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Feature Story from 2009

Mississippi's sweet potato industry has grown steadily, and today there are more than 90 sweet potato operations within 40 miles of Vardaman.
October 22, 2009 - Filed Under: Agriculture, Crops, Sweet Potatoes

By Karen Templeton
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – As Mississippi’s sweet potato industry continues to grow, researchers at Mississippi State University are developing even more innovative and effective strategies for growers.

Excessive fall rains have saturated 91 percent of the state's soil, leaving many crops stranded and wasting in fields too wet for harvest equipment to enter. Water stands between most rows of this soybean field in western Lowndes County. (Photo by Scott Corey)
October 22, 2009 - Filed Under: Agriculture, Crops, Soils

MISSISSIPPI STATE – A very wet September and October left most of the state’s soil saturated, as many places have had gotten rain in almost statistically impossible quantities.

Charles Wax, state climatologist and professor of geosciences at Mississippi State University, said February and May were unusually wet across much of the state, and the summer had few periods of dry weather. This caused many areas to have above-normal yearly rainfall totals when fall arrived. Then starting in September, rainfall began accumulating rapidly.

Temple Grandin signs a book Tuesday for Mississippi State University student Kristin Nichols, a member of the College of Veterinary Medicine's class of 2010. (Photo by Tom Thompson)
October 22, 2009 - Filed Under: Animal Health

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Temple Grandin, an animal scientist from Colorado State University, thinks in pictures, a characteristic that gives her valuable insight in how to handle animals.

Grandin is a best-selling author and a world-renowned speaker. She also has autism. Grandin was the keynote speaker at CVM’s Human-Animal Bond lecture series in late October. She has been instrumental in developing welfare guidelines for handling and transporting livestock and is a past member of the board of directors of the Autism Society of America.

Yvette Rosen demonstrates spinning to guests of a previous Piney Woods Heritage Festival at Crosby Arboretum. The festival provides an opportunity to learn about the arts and heritage crafts of the region. (Photo courtesy of Crosby Arboretum)
October 22, 2009 - Filed Under: Community

MISSISSIPPI STATE – The arts, history and music of the past will be celebrated at the seventh annual Piney Woods Festival at Mississippi State University’s Crosby Arboretum in Picayune.

The festival will provide an opportunity for attendees to have fun while learning about the early days of the Piney Woods region.

“The arboretum provides the perfect setting for learning about arts and heritage crafts,” said Patricia Drackett, the arboretum’s senior curator. “We want to preserve those arts by providing a fun and interactive event.”

October 29, 2009 - Filed Under: Catfish

By Rebekah Ray
Delta Research and Extension Center

STONEVILLE – A serious disease is threatening some species of freshwater fish, and although it has not been found in Mississippi, it is a concern for catfish producers when they want to move live catfish across state lines.

Jim Ed Owen, left, and Terry Owen, far right, of Wiggins, learned the craft of logging and the importance of stewardship from their father, Walt. The brothers have operated their own business for more than 11 years. (Photo bb Leighton Spann)
October 29, 2009 - Filed Under: Forestry, Timber Harvest

WIGGINS – Two brothers in the logging business for more than 11 years have proven that high production and multiple crews in the woods are not a prerequisite for standing out among one’s peers.

The Mississippi Forestry Association recently named Terry and Jim Ed Owen of Wiggins as the group’s “Outstanding Logger of the Year” for 2009. The brothers grew up learning the logging business from their father, who ran a successful operation. They decided to branch out on their own in 1998.

October 29, 2009 - Filed Under: Livestock, Equine

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Quality horses and beef cattle will move through the auction ring in two separate November sales as Mississippi State University plans to market 92 lots of cattle and about 40 horses from research herds.

The Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and MSU’s Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences will host the 27th annual Livestock Production Sale of bulls, bred heifers and cows on Nov. 19. The university’s horse sale will follow on Nov. 21.

October 29, 2009 - Filed Under: Corn, Cotton, Soybeans

MISSISSIPPI STATE – A three-day short course in December will provide information to Mississippi cotton, soybean and corn producers working to be successful in challenging years.

Registration for the Dec. 7-9 Row Crop Short Course is free until Nov. 20, and $40 a person after that. The event is hosted by Mississippi State University’s Extension Service and will be held on campus in the Bost Extension Center.

November 5, 2009 - Filed Under: Pets

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University veterinary experts, who agree that pets generally do not make good gifts, suggest people can capture the holiday spirit by donating to an animal health-care group in someone’s name.

Pets are not toys or objects. They are living, breathing organisms that depend on humans for food, shelter and comfort when placed in a home. When pets are neglected, ignored or unwanted, they suffer.

