Feature Story

By Laura Whelan

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- After the whirlwind of wedding activities are over, many new couples find that when stomachs growl, it's easier to go to a restaurant than prepare a healthy meal at home.

Melissa Mixon, human nutrition specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said the convenience of fast food may not outweigh the consequences. A simple fast-food meal consisting of a burger, fries and soda can contain 1,000 calories.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The flood of emotions parents face on their child's wedding day may increase exponentially if an estranged spouse is part of the day, but the bottom line always is to be willing to abide by the wishes of the bride and groom.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Most gardens look dead in the winter as gardeners wait for spring to put in their crops, but these plots can come alive in January with fresh vegetables for the table.

David Nagel, horticulture specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said mid- to late-January is the time to plant peas and greens.

"Mississippi gardeners don't plant peas nearly as much as they used to, but these vegetables thrive in our climate," Nagel said.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The predicted 1.2 percent decrease in value of Mississippi's timber harvest may represent a turn towards better conditions in the next few years.

Agricultural economists and forestry specialists with Mississippi State University's Extension Service are predicting the value of Mississippi's 2002 timber harvest at $1.06 billion, compared to 2001's value of almost $1.08 billion.

CLEVELAND -- The Delta's agricultural industry has made many changes in three decades, but growers have been able to depend on the annual Delta Ag Expo to help them adapt.

The 30th Annual Delta Ag Expo will take place Jan. 21 and 22 at the Bolivar County Exposition Center in Cleveland. Opening day activities will feature an 11:30 a.m. keynote address by Mississippi native and U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Bill Hawks.

HATTIESBURG -- A new machine called a "sod scalper" is available to help landowners significantly increase longleaf pine seedling survival.

The scalper is a modified fire plow that removes the top 2 to 3 inches of sod and casts it aside. Longleaf pine seedlings are planted in the resulting 3-foot wide strip, which is free from competing grasses.

Glenn Hughes, forestry specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said research indicates that scalping was the best site preparation treatment for planting longleaf pine on pastures.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A victim of low market prices, a Russian ban and a wet harvest season, Mississippi's 2002 total value of agricultural production is expected to decrease by almost 7 percent from the previous year.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A poor export market and depressed prices combined to drive down the 2002 value of poultry production by 17 percent, but the crop still retained its status as the state's No. 1 commodity.

Tim Chamblee, poultry management researcher with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, said the Russian poultry import ban removed a large part of the state's market. Other countries cut back on some imports over concerns of poultry disease in parts of the United States.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The predicted 1.2 percent decrease in value of Mississippi's timber harvest may represent a turn towards better conditions in the next few years.

Agricultural economists and forestry specialists with Mississippi State University's Extension Service are predicting the value of Mississippi's 2002 timber harvest at $1.06 billion, compared to 2001's value of almost $1.08 billion.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi cotton farmers had what looked like the best crop in the history of the state until fall rains reduced yields and quality.

Will McCarty, cotton specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said the 2002 crop still promises to be above average, but the harvest was the wettest it has been in years. Rains destroyed some cotton on the plant and delayed farmers getting the rest out of the fields on time.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Families enjoy gathering for large holiday meals, but they do not need many people, large quantities of food or even a big occasion to make a meal time special.

If the laughter and conversation around the Thanksgiving table were worth savoring, families should realize that they have opportunities at every meal for creating good memories. These meals do not have to be elaborate, and they can be special if only two people are present. When adults eat with children, they should model good eating behaviors so that children see and develop healthy habits.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Deer hunters across the country are becoming concerned about Chronic Wasting Disease, and while Mississippi deer appear to be disease-free, hunters are urged to take precautions to see that it stays that way.

Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD, attacks the central nervous system of members of the deer family, particularly deer and elk. It belongs to the class of communicable diseases that includes mad cow disease and scrapie. CWD causes long-term degeneration of the brain, resulting in abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions and death.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The holidays tend to turn ordinary people into party-hosts, but without proper planning, the task can be overwhelming.

Typical goals of parties are a beautiful setting, pretty and delicious food, and a good time for everyone, the host and hostess included.

Rebecca Kelly, human nutrition specialist and a registered dietitian with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said entertaining for the holidays can be as simple or complex as people want to make it.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Several 4-Hers came back this year with wins after representing their state in various regional and national competitions.

Larry Alexander, youth development specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said the advanced competitions enhance the youth's knowledge and skills.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Outdoors enthusiasts can take great strides in understanding the Southeast's wildlife through an intense seven-week short course beginning in February.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Rains that dashed many producers' hopes of a decent crop are still causing heartache as growers try to complete the harvest and repair fields damaged in the process.

Rains began in late September and stopped harvest statewide for most of the row crops. The delay caused many crop losses in the fields and reduced the quality of what remained. In between showers, growers did their best to harvest from the soaked fields. The result was thousands of acres of severely rutted fields, and some of the state's crops were still in the field at the end of November.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Gas heaters that don't work well aren't just a cold annoyance, they can also be a health hazard.

Herb Willcutt, safety specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said malfunctioning gas heaters can kill an entire household by releasing deadly amounts of carbon monoxide. What could be prevented by regular maintenance usually takes several lives across the country each year.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Cotton growers can get the latest in production recommendations and technology application from top agricultural specialists, researchers and fellow farmers at the annual Mississippi State University Extension Service's Cotton Short Course, Dec. 4 through 6.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- More than 80 poinsettia varieties will be on display during Mississippi State University's annual horticulture Christmas open house from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Dec. 6.

The free event will take place in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences' greenhouses behind Dorman Hall. In addition to the poinsettias, the open house will feature educational seminars, displays and door prizes.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The holidays would not be the same without colorful poinsettias decking the halls and rooms across this country.

A native of Mexico, poinsettias were first brought to the United States by Joel Poinsett, an ambassador to Mexico in 1825. Once known as Flores de Noche Buena (Flowers of the Holy Night), most people know them by color, not variety. The colorful parts of the poinsettias are modified leaves known as bracts. The true flowers are the small yellow buttons in the centers of the bracts.