Experiences during the teenage years play a large role in determining whether teenagers go on to become productive and engaged citizens as adults.

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.

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.

Rural America is turning to nature to revitalize its communities.Ironically, farming communities with enhanced natural amenities may boost business opportunities.

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.

It’s a fact. Most tots and toddlers spend the majority of their waking moments in child-care programs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Louisiana continues to suffer from a persistent poverty rate within 24 of its 35 nonmetro parishes.

“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.

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.

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.

The primary mission of the LSU AgCenter is to enhance the quality of life for people through research and education. This issue of Louisiana Agriculture concentrates on the AgCenter’s research and education efforts to enhance the social and economic development of families and their communities.

Eight more LSU AgCenter scientists became members of the “Patent & PVP Club” in 2005. They joined the 35 who have already received patents or have been awarded plant variety protection (PVP) certificates for their inventions.

Vol. 48, No. 3

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.

Losing the roof on your home to high winds can be an expensive proposition. High winds can literally lift the roof off a house. Then you not only have to take care of the damage to the roof itself but also the damage to the inside of the house.

Financial security plays a major role in a person’s overall feeling of well-being and satisfaction. The Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is a partnership comprising representatives from business, industry, government, education and nonprofit groups that seeks to improve the personal financial literacy of young adults.

Factory-made wall, ceiling and roof panels are among the four building systems of the LSU AgCenter’s state-of-the-art demonstration house that can withstand Louisiana’s climate and harshest elements, including hurricane winds.

With recent hurricanes battering the state, Louisianians are increasingly concerned about how to protect themselves from strong winds. An innovation at the LaHouse project is called a "safe room."

Sustainability in housing (meeting current needs without jeopardizing future generations) is an emerging necessity. Natural disasters such as hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 cause billions of dollars in damages to homes.

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