Volume 12 Number 1

A trail along the Mississippi Gulf Coast is engaging members of the public in outdoor learning and community science, allowing citizen scientists to record their careful observations of wildlife and plant life in a way that contributes meaningful data to scientific research.

Hundreds gathered in early February to celebrate tradition—skills like metal forging, knife making, weaving, spinning, and quilting, as well as heritage livestock and raptor birds—at the 2026 Forge Day and Heritage Festival.

With 1,152 young people in 4-H and FFA showing a total of 1,759 animals at the 2026 Dixie National Junior Round-Up, this year’s livestock competition was another resounding success.

To be a good logger, you’ve got to love the land.

Holmes County 4‑H’er Jordan Brooks has spent nearly his entire life in the show ring, the barn, and the leadership spaces that make up Mississippi 4‑H.

The 2025 Row Crop Short Course, hosted by the Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, was held at The Mill in Starkville in early December.

It’s a new year, and with spring planting right around the corner, Extension boots are already on the ground. As we look back, we’re grateful for everything Extension accomplished in 2025, and we’re going to continue to make even more impacts in 2026.