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Sweet potato producers and industry professionals are invited to tour Mississippi State University’s research plots and learn current information about this crop’s production at an Aug. 24 event in northeast Mississippi. The 2023 MSU Sweet Potato Field Day at the Pontotoc Ridge-Flatwoods Branch Experiment Station begins with registration at 8 a.m., followed by a guided tour of ongoing projects that begins about 8:30.

A hand holds sweet potatoes just lifted from the ground.

I recently visited the home of Marian Hill in Tupelo and toured her beautiful pollinator gardens full of plants buzzing with activity. There were several varieties of yarrow, some bachelor’s buttons and Stokes’ aster planted throughout.

A bee hangs onto the bottom of a cluster of tiny, purple flowers.
A moth sits on a purple flower.
A black insect rests on a mass of tiny, red flowers.
A bee rests on a purple bloom in a small cluster.

If you’ve ever had an encounter with a horsefly, you know they are annoying. If you’ve ever been bitten by one, you know it hurts! So, how can you keep these pesky critters from spoiling your outdoor summer fun? The answer probably isn’t what you want to hear. 

A dog sits in a swimming pool
Horseflies can be a nuisance to people and pets in the summertime. (Photo by CanStock, Inc./imagoz)

It’s no wonder Mississippi is called the Magnolia State. The Southern magnolia is an iconic symbol in our landscape and across the Southeast. I have many great childhood memories of my sister and me climbing and playing in my grandparents’ large magnolia tree in their front yard. Its numerous, small-diameter branches made it a great tree to climb.

A large, creamy white bloom has a woody, yellow center cone.
A tree with white flowers has branches to the ground.

Believe it or not, fall is right around the corner. I know, I know, you probably just rolled your eyes as sweat dripped down your face from the summer heat.

asian lady beetle
Asian lady beetles seek shelter during winter months. Start winterizing your home now to avoid an invasion. (Photo by MSU Extension)

BILOXI -- Are you an avid fisherman, a fish enthusiast (such as a teacher), or simply interested in learning more about Mississippi’s coastal biodiversity? If so, the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center has a course just for you this fall.

Mississippi State University Extension marine fisheries specialist Marcus Drymon shows a trawl-caught cutlassfish to fishermen during a 2022 field excursion. (Photo by MSU Extension/Marine Fisheries Ecology)

I recently visited the Magnolia Botanical Garden at the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Verona, and I saw some impressive ornamental grasses at this Mississippi State University location. Ornamental grasses are great landscape choices and can add color and interesting texture to any garden.

Grass blades are green with random yellowish patches.
A clump of white and green grass decorates the base of a wooden sign.
Tall grasses glow pink when backlit by the sun.

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Six years ago, John Malanchak combined his love of science, passion for teaching and a call to serve others into a project he named Dominic’s Garden. The project, which serves people with disabilities in the Jackson metro area, was recognized in June with an award at the International Master Gardener Conference in Overland Park, Kansas.

A man and a woman help a child plant seeds in a small pot of soil.

What the heck is buck breeding value?  In this episode Steve and Bronson visit with Dr. Randy DeYoung, a professor and researcher at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Randy and his colleagues and students have worked for many years analyzing genetics data related to maternity and paternity assignment in South Texas deer herds.  Randy will share results from the buck side of the equation and tell us how they impact management.

Check out the MSU Deer Lab’s online seminar series (here) and choose the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop down menu.  You will have to create an account to view the seminars.  The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits.

Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel (here)

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