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A man stands in a studio with a completed velvet bow, garland, door swag, and table centerpiece.
October 17, 2023 - Filed Under: Lawn and Garden, Cut Flowers and Houseplants, Floral Design, Flower Gardens

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Floral enthusiasts and business owners can learn to create home holiday decorations with evergreen cuttings and basic floral supplies in an online workshop. The Deck the Halls workshop will include step-by-step instruction for creating impressive velvet bows, a classical garland, a regal door swag and a long-lasting, elegant table centerpiece.

Small, white flowers bloom in a cluster.
October 16, 2023 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

I absolutely love promoting great plants that are perfect for our gardens and landscapes. Some of these plants are those Mississippi State University grows as part of a testing program for plant breeders.

A wide path goes straight through pine timberland.
October 11, 2023 - Filed Under: Forestry, Carbon Credits, Forest Management

Some Mississippi landowners selling carbon offsets through a company geared to smaller tracts of land have lost that source of income this year.
Curtis VanderSchaaf, a forester with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said the one-year harvest deferral program previously offered by the Natural Capital Exchange, or NCX, has ended.

Dark pink flowers cover green plants.
October 9, 2023 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

Vincas are one of the most beautiful and versatile plants I have ever come across. With their vibrantly colored petals, drought tolerance and low-maintenance nature, these plants are perfect for any landscape.

Three bright, colorful ducks in a pond.
October 6, 2023 - Filed Under: Wildlife, Urban and Backyard Wildlife

September tends to mark the end of summer, and our thoughts drift toward cooler weather activities such as fall gardening, football and hunting.

In the world of birds, fall marks the time for many to begin their migration. Most species of birds migrate to some extent, but as renowned waterfowl biologist Frank Bellrose said, “Waterfowl are highly visible in migration; they epitomize this phenomenon for most people.”

Wilting, sunbaked cotton plants in a dry field.
October 5, 2023 - Filed Under: Agriculture, Crops, Corn, Cotton, Soybeans

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Cool temperatures and rainfall are two things most of Mississippi has not seen lately.

This winter, however, that could change and help farms that have taken a hit from extreme drought if anticipated El Nino conditions play out. But the rains will not arrive quickly enough to save this year’s crop for some growers.

The southwest quadrant of the state is currently in what the U.S. Drought Monitor report classifies as a D-4 (exceptional drought) zone, while other portions near or below Interstate 20 are in D-3 or D-2 zones.

October 3, 2023 - Filed Under: Extension Administration

STARKVILLE, Miss.— A Mississippi State research and extension center welcomes a new department head who brings extensive knowledge, experience and strong university roots to the job. Curt Lacy, extension professor and interim associate director for county operations, steps into his new role at the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Raymond Oct. 16.

Grasses and small bushes adorn a landscape bed in front of a building.
October 3, 2023 - Filed Under: Landscape Architecture, Landscape and Garden Design

Landscape design and natural landscape enthusiasts will gather at Mississippi State University to perfect their craft and learn from other experts, an annual event happening this year on Oct. 18. The 68th Edward C. Martin Landscape Symposium will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Bost Auditorium at MSU.

Round, yellow flowers with orange highlight.
October 2, 2023 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

Fall is a wonderful time to add some vibrancy to your garden, and French marigolds are an excellent way to do it. With such a wide variety to choose from, finding the perfect one to complement your outdoor space is easy. These stunning flowers feature delicate petals and bright colors that are truly a sight to behold.

A man wearing a hard hat talking into a microphone in front of a piece of heavy equipment.
September 27, 2023 - Filed Under: Natural Resources, Forestry, Timber Harvest

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Loggers, foresters, wildlife professionals, trade classes and families were well represented at the biannual Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show on Sept. 22 and 23. Activities, held at Mississippi State University’s John W. Starr Memorial Forest, attracted a range of audiences, all interested in forests, trees and the equipment used to hew them down.

A group of people hold a ribbon in front of a building entrance.
September 26, 2023 - Filed Under: Family, Children and Parenting, Mississippi Child Care Resource and Referral

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Toy trucks loaded with miniature felt apples idle their imaginary engines in an orchard of building-blocks. A toy kitchen beckons tiny chefs to bake felt apple pies. A row of small lab coats hung neatly along the wall invite little visitors to explore why apples float in a bowl full of water. These are just a few of the apple-themed, hands-on learning opportunities that are engaging children in September at the new Mississippi Child Care Resource and Referral Center in Hattiesburg. The center held its grand opening Sept. 19.

A garden bust is surrounded by a bush covered with purple flowers.
September 25, 2023 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

This summer has been exceptionally hot, and during a recent visit with my friend Catherine, I couldn’t help but admire the vibrant purple and blue salvias thriving in her garden despite the scorching temperatures.

A small, garden pond is surrounded by plants.
September 18, 2023 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

During my recent visit to the Henington House in Hattiesburg, I came across a stunning garden pond in the backyard. The clever use of plants within and around the pond created a tranquil atmosphere, perfect for unwinding.

A close-up of an ear of corn.
September 15, 2023 - Filed Under: Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Crops, Corn

RAYMOND, Miss. -- The favorable weather that kicked off planting season for Mississippi corn producers stayed in play throughout the growing season and is helping growers wrap up harvest. Mississippi producers planted 790,000 acres of corn, up from the 700,000 acres forecast just before farmers began planting in mid-March. The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service estimates 770,000 of those acres will be harvested for grain.

September 15, 2023 - Filed Under: Health and Wellness, Mental Health First Aid

STARKVILLE, Miss. – A Mississippi State University Extension instructor has been selected to a national Extension Foundation committee focused on improving mental health.

September 13, 2023 - Filed Under: Insects, Insect Identification, Lawn and Garden, Plants and Wildlife, Smart Landscapes, Places for Wildlife, Natural Resources

PICAYUNE, Miss. -- School groups, nature enthusiasts and the public can enjoy two fun-filled days of exciting, hands-on learning about the environment, ecosystems, wildlife and insects at the Mississippi State University Crosby Arboretum in Picayune. BugFest offers insect-related displays, interactive exhibits, games and crafts. Biologists, naturalists, entomologists and other experts from Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama will host booths and give presentations on butterflies, bats, caterpillars, beetles, crayfish, ladybugs, hissing cockroaches, dancing praying mantises, native and exotic arthropods and more.

People look at plants in a garden.
September 12, 2023 - Filed Under: Master Gardener, Lawn and Garden, Flower Gardens

Garden enthusiasts of all ages are welcome Oct. 21 to Fall Garden Day at the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Verona. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mississippi State University facility.

September 11, 2023 - Filed Under: Family, Children and Parenting, Mississippi Child Care Resource and Referral

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Individuals interested in working with young children and families are encouraged to apply for job openings with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Mississippi Child Care Resource and Referral at MSU Extension is hiring program associates and office associates in several counties statewide.

Three potted plants have green leaves with stripes or spots.
September 11, 2023 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

During a recent visit with a friend, I admired her stunning indoor plants. She mentioned some of their names, and I realized that a couple of them had outdated names that have been recently updated. Plants, like all living things, are constantly evolving and changing.

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.

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