News

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Several 4-Hers came back this year with wins after representing their state in various regional and national competitions.

Larry Alexander, youth development specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said the advanced competitions enhance the youth's knowledge and skills.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

At this time of the year, many of us want to do more in the landscape than just rake leaves or pine straw. Why not take a survey around your home and see if you can use some rocks?

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Families enjoy gathering for large holiday meals, but they do not need many people, large quantities of food or even a big occasion to make a meal time special.

If the laughter and conversation around the Thanksgiving table were worth savoring, families should realize that they have opportunities at every meal for creating good memories. These meals do not have to be elaborate, and they can be special if only two people are present. When adults eat with children, they should model good eating behaviors so that children see and develop healthy habits.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The holidays tend to turn ordinary people into party-hosts, but without proper planning, the task can be overwhelming.

Typical goals of parties are a beautiful setting, pretty and delicious food, and a good time for everyone, the host and hostess included.

Rebecca Kelly, human nutrition specialist and a registered dietitian with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said entertaining for the holidays can be as simple or complex as people want to make it.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Deer hunters across the country are becoming concerned about Chronic Wasting Disease, and while Mississippi deer appear to be disease-free, hunters are urged to take precautions to see that it stays that way.

Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD, attacks the central nervous system of members of the deer family, particularly deer and elk. It belongs to the class of communicable diseases that includes mad cow disease and scrapie. CWD causes long-term degeneration of the brain, resulting in abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions and death.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Outdoors enthusiasts can take great strides in understanding the Southeast's wildlife through an intense seven-week short course beginning in February.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Rains that dashed many producers' hopes of a decent crop are still causing heartache as growers try to complete the harvest and repair fields damaged in the process.

Rains began in late September and stopped harvest statewide for most of the row crops. The delay caused many crop losses in the fields and reduced the quality of what remained. In between showers, growers did their best to harvest from the soaked fields. The result was thousands of acres of severely rutted fields, and some of the state's crops were still in the field at the end of November.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

If you want a Christmas or holiday plant that will easily re-bloom every year, then the Christmas cactus is unbeatable.

The cacti in my office are living and blooming proof. Although I have had them for several years, they are abandoned for weeks on end during the spring and fall garden season. If they get water or any other light sitting in a north window, they are lucky.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Gas heaters that don't work well aren't just a cold annoyance, they can also be a health hazard.

Herb Willcutt, safety specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said malfunctioning gas heaters can kill an entire household by releasing deadly amounts of carbon monoxide. What could be prevented by regular maintenance usually takes several lives across the country each year.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Cotton growers can get the latest in production recommendations and technology application from top agricultural specialists, researchers and fellow farmers at the annual Mississippi State University Extension Service's Cotton Short Course, Dec. 4 through 6.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- More than 80 poinsettia varieties will be on display during Mississippi State University's annual horticulture Christmas open house from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Dec. 6.

The free event will take place in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences' greenhouses behind Dorman Hall. In addition to the poinsettias, the open house will feature educational seminars, displays and door prizes.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The holidays would not be the same without colorful poinsettias decking the halls and rooms across this country.

A native of Mexico, poinsettias were first brought to the United States by Joel Poinsett, an ambassador to Mexico in 1825. Once known as Flores de Noche Buena (Flowers of the Holy Night), most people know them by color, not variety. The colorful parts of the poinsettias are modified leaves known as bracts. The true flowers are the small yellow buttons in the centers of the bracts.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

As we get closer to the holiday season, we hear words like fir, Scotch pine and spruce mentioned in association with Christmas trees. But I want you also to think about spruce as one of the most beautiful native pines for the landscape.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- As if farmers need one more thing to worry about after struggling to harvest much of the state's crops in wet conditions, they now need to be extra cautious when drying their grain in bins.

Herb Willcutt, safety specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said burners intended to dry grain in bins can cause fires when not maintained or used properly. He said Arkansas reported three bin fires in three weeks as farmers tried to dry their crops.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Winter's chill sends people scurrying for the thermostats and space heaters to stay warm, but these comfort items can turn deadly if not operating properly.

Nearly every winter brings stories of individuals or families killed or sickened by overnight carbon monoxide poisoning in closed spaces. In these situations, even those who attempt to rescue them can become ill or die unless the area is ventilated before they enter.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- When another roasted turkey doesn't sound appetizing for Thanksgiving, many adventuresome cooks in recent years have turned to frying.

The goal is not a greasy dish similar to the Southern delicacy of breaded, fried chicken. This kind of frying is an outdoor venture that uses a large kettle of hot oil over an open flame to cook a whole turkey to a golden brown.

Melissa Mixon, food safety specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said frying works if the turkey is completely thawed and is not stuffed.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- For all the hype about "right conditions" to yield the best fall foliage, the key to outstanding tree color is likely the species itself.

Mississippi trees often enter the fall after experiencing a dry season and that means relatively cloud-free days as well. These conditions typically bring vibrant colors. However, this year's weather situation has been drastically different after two tropical storms and days of overcast and rainy conditions.

By John Hawkins

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Rural health care providers in Mississippi are getting assistance from a state program that emphasizes the economic importance of local health care.

 MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Fruit and vegetable growers will converge on Biloxi Dec. 4 through 6 to learn the tricks of the trade to make them better producers in the future.

The Deep South Fruit and Vegetable Conference will take place at the convention center in the President Broadwater Towers Hotel on Beach Boulevard. Conference participants from Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi will attend with an expected crowd of 500 people.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Not enough Mississippians give blood to save the lives of people in need, but even fewer have committed to giving their organs and tissue to save someone's life after their own has passed.

The Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency is the federally designated organ procurement organization for most of the state. They report that more than 75,000 people nationwide need organ transplants, and 16 of these die each day waiting for the organ that will save their lives.