Feature Story from 2001

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Two years of drought lowered Mississippi's underground water supplies, but recent rains have stopped the loss and should be helping replenish formations.

Aquifers are underground water stores found in sand and gravel confined between layers of clay or solid rock. These geologic formations overlap each other at varying depths and extend for miles. Individuals and municipalities tap into these aquifers with wells to supply the population's water needs.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The absence of positive incentives is influencing Mississippi growers to adjust planting intentions to the crops with the fewest strikes against them: cotton and sorghum.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's prospective plantings report released March 30 predicts Mississippi farmers will plant 15 percent more cotton and 11 percent more sorghum than last year. The only other crop showing any increase in acreage is rice, which is expected to increase about 2 percent. The biggest loss will be for soybeans, down 12 percent from 1.7 million acres to 1.5 million.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Volunteers across Mississippi are sewing for a cause, finishing up quilts which will be auctioned off in support of literacy efforts.

Mississippi Homemaker Volunteer chapters in nearly every county are quilting projects they will donate for auction. Proceeds from the auction will build a scholarship fund that will eventually grant college money to relatives of homemaker volunteers.

Maggie Harris, Extension home economist in Simpson County, is heading up this year's auction.

By Rebekah Ray

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Wild radish, winter peas, wild mustard, vetch and curly dock may sound like ingredients of a savory green salad, but these wild host plants harbor bugs that are unsavory for Mississippi crops.

By Rebekah Ray and Charmain Tan Courcelle

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station food researcher Juan Silva is making it safer to eat the five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends for daily consumption.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Most crop prices have been declining all year, causing Mississippi farmers to make tough decisions on which crops to plant.

"Major commodities have been in a free fall since Jan. 1," said Charlie Forrest, Extension agricultural economist with Mississippi State University. "When you look at futures charts, most of our crops are showing steep, sustained declines. Prices are below the cost of production, causing many decisions about planting to be made based on farm programs."

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- As loved ones age and begin to need some level of nursing or assistance in their daily activities, consider a variety of care options to make the most appropriate selection.

Adult children often face difficult decisions about how to care for their aging parents. Needs of the elderly vary depending on their physical and emotional health. Family members have several choices about the types of care available.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Making advance arrangements for extended health care is one of the more important things a person can do to make the twilight years easier.

Money matters tend to dominate these decisions. Many patients either don't have enough assets to pay for extended care, or don't want to see a lifetime's savings evaporate rather than be passed on to family. Nursing homes in Mississippi currently charge about $100 a day.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- In well-functioning communities, youth sports may seem like just a pastime, but their value is seen most clearly in their absence.

Youth desire places to congregate and things to do. If these are not provided, they will find their own, often gathering in parking lots, cruising streets or taking up undesirable activities.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Two years of record wheat yields and low prices on all crops should have prompted Mississippi growers to increase their wheat acreage, but the weather during planting season last fall had the final say.

"Wheat acreage is down about 18 percent compared to the previous year," said Erick Larson, grain crops agronomist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service. "In addition to the recent record yields, wheat is appealing because it produces income early in the season when growers could really use it."

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Love at first sight in pet stores and animal shelters can lead to impromptu animal ownership, but make advanced preparations before bringing a new pet home.

Jane Yeatman, Golden Triangle Kennel Club member and instructor of Superpuppy training classes at Mississippi State University, said the home, yard and surrounding areas can pose dangers to pets if owners neglect taking the proper precautions. Some alterations will help ensure the safety of a pet and home furnishings.

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- House training is the hard work that goes along with the fun of owning a new pet, but consistent and patient owners won't have to wait long for successful results.

Jane Yeatman, a member of the Golden Triangle Kennel Club, teaches Superpuppy training classes at Mississippi State University. She said owners should expect puppies to have accidents, but spending extra time with an animal is helpful in teaching the desired behavioral habits.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Heartbroken pet owners and their veterinarians can keep the memory of a cherished animal alive through a unique memorial program.

Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine offers the Fund for Companion Animals Require Excellence program to honor deceased pets. Fund for CARE allows friends or owners of the deceased pet to make donations which aid MSU's Animal Health Center and improve the training given to new veterinarians.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- With low startup costs, easy maintenance and good looks, freshwater fish are staking their claim as a popular American pet.

Dr. Skip Jack, aquatic medicine specialist at Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, said more money is spent on aquaria, fish, food and equipment than on dogs and cats.

"Fish are the No. 1 pet animal in the United States," Jack said.

Part of their popularity is due to them making ownership easy.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi cotton growers will vote in June on the continuing efforts to hold boll weevils at bay.

Five regions of Mississippi have been engaged in five-year plans to eradicate cotton's No. 1 pest from all fields. Last year was the first year since the early 1900s that Mississippi cotton growers did not lose any yield to boll weevils. To maintain that ability, growers in the state's hill region will have to agree to assessments supporting the organized eradication efforts.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Many teachers across the state are using natural resource conservation as a means to teach their students skills in topics such as math and science.

This summer and for the last 37 years, the Mississippi Forestry Association has gathered cooperators to offer a week-long Teachers Conservation Workshop. This residential class is giving educators a way to emphasize the importance of conservation of natural resources while teaching the basic skills required in the state curriculum.

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Good and bad insects in the garden may look all the same to some growers, but understanding differences between bugs can help prevent vegetable losses.

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Plenty of cold weather this winter and a steady upswing of temperatures this spring helped secure a prosperous season for Mississippi's blueberry crop.

"We're looking forward to an excellent season because by the end of April we've had no damage from late cold spells. We'll have as close to a 100 percent crop as we've ever had," said Waynesboro grower Jerry Hutto.

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Children need the summer break away from school to relax and get re-energized before the next term, but learning doesn't have to stop with the classroom lessons.

Louise Davis, child and family development specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said a variety of fun enrichment programs encourage learning throughout the summer months.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Youth looking for a first job can improve their chances of being hired by dressing the part and carrying a well-written resume to all interviews.

When the lure of having spending money outweighs the appeal of a leisure time, high school youth often turn to part-time employment. Landing that first job can be hard, but with a little preparation, youth can improve their chances of being hired.