News

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi State University has joined a new initiative dedicated to helping farmers better control, manage and maximize the value of the data they collect every day in their fields.

The Agricultural Data Coalition (ADC) is the result of years of planning and coordination by AGCO, the American Farm Bureau Federation, Auburn University, CNH Industrial, Crop IMS, The Ohio State University, Mississippi State University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Raven Industries and Topcon Positioning Group.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Aspirin can knock out minor aches and pains, but what if it also could play a role in cancer prevention?

That is the question a group of veterinarians at Mississippi State University are trying to answer. Drs. Kari Lunsford and Camilo Bulla are two members of the team who have spent about five years trying to understand the link between blood platelets and the spread of certain types of cancer. Their research focuses on canine cancer patients at the MSU Animal Health Center.

BILOXI, Miss. -- Food safety professionals can earn the necessary certification to meet new provisions in the Food Safety Modernization Act next month during a three-day course on the Gulf Coast.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service is hosting a Food Safety Preventative Controls Alliance course March 22-24 in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

JACKSON, Miss. -- Teachers, students and community members are invited to learn about biological diversity and take part in naturalist activities at BioBlitz events in Jackson and Tupelo.

Participants will partner with biologists to track down and identify as many local trees, plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds as possible. Individuals can help scientists by recording species they see on the free app, iNaturalist.

As I walked around my landscape this weekend, I was really impressed with how my three winter staples -- pansies, violas and Telstar dianthuses -- are enjoying the lengthening days and a little bit of warmer weather.

As I walked around my landscape this weekend, I was really impressed with how my three winter staples -- pansies, violas and Telstar dianthuses -- are enjoying the lengthening days and a little bit of warmer weather.

They are blooming like crazy, almost in response to what I’ve been thinking: It’s time to start planning and planting the warm-season annuals.

MADISON, Miss. -- Jaclyn Anderson admits her strong suit is not math or science, but that did not stop her from providing a robotics class for children at the Rebecca Baine Rigby Library in Madison.

“I really wanted to have this program for the kids,” said Anderson, youth services director with the Madison County Library System. “We had done a very basic class two summers ago, but it wasn’t a hands-on class because we didn’t have any robots or computers or computer software. We just showed them how to build a circuit.”

As I walked around my landscape this weekend, I was really impressed with how my three winter staples -- pansies, violas and Telstar dianthuses -- are enjoying the lengthening days and a little bit of warmer weather.

They are blooming like crazy, almost in response to what I’ve been thinking: It’s time to start planning and planting the warm-season annuals.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- One of the most common questions I get is, “How do I manage the fish in my lake or pond?”

My responses to these landowners vary, but I usually ask them some questions of my own. What is your goal? Do you want big bass, big bream or just an overall increase in all fish species in your pond or lake? Once the lake owners set their goals, then we can go to work.

BILOXI, Miss. -- Gulf Coast landowners who restore natural shorelines on their property can help reduce erosion, support healthy coastal ecosystems and boost local economies.

Scientists from Mississippi State University, the University of South Alabama, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, the University of Connecticut, The Nature Conservancy and the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve teamed up to find the most economical and effective method of salt marsh restoration for small-scale projects.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- 4-H’ers in three Mississippi counties now have extra tools to learn science, technology, engineering and math concepts thanks to a contribution from a worldwide leader in wireless technology.

The Verizon Foundation donated $14,000 to the Mississippi State University Extension Service for three county agents to buy educational equipment for the youngest 4-H members in the areas they serve.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- A person with extensive knowledge of bugs can almost tell the date by paying careful attention to what is going on in the insect world.

Right now, soon-to-emerge tomato fruitworms tell observers spring is around the corner. Gardeners frequently encounter pupas of various caterpillars when digging in the garden or flower bed. Identifying these seasonal insects can be difficult.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- A Mississippi State University student team’s business venture may be one solution to nutritional deficiencies the state’s schoolchildren face.

The team of students in MSU Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion proposed a business to produce a cost-effective, sweet-potato-based powder they have named “Panacea.”

Team members include junior Morgan Von Staden of Olive Branch, Mississippi; graduate student Liz Ivey of Cumming, Georgia; and graduate student Hector Portillo of Sarasota, Florida.

What does a warm, early-spring weekend and home gardeners itching to get out and plant something add up to? You’re correct if you answered all kinds of plants ready to go on the racks at your local garden center.

Now, I wasn’t out plant shopping this weekend, but that’s exactly what I saw during my trip to pick up new fence pickets to make some repairs.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The foundation of a healthy marriage rests on the solid ground of communication.

Karen Benson, an agent of the Mississippi State University Extension Service in Neshoba County who conducts family life programs, said couples are able to grow closer emotionally when they open up about their hopes and needs.

“Conflict is inevitable, but marriage does not have to be a struggle,” she said. “We learn to negotiate and learn more about ourselves when we work out solutions to conflicts.”

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi growers are relying on seed technologists to address issues related to their crops before the 2016 season begins.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Having too many weeds in a pond is the bane of many Mississippi pond owners.

Pond weeds start growing early, as soon as day length and water temperatures allow. Don’t let them get out of hand! Start a weed management program before they become a problem to keep your pond picture perfect.

BILOXI, Miss. -- Food safety professionals can earn the necessary certification to meet new provisions in the Food Safety Modernization Act next month during a three-day course on the Gulf Coast.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service is hosting a Food Safety Preventative Controls Alliance course March 22-24 in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

PORT GIBSON, Miss. -- Mississippi farmers can learn about the Farm to School Program during an upcoming field day in Claiborne County.

The Alliance for Sustainable Agricultural Production will hold its first on-farm field day of the year at the Claiborne County Career and Technical Center in Port Gibson on March 18.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi State University will host four conservation camps in June to promote interest in careers and activities in the outdoors.

The camps are offered by the MSU Extension Service and the MSU Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture.

POPLARVILLE, Miss. -- A free workshop for water well owners originally scheduled for Feb. 23 has been rescheduled for Feb. 29 because of predicted bad weather.

South Mississippi homeowners in small communities and rural areas without public water supplies can learn how to better manage, operate and protect their private wells during a program in Pearl River County.