June 2020 Articles

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Just Rambling June 2020

Just Rambling June 2020: I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the Marsalis Family in their loss of Jimmy Marsalis –husband, father and grandfather. Jimmy was a fine man and a good friend. I have known Jimmy since our college days and from different agriculture groups he was involved in. Jimmy will be missed very much. The Marsalis family will be in my prayers for their healing. I would also like to extend my deepest sympathy to Mr. Lee Royce Alford and family... read more

Spiritual Corner: A Listener and A Speaker

Spiritual Corner: A Listener and A Speaker
Since the death of George Floyd, I have been trying to come to terms with how I feel. I have been trying to find words to adequately express my emotions and my thoughts. I still don’t know if I have them, but I prayed that God would speak through me. There are so many angles with which to look at the recent events that have unfolded in our country. There is evil going on everywhere we look. The recent riots involving theft... read more

USDA Announces Details of Direct Assistance to Farmers through the Coronavirus F

USDA Announces Details of Direct Assistance to Farmers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Farmers and Ranchers to Receive Direct Support for Losses Related to COVID-19 WASHINGTON, D.C., May 19, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which will provide up... read more

Farmers and Ranchers in Louisiana Can Now Apply for Financial Assistance through

Farmers and Ranchers in Louisiana Can Now Apply for Financial Assistance through USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Online Tools and Toll-Free Number Available to Assist Producers ALEXANDRIA, LA, May 26, 2020 – Agricultural producers can now apply for USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which provides direct payments... read more

USDA Offers Low-Interest Loans for Agricultural Producers in Arkansas Impacted b

USDA Offers Low-Interest Loans for Agricultural Producers in Arkansas Impacted by Natural Disasters
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Available ALEXANDRIA, LA, May 19, 2020 — Arkansas agricultural producers who lost property due to recent natural disasters may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) physical loss loans. The Farm Service Agency... read more

USDA Accepting Proposals for State Acres for Wildlife

USDA Accepting Proposals for State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Initiative ALEXANDRIA, LA, May 12, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting new or modified proposals from state governments for its State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Initiative. Through SAFE, vital habitat is restored to... read more

Egg Donation to Louisiana Food Banks

Egg Donation to Louisiana Food Banks Source: www.ldaf.state.la.us Baton Rouge, La. (May 19, 2020) – Today, egg producer Cal-Maine Foods, INC, located in Pine Grove, La., donated two truckloads consisting of 1,560 cases of eggs (280,800 eggs) in each truck to the five food banks across the state. Those... read more

Finding local blueberries during the pandemic

Finding local blueberries during the pandemic Writer: Johnny Morgan at jmorgan@agcenter.lsu.edu(05/19/20) BATON ROUGE, La. — Blueberry growers are hoping to avoid the drastically reduced sales that some other farms have experienced because of lost markets as a result of the coronavirus. With limited movement, it may be hard to find local berries in stores, but there are ways to get the produce that you want and stay safe in the process.... read more

Hurricane season starts June 1; prepare now for potential storms

Hurricane season starts June 1; prepare now for potential storms Writer: Tobie Blanchard at tblanchard@agcenter.lsu.edu The 2020 hurricane season could bring new challenges as Louisiana residents also navigate the realities of COVID-19. The U.S. has already seen one named storm, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said coastal areas should brace for an active season.... read more

Farmers display entrepreneurial success in getting produce to customers

Farmers display entrepreneurial success in getting produce to customers Writer: Randy LaBauve at rlabauve@agcenter.lsu.edu Local produce farmers have been unsung heroes during the coronavirus crisis — continuing to safely provide a steady supply of fresh, healthy produce, despite sudden obstacles like closed restaurants, cancelled or modified drive-thru farmers markets, and the need for other distribution adaptations.... read more

Impacts of Heat Stress in Cattle

Impacts of Heat Stress in Cattle Source: Christine Navarre, LSU Ag Center Heat stress is a very costly to the cattle industries.Heat stress in cattle can be clinical or subclinical. Clinical heat stress can be debilitating and even deadly and there are health and production impacts from subclinical heat stress. Managing... read more

Horse Trivia:

Horse Trivia: A 1,000 pound horse produces 1,500 Btu of heat per hour (36,ooo Btu/day) and exhales 2 gallons of water daily. Which is why stables need to be well ventilated, but don’t need to be heated (except in “human only” areas like tack rooms, lounges, etc.).

USDA Reminds Producers to Complete Crop Acreage Reports

USDA Reminds Producers to Complete Crop Acreage Reports
Ruston, LA, May 13, 2020 the Lincoln/Union/Jackson Parish office for USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is currently open to phone and virtual appointments only but can still work with producers on timely filing crop acreage reports. FSA staff can provide assistance over the phone, by email and through virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams.
The following acreage reporting dates are applicable for Lincoln/Union/Ruston Parish.... read more

Remain cautious as Louisiana begins first phase of reopening

Remain cautious as Louisiana begins first phase of reopening Writer: Olivia McClure at omcclure@agcenter.lsu.edu (05/14/20) BATON ROUGE, La. — When Louisiana begins its first phase of reopening the economy following weeks of a stay-at-home order on May 15, people will need to continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. “The most important thing is social distancing,” said AgCenter... read more

USDA Announces Grants for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production

USDA Announces Grants for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production
Contact: Amy Robertson, 318-473-7762 amy.robertson@usda.gov
WASHINGTON, May 6, 2020 –The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of $3 million for grants through its new Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. The competitive grants will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects through two categories, Planning... read more

USDA Announces $5 Million in Wetland Mitigation Banking Program Funds

USDA Announces $5 Million in Wetland Mitigation Banking Program Funds Contact: Amy Robertson, 318-473-7762 amy.robertson@usda.gov ALEXANDRIA, May 5, 2020 – The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today the availability of up to $5 million for wetland mitigation banks. This funding through the Wetland Mitigation Banking... read more

USDA ANNOUNCES COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS FOR COMMUNITY

USDA ANNOUNCES COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS FOR COMMUNITY COMPOST AND FOOD WASTE REDUCTION
WASHINGTON, May 11, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of $900,000 for local governments to host a Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction (CCFWR) pilot project for fiscal year (FY) 2020. The cooperative agreements will support projects that develop and test strategies for planning and... read more

Chocolate Cake in a Mug

Chocolate Cake in a Mug
3 T all– purpose flour 3 T sugar 2 T unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 t Baking Powder pinch of salt 3 T whole milk 3 T vegetable oil Splash of vanilla 3T semisweet chocolate chips
In a 12 oz mug combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Stir with a fork. Then add the milk, oil and vanilla. Stir until it just comes together. Then add chocolate chips and... read more