Feature Story

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Changes to farm policy programs through an omnibus bill passed by Congress and signed into law July 4 will improve growers’ safety nets and increase row crop reference prices.

The tax and spending cut legislation H.R. 1 includes updates to the Price Loss Coverage, or PLC, and Agricultural Risk Coverage, or ARC, programs and increased reference prices for row crops, including those grown most frequently in Mississippi.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- H.R. 1, the tax and spending cut bill passed by Congress and signed into law July 4, makes significant cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, including the elimination of a nutrition program delivered by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

A few of the people employed in various aspects of the green industry in Mississippi learned their skills while incarcerated at the East Mississippi Correctional Facility in Meridian.

The facility, like many in the state, offer the men housed there several educational opportunities that will provide avenues of gainful employment upon their release. In Meridian, Tammie Jennings teaches a horticulture class for inmates and calls upon the Mississippi State University Extension Service on occasion for support.

Mississippi State University will host a half-day grape workshop on July 11 for anyone interested in growing bunch grapes in the state.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- New and experienced municipal officials have an updated reference resource available through the Mississippi State University Extension Service. The MSU Extension Center for Government and Community Development, or GCD, published the “Municipal Government in Mississippi, Eighth Edition” in June.

BILOXI, Miss. -- The Mississippi Sound Estuary Program, or MSEP, has released its 2025-2030 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for public review and comment.

The inaugural plan, or CCMP, outlines regional priorities for conservation, restoration, resilience and stewardship, and MSEP encourages Mississippi residents to help shape its future.

MSEP is housed at the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center within the MSU Coastal and Marine Extension Program.

RAYMOND, Miss. -- A Mississippi State University expert says he has no evidence that Africanized honey bees are established in Mississippi contrary to reports from Mississippi media outlets June 26.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Seed and agricultural industry professionals, producers, crop consultants, research professionals and stakeholders can learn about considerations for seed-applied and precision agriculture technologies during the 2025 Seed and Agricultural Technology Short Course on Aug. 5 and 6.

Vegetable producers across the Southeast are invited to the 2025 Vegetable Field Day on July 23 at the Mississippi State University station in Verona, Mississippi.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Mississippi Municipal League are known for their commitment to serving the state’s communities. Now, the two are combining their strengths to equip municipal leaders with the practical tools and knowledge they need to do the same.

PICAYUNE, Miss. -- Photographers from Mississippi and across the globe can display their talent in a photo competition that introduces Bugfest 2025 – BeetleMania! The competition kicks off The Crosby Arboretum’s 23rd annual September celebration of insects and arthropods and their ecological value. This year’s fest will highlight beetles.

FLOWOOD, Miss. -- When responding to emergencies, collaboration between state agencies is critical in the effort to save lives.

Full-scale exercises like Operation Angel Flight test and evaluate these agencies’ preparedness in the event that they are called to assist with a disaster event. This drill, conducted by the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center, was held May 9 at the Allen C. Thompson Field Air National Guard Base.

MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. -- A pilot program designed to increase food pantries’ capacity to provide health-related foods and services recently completed its initial classes.

In response to the continued expansion of screwworm flies into southern Mexico, the U.S. suspended live animal imports from Mexico on May 11, 2025, halting imports of feeder cattle from Mexico.

STONEVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi State University’s National Center for Alluvial Aquifer Research in Leland will demonstrate an easier method for deploying polypipe at a field day showcasing irrigation water management strategies on June 12.

Irrigation experts are testing a new automatic system that punches holes in polypipe, which is used for furrow irrigation in row crops. In the Mississippi Delta, about 70% of farmland is irrigated, and furrow irrigation is the most common method, used on about 83% of those acres.

NEWTON, Miss. -- New and experienced cattle producers can learn about the latest research in grazing management and forage during a conference June 19-20.

Mississippi State University continues to keep seed and agricultural industry professionals up to date with the Seed and Agricultural Technology Short Course offered this year Aug. 5-6.

While Mississippi high school students have history, English and algebra on their schedules, several are now adding advanced animal husbandry skills to their academic load.

Brandi Karisch, beef cattle specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said Extension began offering a youth stockmanship competition this year to improve young participants’ knowledge and skills in beef cattle handling.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi’s first confirmed rabies case in a decade is a reminder that proper vaccination of domestic animals is helpful in preventing infection.

The Mississippi Board of Animal Health, or MBAH, announced May 6 that a bat in Tippah County tested positive for rabies, a fatal viral disease. Two potentially exposed puppies were quarantined.

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Many older adults want to remain in their own homes and communities as they age, but deciding to age in place should be carefully considered. Some of the first factors to consider are the home itself, finances, personal health and the community.