News

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

With all the new neighborhoods springing up everywhere, I'm sure I'm not alone in the panic that we will soon miss out on the floral displays of this spring's azaleas. Some disparage the azalea, but I am not one of them; I need azaleas at my new home.

By Charmain Tan Courcelle

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The pooled resources of the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine may help establish Mississippi State University as a leader in imaging technologies for the agricultural and veterinary sciences.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- An intense summer program aims to entice high school juniors into family medicine as Mississippi approaches a critical need for medical professionals.

With one out of five Mississippi physicians over the age of 60, the Rural Medical Scholars program's aim is to identify the state's future primary care doctors and help them become members of the medical school class of 2011.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi is one step closer to a better diagnostic facility for the state's $1.5 billion poultry industry.

Groundbreaking for a $500,000 Poultry Research and Diagnostic Laboratory took place on March 18 in Rankin County. Following the construction of this 2,000-square-foot building, officials plan to begin the second phase of the project which will culminate with the construction of a 40,000-square-foot diagnostic facility for all animal species with a total cost of more than $18 million.

By Charmain Tan Courcelle

BILOXI -- Any visitor to Mississippi's Gulf Coast can attest to the quality of its seafood, and scientists at the Coastal Research and Extension Center are working to ensure the continued availability of this food crop and the sustainability of Mississippi's seafood industry.

One such effort is led by marine resources specialist David Burrage, who is studying the inshore shrimp industry for the Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.

JACKSON -- Greenhouse tomato growers should mark their calendars for a tomato short course to be held in Jackson on March 14 and 15.

The 2002 Greenhouse Tomato Short Course will be held at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum in Jackson. It is sponsored by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

My 11-year-old son, James, went for a bike ride late last spring in our new neighborhood filled with forested areas, creeks, bogs and even deer. He came back out of breath from riding to tell me with excitement about a patch of flowers he discovered.

Though he had never seen them before, he immediately recognized them as something special. He was right. They were native Indian Pinks, known botanically as Spigelia marilandica.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The past couple of years have proven something to me; geraniums are back! Perhaps they have not recaptured the flower border, but they have taken over the front porch and perhaps the patio.

Last year, there were large containers of geraniums welcoming visitors to front doors everywhere I looked. Whether the container was all geraniums or mixed with other spring bloomers, you have to admit these are showy flowers that can be admired from a great distance.

By Linda Breazeale

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Therapeutic riding is gaining in popularity with therapists, community volunteers and among people with disabilities.

"The primary focus of therapeutic riding is to foster independence for people with special needs.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Blue ribbons and trophies may be the most recognized goals of Dixie National livestock exhibitors, but the top 4-H and FFA members walk away with much more.

Twenty-five scholarship recipients and the youth owners of 37 market animals received almost $197,000 during the 2002 Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions on Feb. 7.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's in-home child-care businesses can take part in training to advance them to the next level in quality child care and in business techniques.

Mississippi State University's Extension Service offers the Nurturing Homes Initiative for home child-care providers. The Mississippi Department of Human Services' Office for Children and Youth funds the project, which is entering its second year in Mississippi.

By Ashley Crawford

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The Internet provides new opportunities for the expansion of businesses, and for a Mississippi woman's hair-bow business, the benefits come in the shape of dollar signs.

Darlene Seals began selling hair bows from the trunk of her car in her North Mississippi hometown of Holly Springs in 1991. Today, her business has expanded to the Internet with the help of Mississippi State University's Extension Service.

"About two years ago, I tried to put my business on the Internet, but it didn't work very well," Seals said.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Most pet owners put away the paper towels and the disinfectant when their pet is housebroken, but some must keep them handy because their trained dog continues to have accidents in the house.

Dr. John Harkness, animal behaviorist at Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, said many dogs urinate inappropriately from submissiveness or excitement. Other causes include fear, separation anxiety, territorial marking and medical problems.

By Bethany Waldrop Keiper

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Pet owners can help control animal overpopulation while reaping benefits for themselves and their pets.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Valentine's Day and other special days can invoke concern, confusion and heart-pounding fear in macho men everywhere. If you are remembering the chaos around the picked-over displays at the card store last year or if you are considering chocolates, let me tell you, "Candy is dandy, but flowers have power."

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

To be perfectly honest, sometimes there needs to be a little more sex in the garden. Yes, gardeners, we need to discuss the "birds and the bees."

We cannot escape the challenge of male and female relationships, even in the garden. This is most evident in the large, bright red fruit on the aucuba. Well, you didn't think I was talking about human relationships, did you?

By Ashley Crawford

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Understanding the causes of eating disorders may be the first step toward recognizing and helping the potential victims of this self-inflicted abuse.

People with eating disorders demonstrate compulsive behaviors regarding their food intake, weight and shape in hopes of gaining rewards. Two common types of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Litter boxes are a challenge of cat ownership when used correctly, but when the cat refuses to follow training, they can be a real mess.

Used correctly, litter boxes are indoor bathrooms for family pets, allowing the animal to live a life of luxury without stepping foot outside. When the cat uses it incorrectly or not at all, they can become the last straw that makes kitty an outdoor pet or worse, homeless.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University agricultural engineers will improve and develop new applications for a recently patented rotary excavator.

Norman Haigh of Natchez said he invented the rotary excavator -- called a Rotifer in the patent application -- to address the need for a fast, efficient and economical method for draining land in flood plains like the Mississippi Delta before development. He assigned 50 percent of the patent rights to his invention to MSU.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Many Mississippi residents face more challenges to their success than others, but a Feb. 19 conference in Jackson is being designed to close the gap.

The Children, Youth and Families At Risk project, part of the Mississippi State University Extension Service, will conduct a one-day conference to enhance knowledge and skills needed by those trying to help at-risk groups.