A standing Black man points to a paper on a desk that a seated white man with a pen also points to.

Corey Proctor describes New Augusta as a small town with a big heart.

He would know as well as anyone. He has called the seat of Perry County home for most of his adult life and was elected to serve on its board of aldermen in 2021.

A woman, smiling, standing in front of the ocean

The Application Guide was created by a writing team of Extension and engagement professionals across the country, and Dr. Renee Collini was the lead author.

Two men wearing hard hats standing in front of an orange logging truck.

In an industry where every piece of equipment can seriously hurt the operators and crew, one Mississippi logging company has not recorded an accident during more than 40 years of operation, from Brandon to Gulfport.

A Black woman wearing a white turtleneck sweater smiling and leaning on a pillar.

Jilkiah Bryant is a Noxubee County native and current student at the University of Mississippi studying public health and health sciences. As a recipient of the Truman Scholarship, which she describes as the greatest honor of her life, Bryant plans to take her education to the next level with graduate school to pursue a career as a public health professional.

Two men and one woman standing in front of a green tractor

With 3,000 acres of corn, soybeans, and cotton, row crops are the most abundantly grown commodity on Philip Good’s land, but he has made strides during nearly 45 years of farming to diversify his inventory.

Two boys, wearing suits and fedoras, smiling.

At 4-H Day on October 15, 2022, part of the 163rd Mississippi State Fair, Mississippi 4-H’ers of all ages enjoyed many different activities, from grilling to singing, modeling to public speaking, livestock showing to STEM activities. 

Two adults, smiling, working with three small children.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service recently relaunched its Nurturing Homes Initiative. The program’s mission is to improve the quality of the early educational experiences provided in family childcare homes through mentoring, improving the learning environment, and delivering research-based information.

A group of five people, each holding awards, smiling.

Ray Henderson’s love for the outdoors began in his youth with learning by doing in 4-H Forestry. He won the State 4-H Congress competition, went to nationals, and placed fifth. After he aged out of the youth development program, he pursued a career with the U.S. Forest Service, and he volunteered in the 1990s as a coach for a few 4-H Forestry teams in Wayne and Greene Counties.

A man, woman, and child standing outside, smiling in front of a building.

He had always been very good at math and science in school, and when Caleb Zumbro earned the chance to study chemical engineering at Mississippi State University, the young man from Franklin County was excited to move away from Mississippi’s Pine Hills.

A boy standing beside a sport shooting range smiling.

Once a quiet, shy teenager with a love for hunting and the outdoors, Jaxon Cook decided to join 4-H to meet other young people with shared interests, and the experience improved his confidence.

A smiling man wearing a cowboy hat and Hawaiian shirt.

From 2010, when Dr. Gary Bachman was named host of Southern Gardening by the Mississippi State University Extension Service, until January 2023, the popular horticulture-advice news column and video series has bloomed!

A woman, smiling, wearing a blue polo and sitting on a wooden fence.

Crosby Arboretum is a living memorial to L. O. Crosby, a philanthropist, forester, and civic leader who loved nature. In the early 1980s, his family turned his former strawberry farm into a place that could instill a love of nature in others.

A man wearing dress clothes stands in front of a blue wall and smiles with his hands clasped in front of his body.

On the surface, the Mississippi Aquarium may seem like just a fun destination where people can learn about and get an up-close look at aquatic life and other wildlife. But the purpose of the aquarium is much more profound.

A large group of children outside standing in front of buildings.

All third, fourth, and fifth graders, about 650 children, participate in the Junior Master Gardener program, led by Coach Roland “Ro” Román as part of the children’s physical education instruction.

A smiling young girl wearing a green apron holding a measuring cup full of flour.

Kendra McGregory, a Houston, Mississippi, fourth grader, attended the program for the first time in 2021.

A man wearing a Jackson State University scarf and a navy suit jacket smiles in front of a sculpture on the JSU campus.

Hinds County native Eric Hunter is using the skills and networks he developed in 4-H to succeed as operations manager of environmental services at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He applies time management and organizational skills to stay focused and prepared for his duties.

A man stands behind a table with 2 small bags labeled “Two Brooks Farm.”

On paper, Mike Wagner seems like an ordinary, successful Mississippi producer, but, in person, he defies expectations.

A sign that reads “Welcome 4-H’ers” and has the Mississippi State Extension logo.

State 4-H Congress, held at Mississippi State University in June, hosted more than 300 Mississippi 4-H’ers from every county. Young people were inspired through networking and competing at Congress.

A man and woman standing next to each other, smiling for a photo.

Opening the right lines of communication is usually a prerequisite for anyone planning to start their own business.

Two groups of people stand next to each other, smiling.

The Pearl River County 4-H Junior Master Gardeners have made some special additions to Poplarville City Park. A new pollinator garden planted in raised beds features a wildflower area, a native plant area, and an herb area.

Pages

Extension Matters Issues

About Extension Matters Magazine

Extension Matters magazine is the premier publication of the Mississippi State University Extension Service, telling our clients’ own stories of success through Extension education.

“We are excited to have our clients tell their stories, and we are thankful for the opportunity to interact with Mississippians through our local offices in all 82 counties across the state,” says Dr. Gary B. Jackson, director of Extension.

Extension Matters profiles people just like you, men and women who want to expand their knowledge base and learn about the latest innovations. Families, farmers, business owners, and government leaders are benefitting from the educational opportunities Extension agents and specialists are bringing to people and communities just like yours. Extension Matters shares our clients’ successes to show how you, too, can succeed through Extension.