| [Image: photo]Producing Leaders for Rural Louisiana The lack of basic leadership skills and economic development knowledge is often identified by focus groups and advisory councils as a problem in rural areas. |
| [Image: James N. Barnes]Bringing Rural Development to the Delta The continuing transformation of U.S. agriculture profoundly affects the economies in rural America. The LSU AgCenter is attempting to bring relief to one of the most impoverished parts of the country through an innovative, economic and rural development educational program. |
| [Image: photo]Scientists Investigate Salty Surge Effects on Agricultural Fields LSU AgCenter scientists hope they will soon be able to make recommendations for farmers whose fields were hit with saltwater contamination from Hurricane Rita’s storm surge. |
| New Rural Economy: Implications for Louisiana The U.S. rural economy is often described as declining, even devastated, and at best as in a state of flux. To be sure, many rural communities in the United States are struggling to exist. Today’s economy is far less local than it ever has been. Because of technology, we can buy and sell almost anything globally in the time it takes to click “send” on our computer screens. |
| New Delta Development Program Gets Under Way The LSU AgCenter has added strength to its quest to help organize an economic development strategy in the Northeast Louisiana. The added force is James Barnes, new director of the Delta Rural Development Center in Oak Grove. |
| Entrepreneurs Lead Rural Economic Development Rural economic development addresses factors to increase the quality of rural life including the availability of infrastructure. The research and extension activities of the LSU AgCenter have adapted over time to meet the changing structure of our rural economies to promote their growth and well-being. |
| Parenting Teens: Investing in Human Capital Experiences during the teenage years play a large role in determining whether teenagers go on to become productive and engaged citizens as adults. |
| [Image: Cattle are herded along a flooded rural road]Editorial: LSU AgCenter Responds Heroically to Hurricane Disasters The LSU AgCenter's mission is to serve Louisiana. And the employees did. In some cases, they were there to help others after hurricanes Katrina and Rita at great personal sacrifice to themselves. Read about the LSU AgCenter's response. |
| [Image: logo]Nature-based Tourism Blazes Trail for Economic Growth Rural America is turning to nature to revitalize its communities.Ironically, farming communities with enhanced natural amenities may boost business opportunities. |
| Be Child Care Aware Campaign Reaches Families The two-year “Be Child Care Aware!” educational campaign, launched in the fall of 2003, reached at least 205,000 people with information on quality child care. |
| Choose Child Care Carefully It’s a fact. Most tots and toddlers spend the majority of their waking moments in child-care programs. |
| Community Development Program Wins National Award The LSU AgCenter’s Community Leadership and Economic Development Program received the 2005 training achievements award from the International Economic Development Council during the council’s annual meeting in Chicago in September. |
| [Image: photo]Developmentally Appropriate Educational Practices in Early Childhood Programs: An Economic Investment for the Future The effect of early experiences on a child’s later success is well-documented by social scientists. Because young children are increasingly spending more of their early years in a variety of settings, it is critical that they receive high-quality care and education during these formative years. |
| Brains Bring Bounty: Louisiana Benefits From LSU AgCenter Intellectual Property In a recent report to the LSU System, an auditor of LSU’s technology transfer activities referred to the LSU AgCenter’s Office of Intellectual Property as the “crown jewel” of the system because of its productivity. |
| [Image: Gail L. Cramer]Rural Development Makes Louisiana a Better Place Rural development makes America a better place in which to live and work. Rural development emphasizes the well-being of people rather than economic growth itself. Development increases real per capita incomes and employment and improves housing, fire and police protection, schools, libraries and other government services. These amenities in rural communities are directly influenced by farmers. Also, the well-being of farmers is affected by communities. |
| LSU AgCenter Launches Center for Rural Initiatives In February 2005, the Louisiana Board of Regents granted conditional approval for the Louisiana Center for Rural Initiatives, a rural development researchand outreach center located within the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness. |
| [Image: illustration]Poverty Persists in Louisiana Louisiana continues to suffer from a persistent poverty rate within 24 of its 35 nonmetro parishes. |
| [Image: Baton Rouge 4-H'ers Tina Mouch and Katee Craig]Hurricane Recovery Message to 4-H: ‘Don’t Give Up’ “Don’t give up” was the message from North Carolina's 4-H’ers to those in Louisiana who were affected by the recent hurricanes. |
| [Image: figure 1]Human Capital Development Trends in Louisiana Since 1990 For decades, globalization and advances in information and communication technology have been creating two different kinds of jobs in the United States. Primary sector jobs are high-skilled, high-paying, stable and offer opportunities for advancement. Secondary sector jobs are low-skilled, low-paying, unsecured, monotonous and offer few opportunities to advance. |
| Laird Receives $336,898 Grant The National Science Foundation has awarded a $336,898 grant to Robert Laird through LSU A&M. Laird has a joint appointment with the LSU AgCenter, and the grant will allow him to continue his research on parenting teenagers. |
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