Feature Story

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Homeowners needing extra cash who turn to a program that basically lets them sell their house over time should seriously look at their financial plan before choosing this option.

Reverse mortgages are a type of loan where owners borrow against the equity in their home while retaining ownership of the house. The amount that can be borrowed against the home depends on factors such as age and the amount of equity in the house.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Crop insurance is on sale for farmers in Mississippi at nearly a 30 percent discount, but growers have to act quickly to take advantage of this reduction.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced $400 million in disaster relief to subsidize buy-up crop insurance premiums. Buy-up insurance provides the highest levels of coverage at an increased cost to farmers. The relief money reduces coverage cost, but must be bought by Feb. 28. Other emergency financial assistance is available for areas that had multiple year losses or single year disasters.

By Jamie Vickers

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Forget heart-shaped chocolate and candy this month. Healthy hearts are in the spotlight during National Heart Month in February, especially for women who are twice as likely to die from a heart attack than men.

Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. In 1995, about 45 percent of the deaths in Mississippi were due to cardiovascular disease, which includes heart attacks and strokes, said Dr. Melissa Mixon, human nutrition specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service.

By Rebekah Ray

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Aflatoxin takes its toll on Mississippi corn production, but two scientists at Mississippi State University have recently released a weapon to fight the fungus.

U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service plant geneticist Paul Williams and plant pathologist Gary L. Windham developed the germplasm Mp715 that was released by the USDA-ARS and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.

By Lani Jefcoat

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Family planning efforts can protect today's pets from unwanted litters and health risks and significantly reduce the number of animals put to sleep in the years to come.

Dr. Richard Hopper, Mississippi State University Extension Service veterinarian, said the best way to help control the pet population and protect animals from serious medical problems is through spay or neuter efforts.

By Lani Jefcoat

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Couples celebrate Valentine's Day by expressing love and affection, but people should know how to convey love throughout the year. While it is traditionally for lovers, Valentine's also can be a time to communicate and develop love within the family.

Dr. Louise Davis, Mississippi State University Extension Service child and family development specialist, said children and adults need to be reminded that they are loved all the time and not just on Valentine's Day.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Digital technology is allowing Mississippi plant specialists to lend their expertise without leaving the office, drastically cutting response time to problems.

Dr. Frank Killebrew, plant pathologist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, is using digital cameras and e-mail to distance diagnose plant diseases. He established a pilot program in five counties, and expects to expand this year.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Federal relief is on the way to small hog producers who managed to survive the 1998 market catastrophe.

Mark Crenshaw, swine specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said the assistance comes too late for many of the state's smaller producers who opted out of the business months ago. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimateed there are 100,000 eligible producers, but Crenshaw said Mississippi may have 50 qualified farms.

By Jamie Vickers

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Young people from across the state learned techniques and ethics of managing and hunting waterfowl before returning to experience the satisfaction of a December day's hunt.

Nearly 60 youth and their guardians took part in the Third Annual Youth Waterfowl Hunters' Workshop at Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge on Oct. 31. They returned to the Refuge in December to a green-tree reservoir where the participants had the exclusive opportunity to hunt waterfowl.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Few aspects of a courtship receive the high level of public attention as the moment he proposes marriage.

Most women can't help the romantic side of their personalities that longs for a special, thoughtful proposal. From the time their mothers recount their own stories, many girls begin dreaming.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- No matter how well a couple knows each other, some adjustments are expected in the first months and years of marriage.

Dr. Louise Davis, child and family development specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said realistic expectations as a couple enters a marriage are important in making all the adjustments to each other.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Shopping for a wedding dress can overwhelm a new bride and make her think finding the groom was easy.

Dr. Betty Fulwood, clothing specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said many options are available as brides search for the wedding dress of their dreams.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- "For richer, for poorer" is usually in the vows, but many couples may not realize the potential hardship financial issues can have on their marriage.

"Finances are a common source of conflict for couples, but as with many other issues, good communication can help reduce the problems on the relationship," said Dr. Louise Davis, child and family development specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service.

By Jamie Vickers

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Convert a hobby into a money-saving opportunity by using homegrown flowers and greenery for wedding decorations.

"One of the best ways to make a wedding personal and keep the cost down is to grow your own flowers," said Norman Winter, Extension horticulturist with Mississippi State University.

"Growing flowers for a wedding is particularly convenient for June weddings," Winter said. "Even if some flowers such as roses are planted in January, there should be a good number of blooms by June."

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Most newlyweds have a closet full of gifts they didn't need or want, but choosing a quality item will reduce the chances of a gift going into storage instead of regular use.

Kitchen items are popular wedding gifts for engaged couples. Most newlyweds, especially those setting up their first home, need practical and quality items that will last for years.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Low yields and market problems brought on by Mississippi's weather challenges and Asian economic problems resulted in an estimated 8 percent loss to the state's agriculture's total gross income.

Dr. John Robinson, agricultural economist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said observers should remember 1997 was a record year, and supplies were high going into 1998. The "Asian Flu" resulted in less movement of U.S. products to Pacific Rim countries.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The poultry industry in Mississippi fared well again in 1998, retaining its top agricultural spot in the state as excellent prices boosted the projected value into record territory.

Mississippi broilers and eggs combined to bring an estimated 1998 value of $1.46 billion, up 6.6 percent from 1997. Poultry topped forestry, valued at $1.31 billion, as the state's top agricultural commodity. Broilers saw a projected 8 percent increase in value to $1.3 billion, while eggs actually declined 5 percent from 1997 to $139 million.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's timber industry may break its string of record years as preliminary figures show a slight decrease in value as higher prices couldn't completely offset reduced harvests.

The state's timber industry has a 1998 projected value of $1.31 billion, down about $3 million from 1997. This fraction of 1 percent decrease still put it above the 1996 harvest value.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi cotton growers chose to plant fewer acres in 1998 knowing the world market offered little promise. The hot, dry summer prevented a repeat of 1997's record yields, but growers still managed to harvest near the five-year average.

Dr. John Robinson, agricultural economist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, predicted the 1998 farm-gate value of Mississippi's cotton will be about $541 million, down 16 percent from the previous year. Cotton felt a triple whammy from reduced acres, smaller yields and lower prices.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A program aimed at improving soybean yields in Mississippi helped farmers produce 1998 soybean yields that, despite the drought, averaged 45 bushels an acre, 20 more than the state average.