What’s New in Extension
Eight major universities were represented at the 2024 National Floriculture Forum, hosted in Biloxi by Mississippi State University.
MSU Hosts National Floriculture Conference
By Bonnie Coblentz | Photo by Kevin Hudson
In late February, Mississippi State University hosted the 2024 National Floriculture Forum, an annual conference held at different locations around the country. This year’s event was held in Biloxi, and MSU Extension Service horticulturists Dr. Jim DelPrince and Dr. Christine Coker coordinated the event.
Floriculture is the cultivation of flowering plants and ornamentals and is a subset of horticulture, the science of cultivating fruits, vegetables, and other plants.
Session speakers included researchers from MSU, the University of Florida, Cornell University, North Carolina State University, Purdue University, Texas A&M University, the University of Minnesota, Michigan State University, and others.
Close to 50 faculty and graduate students attended the event, and research talks centered on cut flowers, potted ornamental plants, horticultural economics, and communications.
Dixie National Sales Surpass $9 Million
By Nathan Gregory | Photo by Kevin Hudson
The 2024 Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions, the 55th consecutive one, marked several milestones.
The sale exceeded the $9 million mark in total sales, broke the record for the total number of champion market animals featured with 53, and set a new record-sale total at $484,010. Another record was also set—the highest price paid for a steer in sale history. The grand champion steer, shown by Tripp McGee of Jones County 4-H, was sold for $30,000 to the highest bidding group.
Held in February at the Mississippi Trade Mart, the sale included eight steers, 17 hogs, 12 lambs, 12 goats, and four hair sheep. The shows featured 1,225 members of 4-H and FFA showing 2,084 animals.
The Sale of Junior Champions Promotion Committee awarded 25 $1,500 scholarships to exhibitors who are high school seniors, six $2,000 scholarships to premier exhibitors, and eight $1,500 scholarships to owners of supreme champion livestock. In total, the committee awarded $61,500 in scholarships.
Producers Statewide Share Needs with MSU Agents, Specialists
By Leah Barbour | Photo by Kevin Hudson
In early 2024, the Mississippi State University Extension Service held three Producer Advisory Council (PAC) meetings at the Coastal, North, and Central Research and Extension Centers in Biloxi, Verona, and Raymond, respectively.
PAC meetings offered agricultural producers a forum to discuss their needs with MSU administrators, researchers, specialists, and Extension agents. To develop applicable educational initiatives, geared to fit Mississippi residents’ local needs, Extension personnel documented participants’ requests and concerns.
Hundreds of clients attended, and a range of commodities were represented, including agronomic crops, apiculture (beekeeping), forestry, horticulture, livestock, poultry, small ruminants, and wildlife, among others.
MSU administrators confirmed to participants that their input is recorded, though solutions sometimes take years. PAC input allows Extension personnel to address the issues producers care about most and develop programming so farmers can apply the latest technologies.
MSU Extension Exhibits at Mid-South Farm and Gin Show
By Leah Barbour | Photo by Kevin Hudson
A group of Mississippi State University Extension Service administrators and specialists met with thousands of producers and hundreds of fellow exhibitors at the 72nd Mid-South Farm and Gin Show.
Dr. Angus Catchot, director of Extension, said the event allows attendees to see the newest equipment and learn the latest research and applications at educational seminars on key issues.
“Research and Extension are linked at the hip at Mississippi State, and we are researching the complex questions and sharing those answers with the public. So many farmers are relying on their county Extension agent to improve their economic bottom line, so we get out and meet people so we can provide the services they need and change their lives for the better,” he said.
Extension personnel met with audiences alongside other professionals and faculty representing the MSU Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine, including the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, the MSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the MSU College of Forest Resources.
