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. Congressman says research, trade important for La. farmers (Distributed 02/09?10) WELSH, La. – U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany praised the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station for its innovations that could make U.S. products more competitive. LSU AgCenter forest landowner forum addresses recycling wood, feral hogs (Distributed 02/08/10) CALHOUN, La. – Louisiana forest landowners heard about ways to improve timber, wildlife and product value from their lands at an LSU AgCenter forum recently. Ag products, animals fascinate students at LSU AgCenter exhibit [Image: Howard Cormier with school chilcren] (Distributed 02/08/10) LAKE CHARLES, La. – More than 800 children learned about animals and the origins of their food recently (Feb. 3-4) at Ag Adventures held in conjunction with the LSU AgCenter’s Southwest Regional Livestock Show. Keep food safe on Mardi Gras (Distributed 02/05/10) Don’t let unsafe food masquerade at your Mardi Gras celebration. Food that hasn’t been prepared following recommended food safety guidelines usually appears safe because it looks smells and tastes fine, but eating it may lead to food-borne illness, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.  more articles... Flowering trees add spring color to landscapes (Distributed 02/05/10) Flowering trees add considerable color and beauty to our landscapes during the late winter and early spring months. Many of these trees that flower at this time of the year can be considered low maintenance compared to the amount of joy we get from them. Keep healthful foods prepared and available for children (Radio News 02/08/10) Parents who want their children to eat healthier, need to eat healthy themselves. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Denise Holston-West said parents must prepare meals with healthful foods and give their youngsters good options for snacks. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Boundaries help children learn societal rules (Radio News 02/08/10) Parents can help their children become good decision makers by giving them proper boundaries says LSU AgCenter family development specialist Dr. Diane Sasser. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Children need good relationship role models (Radio News 02/08/10) Love is in the air in February, and children learn about love and relationships from their parents and guardians. It is important for parents, whether together or not, to model a healthy, respectful relationship because it will serve as a guide for a child’s future relationship says LSU AgCenter family development specialist Dr. Diane Sasser. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Include children in healthy resolutions (Radio News 02/08/10) At the beginning of a new year many adults resolve to exercise more. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Denise Holston-West says parents should include their children in their healthy goals. She suggests finding ways to get kids to move more. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Soil content affects hydrangea color (Audio 02/08/10) Many people know that hydrangeas can change color, but most do not understand what causes this color change. Different pH levels and the availability of aluminum ions in the soil cause the plant to produce different color blossoms. Discover which factors determine which hydrangea colors. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Plant bare-root roses before blooming season (Audio 02/08/10) Although bare-root plants are not typically found anymore, gardeners can still purchase bare-root roses. These must be planted before the end of February while they are still dormant to ensure the best quality roses. Listen to hear more conditions required for successfully growing bare-root roses. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Get informed about proper fruit tree pruning (Audio 02/08/10) Louisiana gardeners grow a variety of fruit trees in their landscapes. February is a good time to prune these, but different fruit trees require different types of pruning. Hear more about how you can obtain information on pruning fruit trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds) February still ideal for planting trees (Audio 02/08/10) Louisiana celebrates Arbor Day in January, but February also is a great time to plant new trees in your landscape. Planting trees this time of the year allows the plant to settle into its environment before the heat of spring and summer. Here are some tips on how to properly plant a tree. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Add colorful shade-tolerant plants to winter landscape (Audio 02/08/10) Some gardeners are not aware that there are a number of beautiful cool-season bedding plants that can thrive in shady locations. Learn which bedding plants are the most shade-tolerant while surviving winter temperatures. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Click for more information...