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News By Department: Ext Ctr for Government & Comm Devel

February 1, 2024 - Filed Under: Community, City and County Government, Economic Development

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Volunteers, employees and board members of the tourism sector or related organizations can get training and build networks with other tourism professionals in an upcoming certificate program. The Excellence in Tourism Leadership Program is offered by the Mississippi State University Extension Service Center for Government and Community Development in partnership with the Mississippi Tourism Association. The program will help tourism professionals learn how to market and increase tourism while gaining insight about leadership, advocacy, public policy and administration. The two-year program offers the opportunity to earn two separate certificates -- an associate certificate and a master certificate.

November 10, 2023 - Filed Under: Community, Economic Development, Rural Development

RAYMOND, Miss. -- A Mississippi State University Extension Service specialist was recently recognized for her work with the rural tourism industry. Rachael Carter, tourism specialist with the MSU Extension Center for Government and Community Development, or CGCD, received the Agnes Zaiontz Rural Tourism Leadership Award from the Alabama-Mississippi-Tennessee Rural Tourism Conference committee.

October 24, 2023 - Filed Under: Community, City and County Government, Economic Development

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Members of the inaugural Excellence in Tourism Leadership Program graduated from the program and received their certificates on Oct. 5. The two-year program helps tourism professionals learn how to market and increase tourism while gaining insight into leadership, advocacy, public policy and administration.

A night view of a downtown street in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, lined with shops and parked cars.
October 23, 2023 - Filed Under: Community, Economic Development

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Ocean Springs. Natchez. Vicksburg. These Mississippi cities are just a few of the state’s gems drawing praise from various publications for their tourist-friendly atmosphere. WorldAtlas highlighted these three cities along with Tupelo, Oxford, Woodville and Bay St. Louis for their “warm and inviting” main streets that offer “endless activities.” Forbes recommended the entire state of Mississippi as a travel destination, noting its “cutting-edge culinary scene to buzzing small towns to incredible natural beauty.” None of this is a surprise to Rachael Carter, tourism specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. She knows how much thought and planning it takes to execute successful tourism programs. Carter and her colleagues in the Extension Center for Government and Community Development spend countless hours working with and providing support services to tourism professionals throughout the state.

September 8, 2023 - Filed Under: Community, City and County Government, Economic Development, Rural Development, Small Business

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Tourism employees, city council members, elected officials and others interested in growing tourism in rural areas are invited to attend an upcoming tri-state conference. The Alabama-Mississippi-Tennessee Rural Tourism Conference will be held Oct. 23-25 in Cleveland, Mississippi. The conference is open to anyone who works in tourism, economic development or public service. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with professionals in the tourism industry and attend multiple educational sessions.

Storm clouds.
April 14, 2023 - Filed Under: Disaster Preparedness

In Mississippi, we’ve taken our fair share of hard hits from severe weather lately. The tornados that ripped through the Delta and North Mississippi have changed lives forever. With hurricane season looming just behind tornado season, it’s important to understand the differences in two common weather alerts: watches and warnings. 

Close up of tomatoes and yellow squash in farmers market baskets.
January 25, 2023 - Filed Under: Local Flavor, Farmers Markets, Local Food System Economies, Marketing and Business Planning, Community, Small Business

POPLARVILLE, Miss. -- Current and prospective market vendors can learn valuable marketing skills in a Feb. 9 workshop in Poplarville. Farmers Market Vendor Workshop: Boosting Your Revenue will teach participants valuable skills to help them increase sales. The workshop is open to vendors who sell at festivals, farmers markets and other similar venues.

September 7, 2021 - Filed Under: City and County Government, Economic Development

Volunteers, employees and board members of the tourism sector or related organizations can get training and build networks with other tourism professionals in the Excellence in Tourism Leadership Program.

August 23, 2021 - Filed Under: Community, Economic Development, Small Business

Entrepreneurs can get the resources and training needed to launch a small business in 30 days in an upcoming series of online courses.

