News From 2007

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Fee fishing, fee hunting, agritourism, trail riding and wildlife watching are examples of outdoor recreational businesses based on natural resources commonly found on Mississippi’s private lands.

A one-day workshop will provide farmers, landowners and resource managers with the resources to start and manage a natural resource enterprise. This Oct. 11 event will be held at McKenna Ranch near Pachuta in Clarke County.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Walter N. Taylor, assistant dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Mississippi State University, has been designated a fellow of the American Association for Agricultural Education.  The designation is the highest honor given by the organization and recognizes contributions to teaching, research and service.

Taylor is a former president of AAAE and served as head of the Department of Agricultural Information Science and Education at MSU before assuming his current duties.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Imogene Triplett loves and supports her husband, but the first time she saw his work with what would become a lifelong career, her reaction was, “Glover this looks terrible, they're going to fire you!”

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

If there were a color that represented happiness in the garden, it would have to be yellow. One of the three primary colors, it has the power to evoke hope and excitement.

When the forsythia breaks forth in the early spring, it not only catches your eye but it also invigorates your step. You know winter is over and a new season has been born. As we head into early fall, the dark yellow goldenrods make our roadways photogenic.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Rice fields in Mississippi may be headed for the second straight year of record harvests, giving producers a reason to celebrate National Rice Month in September.

“The rice that we've cut so far has been real good to excellent,” said Nathan Buehring, rice specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. “We have a long way to go before we're done, but things have fallen in line pretty well for us this year.”

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- An animal scientist with expertise in herd reproduction is the new beef cattle specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Justin D. Rhinehart, who began his duties July 1, has been working with the state’s beef cattle producers to maintain and develop Extension programs that improve feeder calf marketing, stocker cattle management and heifer development.

“I saw an attractive opportunity presented by Mississippi State to work in an area where beef cattle are an important part of the economy,” he said.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A “Southern girl” with roots in north Florida is the new specialist in Family Education and Policy for the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Tabitha Staier, who began her position Aug. 1, is responsible for the development of programs that promote healthy relationships for individuals, couples and families in Mississippi. She will work with county Extension personnel to evaluate needs of couples and families, and implement relevant family-related programs in those areas.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Angelface Dark Violet angelonia came out this year and caused a stir with its unique color. It is by far the darkest angelonia we've seen in the market. It is also vigorous, sending up a bounty of wonderfully spiky flowers that are so welcome in the garden.

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Many national and state campaigns promoting rural safety focus on the responsibility of adults to protect children, but it helps when kids know how to keep themselves safe.

Children remain at risk when adults are careless or disregard what they have learned. Many county Extension offices hold an annual agricultural safety day for children to strengthen the overall effort of reducing risk.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Corn in the Delta is producing record yields because it was irrigated or caught timely rains, but corn elsewhere in the state struggled to produce low yields because of the drought.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is predicting the nation will produce the largest corn crop in history. Mississippi's corn acreage increased from 340,000 acres in 2006 to 980,000 acres in 2007. The Delta, where most of this season's corn was grown, is experiencing record yields.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A one-day workshop for farmers, landowners and resource managers will provide the tools to start and manage a natural resource enterprise. 

The Sept. 18 event will begin at 8 a.m. It will be held on privately owned property south of Brandon, just off of Highway 18 in Rankin County.

STARKVILLE -- Cattle producers and horse owners can take part in certified training through the upcoming Master Stockman programs at Mississippi State University.

The Mississippi Master Horseman and Mississippi Master Cattle Producer programs will take place Sept. 14-15 at the Mississippi Horse Park, located adjacent to MSU’s South Farm near Starkville. Each program will offer different tracks to accommodate specific interests and experience levels -- basic and advanced. The cattle tracks will address cow-calf production and stocker cattle management.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Beyond Paradise leads a parade of new copper plants finding its way to garden centers across the country. You will love the plant for its brilliantly variegated, colorful leaves.

At the end of the summer, when little else is looking good, Beyond Paradise will be a beacon in the garden, garnering admiration from those who pass by your home.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Any Mississippian can turn a sandwich and a trip to the county Extension office into a learning experience.

Each Thursday from noon until 1 p.m., county Extension offices receive Quick Bites live, interactive video feeds from Mississippi State University.

There is a new topic each week, and the topics are as varied as the state of Mississippi, said Extension distance education coordinator Susan Seal.

By Andi Cooper
College of Forest Resources

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Part of the damage after Hurricane Katrina roared ashore across the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29, 2005, was 5 million acres of broken timber.

The U.S. Forest Service estimated that the volume of damaged wood across the Southeast was enough to build 800,000 single-family homes. 

Researchers at Mississippi State University are measuring the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the structure, performance, capacity and future of the region's lumber industry. 

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Sod producers could not grow grass fast enough last spring to keep up with demand, but late-summer sales have plummeted because of enormous water demands during the hot, dry conditions.

Wayne Wells, turf specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said 2007 has been a good year for growing sod across the state, and sales were strong during the first months of the year. At the same time, water demands and energy costs have added to the cost of production.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

My recent stroll through the display gardens at Mississippi State University's Truck Crops Experiment Station brought a few pleasant surprises. The biggest was the Persian Shield.

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A series of career camps with the goal of motivating middle school students to become future Delta medical professionals is raising interest from youth, parents and educators in the region.

The camps are part of Delta Futures, a cooperative project between the Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Delta Health Alliance. The alliance, founded in 2001, addresses issues surrounding the shortage of medical facilities and personnel in the region.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Summer's heat tends to drive people indoors, and it can do the same for some unwanted pests.

Mississippi is home to three kinds of large roaches that reach 1-2 inches long as adults. Blake Layton, entomologist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said the American, Smoky Brown and Brown cockroaches are all found in the state and look very similar. These winged insects can fly, but they usually don't unless provoked.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Hot, dry weather has taken a toll of many things in home lawns this summer, but the list does not include mosquitoes.

While mosquito populations in general are much lower in dry weather, the species most commonly found around homes usually does not decline significantly, said Mississippi State University Extension Service entomologist Blake Layton.