News From 2004

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A Mississippi State University veterinary graduate is helping to ensure the country's supply of meat, poultry and egg products remains safe, wholesome and accurately labeled.

Dr. Barbara Masters, who graduated from MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine as Barbara Henning in 1987, was recently selected to serve as acting U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service administrator. She will serve in this role until Pres. George W. Bush appoints a permanent administrator.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- One of Mississippi's first black Extension Service members was posthumously inducted into the 2004 National 4-H Hall of Fame.

Alphonse Marks was a Pike County Extension Service agent for more than 30 years. During his tenure, Marks was recognized by his community and peers for his leadership, intense work habits and people skills with six Extension distinguished and meritorious awards.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

A tomato variety has charmed the Mississippi Plant Selections Committee to become the first vegetable chosen as a Mississippi Medallion award winner. This standout performer is the Mini Charm Tomato.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- For the seventh year in a row, Mississippi State University and the state's community colleges are teaming up to encourage bright high school seniors to consider a medical profession in Mississippi.

The intense, five-week Rural Medical Scholars summer program at MSU aims to identify the state's future primary care doctors and help them become members of the medical school class of 2013.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Entrepreneurs in central Mississippi who have dreamed of creating and manufacturing food products can learn how to make this dream a reality at a day-long workshop in May.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Warmer days, new growth and Easter eggs go hand-in-hand in more ways than one, but sometimes the growth is not what consumers need.

Sharon Allen Haynes, an area nutrition and food safety agent with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said eggs must be handled with care to prevent the growth of micro-organisms that cause food-borne illnesses.

By Norman Winter

MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Yubi portulacas will stop traffic with their eye-popping, jaw-dropping displays. These moss roses have been out a few years, but most Mississippi gardeners still are timid with them.

In Texas, the Yubi has garnered awards and caught on very quickly with gardeners. The single-petaled blossoms of the Yubi are as big as their rose-formed cousins in the Sundial series. The centers of the flowers expose the stamens and give a two-tone effect.

RALEIGH -- U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary Bill Hawks is scheduled to address beef and poultry disease concerns at an upcoming agricultural conference in southcentral Mississippi.

The Mississippi native will be the concluding speaker at the Magnolia Beef and Poultry Expo at the Smith County Agricultural Complex on Highway 35 South in Raleigh. The two-day conference is set for April 28 and 29. Organizers expect producers from across South Mississippi to come hear the latest in health and marketing recommendations.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- President George W. Bush signed the dotted line, but new legislation may not have happened without the dean of Mississippi State University's veterinary college.

The Veterinary Medical Services Act encourages veterinary assistance in underserved areas by helping veterinarians repay student loans. These veterinarians may also guard against foreign and domestic disease outbreaks or agro-terrorist threats.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Students at Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine are throwing a birthday party as their college turns the big 3-0.

The students, faculty and staff will host the 20th annual open house April 2 and 3 at the Wise Center, located on the south side of campus off Spring Street. The theme of the open house is "Celebrating a 30-Year Heritage and Continuing Tradition of Service." 2004 marks 30 years since the Mississippi Legislature established the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Incredible things are happening in the world of the tropical hibiscus when it comes to new colors. There are many new varieties, so remember to check your garden center this spring.

By Laura Whelan

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Cattle producers looking to reduce rising fertilizer costs can enrich soil and feed livestock by seeding clover in grazing pastures.

Gregg Ibendahl, agricultural economist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said in the last two years natural gas wellhead prices have risen from $2 per British thermal unit to $5 per unit.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Four Mississippi youth were selected in February to help out for a week in the 2004 state legislature.

Beth Alexander from Newton County, Arcenio Cooke from Lee County, Drew Hearn from Leflore County and Kaitlin Lindsey from Itawamba County will serve March 15-19 in the offices of the Mississippi Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A Health and Safety Summit on March 23 and 24 in Jackson will address rural and occupational health concerns for much of Mississippi.

Summit organizers want to create awareness, identify issues and develop a plan to improve the safety and health environment of rural Mississippians, especially in the Delta region. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. on the first day with remarks from Gov. Haley Barbour.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

There is a new, bold gardener out there stirring up excitement. What I like about the bold gardener's style is that it uses plant selections or combinations in atypical ways. The result is that we're pushed outside our comfort zone -- we are challenged.

One instance of this bold style involves plants thought of as only for the arid west or perhaps Mexico. These plants typically have sword-like leaves and even prickles.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Gardeners looking for a break from the long, wet winter may want to head down to the 2004 Mississippi Garden and Patio Show March 13 and 14 in Jackson.

The show is a result of the combined efforts of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, the Mississippi Nursery and Landscape Association and Mississippi State University, and officially kicks off the gardening season.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Since last summer, drivers along Highway 82 near the Mississippi State University campus have been inquiring about the school's cemetery.

The rows of white, round-topped "tombstones" visible from the highway adjacent to MSU's North Farm don't mark final resting places. They are, instead, part of a turf grass research project.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Instead of the typical veterinary internship, one Mississippi State University student joined a human influenza response team during the severe 2003-04 flu season.

Dr. Brittany Baughman originally planned to work with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studying diseases that are zoonotic, or pass between humans and animals. But when the unusually severe flu season hit, that branch of the CDC needed extra help with an in-depth study of influenza deaths in children.

By Tricia Hopper

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Sandwiched between high-calorie holidays and swimsuit weather, March offers the perfect time of the year for people to consider healthier nutrition.

March is National Nutrition Month, and this year's campaign, "Eat Smart, Stay Healthy," focuses on the importance of healthy eating choices and physical activity.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Rotational grazing may sound like a way to get a cow dizzy, but this method of forage management gives producers the highest efficiency from their pastures.

Stan Pace, agronomic crops agent in Wiggins with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said using rotational grazing can increase efficiency up to 75 percent over conventional grazing's 30 percent to 35 percent efficiency.