Feature Story from 2008

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Several Mississippi State University faculty and staff members were honored for service at the recent summer celebration of the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine.

The division presented the 2008 Louis and Doris Wise Support Staff Awards, the Rosalind and Rodney Foil Teamwork Award and the William M. White Special Project Awards during the annual event at the Bost Center. Wise and Foil are former division vice presidents, and White was a dairy producer and MSU financial supporter.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Livestock owners and hay producers have an opportunity to learn a lot of information about their business in a short amount of time at a Mississippi State University two-day short course in August.

The Mississippi Pasture and Forage Short Course will be held Aug. 26-27 at the Bost Conference Center at MSU. It is sponsored by the MSU Extension Service, along with company leaders in the forage field.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The third annual Miss-Lou Rural Tourism Summit, designed to educate rural tourism workers, is scheduled for Aug. 12-14 at Vicksburg’s Southern Cultural Heritage Center.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- An upcoming workshop will help new food businesses learn how to battle the stiff odds and succeed.

“Food as a Business” is a day-long video conference Aug. 28 sponsored by Mississippi State University’s Extension Service, the Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion and the Small Business Development Center. Also taking part as a sponsor is the Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship with the Mississippi University for Women.

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- What comes first from the processing of corn − the ethanol in the car, the egg in the refrigerator or the enhancements in plastic lumber?

Mississippi State University researchers think that one manufacturing process can produce materials for all three products at the same time.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A new wildlife and fisheries specialist is available to assist Mississippians with pond management issues on their property.

Wes Neal assumed responsibilities with Mississippi State University’s Extension Service on July 1.

“We are pleased to have such a talented fisheries specialist on board after a three-year absence of a specialist in wild fisheries and pond management at MSU,” said Bruce Leopold, head of MSU’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

By Steven Nalley
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Disasters can sever important lines of communication, leaving the hurt helpless and the missing lost.

Disaster preparation requires not only formulating a survival plan, but also informing distant relatives, local officials and neighbors about that plan to reopen broken lines of communication as soon as possible.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- High feed prices and low live-fish prices this year are forcing catfish producers to evaluate their operations and future plans, and many are calling it quits.

Catfish feed makes up about half of the production cost, and prices are more than $400 a ton this year, up from $250 a ton last year and in recent years. Live-fish prices have been as low as 70 cents a pound for catfish, but by July had reached 80 cents a pound. High fuel prices also mean it costs more to feed catfish, aerate ponds, and deliver fish to the processor.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Two upcoming seminars will help women who work in farming businesses.

This is the second year for “Mississippi Women in Agriculture – Annie’s Project,” which targets women, who are often the sole decision makers in their agricultural businesses.

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MADISON, Ala. -- A dog has a master, a cat has a staff, and the felines in north Alabama have a veterinarian at their command who understands their management style.

Stephanie Gandy-Moody, a 2007 graduate of Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, recently opened The Cat Hospital of Madison, Ala., a medical facility that caters to cats and the people they own.

By Steven Nalley
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Senior citizens in rural Mississippi are discovering local resources and activities available to them through a new Mississippi State University Extension Service project.

Bonnie Carew, Extension leader of the Smart Aging: Healthy Futures project, said involvement is key to healthy aging. She said seniors benefit when they engage in community activities and volunteerism.

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- About 30 of Starkville's most discerning citizens found the opening of the town's senior enrichment center quite laughable after listening to Mississippi State University Extension Service professor Linda Mitchell.

An insightful discussion ensued as Mitchell used props, facial expressions and exercises to show how humor can relieve the stress of getting older in a world preoccupied with youth.

For fishing study…

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University is preparing for a research project to understand what motivates fishing enthusiasts to risk personal injury reaching into a dark, underwater hole to grab a fish instead of using the traditional hook-and-line method.

By Steven Nalley
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Careful maintenance, efficient driving practices and informed spending can increase a vehicle's fuel efficiency and help drivers deal with gasoline costs near $4 per gallon.

Susan Cosgrove, family resource management area agent with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said routine tune-ups extend both gas mileage and the life of a car.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Keeping meals on the table is an ever-more-expensive task for Mississippians as food prices were up more than 8 percent in the last three months and energy prices are more than 50 percent higher than last year.

Susan Cosgrove, family resource management area agent with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said egg prices are up 60 percent, pasta prices are up 30 percent, and fruit and vegetables cost about 20 percent more than they did a year ago.

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University took full responsibility for recently letting 35 “dawgs” out on the watermelon farm of two Webster County brothers.

Steve and Myron May, who grow produce under the name Farm Fresh, opened their post-harvest melon acreage to MSU's Service DAWGS. The Service DAWGS program is MSU's first-ever community service program for incoming freshmen.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The Homestead Act gave the Eubanks family 165 acres in 1896, and that acreage -- which has grown to 1,000 today and is still in the family -- is being farmed in ways that were not even dreamed of 100 years ago.

Allen and Janice Eubanks own Eubanks Produce Inc. in Lucedale. They operate a large-scale produce farm in rural George and Greene counties, and name Wal-Mart as one of their biggest customers.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A new poultry specialist is on the job at Mississippi State University, ready to help the poultry industry in Mississippi.

Vanessa Kretzschmar-McCluskey started work July 16 as a poultry specialist with the MSU Extension Service. She will work with growers and industry officials to support the state’s poultry industry.

“Basically I’m a troubleshooter and a problem solver,” Kretzschmar said. “I’ll try to establish contact with all of our growers and the poultry companies who work in Mississippi.”

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The challenge of drawing an unfamiliar mount and competing with someone else's saddle and bridle would throw many of the best riders in the world, but Mississippi State University's equestrian team does not find that aspect of intercollegiate club sports hard to handle.

To prepare for the realities of intercollegiate competition, team members train with different horses each time they ride. Molly Nicodemus, the team coach, said she believes this approach is one of the best ways to learn to read horses.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – As another hurricane approaches the Mississippi and Louisiana shores, many coastal horse owners will be seeking refuge at the Mississippi Horse Park near Starkville.

“We expect to see a lot of repeat customers from past hurricane evacuations,” said Bricklee Miller, manager of the Mississippi Horse Park and Agricenter. The facility is located on Mississippi State University's South Farm.