Feature Story

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Nothing teaches more about how government works than actually working in government, which four Mississippi 4-H youth will have the opportunity to do.

The 2014 Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves 4-H Senate Page Program is seeking qualified young people to serve one week in the Mississippi Senate. Chosen students will serve as pages March 31 to April 4, supporting the work of the senators.

Mississippi State University Extension Service. 4-H is the youth development program of the Extension Service.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University Extension cotton specialist Darrin Dodds was recently named the 2014 Extension Cotton Specialist of the Year, an award based on leadership and industry service.

Dodds received his doctoral degree at Mississippi State University and has worked at MSU for six years studying cotton variety performance, management, fertility, plant growth regulator use, irrigation management and weed control.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – A Mississippi State University forage expert received an award for outstanding contributions to the field from the American Forage and Grassland Council during its recent national meeting.

Rocky Lemus was recognized with the merit award for superior contributions to forage and grassland agriculture at the 2014 annual conference Jan. 14 in Memphis. He has a joint appointment with the MSU Extension Service and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Finding a special product that consumers want can help growers stand out in the increasingly crowded farmers market.

Bill Evans, associate research professor with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station at the Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station in Crystal Springs, said a growing number of consumers want fresh, local produce, and small growers can help provide it.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Landowners who want to earn extra income are invited to attend a Natural Resource Enterprises workshop on Feb. 4 in Rolling Fork.

Hosted by Mississippi State University, the workshop offers attendees the opportunity to learn different ways to make more money from their land. Topics include recreational businesses, marketing, cost-share programs, liability reduction and wildlife management.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – The Mississippi State University Extension Service is helping offer free squirrel hunts throughout Mississippi on Feb. 8 to teach youth about small game hunting and conservation.

VERONA – Mississippi State University’s North Mississippi Research and Extension Center will host its annual Producer Advisory Council meeting Feb. 20 at the Magnolia Conference Center in Verona.

Agricultural clients will meet to discuss needs for education and research with representatives from MSU’s Extension Service and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.

QUITMAN – When January rolls around, Clarke County 4-H’ers start lining up at Christy King’s door to participate in the livestock show for 4-H members with special needs.

“It’s so popular I have a waiting list,” said King, who is an agent with the Mississippi State University Extension Service in Clarke County.

The event pairs members of the Clarke County 4-H Livestock Club with local youth who have special needs. The show began 16 years ago but ended in 2003 when the original participants became adults.

JACKSON – In the months after Christmas, the pitter-patter of puppy paws leads to a lot of puddles and frayed sneakers.

But with proper care and training, the new puppy can become a devoted companion for many years.

STARKVILLE – Record low temperatures the first week of January plunged the state into a deep freeze, but the cold came too early to cause significant plant damage or have much effect on insect pests in 2014.

Horticulture…

Lelia Kelly, horticulturist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said most plants were firmly in their dormant stage when the extreme temperatures hit.

PICAYUNE – Members of the public can observe and try metalworking at the Jan. 25 Forge Day at the Mississippi State University Crosby Arboretum in Picayune.

Members of the Gulf Coast Blacksmith Association and other area craftsmen will demonstrate techniques and provide tips for those interested in metalworking. Some craftsmen will offer knife sharpening.

Organizers expect between 15 and 20 metalworkers to exhibit their skills this year, double the usual number. Adults and children may participate at select booths.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine invites visitors of all ages to attend its annual 29th annual Open House on April 4 and 5.

The college will open its doors from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for the free annual event at the Wise Center in Starkville. The April 4 program is for pre-registered school groups only. The April 5 program is open anyone in the community.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Mississippi high school juniors considering medical careers in their home state have the opportunity to take part in an intense and enlightening summer program at Mississippi State University.

The five-week Rural Medical Scholars summer program at MSU aims at identifying the state’s future primary care doctors and help them become members of the medical school class of 2023. Applications for the June 1 through July 7 program must be submitted by March 24.

VERONA – Practical and convenient advice awaits north Mississippi fruit and vegetable growers at an upcoming meeting.

Two days of seminars and activities are planned for the North Mississippi Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Conference and Trade Show Feb. 6-7 in the Magnolia Building at the Lee County Agri-Center, located at 5395 Highway 145 in Verona.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Alligator trapping, birding ventures and Louisiana’s laws are just a few of the topics to be addressed at the Coastal Eco/Agritourism Workshop in Lake Charles on February 11.

Coastal residents interested in earning income from nature-based tourism are invited to attend the one-day workshop at the Louisiana State University AgCenter’s Lake Charles Office, located at 7101 Gulf Hwy. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 3:30 p.m. It is sponsored by Louisiana Sea Grant, LSU AgCenter and Mississippi State University.

CLEVELAND – Irrigation, grain storage and agricultural policies are topics set for discussion at the 41st annual Delta Ag Expo.

Bolivar County Extension agent Craig Hankins is chairman for the 2014 event, which will be from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Jan. 23 and from 8:30 a.m. until noon Jan. 24 in Cleveland.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The Mississippi State University School of Human Sciences will host local community leaders at an informational meeting to gauge interest in its Japan Outreach Initiative.

The meeting will be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 17 in room 210 of the Lloyd-Ricks-Watson Building on MSU’s Starkville campus.

PITTSBORO – What will be the next innovative sweet potato product found on grocery shelves across the county? Perhaps something invented by students at Mississippi State University.

Gary Jackson, director of the MSU Extension Service, launched the Sweet Potato Innovation Challenge at the Sweet Potato Council’s annual meeting Jan. 10 in Calhoun County.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Graduate students across the Southeast studying natural resources sciences can share research and meet potential employers at an upcoming workshop.

The fourth annual Southeastern Natural Resources Graduate Student Symposium is set for March 5-7 at the Mississippi State University College of Forest Resources.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Learning something new or increasing existing skills may seem difficult to fit into a busy schedule, but online courses available through the Mississippi State University Extension Service make continuing education convenient.

MSU’s Center for Continuing Education offers more than 300 online courses in a variety of subject areas, such as accounting and finance, college readiness, design and composition, personal development, business, computer applications, law and legal, health care and medical, and writing and publishing.