News

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- As pastures transition from cool-season to warm-season grasses, the state’s hay and forage producers hope for sunny days that are better suited to growing and harvesting quality crops.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University architecture students designed a sustainable home that can provide its own electricity, water supply and food for a family of four.

In the final project of a sustainable design class, the students turned theoretical principles into a practical home and landscape. They designed all aspects of a self-supporting, modern homestead, including features like solar energy use, rainwater harvesting, wastewater management, and gardens, trees and shrubs to provide a year-round food supply.

By Alicia Barnes
MSU School of Human Sciences

MISSISSIPPI STATE - Families who use child care may want to pick up an extra bouquet while shopping for Mother’s Day.

While the second Sunday in May is a day to honor mothers, the Mississippi Child Care Resource and Referral Network encourages families to also celebrate Provider Appreciation Day on Friday, May 10. This annual event recognizes early care and education providers for their contributions.

By Sarah Shields
MSU School of Human Sciences

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Recognizing that learning is not confined to the classroom, the Mississippi State University Extension Service is promoting quality learning environments in programs for school-age children.

“A child’s learning doesn’t stop at the end of the school day,” said Brittney Rye, project manager of the Out-of-School Project.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Two Mississippi State University scientists have set the standard for the state’s future food scientists by completing an international certification program.

Sam Chang in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Hart Bailey in the College of Veterinary Medicine recently received the Institute of Food Technologists’ Certified Food Scientist credential.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Mississippi State University is offering four different conservation camps in June and July for young people interested in science, outdoors and the environment.

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

GOODMAN -- Both traditional and organic farmers can learn how to recognize and control pests, weeds and diseases during a May 17 field day.

Experts from the Mississippi State University Extension Service; the Mississippi Agricultural, Forestry and Experiment Station; and several partner organizations will be on hand at the Alliance for Sustainable Agricultural Production Demonstration Farm in Goodman to help producers learn to scout their crops and chose the best integrated pest, weed and disease management program.

PURVIS -- Teachers interested in learning more about conservation education can register for the 50th annual Teachers Conservation Workshop, to be held twice this summer.

Instructors at the six-day event include foresters from the Mississippi State University Extension Service, Mississippi Forestry Commission, private industry and consulting firms, as well as biologists, historians and landowners. The workshop will be in Booneville at Northeast Mississippi Community College June 2-7 and in Ellisville at Jones County Junior College June 16-21.

PICAYUNE – Travelers may be adding Mississippi State University’s Crosby Arboretum to their summer travel destination lists now that a regional travel magazine recognized it.

The native plant conservatory is featured as the “Southern Travel Treasure” in the May/June 2013 issue of AAA’s magazine, AAA Southern Traveler.

Like many home gardeners, I used to put plants in my landscape without worrying about labels because I was sure I’d remember what was planted where. And like most of you, I would end up scratching my head wondering what I had planted where.

One of the best gardening tips I can share, especially in the spring when you’re putting so many new things out, is to label your landscape plants.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Farmers should be nearly finished planting corn and going strong with soybeans, rice and cotton, but instead Mississippi fields are quiet as rain keeps tractors in the barn.

As of late April, the state had gone more than five weeks with only an occasional day or two suitable for planting.

Mississippi corn is in the best shape, at least in terms of the number of planted acres. According to the April 22 U.S. Department of Agriculture Crop Progress and Condition Report, corn is 73 percent planted. Historically, it should be 91 percent complete.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – The program teaches science, teamwork and observation skills, but to the participating students, Code SSDD is just fun.

Officially known as Science Sleuths and Digital Detectives, Code SSDD is offered by the Mississippi State University 4-H program through a grant from the National 4-H Council. Linda Mitchell, Extension professor, created and presents the program.

Recent national tragedies have reminded us once again how important it is to stay in touch with loved ones and emergency response officials for breaking news. Being technology-ready before disaster strikes is critical to saving lives, connecting friends and family, and assisting first responders.

JACKSON -- Fourth-graders from Jackson area schools recently got a new appreciation for the clothes on their backs and the food on their tables at AgVentures.

The event, held at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, provided hands-on, educational activities designed to teach children the role of agriculture in daily life. Mississippi State University Extension Service and several partner organizations sponsored the program.

By Kaitlyn Byrne
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University faculty take their knowledge and expertise around the world as they conduct research and teach through the Fulbright Scholarship program.

Two of the program’s most enthusiastic supporters, Phyllis Miller and Stephen Cottrell, have each received three Fulbright scholarships.

MSU apparel, textiles and merchandising professor Phyllis Miller has traveled to Bulgaria, India, and — most recently — Mauritius, a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, just east of Madagascar.

BROOKHAVEN – Horticulture enthusiasts can attend educational presentations, workshops and tours during the Mississippi Master Gardener State Conference May 14-16.

The event is sponsored by the Lincoln County Master Gardeners and the Mississippi State University Extension Service. The conference is open to Master Gardeners and the public.

TYLERTOWN -- Cattle producers in Mississippi and Louisiana can learn about cattle health issues and forage weed control measures during a May 18 event in south Mississippi.

The Mississippi/Louisiana Beef and Forage Field Day will begin with registration at 8:45 a.m. at the Livestock Producers Sale Barn on Highway 98 East in Tylertown, Miss.

Featured speakers are Dr. Jaques Fuselier, of Louisiana State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Brandi Karisch, Rhonda Vann and John Byrd, all with Mississippi State University’s Extension Service.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Mississippi State University professor Donald Grebner is the lead author on a new forestry and natural resources textbook.

Introduction to Forestry and Natural Resources provides a general overview of the forestry and natural resources profession, as well as the history of forestry, landowner objectives, forest disturbances, ecosystem services and urban forestry.

Grebner, professor in MSU’s College of Forest Resources, spent three years writing the 508-page book, in collaboration with University of Georgia colleagues Pete Bettinger and Jacek Siry.

Has the search for blue flowers left you feeling blue?

Mississippi has a long tradition of being famous for blues music. In fact, the Mississippi Blues Trail has markers all across the state telling the story of the blues.

Mississippi gardeners also have a long tradition of wanting blue flowers for their gardens and landscapes. Blue is a coveted color in the landscape, and plant and seed catalogs try every year to meet the need for the color blue.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – A Pearl River County family learned that 4-H robotics’ “no experience required” policy opened doors to new skills they never expected.

Jill Bordelon’s three children, Emily, Eric and Alex, became interested in robotics when 4-H first offered the activity in their county in 2009. Led by their mother, the children formed a team with interested 4-H’ers to construct a robot and compete against other robotics teams.

“None of us had done anything like this before,” Jill Bordelon said. “We got a kit and muddled through. We all learned at the same time.”