Home > News Archive > 2005 > January > 2005 Ag Alley Photos [Image: Ag Alley Photo] Photos from "Ag Alley" in Monroe. See related story titled "Youth, Adults Learn About La. Agriculture In 'Ag Alley.'" Louisiana Strawberries Early This Year (Distributed 01/27/05) This year’s Louisiana strawberry crop started coming in a little earlier than usual, and officials say the state’s farmers are hoping for a good crop. LSU AgCenter Announces 3rd Annual Food Processors Conference (Distributed 01/28/05) The third annual Louisiana Food Processors Conference and exposition has been set for Feb. 16-17 at the C.B. Pennington Jr. Conference Center in Baton Rouge. Camp Helps Youth Learn Creativity, Hone Leadership Skills (Distributed 01/28/05) Young people from across Louisiana gathered for a fun-filled weekend to learn sewing skills, develop creative talents and practice leadership skills during fashion camp at the Grant Walker 4-H Education Center Jan. 21-23.  more articles... LSU AgCenter Horticulturist Details Proper Winter Lawn Care (Distributed January 2005) Few treatments are required by warm-season grasses that go dormant in winter. The wrong treatments at the wrong time can create a weak and lethal situation, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. LSU AgCenter Nutritionist Previews New Dietary Guidelines (Distributed January 2005) The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans will be released early next year. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says the guidelines are considered to be the best science-based dietary advice available for Americans over the age of 2. Try Water Exercise To Complement Healthy Diet, Suggests LSU AgCenter Nutritionist (Distributed February 2005) Exercise is a vital partner to good nutrition. Many people are beginning to enjoy the benefits of aquatic exercise, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. Don’t Debate, Take Folate! Advises LSU AgCenter Nutrition Expert (Distributed January 2005) Folate or folic acid is a B vitamin found in some foods and vitamin supplements. This vitamin can help prevent up to 70 percent of birth defects of baby’s brain and spine, according to LSU AgCenter food and nutrition expert Catrinel Stanciu. LSU AgCenter Horticulturist Explains Popularity Of St. Augustinegrass (Distributed January 2005) St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is one of our two most popular lawn grasses in Louisiana. It is widely adapted to the humid Deep South, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. LSU AgCenter Family Economist Explains ‘Check 21’ (Distributed February 2005) A new federal law, known as Check 21, makes it easier for banks to electronically transfer check images instead of physically transferring paper checks. Because of Check 21 and other check-system improvements, your checks may be processed faster – which means money may be deducted from your checking account faster, according to LSU AgCenter family economics professor Dr. Jeanette Tucker. Be Child Care Aware: Keeping Sick Children Out Of Child-care Centers Protects Others (Distributed January 2005) Policies that exclude sick children from child-care centers may seem like a hassle to a working parent with a sick child, but those policies are put in place to protect other children, says LSU AgCenter expert Cheri Gioe. Be Child Care Aware: Learn About Options To Choose Best Child Care (Distributed January 2005) If you’re in the market for child care, it’s important to learn about the options. That will help you to pick the best setting for your child, says LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe. Wetter Winter Possible, Depending On El Niño, Says LSU AgCenter Climatologist (Distributed January 2005) As the New Year begins, so returns the threat of too much rain for the Bayou State. With the distinction as the nation's "wettest" state, Louisiana must always be on guard for the potential for flooding, according to LSU AgCenter climatologist Jay Grymes. LSU AgCenter Family Economist Doesn’t Like RALs (Distributed February 2005) Tax refund anticipation loans allow people to borrow against an expected federal and/or state income tax refund. RALs are extremely high-cost bank loans that last about 10 days and are secured by the taxpayer’s expected tax refund, explains LSU AgCenter family economics professor Dr. Jeanette Tucker. Click for more information...