You are here

News

News RSS Feed

 

February 2, 2021 - Filed Under: Agriculture, Corn, Cotton, Grains, Rice, Soybeans, Sweet Potatoes, Agri-tourism, Beekeeping, Equine, Goats and Sheep, Poultry, Swine, Turfgrass and Lawn Management, Vegetable Gardens, Forestry

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Each February marks the occasion for producers to share their research and programming needs with Mississippi State University agricultural specialists in person.

To comply with COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, the opportunity will be extended virtually this year.

A small tree has numerous, light brown branches.
February 1, 2021 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

Regardless of what that darn groundhog predicts on Feb. 2, Mississippi gardeners are not going to enjoy an early spring because those prospects have already been dashed by the off and on cold weather.
Another garden disappointment is upon us, as February also marks crape murder season.

Side-by-side composite of horse grazing and a dog on a leash walking on a bridge.
February 1, 2021 - Filed Under: 4-H, Join 4-H

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Problem-solving and critical thinking are two prerequisites for competent animal care, and a new curriculum will help 4-H’ers learn those skills.

The Mississippi State University Extension Center for 4-H Youth Development and the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine collaborated on the Caring for Animals 4-H project. It is targeted toward 12- to 15-year-olds and designed to develop knowledge of the relationship between people, animals and the environment.

Four people stand on a bridge while cutting a ceremonial ribbon.
February 1, 2021 - Filed Under: Landscape Architecture, Natural Resources

Two new architectural features at the Mississippi State University Crosby Arboretum in Picayune are now open to the public. The Mirror Perch Bridge and the adjacent Rosen Pavilion were formally unveiled during a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony Jan. 23.

February 1, 2021 - Filed Under: Landscape Design and Management, Landscape and Garden Design, Professionals Corner, Smart Landscapes, Turfgrass and Lawn Management

The Mississippi State University Extension Service is leading a research project aimed at enhancing pollinator habitat in managed turfgrass of the Southeast.

A hand holds onto the tag inside a garment.
January 26, 2021 - Filed Under: Master Clothing Volunteers, Family

Clothes manufacturers have made upkeep simple for many items of clothing, but owners may not always know how to handle pieces that need special care in the wash.

Three red tomatoes grow on a plant with green tomatoes.
January 25, 2021 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

For the last few weeks, I’ve been encouraging home gardeners to be intentional with their garden and landscape activities this year. Like many others, I’ve spent these last weeks considering what I’m going to plant and grow in my own landscape this year.Among the plants I will definitely grow are my favorite Mississippi Medallion winners.

Fishing vessel trawls multiple nets for shrimp.
January 20, 2021 - Filed Under: Fisheries

 

January 20, 2021 - Filed Under: Goats and Sheep

The Mississippi State University Extension Service has a new specialist to support the important small-ruminant industry in the state.

Leyla Rios de Alvarez began work at MSU in December as an assistant Extension/research professor of small ruminant production in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences.

A cat sits on a bench in front of flowering, potted plants.
January 18, 2021 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

Garden and landscape planning for the 2021 season continues to move forward as we get closer to the day we can get back out into the garden full time.

If 2020 showed us one good thing, it’s that huge numbers of people discovered the joys and benefits of gardening. As the calendar moves into better gardening weather, I hope most of the new gardeners from 2020 will continue their gardening practices.

Two medical ampoules of COVID-19 vaccine with a syringe.
January 15, 2021 - Filed Under: Health and Wellness, Coronavirus

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The saying goes that tough times bring out the best and worst in people. The COVID-19 pandemic is no exception, and consumers need to be wary of potential fraud related to the vaccine as it is rolled out.

Those who have not yet scheduled an appointment to receive their first dose will be waiting another month. On Jan. 15, the Mississippi State Department of Health reported that appointments may be limited until late January, as most of the state’s available vaccine inventory had already been scheduled or distributed.

Six garden catalogs are displayed.
January 11, 2021 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

I’m in my 2021 garden planning mode right now, and along with many other intentional gardeners, I have my mind on seeds.

Two children in masks stand in front of an activity center in a classroom.
January 8, 2021 - Filed Under: MSU Extension Head Start, Coronavirus

The Mississippi State University Extension Service Head Start Program in Harrison County is proving resilient in safely living up to its mission of easing the transition to school for families with young children.

January 6, 2021 - Filed Under: The PROMISE Initiative

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Researchers from the Mississippi State University Extension Service are looking to collect row-crop farmers’ feedback on stress related to farming.

The focus group sessions are part of the MSU Extension opioid prevention campaign PReventing Opioid Misuse In the SouthEast, or the PROMISE Initiative.

Participation involves answering a series of questions about farming, stress related to farming and the opioid epidemic. If a row-crop farmer agrees to participate in a focus group, the total time commitment will be two hours.

January 5, 2021 - Filed Under: Water, SipSafe

The Mississippi State University Extension Service invites child care centers in 14 Mississippi counties to volunteer for a free water-testing program.

The Sip Safe program, funded by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, is working to reduce lead exposure in children ages birth to 5 years by screening water in qualifying schools and child care facilities. The initial recruitment phase is focused on child care centers in select counties.

January 5, 2021 - Filed Under: 4-H, About Extension

The Mississippi State University Extension Service is launching a new Extension Center for 4-H Youth Development to grow the next generation of leaders. This name change leverages current funding and restructuring of existing positions to allow for greater support and service to Mississippi’s young people. 4-H provides nonformal youth development education across the state for 8- to 18-year-olds through programs delivered locally by Extension agents and registered 4-H adult volunteers.

Purple flowers bloom in front of a wall of green with yellow flowers.
January 4, 2021 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

Happy New Year! Boy, oh boy, what a number COVID laid on us in 2020. It was clearly demonstrated how ill-prepared we are for disruptions in many supply chains. Who can forget the short supplies of toilet paper, and who has not put away a couple of extra rolls just in case?

Upright, green leaves rise above mounding red flowers.
December 28, 2020 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

For at least 10 years, I’ve been actively wondering what direction our landscape and gardening practices are headed. Being a horticulturist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, I’ve had the opportunity to ask this question of gardeners and nongardeners alike, as well as commercial horticulture growers.

A branch has green leaves and clusters of red berries along its length.
December 21, 2020 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

Poinsettias are being bought, Christmas trees with ornaments are going up, and lights and inflatable figures are on display around our homes as people get ready for the holidays.
While most of these holiday displays are quite stunning, some of the most beautiful are those designed by Mother Nature.

December 18, 2020 - Filed Under: 4-H, Extension Administration, Extension Administrative Council, Extension Leadership Council

Longtime Mississippi State University Extension Service administrator and MSU Extension professor Paula Threadgill announced her retirement effective Dec. 31, 2020.

Pages

Archive