Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center

05/29/2026

Rain or shine, the Southern University Agricultural & Natural Resources Team remains committed to educating and empowering Louisiana producers!

On a rainy day in Winnsboro, LA, the team traveled to engage local cattle producers in hands-on discussions focused on improving cattle management practices and herd health.

Mr. Calvin Adams Jr., Research Assistant, facilitated an informative session on proper vaccinations and syringe usage, emphasizing best practices for herd protection and animal care. Dr. Mallory Tate, Research Associate, led discussions on innovative technologies in agriculture, including virtual collars and drone applications for livestock management.

Thank you to Mr. Al Norwood (Host Farm), Federation of Southern Cooperatives and everyone who helped make the day a success as we continue building stronger herds and stronger communities across Louisiana.

05/29/2026

Calling all young chefs! 🍽️

The 2026 NourishEd K.I.D.S. Youth Summer Cooking Camp still has a few spots available! Youth ages 9–12 will learn essential cooking skills, nutrition basics, and safe food preparation through fun, hands-on experiences.

To register, please contact Evan Egana at [email protected].

05/28/2026

Today, Administrative Assistants Professional Development Day was held at the Tarver Center as part of the continued commitment of the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center and the College of Agriculture, Human and Environmental Sciences to strengthening their workforce.

The session, themed “The Power Behind the Office: Elevating the Administrative Assistant Role,” was facilitated by Keisha Dandridge, Program Director of the SU Child Development Laboratory. The training focused on enhancing professional presence, strengthening customer service excellence, and supporting the overall effectiveness of administrative operations across the Ag Center and College of Agriculture.

05/28/2026

On Saturday, May 23, 2026, the Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (SARDI) hosted their first parenting class, “Let’s Talk About It: The Parent Edition” in partnership with The Family Empowerment Group.

Guest Speaker Christopher Lazard gave parents a heartfelt and empowering session focused on strengthening families and building healthier communication at home. Practical parenting strategies that were discussed were de-escalating conflicts calmly, parenting under pressure, understanding ant teaching healthy code-switching, and creating positive connections with our children.

The conversation was engaging, honest, and full of valuable tools that parents can use every day. Thank you to all of the parents who participated, shared experiences, and committed to growing alongside their children. Together, we are building stronger families and stronger communities – one conversation at a time!

05/28/2026

Disasters can strike without warning … preparation and recovery planning are essential for the long-term success of Louisiana’s small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit organizations.

Join us for the 2026 RISE Louisiana Disaster Response and Recovery Training on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the LSBDC at Southern University. This impactful training will provide participants with practical strategies and critical resources related to disaster preparedness, insurance and risk management, SBA recovery assistance, emergency planning, disaster contract opportunities, and community resilience.

The training will feature experts and resource partners from the Louisiana APEX Accelerator, Louisiana Department of Insurance, U.S. Small Business Administration, SULLA, Allstate Insurance, Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SU Ag Center), and more. Participants are strongly encouraged to register in advance to secure their spot.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Krystle J. Allen, Assistant Specialist, Community and Economic Development, at [email protected].

Register today: https://www2.lsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=7460020

05/27/2026

The Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development Institute (SARDI) concluded the spring/summer session of the Grow, Eat, Move (G.E.M.) Program on May 27, 2026! 🥗💃🏽

Throughout this season, participants learned how to grow and prepare a variety of vegetables while exploring healthier, more active lifestyles.

For the final session, Agriculture Agent Kayla Fontenot shared the final steps in the growing process, followed by a cooking demonstration from Family & Human Development Agent Stacey Nevills. The program ended with Linda Peters of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, who spoke on the importance of staying active and led participants in a fun line dancing demonstration.

The G.E.M. Program returns in September 2026 for the fall session. For more information, contact the SARDI office at 337-943-2410.

SARDI is a satellite campus of the Southern University Agricultural Research & Extension Center located in Opelousas, Louisiana.

05/26/2026

Join SU Together: Move More, Eat Better – Lunch and Learn Summer 2026 for engaging sessions focused on nutrition, wellness, and healthy living!

📅 Wednesdays | June 24 & July 22
📍 Pinkie Thrift, Room 157
⏰ 12 PM – 1 PM

Enjoy interactive Lunch & Learn experiences featuring wellness education and physical activities designed to help you build healthier habits and stronger routines.

Scan the QR code or register today and invest in your wellness journey!

05/26/2026

SU Together: Move More, Eat Better is back! Join the Center of Excellence for walking on the Bluff, Chair Pilates, Yoga, Line Dancing, and a Geaux Ride.

jAGs, let’s move together every Monday starting June 1!

Register here: https://bit.ly/4tVn2sM

05/26/2026

The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center is proud to share that the NonProfit 101 Program Series, developed and facilitated by Dr. Krystle J. Allen, Community & Economic Development Asst. Specialist, was recently featured on WBRZ, as part of the station’s “2 Make a Difference” segment.

In partnership with the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office, the NonProfit 101 Program Series was created to provide aspiring and existing nonprofit leaders with guidance related to nonprofit formation, organizational development, compliance, and sustainability. The series reflects the SU Ag Center’s continued commitment to strengthening communities through education, outreach, and capacity-building efforts across Louisiana.

We appreciate WBRZ and Sylvia Weatherspoon for highlighting this important initiative and helping bring awareness to resources available to support nonprofit and community development efforts throughout the state.

Watch the segment here:

WBRZ's Sylvia Weatherspoon finds local heroes who are helping 2 Make A Difference.