Home > Our Offices > Parishes > Ouachita Parish > Putting Your Freezer to Work [Image: Image of a freezer] Meal preparation can be demanding when you have limited time and a busy schedule. Put your freezer to work by freezing foods that you can have as quick home cooked meals for busy nights. 2012 Northeast Louisiana Master Gardener Newsletters [Image: Image of a butterfly on a flower.] The Northeast Louisiana Master Gardener (NELAMG) Newsletter is published monthly and includes information about plants, a message from the NELAMG president, upcoming events, minutes of the previous month's meeting and often features "Meet a Master Gardener." Ouachita Parish Profile 2012 [Image: Ouachita Parish Profile 2012] This report provides information about funding sources, program highlights for the area and local issues that are being faced by the parish through the Extension Service. Procedure for Obtaining a Private Applicator's Pesticide License [Image: Image & Link] Information about obtaining a private applicator's pesticide license for purchasing restricted use pesticides from the Ouachita Extension Office. Information includes how to purchase The National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual, which is used for study purposes.  more articles... Are You Supermarket Savy? Grocery shopping can be a stressful experience when trying to save money on food purchases. Here are tips for helping you to shop wisely. 2011 Louisiana Soybean Performance Trial Results [Image: Trial chart] The results of the 2011 Louisiana Soybean Performance Trials have been finalized and can be found here with key points. Controlling Sticker Weed Homeowners often have questions on controlling sticker weed in their lawns. The best defense against weeds in a home lawn is to have a dense, healthy turf canopy. Herbicides are used as supplemental aids in controlling weeds. Plant Blueberries for Edible Landscape Blueberries fit into any general home landscape design. Researchers have shown that a serving of blueberries provides more antioxidant activity than many other fresh fruits and vegetables. Produce Your Own Garden Salad Our regional climate lends itself to home gardeners having a spring and fall vegetable garden. There is a vegetable that can be planted every day of the year in Louisiana. Keeping Holiday Meals Safe As you head to the kitchen to prepare your holiday feast, keep food safety principles in mind to ensure your holiday meal is safe as well as delicious. There are four simple food safety steps you can follow every day to keep your meals safe to eat. Ouachita Parish Bi-Annual Report [Image: CottonProductionImage] Current information about Ouachita Parish programs: Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H, Horticulture/Forestry, Family Nutrition Program, Parenting Education. Ouachita 4-H Newsletters [Image: Image] Monthly newsletters about upcoming events, workshops and award programs for 4-H'ers and 4-H leaders in Ouachita Parish. Varroa Mites and VSH Honey Bees Honey bees are being developed to take advantage of hygienic behaviors to help control varroa mites. The detecting and removing of a mite infested brood guarantees the health of the colony and helps eliminate varroa mites. Varroa Mites: Know Them to Control Them Tips on how to keep varroa mites from affecting a bee hive. Click for more information...