Feature Story

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Food-borne illnesses are not popular wedding favors, and brides can keep their guests smiling by practicing a few simple food safety tips.

Natasha Haynes, host of “The Food Factor” and an agent in Rankin County for the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said many families organize do-it-yourself wedding receptions to reduce food costs.

“After investing in the ingredients for a wedding reception, you don’t want to let them go to waste because of poor storage or serving options,” Haynes said.

GRENADA -- Landowners, hunters and timber professionals across the state, including those in the Grenada County area, are educating themselves about a major nuisance to land and wildlife.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Stress can rob a bride of joy at her own wedding, but good preparation can help her prioritize and focus on what’s important on her big day.

Planning a wedding is a big production, said Carla Stanford, Mississippi State University Extension Service regional health specialist based in Verona. What should be a happy day has the potential to cause mental and emotional anguish if not handled correctly.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- High school juniors considering medical careers in Mississippi may apply by March 18 for an intense and revealing summer program at Mississippi State University.

The five-week Rural Medical Scholars summer program at MSU, which will take place from May 31 through July 6, aims to identify the state’s future primary-care doctors and help them become members of the medical school class of 2024.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The Mississippi State University Extension Service is offering two short courses at two locations to answer questions related to commercial grape and muscadine production.

The first short course will take place on Feb. 19 in Hattiesburg at the Forrest County Extension Office and Feb. 26 in Verona at the MSU North Mississippi Research and Extension Center. The second short course will be offered Aug. 13 in Hattiesburg and Aug. 20 in Verona at the same locations. Each event begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Losing weight and getting in shape are among the most common New Year’s resolutions, so it is no surprise that many health-oriented organizations recognize January as National Fat-Free Living Month.

Literally living fat-free, however, is impossible, said Brent Fountain, associate professor of human nutrition with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. A certain amount of fat is needed, as it is a primary source of energy and cushions organs and tissues in the body to protect them, he said.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- An unusual new agricultural pest has made its way throughout most of the state, and while its impact on soybeans has been low, it is causing trouble in homes.

The kudzu bug is an invasive species from Asia that arrived in Atlanta, most likely at the airport. First found in Georgia in 2009, the pest rapidly spread across the entire Southeast and has made it as far as Arkansas and Louisiana.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Seven Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H members received national attention for their photographs of plant-related subjects at the 2014 National Junior Horticulture Association photography contest this fall.

Jonah Holland of Tishomingo County received Overall Best of Show and Grand National Awards for his image titled “Spiny Soul.” He also was awarded a Grand National Award for his “Lone Leaf” image.

Evan Kirkpatrick of Jasper County received a Grand National Award for his image, “Sunflowers.”

POPLARVILLE -- Mississippi blueberry growers will have an opportunity next month to hear from seven top statewide researchers on various topics related to crop production.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service and the Gulf South Blueberry Growers Association, will host the educational workshop from 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Forrest County Extension Office, located at 952 Sullivan Drive in Hattiesburg.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The Early Years Network: Special Needs program is hosting free Developmental Screening Day events in three locations around the state in January.

Children 6 months to 5 years of age will be checked for age-specific physical and educational milestones by a team of early childhood specialists with the network’s Special Needs program. If a parent, physician, child-care provider or pre-K teacher has concerns about a child’s development, this event will help.

Screenings will take place from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. at each site.

GOODMAN -- Organizers have planned a variety of relevant workshops in 2015 for farmers and home gardeners as part of a year-long series of monthly field days at the Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture Production Farm near Goodman.

Experts from the Mississippi State University Extension Service, the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Alcorn State University and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians will provide information and hands-on demonstrations at the first field day Jan. 16.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Wildlife groups are partnering to promote hunting and firearm safety among Mississippi youths through squirrel hunts at seven sites across the state next month.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service will join the Mississippi Wildlife Federation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to host the hunts on Feb. 7.

TYLERTOWN -- Mississippi State University and Louisiana State University will celebrate 25 years of bringing management and marketing information to dairy producers in early January.

The 25th annual Mississippi-Louisiana Dairy Management Conference will be Jan. 8 at the Southwest Events Center in Tylertown. The MSU Extension Service and the LSU AgCenter plan and conduct this annual event to meet the educational needs of dairy farmers in both states.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A production bump has helped forestry maintain its status as Mississippi’s second largest agricultural commodity.

James Henderson, associate forestry professor with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, estimated the state’s 2014 harvest value was $1.28 billion, which represents a 13.8 percent increase from the $1.13 billion in production reported in 2013.

Since 2009, the least productive year since the recession started, the state’s forest harvest value has increased 48 percent.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- After some people open Christmas presents, they might find themselves the recipients of new devices they would have avoided but now feel compelled to use.

Learning how to navigate such a device -- whether it is a smartphone, tablet, digital media player or e-reader -- can seem a daunting task to those who are not technologically savvy. Resolving to implement a new gift into routine activities in 2015 can be an easy first step toward getting the most out of that new gadget.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Despite low prices for many commodities, the overall projected totals for Mississippi’s crop values should top $7 billion for the third straight year and essentially match the record set in 2013.

John Michael Riley, agricultural economist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said his preliminary estimate of 2014’s agricultural production values, excluding government payments, is over $7.7 billion.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A potentially record-setting production year made soybeans a billion dollar crop and Mississippi’s third-largest agricultural commodity in 2014.

Trent Irby, soybean specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said soybeans are expected to yield a record average of 52 bushels an acre.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University scientists strive to establish sustainable best practices in the application of slack wax for the wood composites industry.

Slack wax is a waterproofing agent used in the production of composites, including particle board, oriented strand board, fiberboard and laminated strained lumber. The wax improves the dimensional stability of composites, thus improving performance.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi’s beef cattle producers just experienced the best year in history, and 2015 looks equally promising.

Mississippi State University Extension Service agricultural economist John Michael Riley said droughts in cattle-producing states, especially in 2012, resulted in tighter supplies, while consumer demand for beef has remained strong.

RAYMOND -- Poultry experienced some moderate increases in 2014, grabbing the No.1 spot among Mississippi’s commodities for the 20th straight year.

The industry ended November with a preliminary estimated total production value of $3.1 billion, a 6.4 percent increase from 2013.