Extension Matters: Volume 5 Number 3

  • Paul Cavanaugh standing in front of a sign that reads Master Gardeners at Work.

    Doing the “Heart” Work

  • Shandrea Jenkins sitting on a brick planter.

    Making the Best Better

  • Ted and Janet Parker.

    Growing Steady

  • Lance McElhenney working with his horse in an arena.

    Finding a New Path

  • Darryl Grennell

    Partnering for Progress

  • Master Gardener volunteer and gardening participants.

    Extension Where You Are

  • Dunn's Falls.

    Tranquil Times

  • Zion Johnson.

    Electrifying Co-op Connections

  • Abby Braman standing in a creek.

    Call to Action

  • A man stands on a porch with a white crepe myrtle behind him and the Mississippi River and bridge in the distance.

    Preserving History

  • A Rural Medical and Science Scholar.

    Learning in Scrubs

  • Two MSU Extension agronomy specialists instruct youth campers.

    What’s New in Extension

  • Steven Bell stands beside a truck housing a mosquito sprayer.

    Clearing the Air

  • 4-H logo and AT&T Mississippi president.

    Development Direction

Paul Cavanaugh standing in front of a sign that reads Master Gardeners at Work.

Mississippi’s Pine Belt Master Gardeners are extending their knowledge across state lines, with prize-winning results.

Shandrea Jenkins sitting on a brick planter.

What makes Shandrea Jenkins unique is her giving spirit. The Port Gibson High School junior is an active member of 4-H in Claiborne County, and she appreciates the opportunities 4-H is giving her. She’s getting to serve others, travel around the state, and connect with other focused, ambitious 4-H’ers who want to make Mississippi even better.

Ted and Janet Parker.

For the first 15 years of their marriage, Ted and Janet Parker lived off of one income. She made the living, and nearly every penny he made as a beef cattle farmer went right back into growing their farm.

Lance McElhenney working with his horse in an arena.

He joined the US Marine Corps to serve and protect the country, and, as a Marine in Iraq, Lance McElhenney felt 10 feet tall and bulletproof.

Darryl Grennell

Natchez. Rich in history, beauty, and culture, it’s the oldest incorporated city on the Mississippi River. For Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell, giving back to the town where he was born and raised just makes sense.

Master Gardener volunteer and gardening participants.

After a conversation with a fellow volunteer at St. Dominic’s Hospital in Jackson, John Malanchak decided to follow his heart.

“I’d always wanted to work with special needs individuals,” explains Malanchak, a retired geologist. “But I didn’t know what I could offer them.”

Dunn's Falls.

Dunn’s Falls, near Enterprise in Lauderdale County, features a 65-foot waterfall, a gristmill pond, and a natural wildlife refuge. Preserving the most beautiful, peaceful places in Mississippi aligns with the Mississippi State University Extension Service’s mission to conserve and sustain the state’s natural landmarks and environment.

Zion Johnson.

He may be only 15 years old, but one Columbus High School sophomore is developing financial skills for his entrepreneurial future, thanks to his experiences at the 2019 Mississippi 4-H Cooperative and Leadership Conference.

Abby Braman standing in a creek.

In 2016, Abby Braman was a newcomer to Mississippi, and she began looking for places where she could enjoy the outdoors as she did growing up in New Jersey.

A man stands on a porch with a white crepe myrtle behind him and the Mississippi River and bridge in the distance.

While Adams County native Monroe Sago has always loved the look of crape myrtles, he hasn’t always known how best to take care of them. His lack of knowledge was brought directly to his attention about 7 years ago.

A Rural Medical and Science Scholar.

When she started school in a New York kindergarten classroom and participated in her first “dress-up day,” Bridgette “Brie” Cerda-Marin chose the doctor costume.

And, in her own words: “I’ve wanted to be a doctor ever since.”

Two MSU Extension agronomy specialists instruct youth campers.

See what is new in Extension... Extension Holds New Agronomy Camp, Larry Alexander Fund Gives to the Future of 4-H, Extension Offers Ag Literacy Workshop for Teachers, Extension Offers Resources to Residents Affected by Backwater Flooding.

Steven Bell stands beside a truck housing a mosquito sprayer.

When most people think of mosquito control, they envision a large chemical tank in the bed of a pickup truck.

Spraying chemicals is actually the last resort in integrated pest management (IPM), a scientific process of preventing invasive insects from reaching adulthood. IPM uses environmentally responsible alternatives, such as habitat removal, structural barriers, and larval control, before using sampling and resistance management to determine treatment plans for adult mosquitoes.

4-H logo and AT&T Mississippi president.

AT&T Mississippi sponsors the AT&T Banner Club Awards, Mississippi 4-H’s annual awards ceremony to celebrate the state’s most impactful 4-H clubs, at the Legislative Appreciation Luncheon, which is part of 4-H Legislative Day in February.

 

 

 

""

Message from the Director

Dr. Gary
Jackson

Extension’s volunteers, clients, and 4-H’ers continue their efforts to make Mississippi the greatest state in the country, and Extension agents, educators, and staff remain committed to bringing them the research-based knowledge that improves their quality of life.

In this issue of Extension Matters, Mississippi Sunbelt/Ag Expo Farmer of the Year Ted Parker of Covington County tells how Extension instruction has improved his cattle operation’s profitability. Also, Hinds County Master Naturalist Abby Braman shares how Extension’s program enables her to increase conservation efforts to protect Mississippi’s natural landmarks.

Master Gardeners from Lamar County are sharing their horticultural expertise across state lines, and a Madison County Master Gardener is educating metro Jackson communities about vegetable gardening. Adams County Master Gardeners are saving iconic crape myrtles in Natchez from the dreaded crape myrtle bark scale, and Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell speaks to the numerous initiatives that Extension directs to improve his community.

The 2019 Rural Medical and Science Scholars program, led in June by Extension experts in health and wellness, included a Lauderdale County High School senior who received a scholarship to explore her interest in working in medicine. And a U.S. Marine Corps veteran tells how Extension’s Veterans Horsemanship Program is helping him transition back to civilian life.

Finally, 4-H’ers are learning by doing in Extension programs, including Claiborne County 4-H’er Shandrea Jenkins, who is discovering the joys of helping others in 4-H. Also, Zion Johnson explains how his 4-H Co-op experience is preparing him for his own entrepreneurial career.

Even as these individuals are making their communities better, Extension continues its mission of extending knowledge and changing lives across Mississippi.

Sincerely, 

Gary Jackson
Director, MSU Extension Service