News

As much as I like decorating with colorful poinsettias during the Christmas season, I’m always on the lookout for nontraditional plants that can add interest and be just as effective in spreading holiday cheer.

One of the most unusual plants I’ve seen is miniature cherry tomato, in full fruit, displayed for holiday sales. While I didn’t run out and buy one of those, a plant I have admired for many years for the shady summer garden is Rex begonia.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – After testing scores of samples taken from rice fields across the state, Mississippi State University scientists found that seed treatments are effective in managing the crop’s most troublesome insect pests.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Paige Nicholson has a new personal illustration to use in speeches about dusting yourself off and getting back on the horse, and she will have many opportunities to use it as she travels the country as the 2014 Miss Rodeo America.

Nicholson, who recently graduated in agricultural information science from Mississippi State University, earned the national crown Dec. 9 in Las Vegas. She was the reigning Miss Rodeo Mississippi.

PONTOTOC – Most deer hunters will not encounter wild hogs, but if they do, wildlife biologists want them to be prepared.

At a recent wild hog seminar in Pontotoc, wildlife biologists emphasized the trouble these disease-carrying pests can cause human and wildlife populations. Speakers addressed the environmental impacts, the threats to fawns and ground-nesting birds, hunting decisions and field-dressing precautions.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Mississippi is one of the best places in the country for deer hunting because of excellent natural habitat and good management by landowners and hunters.

Bronson Strickland, wildlife specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said bagging a trophy buck is the successful result of time and careful implementation of a management plan.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – With a new year approaching, many people are adopting an “out with the old” attitude and throwing away dated documents, and it is important to dispose of these papers properly.

Teresa Lyle, a financial management agent with the Mississippi State University Extension Service in Leake County, said identity theft is a growing crime and affects millions of Americans every year. To decrease chances of identity theft, Lyle recommends shredding important household documents in a cross-cut shredder instead of throwing them in the trash.

JACKSON – Mississippi State University professor Bob Brzuszek is helping the Mississippi Children’s Museum design an innovative garden aimed at cultivating a crop of young readers.

By Karen Templeton
MSU College of Veterinary Medicine

A special partnership focused on using imaging technology to treat brain tumors in cats and dogs shows promise for treating human patients.

JACKSON -- Tomatoes, watermelons and young men have been growing in an urban garden that is much more than an agricultural project.

Hinds County 4-H agent Rocheryl Ware has known football coach Jeff Gibson as a 4-H volunteer leader since 2004. So when he made an unannounced visit to her office last year, she was not surprised he was ready to start a club at his new school, Wingfield High School.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – ’Tis the season for creating tasty and clever homemade gifts for friends and family, but not everyone needs another tray of cookies or pound of fudge.

Cut the sweet stuff this year with some flavorful jerky made at home using venison or beef.

Wes Schilling, associate professor in the Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion at Mississippi State University, said with the right tools and ingredients, home chefs are just a few steps away from creating a popular, high-protein holiday treat.

I hope everyone has Christmas traditions that their family looks forward to each year. One of the traditions I enjoyed growing up in the Great White North was going to get the Christmas tree.

Sometimes we went to one of tree lots that sprang up on corners like cold-weather weeds. Other times we drove out to the country and picked a tree to cut. It was like going hunting and bringing back the bounty. I grew up bringing home Fraser fir, balsam fir or Colorado blue spruce.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Starting in January, Mississippi peanut farmers will have a dedicated source to turn to for information.

Jason Sarver was recently hired as peanut specialist by the Mississippi State University Extension Service and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. His official start date is Jan. 3.

CLEVELAND -- Little dresses sewn with love in Mississippi make their way to children in need around the world throughout the year as part of the Mississippi Homemaker Volunteers’ international project.

At the Bolivar County Extension office, local MHV president Helen Coleman gathered dresses created by her group of about a dozen members and said she expected additional fabric donations.

GOODMAN – Commercial growers, farmers and home gardeners can get advice on the best crops to grow and the best equipment to use during the final field day of a year-long series at the Alliance for Sustainable Agricultural Production Demonstration Farm in Goodman.

On Dec. 13, experts from the Mississippi State University Extension Service will discuss crop selection, seed acquisition, and equipment selection, acquisition and maintenance.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Cattle producers have access to a free app that calculates a variety of factors impacting their livestock management decisions.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service released the MSUES Cattle Calculator on Dec. 2 for Apple devices.

Brandi Karisch, an assistant professor of animal and dairy sciences at MSU, is the Extension beef specialist who provided technical information to develop the app at the request of Mississippi beef cattle producers.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Starting a small business can be challenging, but a workshop for new business owners can help them know what to expect once they open the doors.

A seminar for anyone interested in starting a small business will be provided by the Mississippi State University Extension Center for Government and Community Development beginning January 9th. MSU experts will repeat the workshop the second Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m. at the Golden Triangle WIN Job Center near Columbus.

In their native Mexico, the bright red flowers of poinsettia are known as Flores de la Noche Buena – or Flowers of the Holy Night – as they bloom each year during the Christmas season.

If you’re a fan of poinsettias but like variety, you’ll find the range of poinsettia colors available is truly remarkable. Poinsettia is no longer simply “that red Christmas plant.” Colors range from red and white to even maroon for Bulldog fans, making it hard to choose. In addition to solid colors, there are bicolor, speckled and marbled poinsettias. There are even rose-flowered selections.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Aparna Krishnavajhala is a postdoctoral researcher at Mississippi State University who practices giving back year-round as she works from Starkville to aid the education of girls in India.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Building a habit of learning by doing is beginning early for some Oktibbeha County students.

Middle- and high-school students enrolled in the Studio School project founded by Mississippi State University professor Kay Brocato are serving as volunteer instructors with Body Walk, a hands-on exhibit that tours the state. Sponsored by the MSU Extension Service, Body Walk teaches elementary students about healthy habits, hygienic practices and the science behind the human body.