Feature Story from 2012

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Placing first at the Southern Regional Horse Show might not seem like a great feat to some, but for former Bolivar County 4-H’er Jamie Mangum, it meant overcoming difficult obstacles.

Mangum is no ordinary 4-H’er. Though he was born with cerebral palsy, a disorder affecting the ability to control movement, he has never let his disability control him.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Hard economic times may prompt people to preserve food at home to cut meal costs, but Extension agents are betting the taste and quality of the products will hook them on the experience.

Brent Fountain, human nutrition specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, led a three-day workshop in January for 42 Extension agents from across the state. True to Extension’s 4-H educational philosophy, “Learn by doing,” the agents gained hands-on experience they will pass on to residents in their communities.

By Kaitlyn Byrne
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – 4-H agent Traci Mongeon of Ackerman recently earned the title of Mrs. Mississippi International and will travel to Chicago in July to compete for the title of Mrs. International 2012.

Mongeon said she felt compelled to compete in the Mrs. Mississippi International pageant after learning that the Mrs. International pageant focuses on giving back to the community and helping others.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Dr. Matt Ross, an associate professor of toxicology at Mississippi State University, has a passion for research that has led to his work involving pesticide and lipid metabolism in the Center for Environmental Health Sciences and the Department of Basic Sciences.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – The Mississippi State University Extension Service has won a regional communication award for the television show Southern Gardening.

The two-minute episodes feature host Gary Bachman, an MSU Extension horticulturist at the Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi. The show won a Blue Ribbon Communication Award from the Southern Region of the American Society for Horticultural Science.

The Blue Ribbon award program began in 1987 to recognize outstanding contributions to horticultural education in written, video, audio or electronic form.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – The Mississippi State University Extension Service will offer timber tax workshops Feb. 28 in Raymond, March 1 in Coffeeville and March 29 in Oxford.

Landowners, certified accountants, consulting foresters and loggers are invited to participate in the Income Taxes and Family Forest short course. Topics include changes to capital gains tax law, basics of basis, record keeping, timber sales income, recovery of reforestation costs, casualty losses, strategic tax planning, tax forms and information sources.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Youth with an interest in animals and veterinary medicine are invited to attend a camp offered by Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

MSU Veterinary Camp will provide a hands-on experience to youth ages 13 to 15. Campers will participate in interactive labs and learn about veterinary medicine from CVM instructors. Students considering a career in veterinary medicine, scientific research or an animal-related field are encouraged to apply.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – A Mississippi State University researcher has uncovered the first molecular evidence linking live poultry markets in China to human H5N1 avian influenza.

Henry Wan, an assistant professor in systems biology at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, collaborated with scientists in the World Health Organization Collaborative Centers for Influenza in China and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to investigate the connection.

CLARKSDALE – Ongoing conservation efforts earned the Coahoma County office of the Mississippi State University Extension Service the title of Earth Team state winner.

The staff won the state 2011 Natural Resources Conservation Service Earth Team Field Award winner after at the local and district levels. They received the award Jan. 19 at the 2012 Mississippi Association of Conservation District Volunteer luncheon in Jackson.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Recognizing that women are vital to the success of the family farm, Mississippi State University’s Extension Service is organizing a series of six workshops to improve the skills they need.

“Mississippi Women for Agriculture: Annie’s Project” is a national program designed for women of all ages who are interested in agriculture or related matters.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Couples who want to avoid one of the most common argument topics should begin their relationships with total financial honesty.

Joe Wilmoth, assistant professor of human development and family studies in Mississippi State University’s School of Human Sciences, said many surveys reveal that finances are the No. 1 source of conflict in a marriage.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about love and romance, but gift exchanges can leave some sweethearts feeling anxious instead.

Susan Cosgrove, area family resource management agent in Newton County with Mississippi State University Extension Service, said homemade gifts are an inexpensive option and can be even more meaningful than store-bought ones.

By Kaitlyn Byrne
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, parents and teachers are looking for healthy snacks and creative crafts to entertain children at holiday-themed parties.

Brent Fountain, associate extension professor and human nutrition specialist with Mississippi State University Extension Service, said children’s Valentine’s Day parties usually consist of a variety of cupcakes, brownies and cookies, but better planning can allow for healthier options.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – The fourth annual Mississippi State University Extension Service Commodity Advisory Council meeting will be held Feb. 28 at the Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi.

Producers of various commodities will have the opportunity to evaluate and provide direction on Extension educational programming for their products and crops.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Mississippi State University researchers and graduates received top awards this year from the Southern Weed Science Society.

Dan Reynolds, a Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station researcher and professor in MSU’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, was named the 2012 weed scientist of the year by the society, the highest honor awarded.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Five entertaining and educational midday programs will prepare area gardeners for the fourth annual Everything Garden Expo March 24 and 25 at the Mississippi Horse Park in Starkville.

The Starkville Area Arts Council will team up with Mississippi State University and other sponsors to present midweek programs and the area’s premier garden show.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Time, experience and research findings show no-till farming can boost production, prevent soil erosion and transform hayfields and pastures into viable cropland.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Producing and using alternative energy is more important now than ever before, and scientists at Mississippi State University’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center are focusing on timber as a possible source for energy.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – The Mississippi State University Extension Service will offer an online webinar series from Feb. 16 through March 22 for landowners and those interested in wildlife and fisheries enterprises.

Six sessions will be held on consecutive Thursdays at 11:30 CST for registered participants in five states: Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama and South Carolina.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Wheat stripe rust was spotted in Mississippi and Arkansas in January, an unusual occurrence this early in the year made possible by the warm and wet winter.

These occurrences are the first reports of the disease east of the Rockies this year.