Home > News Archive > LSU AgCenter Communications produces news releases for print, radio and television media. Print press releases are produced three ways – as headline news for stories with more immediacy, as news you can use for stories with a helpful angle, and as seasonal stories. We produce four seasonal packets: spring gardening, hurricane preparedness (storm and flood), back-to-school and holidays. All of the press releases are archived together by year, month and then by Headline News, News You Can Use and Radio & TV. In addition, we produce a special service called “Get It Growing” aimed at people who want to improve their landscapes, grow flowers and ornamentals or grow vegetables and fruit. This service includes a weekly newspaper column written by horticulturist Dan Gill, a daily (Monday through Friday) 60-second radio spot voiced by Gill, and a weekly 90-second television spot featuring Gill. All of the “Get It Growing” releases – print, radio and television – are archived together as Get it Growing For more information on our news services, please contact Frankie Gould or Linda Benedict. Both can be reached at (225) 578-2263 or via e-mail. Sheep, goat field day held May 19 at LSU (Distributed 05/25/12) Sheep and goat producers heard the latest in research-based information for raising their livestock at a field day held at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine on May 19. Rice field day set for May 31 in Mamou (Distributed 05/25/12) MAMOU, La. – Experts from the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station will tell farmers about their latest work Thursday (May 31) at the Evangeline Parish Rice Field Day. Ornamental sweet potatoes add color to landscapes [Image: ornamental sweet potato] (Distributed 05/25/12) Ornamental sweet potatoes are a popular warm-season annual for adding foliage colors to the summer landscape. The original varieties include plants with leaves that are chartreuse-lime green (Marguerite), blackish purple (Blackie, Black Beauty, Ace of Spades) and tricolored (Pink Frost). Rice producers hear about new fungicide approval CROWLEY, La. – Rice growers heard details Thursday (May 24) of using a new fungicide that could help them with an untreatable form of the disease sheath blight.  more articles... Researchers successfully spawn captive gar [Image: picture] (Distributed 05/25/12) Alligator gar are declining in numbers across much of the country. Researchers at the LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Research Station have successfully spawned gar in tanks to be used in studies to better understand this ancient fish. LSU AgCenter fetes Master Gardener volunteers [Image: Master Gardeners] (Distributed 05/25/12) The LSU AgCenter recognized the volunteer efforts of the Louisiana Master Gardener program with an appreciation day at the Hammond Research Station on May 18. Researchers successfully spawn gar [Image: picture] (Video 05/22/12) Researchers at the LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Research Station have succeeded in spawning alligator gar, a fish that is dwindling in numbers across the country. (Runtime 1:32) Soybean acreage growing [Image: picture] (Video 05/22/12) Soybeans will be Louisiana's largest crop in terms of acreage with more than a million acres expected to be planted this year. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux gives an update on the current condition of Louisiana's soybean crop. (Runtime 1:36) La. 4-H Hall of Fame inducts 12 [Image: group photo] (Distributed 05/22/12) MANSURA, La. – A dozen individuals recognized for their dedication to youth were inducted into the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame here Saturday (May 19). Alligator gar spawning is successful (Audio 05/22/12) Researchers at the LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Research Station have successfully spawned alligator gar. These gar will be used for future research projects to help researchers understand more about these ancient fish that are declining across the country. (Runtime 1:10) Soybean planting near completion (Audio 05/22/12) Soybean planting is nearly complete with producers expected to plant more than 1.1 million acres across the state. (Runtime: 1:05) Farmer meeting on new fungicides set for May 24 in Crowley (Distributed 05/21/12) CROWLEY, La. – Representatives of a company selling new fungicides for rice and soybeans will hold a meeting at the Acadia Parish Extension Office at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, May 24. Blue Chip buddleia blooms throughout summer [Image: Dwarf Buddleia] (Video 05/28/12) Buddleia is also called butterfly bush because it attracts butterlflies. It’s a tough, flowering bush that comes in many sizes and colors. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how the dwarf buddleia Blue Chip is a good choice for vibrant color and nice fragrance.(Runtime: 1:37) Super Plant Penny Mac hydrangea reblooms throughout summer [Image: Penny Mac Hydrangea] (Video 05/21/12) In Louisiana, hydrangeas typically bloom once – in May. But the Super Plant Penny Mac hydrangea keeps reblooming many times until the end of summer. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill visits the Hammond Research Station and looks at the Penny Mac hydrangea – a reliable and beautiful plant for Louisiana landscapes. (Runtime: 1:40) Click for more information...