Feature Story from 2015

CRYSTAL SPRINGS, Miss. -- The All-America Selections organization named a Mississippi State University experiment station as one of the top landscape gardens in North America.

The MSU Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station in Crystal Springs placed second among gardens that receive 10,000 to 100,000 visitors annually. Personnel at the station represent the MSU Extension Service and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Problems with private septic systems can be expensive, messy and hazardous to Mississippi’s drinking water. But homeowners can take some proactive steps to keep their systems functioning properly.

In a fast-paced world, the once commonplace gathering of family members at the dinner table to enjoy a home-cooked meal is an often forgotten activity.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service and Mississippi Association of Family and Consumer Sciences are sponsoring Dining In, a Dec. 3 observation to encourage families to return to the dinner table tradition in an effort to promote planning healthy meals and quality time with loved ones.

That date also marks the second annual celebration of Family and Consumer Sciences Day.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The Mississippi State University Extension Service is accepting applications for young people interested in serving as pages during the 2016 regular session of  the Mississippi Senate.

Four young people will be selected to serve as pages representing MSU Extension 4-H and the Center for Government and Community Development. They will participate in the 2016 Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves 4-H Senate Page Program, serving Feb. 8-12 in Jackson.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Like the star athletes they are, horses have access in Mississippi to many of the same therapies humans need after exercise.

Equine veterinarians at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine offer a variety of treatments and surgeries to mend potentially career-ending conditions.

Dr. Cathleen Mochal, assistant clinical professor, said physical soundness is critical for the usefulness of most horses. While some horses are maintained simply for their beauty and personality, most are also ridden for pleasure, work or competition.

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Holiday gift lists often include co-workers, but shoppers should be mindful of a few etiquette rules before hitting the stores.

“Always check company policies before buying gifts,” said Susan Cosgrove, an agent with the Mississippi State University Extension Service in Newton County.

If employers allow gift exchanges, be sure to keep it professional.

Cosgrove said it is okay to give a boss or supervisor a gift, but it should be done as a group or department.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Bidding is underway on a variety of horses from the Mississippi State University research herd.

MSU is offering 24 horses, registered with the American Quarter Horse Association, through an online auction that will conclude at 6 p.m. Nov. 21. The sale includes five 2-year-olds that have been started under the saddle, five yearlings and 14 weanlings. Prospective buyers can read descriptions of each horse and see photos and video at https://auction.msucares.com.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Joe Street, who retired in summer 2015, dedicated his 35-year career with Mississippi State University to research and education for the advancement of agriculture and preservation of natural resources.

His service continues through an endowed gift that supports other dedicated MSU Extension Service leaders and personnel.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Many Mississippians find it difficult to keep off the pounds during food-oriented holiday celebrations, and hidden calories make this problem even worse.

Ann Twiner, Mississippi State University Extension Service agent in Sunflower County, said turkey, ham and vegetables can be healthy choices, but consider how they are prepared when choosing whether to eat them and deciding how large a portion to take.

STONEVILLE, Miss. -- A governor’s task force is convening a summit Dec. 15 to explore and promote better ways to manage the state’s water resources.

The Governor’s Delta Sustainable Water Resources Task Force will host an Irrigation and Water Conservation Summit at the Mississippi State University Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Capps Center.

Producers, landowners, consultants, natural resource professionals and other interested parties are invited to attend. Lunch will be provided.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- A professor emeritus with the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine received national recognition from the Association of Shelter Veterinarians.

Dr. Phil Bushby, the retired Marcia P. Lane Endowed Chair in Human Ethics and Animal Welfare, accepted the 2015 Association of Shelter Veterinarians Meritorious Award at an association meeting in New Orleans. Each year, the association’s board honors a veterinarian who has significantly advanced shelter medicine through leadership, public service, research, education and/or clinical practice.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Twenty-four newly elected tax assessors and collectors from across the state spent three days at Mississippi State University this week honing the skills they will use when they take office next year.

The MSU Extension Service Center for Government and Community Development hosted a three-day orientation for new tax assessors and collectors. During that time, the officials received training in job functions, including property assessment, homestead exemption, vehicle title registration, appraisals and tax collection.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The thrill may be in the hunt, but unless the game is kept clean and processed well, the meat won’t bring pleasure to the palate.

Mississippi has a rich diversity of game animals for hunters to bag. As a result, many freezers across the state are full of venison, turkey, duck, squirrel and more, and recipes for how to prepare them are often are passed down through families.

 STARKVILLE, Miss. -- A health specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service has been certified in public health by the National Board of Public Health Examiners.

David Buys earned this certification after demonstrating mastery in several key components of public health, including biostatistics, health policy and management, and environmental health sciences through coursework completed during his public health training and by completing the Certified in Public Health examination.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Two employees with the Mississippi State University Extension Service received a national award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents.

Amy Taylor Myers, an Extension associate in the Office of Agricultural Communications, and Gary Bachman, associate Extension and research professor at the Coastal Research and Extension Center, received an achievement award for their Southern Gardening radio segments in the “Communications: Audio Recording” category.

YAZOO CITY, Miss. -- Mississippi farmers can safely remove leftover pesticides from their property during a free disposal event on Dec. 16 in Yazoo City.

Insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and other pesticide products can be dropped off at the former Tal Port building located at 2003 Gordon Avenue between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

No household waste, tires, rinsates, empty containers or products in bulk containers will be accepted.

LEXINGTON, Miss. -- A new Mississippi Homemaker Volunteer Club spread some holiday cheer with a set of quilts they made throughout the summer and fall.

On Nov. 24, residents at Lexington Manor Senior Care facility received 67 lap quilts made by the recently formed Holmes County club.

Mississippi Homemaker Volunteer Clubs, called MHV clubs, are supported by the Mississippi State University Extension Service and provide a variety of educational opportunities and services to their communities.

CEDAR BLUFF, Miss. -- High Hope Farm in Cedar Bluff is set to host the year’s final field day organized by the Alliance for Sustainable Agricultural Production on Dec. 11.

Experts will present information on timely issues, including presentations from David Nagel Mississippi State University Extension Service horticulture specialist; Eric Stafne, Extension fruit specialist; William Kingery, an agronomist in the MSU Department of Plant and Soil Sciences; and Nancy Woodruff, a member of the Mississippi Food Policy Council.