Rose of Sharon hibiscus is pretty pass-along plant
August 12, 2024 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens
There is a type of plant treasured for its ability to be shared. Known as pass-along plants, these are often shared by gardeners, friends and family, typically through cuttings, divisions or seeds.
These plants carry sentimental value and foster a sense of community, as they are often passed down through generations or exchanged within local gardening groups.
Muscadine field day set for Aug. 29
August 9, 2024 - Filed Under: Commercial Fruit and Nuts, Fruit
CARRIERE, Miss. -- Muscadine producers can learn more about growing the specialty crop during an upcoming field day. The 2024 Muscadine Field Day will be held Aug. 29 at the Mississippi State University McNeill Research Unit in Carriere.
MSU Extension professional received national recognition
August 8, 2024 - Filed Under: Forages
A Mississippi State University Extension Service forage specialist recently received a national award for his high-quality work and effective program development.
Field day spotlights MSU row crop research
August 7, 2024 - Filed Under: Agriculture, Corn, Cotton, Soybeans, Field Scale Crop Assessment with Drones, Spray Drones, Types of UAS
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Producers got a behind-the-scenes look at the wide scope of agricultural research taking place at Mississippi State University in an Aug. 6 event.
Faculty and specialists with the MSU Extension Service and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station presented on-farm research projects designed to help growers meet the challenges of row crop production.
Rice Fest celebrates success of industry
August 7, 2024 - Filed Under: Rice, Agri-tourism
MERIGOLD, Miss. -- Mississippi ranks among the top six states in rice production, and there is no better occasion to celebrate the industry’s success than Rice Fest.
This year’s festival will be held Sept. 19 in downtown Merigold from 4 to 9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Mississippi 4-H foresters win another national title
August 7, 2024 - Filed Under: 4-H, 4-H Forestry, Join 4-H
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Ashlyn Henderson can now lay claim to two Super Bowl wins -- one as a competitor and another as a coach.
In July, the Mississippi 4-H Forestry Judging Team won its second national championship in three years at the National 4-H Forestry Invitational, also referred to as the Super Bowl of 4-H Forestry.
Team members included Mississippi 4-H president John Clayton Kitchens and fellow 4-H’ers Samuel Davidson, Joy Kitchens and Josie Thompson. The team is based out of Lauderdale County.
State’s soybean crop soon to enter harvest
August 5, 2024 - Filed Under: Soybeans
Harvest will begin as soon as early August for soybeans, Mississippi’s largest row crop that is overall in good shape heading into the last weeks of its growing season.
Prices, however, are poor, with supply and demand working to push prices even lower.
Pugster Series butterfly bushes are pretty garden additions
August 5, 2024 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens
I’ve always been a fan of butterfly bushes, so in my garden, I have both regular-sized varieties and a couple of dwarf varieties.
My favorites are the dwarf ones. They are compact and known for their fragrant blossoms and ability to attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.
MSU Extension fisheries specialist named AFS fellow
August 2, 2024 - Filed Under: Fisheries
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- A Mississippi State University Extension Service fisheries specialist is being inducted as a fellow of the American Fisheries Society.
Zero-waste living can help protect marine ecosystems
August 1, 2024 - Filed Under: Marine Resources, Waste Management, Water
RAYMOND, Miss. -- By 2050, the world’s oceans will contain more plastic pollution by weight than fish. It's an alarming statistic. Implementing small lifestyle changes associated with zero waste can help reduce all waste, including plastics, that enter waterways and landfills.
MSU Extension offers food business training
July 31, 2024 - Filed Under: Agri-business, Marketing and Business Planning, Small Business
Mississippians with a quality food product looking to scale up their business are invited to take advantage of a series of one-hour webinars and a one-day, in-person workshop to learn ways to navigate different markets.
The Mississippi State University Extension Service is offering "Foodas Business: Scaling up from the Market - Take Your Food Business to the Next Level” program. It is for anyone who currently operates or is interested in operating an agriculture-based food business, including agricultural and food entrepreneurs, farmers and cottage food operators.
Floral workshop focuses on sustainable practices
July 31, 2024 - Filed Under: Cut Flowers and Houseplants, Floral Design
BILOXI, Miss. -- Two upcoming events will offer insight on sustainable practices in floral design for new and established professional florists, flower producers and flower sellers. Both events will be held Aug. 25 at the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi, located at 1815 Popp’s Ferry Road.
As youth sports kick off, watch for signs of heat illness
July 29, 2024 - Filed Under: Health and Wellness, Food and Health, Health
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The first of August is usually one of the hottest stretches of the year in Mississippi -- not the best timing for the many high school and college athletes who begin practices and camps during that time.
Because the temperatures associated with fall sports are still weeks from arriving, managing heat exposure and staying hydrated are key for anyone working or playing outside to prevent heat-related illness.
Silver plants can add interest to landscapes
July 29, 2024 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens
I have always admired plants with silver color, as this unusual shade can bring some variety to garden spaces.
Work of MSU shark scientist featured on National Geographic documentary
July 26, 2024 - Filed Under: Centers and Institutes, Marine Resources
STARKVILLE, Miss.—As a father of three, Marcus Drymon has watched his fair share of Disney movies, but he never imagined his work as an associate Extension professor at Mississippi State University would land him a spot on a National Geographic feature documentary on Disney+.
“Being part of this show was a blast,” said Drymon.
New mini-grants will equip community water stewards
July 26, 2024 - Filed Under: Water, Mississippi Water Stewards
As communities realize the treasure they have in their water resources, many citizens and groups look for ways to preserve and improve the lakes, rivers and streams.
Beth Baker, a specialist in natural resource conservation in agroecosystems with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said the university recently received a $100,000 environmental education grant to help these grassroots efforts go farther.
MSU Extension offers next online Master Gardener class
July 26, 2024 - Filed Under: Master Gardener
Gardeners who want to improve their own skills and give back to their communities can take advantage of an online training and certification opportunity this fall.
Registration for the next class of Master Gardeners opens Aug. 13 and closes Sept. 12. Participants can begin their training Oct. 1, and all coursework must be completed by Dec. 2. These expert volunteers are trained and certified in consumer horticulture and related areas by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.
Photos wanted for ‘BugFest’ competition
July 25, 2024 - Filed Under: Insects, Insect Identification
PICAYUNE, Miss. -- Wildlife photographers of all ages and skill levels have a venue to showcase their camera eye in an insect photo competition.
The Crosby Arboretum BugFest Photo Competition is accepting entries until Sept. 14 for photos of arthropods. These include centipedes, millipedes, insects, spiders and scorpions on land and barnacles, crabs, crayfish, lobsters and shrimp in water. The contest also includes a “Best of Show” dragonfly photo award. To register, visit msuext.ms/24bugfest.
Catfish producers navigate challenges
July 24, 2024 - Filed Under: Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Catfish, Catfish Marketing
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Lower feed prices are providing some relief to Mississippi’s catfish producers, but many are still facing more than their share of obstacles just to break even.
Among these are middling demand, high operating costs and renovation.
One Good Idea wins conservation award
July 23, 2024 - Filed Under: Healthy Water Practices, Water Quality
The Mississippi State University Extension Service was part of a team that received a national award in July for innovation in conservation efforts.
The Soil and Water Conservation Society gave the Conservation Innovation Award to the One Good Idea online platform, which is a component of a larger project led by Beth Baker, associate Extension professor in the MSU Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, and involves five multi-state partners.