November 5, 2009 - Filed Under: Family

By Amelia Killcreas
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Celebrating holidays can be expensive, but two Mississippi State University experts said there are ways to create meaningful family traditions without spending excessively.

Joe Wilmoth, MSU assistant professor of human sciences, said traditions are important to family well-being.

November 5, 2009 - Filed Under: Family, Food and Health

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- People use many strategies to prevent weight gain, but starting the day with a good breakfast is an important part of keeping off the holiday pounds.

Carol Ball, a Family Nutrition Program registered dietitian with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said breakfast is one of the most important parts of the day.

November 5, 2009 - Filed Under: Family, Health

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Flu concerns during the winter holidays are not new this year, but the highly contagious novel H1N1 flu strain increases the importance of healthy practices to avoid the spread of germs.

Jane Clary, health specialist with Mississippi State University’s Extension Service, said visits to and from loved ones from other regions can hasten influenza’s progress across the country and the globe. Mass transit, shopping malls and other places with large numbers of people also can increase the rate of infections in a community.

Create unique decorations and gifts for less using resources from gardens, fields and woods. Lelia Kelly puts the finishing touches on a door swag she made using crape myrtle seed pods, nandina foliage and berries, English ivy and bare branches, highlighted with silk sunflowers and other silk materials. (Photo by Vickie McGee)
November 5, 2009 - Filed Under: Family, Herb Gardens

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippians may find themselves with many people on their gift lists and a small budget this year, but a few ideas and some creativity can help them give good gifts.

Lelia Kelly, consumer horticulture specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said people can create unique and memorable decorations and gifts at little cost using plentiful resources from gardens, fields and woods.

Jim DelPrince fills stacked glass comports with fruit, nuts and cut plant materials to create a stunning but inexpensive holiday centerpiece. (Photo by Scott Corey)
November 5, 2009 - Filed Under: Family, Flower Gardens

By Karen Templeton
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Decorating for the holidays can be a struggle, but experts at The University Florist tell customers that preparing for winter festivities can be as easy as remembering holidays past and looking in their own backyards.

Lynette McDougald is the business manager at The University Florist, located on Mississippi State University's campus, and a plant and soil sciences instructor. She said holiday decorating starts with inspiration.

Steve Martin
November 5, 2009 - Filed Under: About Extension

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Steve Martin has been named head of Mississippi State University’s Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville.

Martin assumed his duties as head of the regional facility Nov. 1. He was named interim head of the center in July 2008, following the appointment of then DREC head Joe Street as associate director of the MSU Extension Service.

When Ole Miss alumnus Tommy Walker brought Tayson for a reunion with the critical care staff at Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, the two left with a memento of the Bulldog welcome they received.
November 10, 2009 - Filed Under: Animal Health, Pets

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- “Don’t tell them you’re a Rebel,” Tommy Walker whispered to his son’s badly injured dog, Tayson, as they approached the entrance to Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

November 12, 2009 - Filed Under: Animal Health, Catfish

MISSISSIPPI STATE – The best way to battle a pathogen affecting the state’s catfish industry is to know as much about it as possible, and Mississippi State University researchers took a major step in that direction this summer.

Researchers at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine released the genome sequence of Edwardsiella ictaluri 93-146, the most important pathogen affecting the state’s channel catfish aquaculture industry. Dr. Mark Lawrence, a CVM professor of basic sciences, was the lead investigator of the project, which was completed this summer.

Mississippi State University Collegiate 4-H member Billy Hudson, 19, of Greenwood tries his hand at grilling during one of the club's recent football tailgates. While club members often get together to socialize, they make community service a priority. (Photo by Patti Drapala)
November 12, 2009 - Filed Under: Collegiate 4-H, Family

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University students who did not participate in 4-H at the county level have a chance to join the collegiate version of an organization that nurtures leadership and teamwork.

November 12, 2009 - Filed Under: Community, Flower Gardens

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Dozens of poinsettia varieties and novelty plants will be on display and sale at the Dec. 4 Holiday Open House hosted by Mississippi State University’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. Additional poinsettia displays will be available Dec. 5 in Kosciusko and Jackson.

November 12, 2009 - Filed Under: Family, Children and Parenting

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Mississippi State University is offering training for those who would like to open a child-care business and for administrators of established centers.

The Child Care as a Business training will be presented by the Mississippi Child Care Resource and Referral Network Dec. 1-3 at the Bolivar, Forrest, Lee, Lincoln, Montgomery, Pearl River, Scott and Yalobusha county Extension offices.

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