — but it’s no time to sit back on your laurels. Lawns are in their winter dormancy, and we have all enjoyed the reprieve from lawn mowing. But it won’t be long before our lawns literally “spring” back to life.
Learn floral design this year. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Learn floral design this year. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

It’s a new year in the old garden

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, January 13, 2023
Happy New Year! It may be your same old garden, but it’s a whole new year, and this a great time to start the planning process of what needs to be done in the landscape. Many people like to tackle new things in the New Year, and the garden is an excellent place to start.
Case, a 4-year-old corgi from Vermilion Parish, is winner of the AFBF People’s Choice Pup social media contest. (Submitted photo)

Case, a 4-year-old corgi from Vermilion Parish, is winner of the AFBF People’s Choice Pup social media contest. (Submitted photo)

Vermilion Parish Corgi wins People’s Choice Pup at Farm Bureau Convention

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
It was the best Case scenario for one Louisiana farm dog at the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention. Case, a 4-year-old corgi from Vermilion Parish, is winner of the AFBF People’s Choice Pup social media contest.
By Heather Kirk-Ballard LSU AgCenter horticulturist When gardeners think of micro gardens, they may think of micro greens — but micro gardening is so much more than that. Shrinking lot sizes and growing urban sprawls are leaving less room for vegetation, and that raises a challenge for both urban and suburban gardeners. They will have to grow to meet these changes. Micro gardening is a method of gardening that is ideal for those with limited or nontraditional spaces to plant and grow vegetables, fruit

By Heather Kirk-Ballard LSU AgCenter horticulturist When gardeners think of micro gardens, they may think of micro greens — but micro gardening is so much more than that. Shrinking lot sizes and growing urban sprawls are leaving less room for vegetation, and that raises a challenge for both urban and suburban gardeners. They will have to grow to meet these changes. Micro gardening is a method of gardening that is ideal for those with limited or nontraditional spaces to plant and grow vegetables, fruit

Smaller spaces call for micro gardens

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, January 6, 2023
When gardeners think of micro gardens, they may think of micro greens — but micro gardening is so much more than that. Shrinking lot sizes and growing urban sprawls are leaving less room for vegetation, and that raises a challenge for both urban and suburban gardeners.
Norfolk Island pines can be found at many garden centers, florist shops and grocery stores this time of year. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Norfolk Island pines can be found at many garden centers, florist shops and grocery stores this time of year. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Island holiday year round

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, December 16, 2022
It can stay pretty warm here in Louisiana during the winter months, and with temperatures in the upper 80s this whole week, it can feel like island time while the rest of the country experiences cooler temperatures.