News
By Chantel Lott
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The age a youth must reach to legally work on a farm rose recently, and some farmers may need to reconsider who they employ.
U.S. law now states that any youth under the age of 14 cannot be employed on a farm.
By Chantel Lott
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Computer software can ease the burden of paperwork in fish farming, and the latest release of Fishy 2001 will continue to help farmers make the most of their ponds.
On April 1, Fishy 2001 a microcomputer program developed at Mississippi State University will be available for fish farmers. Fishy records, analyzes and makes reports for fish farmers to keep track of fish numbers, feedings, weights and sizes.
By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center
Yarrow is considered an herb, a perennial and a leader for cut-and-dried flower arrangements, yet it is still overlooked by many Southern gardeners.
By Allison Matthews
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The howls of coyotes in the night may sound eerie to some, chilling to others, but for animal owners, the howls may be a reminder of a problem.
Coyote population has expanded across the United States. Their highly adaptable nature has helped them cope with widely varying habitats. The predator is common in Mississippi, where a few decades ago it was unknown.
"When I was a kid growing up here in Mississippi there were no coyotes," said Dean Stewart, Mississippi State University Extension wildlife associate.
By Allison Matthews
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's white-tailed deer population has undoubtably increased in recent years, and wildlife specialists are using a new tool to more accurately survey deer numbers.
By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- If it's not the drought or poor market prices, it's the high cost of energy that is making it hard for Mississippi farmers to turn a profit.
Officials associated with the state's agricultural industry are saying that the high price of energy has created a crisis in agriculture. In Mississippi, the poultry and greenhouse industries appear to be hurting the most, but no ag sector is safe from rising costs that cut into already slim profits.
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- By now, consumers are used to high prices at the gas pump, but many are still recovering from the shock of their heating bills that arrived in January.
Natural gas prices have more than doubled in the past year, with much of that increase happening since November. The problem is nationwide and comes at a time when usage is up because of one of the coldest winters in recent history.
By Allison Matthews
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A farmers' market can draw a crowd with its local, farm-fresh vegetables, and organizers are hoping more producers will be attracted as well.
David Nagel, Extension plant and soil sciences specialist at Mississippi State University, said farmers' markets give everyone an advantage, often one that consumers may have a hard time finding elsewhere.
By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center
This coming spring has all the signs of being a good year to bring back that old-fashioned plant, the nasturtium. I considered writing about plants for cold, saturated conditions, but decided to write about a plant that is beautiful, edible, suitable in the flowerbed and perfect for tucking in containers.
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's horse industry is growing by leaps and bounds, and the state's agricultural college is expanding equine programs to keep pace.
In the last few years, Mississippi State University has directed efforts toward expanding its horse program in areas such as 4-H, therapeutic riding and a collegiate equestrian team. Also, research and academic options for people pursuing careers in horse-related fields have increased. Equine specialists believe MSU's efforts parallel a growing interest statewide in horsemanship.
By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center
Horticulturists are always looking for "60-mile-per-hour plants," which means pretty flowers in some landscapes can divert your attention while you are zipping down the highway.
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Some adults say youth need encouragement to be their best, but a special group of those Mississippians are preparing to put their money where their mouths are.
More than 2,000 members of 4-H and FFA programs across Mississippi will converge upon Jackson to compete in the Dixie National Junior Round-Up, Feb. 1 through 8. An elite group of winners will receive the top monetary awards following the livestock show at the Sale of Junior Champions on Feb. 8.
By Chantel Lott
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Cheese production at Mississippi State University allows researchers to develop improved cheese products and offers students in food sciences hands-on experience while attending college.
Students at MSU studying food science have the opportunity to study the cheese making process and work in a real cheese production plant as part of their curriculum. The plant is operated by the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.
By Crystel Bailey
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Teenagers love to spend money, and now teachers and financial experts are teaching them how to use it wisely as part of a school curriculum.
After the Mississippi Legislature passed a law in 1999 that required money management be taught in high schools, Mississippi State University's Extension Service joined with schools and businesses to bring this new curriculum to the classroom.
By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center
After those 100-plus degree days in August, we should feel guilty complaining about the cold winter we've had. It helps knowing that some hot new plants like the Bouquet Purple dianthus will be showing up soon to help us forget the frigid December and January.
MISSISSIPPI STATE Most of Mississippi's weather in 2000 did more harm than good for the state's farmers -- until December.
After four relatively mild winters, entomologists predict significant insect mortality from the cold. The state climatologist reported December temperatures were among the coldest in reported history.
By Chantel Lott
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Knowing that corn will grow in Mississippi is one matter, but deciding which kind will grow best on a particular farm puts significant amounts of money on the line and calls for in-depth research.
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A group of 105 youngsters in Kossuth have included gardening in their classroom activities and become the first Junior Master Gardener group in the state.
In November, the Kossuth Aggie Junior Gardeners registered as Junior Master Gardeners. The fifth graders' teachers began teaching a gardening curriculum and the classes began working in their outdoor classroom at the school. The group studies environmental and horticultural topics, does hands-on activities, and has the opportunity to take on community leadership projects.
By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center
The large, tulip-shaped, purple, pink and white flowers of the Japanese magnolia will open soon in neighborhoods all across our state, making you wish you had planted one or two. One of Napoleon's retired soldiers is credited with making the cross.
These huge-flowers produced in late winter and early spring are a sight long remembered. The past few years they have been exceptional in bloom. It won't be long until they start to show up at garden centers.
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