News

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Jerry Don Keith has been gardening for years, but he had the best garden he’s ever grown after he attended the Master Gardener training last spring.

“I knew I had a lot to learn, but I had no idea that the Master Gardeners would cover so much,” Keith said. “It’s not just about vegetable gardening, but trees, weeds, grass and soil. It’s learning what to do in gardens and yards. Sometimes the little things we learn are the most important.”

This winter we have seen some mighty cold weather in our gardens and landscapes. As a result, we’ll see damage to some landscape plants and we’ll lose others. And with some plants, there will be surprises.

For example, I left an unprotected amaryllis in my garden that experienced a low temperature of 15 degrees -- not once, but twice. This weekend I found the amaryllis pushing new leaves. I was able to separate and pot five bulblets that were also growing.

JACKSON – The mild spring weather brings people and pets out to play. But encounters with other dogs, wildlife and moving vehicles often hurt dogs that spend time outdoors.

Supervision is the best way to help Fido avoid trouble, said Dr. Christine Calder, a veterinary resident with a focus in behavior at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Memories of last year’s bumper crops have Mississippi farmers eager for fields to dry out so they can plant the 2014 crop.

Market potential remains the first consideration when making crop choices.

“Prices are driving growers’ planting decisions,” said Brian Williams, an agricultural economist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. “Mississippi corn is trading about $2.50 per bushel lower than a year ago, while Mississippi soybean prices are slightly higher than a year ago.”

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The Mississippi Forestry Foundation is investing in the lives of students at Mississippi State University.

The foundation, a nonprofit division of the Mississippi Forestry Association, created two endowed scholarships in the College of Forest Resources through the “Infinite Impact: The Mississippi State University Campaign.”

The foundation’s membership previously supported one of the most coveted scholarships in the college, an annual $2,500 award. The most recent gifts are in addition to that annual scholarship.

In the South, springtime means turkey hunting, bass fishing and preparing wildlife food plots.

Food plots are the most affordable way for hunters to provide high-quality forages for the deer, turkey and other wildlife on the property.

A productive, warm-season food plot can generate up to 4,000 pounds of high-quality forage per acre -- that’s a lot of bang for the buck.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – A recreational vehicle loaded with early childhood resources will tour Mississippi April 7-11 to celebrate the Week of the Young Child.

The Mississippi Child Care Resource and Referral Network, a program of the Mississippi State University Extension Service, is sending its mobile library to Pontotoc, Chickasaw, Copiah, Madison, Rankin, Tunica and Panola counties.

Providers, families and community members can tour the RV and receive giveaways. Providers can earn one contact hour by completing a make-and-take activity.

PICAYUNE -- Mississippi's diverse ecosystems take center stage in a Mississippi State University landscape architecture expert’s new book about the Crosby Arboretum.

Bob Brzuszek, an Extension professor of landscape architecture, recently launched “The Crosby Arboretum: A Sustainable Regional Landscape,” through the Louisiana State University Press.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Faculty and staff in the Mississippi State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences were honored for exemplary service during a recent awards ceremony.

The four faculty honorees, chosen from a field of 217 educators, were recognized for inspiring students both in and out of the classroom. Recipients of the college’s annual teaching awards for 2014 were Shien Lu, Angel Fason, Fred Musser and Charles Freeman.

The college also honored two staff members for their outstanding contributions.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Well-intentioned people may do more harm than good when trying to help large animals after disasters, trailer accidents and other catastrophes.

Doug Carter, an agent with the Mississippi State University Extension Service in Rankin County, said even people with large animal experience can make life-threatening mistakes. He was one of the Extension agents who took part in the Technical Large Animal Emergency Response awareness course at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine on March 29 and 30.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Lauren Bright may not consider herself a pioneer, but she has blazed a trail for Mississippi State University veterinary medicine students interested in medical research careers.

In 2008, Bright became one of the first two students admitted to the newly combined doctor of veterinary medicine-graduate degree program at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, in which students earn a DVM and a Ph.D. at the same time. This May, she will become the program’s first graduate, when she receives her DVM degree in May 2014. She will receive her Ph.D. in spring 2015.

By Brittnie Burton
MSU Ag Communications

Spring is one of my favorite times in the garden because it is the transition from what seemed like a long, cold winter to colorful landscapes and gardens full of flowers in the summer.

I have always loved the spring-flowering bulbs, especially daffodils. These brightly colored flowers are a welcome sight when spring temperatures are still cool.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- This year’s cold winter slowed wheat growth so the late-March freeze across much of Mississippi probably did not cause major damage to the state’s wheat crop.

Erick Larson, grain crops agronomist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said most wheat across the state had not reached a growth stage where it would have been sensitive to freezing temperatures when the cold returned on March 26.

WEST POINT -- Jim McAdory wants to surround a group of Choctaw teens with academic and professional examples of people who are pursuing or embracing careers in agriculture.

McAdory, an agent with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, is working with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians to develop an agricultural mentors program for high school juniors and seniors.

By James E. “Jim” Miller
Professor Emeritus, Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Aquaculture
MSU Extension Service

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Offering feed to wildlife is a trend gaining traction in newspaper outdoor columns, outdoor magazines, catalogs, ads and campfire discussions, but the practice can be harmful to wildlife.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A monthly garden series at Mississippi State University gives gardening enthusiasts timely tips and techniques to try out in their own landscapes.

Called the “Last Saturday Garden Series,” these events are hosted by the MSU Extension Service and the Mississippi State Trial Gardens. All the hands-on events are free, open to the public and typically held in the morning.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Mississippi youths recently took part in a competition with skills they can take to their graves.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – A new environmental biologist specializing in conservation has joined the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Jared Harris of Poplarville will serve as the lead contact for 23 southern counties as a coordinator for the Research and Education to Advance Conservation and Habitat, or REACH, program. His work is a new collaborative effort between the MSU Extension Service, REACH, EPA-Gulf of Mexico Program office, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Pearl River Community College.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Sixteen tax assessors and appraisers from throughout Mississippi recently participated in the Certified Appraiser School at Mississippi State University.

The March 3-7 and March 17-21 training sessions were conducted by the Mississippi Department of Revenue and coordinated by the MSU Extension Service Center for Government and Community Development.