Feature Story from 2011

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The third annual Union County Home and Garden Show will be held at the Union County fairgrounds on March 25 and March 26.

The event will run Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. No registration is required, and most events are free to the public. The show had 1,200 participants last year—up from 500 in 2009—and organizers expect an even bigger crowd this year.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Mississippi State University’s agricultural economics department head was recently honored for his significant contributions to his field.

Steve Turner received the 2011 Southern Agricultural Economics Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the organization’s annual meeting in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Turner was chosen for the award because he has contributed to Southern agricultural economics for the past 25 years through teaching, research and public service.

VERONA – Almost 300 producers of row crops, livestock and other agricultural products met at the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Verona to discuss services they need from Mississippi State University.

The Feb. 17 event helps give programming and research direction to the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and the Extension Service.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University is holding the first-ever all-girls Discovery Day on campus to introduce female high school students to careers in wildlife and fisheries.

Discovery Day will take place on April 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free for 24 students in the ninth through 11th grades. Participants will learn skills including GPS orienteering, water sampling and wildlife identification.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Those interested in learning about new technology that can improve farm management and operations should plan on attending Mississippi State University Extension Service’s Precision Agriculture Workshop.

The free workshop will be held on March 11 at the Forrest County Extension Conference Center in Hattiesburg. The workshop starts at 8:30 a.m. and wraps up with a free lunch at 12:30 p.m.

HATTIESBURG -- Mississippi State University will auction about 20 horses and one pony to raise money to support MSU’s equine research program.

This is the first year for the sale to be held off campus. The March 12 sale will begin at 1 p.m. at the T. Smith Livestock Co. at 122 T. Smith Road in Hattiesburg. Buyers can begin viewing the horses at 11 a.m.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – When Mississippi State University’s Pre-Veterinary Club hosts the 2011 American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association’s Symposium, they will be showcasing the college and Southern hospitality to students from around the world.

The theme for the March 11-13 event at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine is “Open Minds, Open Hearts, Open Hands.” More than 500 students and advisors are expected to attend from across the United States and as far away as Canada, Australia, England and the Caribbean islands.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – When Mississippians spot a bug they can’t identify, a laboratory at Mississippi State University can help, as long as the insect is in reasonably good condition.

Blake Layton, MSU Extension Service entomologist, said insect identification is a free service offered at MSU’s Extension Insect Identification Laboratory since 2004. Samples can be mailed in, hand-delivered or in some cases, photographed and e-mailed in for identification. Along with the identification, the lab provides information on how to control the insect.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Pet owners in Mississippi and surrounding states can turn to Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine when their four-legged loved ones develop neurological problems.

Medical and surgical conditions that involve the brain or nervous system can be a challenge to diagnose and treat, especially when they affect patients who cannot talk. Veterinarians needing consultations on particularly difficult cases frequently turn to MSU’s veterinary college, which now has access to the best diagnostic equipment available in human medicine.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Many Mississippians love exploring their family’s past, and an upcoming statewide interactive video conference will bring experts on genealogical topics to county Extension offices.

Participants will be able to come and go throughout the three-hour Genealogy Fair that begins at noon on March 25. Three topics will be addressed during the conference.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – This year’s Mississippi Homemaker Volunteers State Council conference will provide attendees with four days of hands-on workshops and educational events.

The May 15-19 “MHV Celebrates MSU” conference will be held at Mississippi State University’s main campus. Registration is $20 for the four-day event. Housing in Griffis Residence Hall is available for an additional fee. The conference is not only open to MHV volunteers but also to the general public.

PICAYUNE – Music lovers are invited to welcome spring with bluegrass, country, blues, and gospel performances in the Crosby Arboretum’s scenic outdoor setting.

Mississippi State University’s Crosby Arboretum in Picayune will host a three-part spring 2011 music series. The lineup is as follows:

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Youth with an interest in animals and veterinary medicine can take advantage of a camp offered by Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

MSU Veterinary Camp will provide a hands-on experience to youth ages 13 to 15. Campers will participate in interactive labs and learn about veterinary medicine from CVM instructors.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Mississippi’s 3.7 million acres of cropland were in good shape by late winter despite high snow geese numbers in the Delta and heavy March rains.

Darrin Dodds, cotton specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said cotton fields were generally in good condition.

“A favorable harvest season in 2010 allowed many growers to complete fall operations in a timely manner and prepare the land for the 2011 growing season,” Dodds said. “Although some weed species are proving tough to control, fields are generally in good shape.”

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Mississippi’s 4-H program has seen many changes in more than a century of activities, but youth maintain their interest in a tried-and-true project: horses.

“Enrollment in horse projects comes in cycles, especially in the last 20 years or so with the explosion of activities available for youth, including other 4-H programs,” said Gina Wills, Union County 4-H youth agent. “We have a lot of former 4-H members returning with their children now. Horse and livestock projects always have been popular family activities.”

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Those interested in learning to help people in their community cope with tough financial situations and become wise consumers should plan on attending a Mississippi State University videoconference on April 15.

The MSU Extension Service is offering Money Mentor Volunteers training from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Extension offices in Cleveland, Grenada, Magnolia, Raymond, Starkville and Verona. The training is free, and no prior experience is needed to participate.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Livestock producers with an interest in cool-season forages can learn about ongoing Mississippi State University research on this topic at an evening tour April 5.

The Cool-Season Forage Tour will begin at 5 p.m. at the Henry H. Leveck Animal Research Farm, the forage unit at MSU’s South Farm in Starkville. The event is free, but early registration is encouraged as a meal will be served.

By Kaitlyn Byrne
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – A Hinds County 4-H program was recently recognized for its commitment to helping youth get involved in agriculture and healthy living initiatives.

The Barnyard Crew 4-H club was selected to be one of the 2011 Mississippi KIDS COUNT Showcase of Success exhibitors at this year’s KIDS COUNT Summit. They were chosen because of their sustainable agriculture program, which teaches youth about agriculture and health.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – As local gas prices keep rising, many Mississippians are struggling to find the money to keep both the car and the family budget running smoothly.

According to the tracking service Mississippigasprices.com, fuel cost between $3.32 and $3.55 a gallon as of March 16, with a state average of $3.45 a gallon. Gas prices just three months ago were about $2.81 a gallon.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – The climate of Mississippi and the Gulf South region presents challenges for wood preservation, making water repellents and the environment top considerations.

David Jones, assistant Extension professor in Mississippi State University’s forest products department, said wood treatments can lengthen the performance of timber by decades.