News

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Home gardeners throughout Mississippi know that the Truck Crops Experiment Station in Crystal Springs is the place to see award-winning vegetable and flower varieties. Now the station itself is an award winner.

The Mississippi State University facility is the 2005 All-America Selections Display Garden Exemplary Education Category II award winner. The category II designation is for locations receiving between 5,000 and 100,000 visitors a year.

By Emily Cole

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Several Mississippi growers are responding to consumer demand for food grown without the use of any chemicals, and organic fruits and vegetables are cropping up across the state.

Rick Snyder, a vegetable specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said interest in organic food is slowly gaining momentum in Mississippi, and the demand stems from health awareness in America.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The Iresine varieties Blazin Rose and Bloodleaf got a lot of attention at the Gulf Coast Garden and Patio Show and look to be among the hottest plants for 2006. If you missed them in Hattiesburg, you will be able to see them at the 9th Jackson Garden and Patio Show.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Health care costs are high and going higher, but health advocates say consumers can take some steps to protect their pocketbook.

Jane Clary, health specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said prevention is a major part of health care.

"Anything that can be done to maintain good health, prevent health from deteriorating, and identify and treat medical problems when they occur will help keep the costs of health care down," Clary said.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Thousands of school children and visitors from across the state will learn about animals and careers in animal medicine during an upcoming event at Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Students at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine will hold their 22nd annual open house April 7 and 8 at the Wise Center, located on the south side of campus off Spring Street.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Ten years after the Mississippi Medallion award program started in 1996, the Mississippi Plant Selections Committee is announcing its first award-winning rose: Knock Out.

MISSISSIPPI STATE-- The Mississippi National Guard has enlisted the help of Mississippi State University in a partnership with a South American ally.

Bolivia participates in the National Guard State Partnership Program, which matches U.S. states with countries in Eastern Europe, Asia, Central America and South America to pursue activities of mutual benefit.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Thanks to the new Serena series and a new compact called Angel Mist, angelonias should finally reach star status in Southern landscapes.

Maybe that's wishful thinking because my recent surveys at seminars point to a disturbing fact -- gardeners still haven't tried angelonias and probably don't understand what they are.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Most Mississippians leave to the courts the decision of who gets their kids, money or assets when they die, but experts urge everyone to think carefully before letting this happen.

Wills and estate plans are legal documents that specify how a person's assets and responsibilities are to be handled after their death.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi and Arkansas landowners interested in earning additional revenue from their land can take part in a March 2 workshop focusing on natural resource enterprises.

A variety of enterprises can be developed from natural resources including fee hunting and fishing, agritourism, wildlife watching, trail riding and heritage tourism.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippians will represent the nation’s rural population when they provide health-care opinions in upcoming listening sessions throughout the state.

Established by an act of Congress in 2003, the Citizens’ Health Care Working Group is initiating a public debate to improve medical services nationwide. The goal is to provide every American with quality, affordable health care.

JACKSON -- Buyers rewarding young people for their efforts raising livestock paid $223,786 and set two sales records for the 35 champion animals sold Thursday at the 2006 Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions.

The grand champion lamb sold for $54 a pound, bringing $8,694 from buyers AmSouth Bank and Brookshire's Grocery Co. Later in the auction, a second lamb, the reserve champion Dorset lamb, brought the same price per pound for a sheep that weighed slightly less.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi regularly leads the nation in charitable giving, and where there is money, there are people who want to get some of it by illegal or unethical means.

Bobbie Shaffett, family resource management specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, applauded Mississippians for their generosity, but encouraged them to give wisely.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Quilts and costumes may seem unrelated, but to apparel students at Mississippi State University, a historic quilt can be an eye-opening artifact.

At a 2005 symposium on Southern quilts, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences associate professor Wanda Cheek gave her historic costume students a chance to get their hands on some important and valuable pieces of Mississippi's history.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

If you like the Boston Fern, you will adore the Tiger Fern. These tropical treasures make their Mississippi debut this spring at garden and patio shows in Hattiesburg, Jackson and Southaven.

Their incredible beauty comes from the variegation that resembles a tiger's stripes. Each frond will be a different color and offer a different pattern of variegation. The colors will vary from dark green to lime green and golden yellow.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The Consortium for the History of Agricultural and Rural Mississippi was formed in 2002 to ensure preservation and access to important documents related to the individuals and organizations that built the state's rural heritage.

CHARM’s mission is to promote understanding and appreciation of the role played by agriculture, forestry and rural life in Mississippi’s past. The organization is working to collect, preserve and provide access to important historical materials as a foundation for teaching, learning and research.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi landowners interested in earning additional revenue from their land can take part in a March 8 workshop focusing on natural resource enterprises.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi youth are applying for grants to help them gain pride in themselves and in their communities through an environmental improvement program.

Community Pride is a grants and awards program sponsored by the ChevronTexaco Companies and administered by Mississippi State University’s Extension Service.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Americans are conditioned to dread taxes, but for some working Mississippians, tax time can bring a bonus check or some hurricane-related tax relief.

Bobbie Shaffett, family resource management specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said the Earned Income Tax Credit can be a big help to many taxpayers.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

There are thousands of spectacular daylilies for sale, some even approaching the cost of my first car, but two reasonably priced selections you should search for are this year's All-American Daylily Selections, Buttered Popcorn and Persian Market.