News From 2001

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Children love watching favorite television programs or movies, but when they are glued to the screen too much during development years, experts say the results get two thumbs down.

"Many studies are showing that media in large doses can have a significant negative impact on children," said Linda Patterson, Extension health specialist at Mississippi State University.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Economic development is high on the priority list across the South, but some experts believe a contributor to this success is being overlooked.

Home-based businesses annually bring millions of dollars to the rural economies of the South. These are the earliest business form, and offer rural communities the opportunity to develop local assets and keep residents in the community.

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The dream-granting program Bruce Brady envisioned while fighting his own battle with cancer was realized this year when 13-year-old Richard Dickson Jr. of Greene County experienced an outdoor adventure to remember.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A farmer has a much greater need to know local weather information than someone trying to decide whether or not to carry an umbrella, so for the last four years, Mississippi State University has provided this detailed data to Delta growers.

In 1996, the National Weather Service stopped offering agricultural weather and climate services from Stoneville and other similar locations nationwide. When this happened, farmers no longer could get ag weather forecasts, advisories and observations, frost forecasts, 30-day ag weather outlook or specialized ag services.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Eighteen-year-old Jonathan Greer runs his own wholesale turfgrass business from his wheelchair with help of partners brought together by Mississippi State University's AgrAbility.

Jonathan's father, Grover Greer, farms about 1,750 acres of cotton, corn, soybeans and wheat in Sharkey County. About a year ago, Greer said they looked for occupations where Jonathan's cerebral palsy would not be a disadvantage.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Some gardeners believe roses have lost their fragrance, but I have stuck my nose in more than a few that deliver delightful scents for season-long enjoyment.

Double Delight has been one of the most popular hybrid tea roses for almost 20 years. An outstanding rose with a creamy white color contrasting with bright strawberry red, it has a fresh fruity scent you can smell up to 10 feet away. In 1986, the American Rose Society awarded it as the most fragrant.

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Old wives tales make great claims about honey's health benefits, but one undisputable aspect of Mother Nature's product is its pure-tasting sweetness.

Melissa Mixon, Extension nutrition specialist at Mississippi State University, said honey is useful to have handy when cooking, and it can often substitute for much of the sugar in recipes. Honey is up to twice as sweet as sugar. It gives food a golden quality, and many people's tastebuds can't get enough of it.

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Lush, green fescue may look ideal for livestock before summer grasses are available, but beware of the invisible threat for pregnant horses lurking inside the winter grass.

Peter Ryan, assistant professor of animal science at Mississippi State University, said fescue is a common forage grass for horses and other livestock in the southeastern United States, but it is frequently infected with a strain of endophyte. The fungus is not harmful to the grass, but it can be hazardous to grazing animals and their offspring.

By Chantel Lott

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Computer software can ease the burden of paperwork in fish farming, and the latest release of Fishy 2001 will continue to help farmers make the most of their ponds.

On April 1, Fishy 2001 a microcomputer program developed at Mississippi State University will be available for fish farmers. Fishy records, analyzes and makes reports for fish farmers to keep track of fish numbers, feedings, weights and sizes.

By Chantel Lott

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The age a youth must reach to legally work on a farm rose recently, and some farmers may need to reconsider who they employ.

U.S. law now states that any youth under the age of 14 cannot be employed on a farm.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Yarrow is considered an herb, a perennial and a leader for cut-and-dried flower arrangements, yet it is still overlooked by many Southern gardeners.

JACKSON -- Mississippi's young champion livestock exhibitors received top dollars for their market animals at the Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions, but the total sales seem to parallel the growing concern in the agricultural economy.

Young people in 4-H and FFA recently concluded their 2000-2001 season in Jackson with the No. 1 youth livestock sale east of the Mississippi River.

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The howls of coyotes in the night may sound eerie to some, chilling to others, but for animal owners, the howls may be a reminder of a problem.

Coyote population has expanded across the United States. Their highly adaptable nature has helped them cope with widely varying habitats. The predator is common in Mississippi, where a few decades ago it was unknown.

"When I was a kid growing up here in Mississippi there were no coyotes," said Dean Stewart, Mississippi State University Extension wildlife associate.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- If it's not the drought or poor market prices, it's the high cost of energy that is making it hard for Mississippi farmers to turn a profit.

Officials associated with the state's agricultural industry are saying that the high price of energy has created a crisis in agriculture. In Mississippi, the poultry and greenhouse industries appear to be hurting the most, but no ag sector is safe from rising costs that cut into already slim profits.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- By now, consumers are used to high prices at the gas pump, but many are still recovering from the shock of their heating bills that arrived in January.

Natural gas prices have more than doubled in the past year, with much of that increase happening since November. The problem is nationwide and comes at a time when usage is up because of one of the coldest winters in recent history.

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's white-tailed deer population has undoubtably increased in recent years, and wildlife specialists are using a new tool to more accurately survey deer numbers.

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A farmers' market can draw a crowd with its local, farm-fresh vegetables, and organizers are hoping more producers will be attracted as well.

David Nagel, Extension plant and soil sciences specialist at Mississippi State University, said farmers' markets give everyone an advantage, often one that consumers may have a hard time finding elsewhere.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

This coming spring has all the signs of being a good year to bring back that old-fashioned plant, the nasturtium. I considered writing about plants for cold, saturated conditions, but decided to write about a plant that is beautiful, edible, suitable in the flowerbed and perfect for tucking in containers.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's horse industry is growing by leaps and bounds, and the state's agricultural college is expanding equine programs to keep pace.

In the last few years, Mississippi State University has directed efforts toward expanding its horse program in areas such as 4-H, therapeutic riding and a collegiate equestrian team. Also, research and academic options for people pursuing careers in horse-related fields have increased. Equine specialists believe MSU's efforts parallel a growing interest statewide in horsemanship.