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Feature Story from 2011

February 24, 2011 - Filed Under: Community, Family

By Cheree Franco
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Today’s brides are increasingly choosing wedding hats or fancy headpieces, called fascinators, as an alternative to a traditional veil.

Jackson resident Susan Fiselman Hermes chose to wear a handmade fascinator adorned with pearls and ivory feathers when she got married in the Caribbean last spring.

“We were planning a sunset beach wedding, so we wanted something fun and laid-back,” she said. “A traditional veil just didn’t feel right.”

February 24, 2011 - Filed Under: Agriculture, Crops

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Two Mississippi State University patents on kenaf have been licensed to Texas-based Corn Board Manufacturing, Inc. for use in engineered pressed board.

Mariah Smith (left), Extension computer applications instructor, discusses the iPad and its use in agricultural production with Art Waymire (center), a tree farmer from Marshall County, and Tony Campbell, a cotton and soybean farmer from Itawamba County. (Photo by Scott Corey)
February 25, 2011 - Filed Under: Agriculture, Crops, Livestock, Catfish

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.

February 28, 2011 - Filed Under: Wildlife Youth Education

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.

March 2, 2011 - Filed Under: Agriculture, Biotechnology, Remote Sensing Technology, Technology

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.

March 2, 2011 - Filed Under: Equine

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.

March 3, 2011 - Filed Under: Family

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.

March 3, 2011 - Filed Under: Animal Health

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.

Dr. Michaela Beasley, a neurology resident at Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, left, assists Dr. Erin Akin, a neurology clinical instructor, as she performs a neurology exam on a patient. (Photo by Tom Thompson)
March 3, 2011 - Filed Under: Family, Pets

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.

March 3, 2011 - Filed Under: Agriculture, Community, Insects

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.

March 8, 2011 - Filed Under: Mississippi Homemaker Volunteers

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.

March 8, 2011 - Filed Under: Community

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:

March 9, 2011 - Filed Under: Animal Health, Community

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.

March 10, 2011 - Filed Under: Agriculture, Crops, Cotton, Grains, Rice

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.”

Union County 4-H youth agent Gina Wills and 4-H member Bobby May of Marshall County review the show schedule for the Winter Classic Horse Show held at the Mississippi Horse Park near Starkville. May and his horse, Jack, took part in the series of off-season shows from January through March. (Photo by Scott Corey)
March 10, 2011 - Filed Under: 4-H, Youth Livestock, Equine, Family

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.”

March 16, 2011 - Filed Under: Family Financial Management

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.

March 17, 2011 - Filed Under: 4-H, Family

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.

Fuel prices surged 13 percent in Mississippi in the last month, putting the squeeze on already-stretched budgets. (Photo by Scott Corey/MSU Ag Communications)
March 17, 2011 - Filed Under: Family, Family Financial Management

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.

March 17, 2011 - Filed Under: Livestock, Equine

HOUSTON – A comprehensive April 23 seminar will give horse owners the opportunity to learn about issues related to their animals’ health.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Chickasaw County Agricenter are sponsoring “Hooves, Manes and Tails: Equine Seminars and Exhibits” at the county agricenter near Houston. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude around 3 p.m.

March 17, 2011 - Filed Under: Family Financial Management

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Educators and community volunteers interested in helping young adults learn to manage their finances are invited to attend a free financial training workshop offered by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

The first Financial Education for High School Classrooms workshop will be held April 8 from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. in Extension offices in Cleveland, Corinth, Grenada, Hattiesburg, Magnolia, Raymond and Starkville. Additional workshops will be held June 16, July 14 and Oct. 7 at various Extension offices throughout the state.

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