Agriculture

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LSU AgCenter highlighting innovations at Rice Field Day

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, June 24, 2022
By Derek Albert dalbert@agcenter.lsu.edu CROWLEY — LSU AgCenter rice researchers are once again inviting producers and industry professionals to the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station for its annual field day to be held here on Wednesday.
Salvias perform well in containers. These red, tubular flowers are pollinator magnets. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Salvias perform well in containers. These red, tubular flowers are pollinator magnets. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

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Salvias are a super selection for summer landscape color

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, June 3, 2022
Here at the LSU AgCenter, we choose new Louisiana Super Plant selections each fall and spring. Usually, only a particular cultivar or variety of a plant receives this prestigious designation. But this year, we couldn’t pick just one.
A hammerhead worm discovered by a Denham Springs homeowner. Photo provided.

A hammerhead worm discovered by a Denham Springs homeowner. Photo provided.

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Hammerhead worms on the rise in Louisiana

Johnny Morgan / jmorgan@agcenter.lsu.edu
Friday, May 6, 2022
An invasive, wriggling creature with a head that resembles a hammer has been showing up lately in some south Louisiana lawns. They’re called hammerhead worms. LSU AgCenter entomologist Nathan Lord said it is believed they were imported from Southeast Asia in the soil of ornamental plants.
Supertunia Vista Bubblegum is an excellent landscape bedding plant that tolerates the heat. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Supertunia Vista Bubblegum is an excellent landscape bedding plant that tolerates the heat. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

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Pretty petunias that take the heat

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, May 6, 2022
Are you looking for reliable, easy-care color for the landscape this summer? Look for new and improved petunias that tolerate the heat. Petunias of the past couldn’t handle the heat, but newer varieties have improved tolerance.

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Webinars focus on new, young farmers

Johnny Morgan / jmorgan@agcenter.lsu.edu
Friday, April 29, 2022
The LSU AgCenter and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are sponsoring a series of webinars to help new and beginning farmers navigate the process of starting and maintaining a farm.
Dwayne Compton, of Jefferson Davis Parish, was named the 2021 Outstanding Master Farmer. He is pictured with Stephen Austin from Louisiana Land Bank and Eric Bergeron with the Gowan Company, who each presented him with a check for $1,000. (Photo by V. Todd Miller/LSU AgCenter)

Dwayne Compton, of Jefferson Davis Parish, was named the 2021 Outstanding Master Farmer. He is pictured with Stephen Austin from Louisiana Land Bank and Eric Bergeron with the Gowan Company, who each presented him with a check for $1,000. (Photo by V. Todd Miller/LSU AgCenter)

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2021 Louisiana Master Farmer awards presented

V. Todd Miller/ vtmiller@agcenter.lsu.edu
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Eight Master Farmer recertifications and the 2021 Louisiana Outstanding Master Farmer award were presented during a meeting of the Louisiana Association of Conservation April 20 in Baton Rouge.
Although commonly called a lily, callas are not a true lily. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Although commonly called a lily, callas are not a true lily. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

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Consider the lilies: A symbol of springtime beauty

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, April 22, 2022
Spring brings many beautiful flowers, but none more beautiful than the lily. Readily found this time of year and often used for celebrations and decorating in the spring, lilies are important to many cultures and mentioned often in literature.
Partnering with Food Farmacy program at the Eunice Community Garden are representatives from Second Harvest. Personnel visited recently at the garden. In front, from left, are Brittany Bowie, impact operations manager; Valerie Thompson, impact coordinator; Kristen Wesley, community nutrition manager; and Lindsay Hendrix, chief impact officer. In back, are Paul Scelfo, regional director; Randy Miller, administrator at Eunice Community Garden; and Paul Ganucheau, volunteer. (Submitted photo)

Partnering with Food Farmacy program at the Eunice Community Garden are representatives from Second Harvest. Personnel visited recently at the garden. In front, from left, are Brittany Bowie, impact operations manager; Valerie Thompson, impact coordinator; Kristen Wesley, community nutrition manager; and Lindsay Hendrix, chief impact officer. In back, are Paul Scelfo, regional director; Randy Miller, administrator at Eunice Community Garden; and Paul Ganucheau, volunteer. (Submitted photo)

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Food Farmacy program at Eunice Community Garden

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, April 22, 2022
The Eunice Community Garden is kicking off its Food Farmacy program, which will provide fresh, locally-grown vegetables to the needy of our community. The Food Farmacy program is under the Eunice Community Garden and Second Harvest is partnering with Food Farmacy.
Sweet pea is a cool-season annual that blooms in spring. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Sweet pea is a cool-season annual that blooms in spring. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

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Flowering vines for La. landscapes

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Thursday, April 14, 2022
There are many plant materials available for us to use when designing a landscape or garden. We can choose from trees, shrubs, cool- and warm-season annuals, perennials and ground covers. And let’s not forget about vines — an element of landscapes that too often is overlooked.
Peggy Martin roses at Peggy Martin’s house. (Photo provided by Pierre Bouchee and Jan Pesses/St. Tammany Parish Master Gardeners Association)

Peggy Martin roses at Peggy Martin’s house. (Photo provided by Pierre Bouchee and Jan Pesses/St. Tammany Parish Master Gardeners Association)

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The Peggy Martin rose has a unique Louisiana story

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, April 8, 2022
Peggy Martin roses are in their prime right now. If you’ve spotted the profuse, deep pink bloomers climbing on trellises or fences this spring, you’ve seen one of the most beautiful, easy-care roses of the South.