Feature Story

Although numbers on paper look about right for Mississippi row crops, the reality is actually quite grim in places.

Flood and storm victims must brace themselves for the next threat approaching their neighborhoods: scammers looking for fast, easy money at the expense of others.

STONEVILLE, Miss. -- A former leader of Mississippi State University’s largest agricultural research center will soon return to that role on an interim basis.

Steve Martin will become interim head of the Delta Research and Extension Center July 1. He will also continue in his current role as associate director of the MSU Extension Service. Jeff Johnson, who served since 2013 as head of the Stoneville-based center, has accepted a full-time faculty position on the MSU main campus in Starkville.

LOUISVILLE, Miss. -- The Mississippi State University Extension Service will hold the North Mississippi 4-H Summer Camp Explore July 23-26 in Winston County.

The camp will be at Lake Tiak O’Khata, located at 1290 Smyth Lake Road in Louisville.

Participants will enjoy the outdoors, expressive arts, and STEM and S.A.F.E.T.Y. activities. Archery, canoeing, drama, air rifle, survival skills, first aid, robotics and a service project are among the camp’s offerings. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians will conduct a heritage activity with the campers.

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.

Bullying is personal to Je'Kylynn Steen, whose experiences as a victim and witness, helped give her insight into a project that can help others who may face the same challenges.

As a community health intern with the Junior Master Wellness Volunteer Program, she served as the primary author of a new bullying module to help young people recognize this pervasive problem and learn strategies to stop it.

Mary Love Tagert is one of four individuals selected nationally as a fellow in the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.

STARKVILLE, Miss.—From writing, photography and video to social media, television and web design, Mississippi State University’s Office of Agricultural Communications and Office of Public Affairs are receiving various honors in the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi’s annual awards competition.

All-terrain vehicles are commonly used in Mississippi for entertainment and work, but driving them dangerously is a frequent cause of injuries and death.

National Dairy Month is a great time to consider the numerous health benefits dairy products provide and how supporting the industry indirectly helps a variety of people.

The Alliance of Sustainable Farms is holding its third in a series of field day trainings for beginning farmers and ranchers June 21.

Red snapper suffered a population decline in Gulf Coast waters in the 1900s because of overfishing, but anglers today report they simply cannot avoid them, even when fishing for other species.

To help confront mental health issues facing the nation today, the Mississippi State University Extension Service is offering unique first aid training to all its employees.

JACKSON, Miss. -- Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant named May 14, 2019, a day to recognize 50 years of successful programing by the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, or EFNEP.

A good night's sleep is important for everyone, but the true benefits of a restful night for people's minds and health is sometimes misunderstood and underappreciated.

Floral enthusiasts can learn how to make a basic floral arrangement in the Sweet Mississippi Flower Bowl workshops this summer.

Southern Gardening host, columnist and Mississippi State University Extension Service horticulturist Gary Bachman has been elected a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science.

Urbanization and agricultural pressures are decreasing natural habitats for wildlife, but Mississippians can take steps to make their own landscapes wildlife-friendly.

Bob Brzuszek, Mississippi State University Extension Service professor of landscape architecture, said residential areas play an important role in conserving wildlife when carefully planned.

Producers will have an opportunity to tour a certified organic farm and receive training on several topics related to agriculture management during a field day.

STONEVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi State University agricultural leaders looked far and wide to find a new specialist to guide farmers with irrigation concerns.

Drew Gholson started April 1 as an assistant professor and the irrigation specialist with the MSU Delta Research and Extension Center and the Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer Water Center. He replaces Jason Krutz, who was promoted to lead the Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute.