Extension Matters

Volume 4 Number 2

Celebrating Mississippi

Magnolias Mark Bicentennial

Photos by Kevin Hudson

On December 10, 1817, Mississippi officially joined the United States of America as the 20th state. Two hundred years later, the state governor, legislators, and other elected officials encouraged residents to commemorate the bicentennial. Officials with the Mississippi State University Extension Service heard the message loud and clear.

Extension Director Dr. Gary Jackson reached out to the Mississippi Master Gardener volunteers, a group of avid gardeners trained by Extension personnel on the most up-to-date horticultural research and recommendations. Jackson asked the volunteers to partner with local elected officials and community stakeholders to plant Magnolia grandiflora in prominent public areas to commemorate the bicentennial.

The Master Gardeners responded with enthusiasm by planting trees that will beautify public spaces for years to come.

PLANTING MEMORABLE MAGNOLIAS

LAUDERDALE COUNTY
Meridian Community College

BOLIVAR COUNTY
Entrance to Cleveland bike trail

WASHINGTON COUNTY
E.E. Bass Cultural Arts Center (formerly Greenville Public High School)

LEE COUNTY
Oren Dunn Museum

PEARL RIVER COUNTY
Leola Jordan Park

NESHOBA COUNTY
Neshoba County Middle School

JACKSON COUNTY
Jackson County Courthouse