StartUp Mississippi participants will learn how to create a small business plan, conduct a market analysis, promote their business on social media, gain necessary resources for establishing a business, and create and maintain a webpage.

August 24, 2020 - Filed Under: Natural Resources, Water, Mississippi Well Owner Network

Private water well owners in Mississippi can get their water screened for bacteria and learn more about how to manage, operate and protect their wells during several upcoming virtual workshops.

Signs with instructions for ordering curbside greet customers at a local coffee shop
April 15, 2020 - Filed Under: Economic Development, Small Business

Many small business owners temporarily closed their doors and sent their employees home amid efforts to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. But that does not mean they are closed for business.

February 11, 2020 - Filed Under: FARMtastic, Women for Agriculture, Small Business

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi women who want to grow their farm and agribusiness skills are invited to an upcoming conference in Starkville.

“Small Farm Success in a Global Market,” the 2020 conference of the Mississippi Women for Agriculture organization, will be held March 6 and 7 in the Bost Extension Center on the Mississippi State University campus. Mississippi Women for Agriculture is organized through the MSU Extension Service and provides information and education to help female agribusiness employees and owners build skills.

November 18, 2019 - Filed Under: Local Flavor, City and County Government

Mississippi fruit and vegetable producers, specialty foods producers and interested farmers can learn how to get their products on local store shelves and into new markets during an upcoming meeting.

August 23, 2019 - Filed Under: Agri-tourism, Culinary Tourism, Community, Economic Development, Rural Development

The annual Alabama-Mississippi-Tennessee Rural Tourism Conference will be in Natchez Oct. 21-23.

June 13, 2019 - Filed Under: Community

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Producers and landowners can learn more about what to consider when leasing land for oil and gas drilling during a July 16 workshop.

Balancing Farm Success with Oil and Gas Growth will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Southwest Mississippi Community College in the Horace C. Holmes Student Union.

Topics include leasing, new technology, water testing, environmental concerns and farm planning. Speakers will help landowners understand financial impacts, legal obligations and environmental management strategies.

Two men and a woman, all wearing baseball caps and reflective yellow vests, look at a roadmap spread out on a table in a large, empty, well-lit room.
February 26, 2019 - Filed Under: Agriculture, Disaster Response

The tornado in Lowndes County and widespread flooding in north Mississippi have triggered a variety of helpful “boots on the ground” to provide needed care and guidance.

Common Winter Practices to Avoid superimposed over man adjusting thermostat
January 22, 2019 - Filed Under: Community, Disaster Preparedness

When the temperatures drop for several days, getting warm is the only thing on our minds. Sometimes desperation leads people to make choices they wouldn’t consider otherwise.

A thin stream of water drips from a stainless steel kitchen sink faucet.
January 15, 2019 - Filed Under: Disaster Preparedness

Fortunately, we live in a state that doesn’t see a lot of bitterly cold winter weather. However, it can still get cold, even in the Deep South. When the weather forecast shows temperatures staying below freezing for several days, be prepared to drip your indoor faucets to keep your pipes from freezing and possibly breaking. (Photo by Michaela Parker/Cindy Callahan)

A man fits insulation around water pipes in an unfinished attic of a home.
December 11, 2018 - Filed Under: Community, Disaster Preparedness

The official start of winter is just around the corner. Are you prepared for cold weather around the house? (Yes, I mean more than having a significant supply of hot cocoa and blankets!) As anyone who has wrestled with a freezing cold garden hose can attest, it’s a lot more fun to deal with the details when outdoor temperatures are still somewhat pleasant. (Photo by Micheala Parker/Cindy Callahan)

December 3, 2018 - Filed Under: Mississippi County Elections: Election Prep 101

Aspiring candidates for 2019 county elections now have a one-stop shop online where they can find information they need as they prepare their campaigns.  

The Mississippi State University Extension Service has launched Election Prep 101, an online resource designed for anyone wanting to run for county office next year.

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