Feature Story from 2012

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Recognizing the expanding career fields related to families, Mississippi State University will offer new graduate studies in the upcoming fall semester.

MSU’s School of Human Sciences will offer advanced degrees in Human Development and Family Studies, an interdisciplinary approach to the study of children, youth and families. The program encompasses specialty areas in infant and child studies, youth studies, family studies, family resource management and gerontology.

TYLERTOWN -- Beef and forage producers in Mississippi and Louisiana can learn how to improve their beef herds and pastures at a May 19 event in Walthall County.

The Mississippi/Louisiana Beef and Forage Field Day begins at 8:45 a.m. at the Livestock Producer’s Sale Barn located on Highway 98 East in Tylertown.

Topics include clover, heifer development, expected progeny difference in bull selection, herbicides, and alfalfa varieties for South Mississippi.

STARKVILLE -- The safest method for disposing of unused household medications is to turn them in at official collection event, such as the fourth annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 28.

One of these events will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in front of the Starkville Piggly Wiggly at 118 Highway 12. The Mississippi State University Extension Service, MSU Police Department and Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department are working together to facilitate the event.

By Kaitlyn Byrne
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s open house attracted almost 4,000 visitors on April 13 and 14.

The open house offered hands-on activities, such as a petting zoo and a microscope station, as well as guided tours and educational exhibits and presentations on veterinary science and animal safety.

Jenny Sowell, a second-year student of CVM and vice-president of the CVM class of 2014, said a major goal of the open house is to inform while entertaining the attendees.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A Mississippi State University researcher’s lifelong fascination with plants inspired him to collect thousands of specimens from all over the globe.

Then, Victor Maddox, a scientist in the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, created his own Garden of Eden on 9 acres near Maben.

“I decided to arrange my collection thematically and plant the areas in front of the house with Old World plants from Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe. The backyard has plants from the New World -- North and South America,” Maddox said.

NATCHEZ -- Area gardeners can fill their landscapes with flowers, plants and one-of-a kind art from the first-ever Gardener’s Expo.

More than 30 vendors from across the South will sell gardening-related items. Mississippi State University Extension Service professionals will be on hand to offer expert advice and answer questions. The expo will be held at the community center at 215 Franklin Street in Natchez.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi volunteer leaders are essential in fulfilling the national 4-H motto: “To make the best better.”

Harvey Gordon, 4-H volunteer development specialist with Mississippi State University’s Extension Service, said National Volunteer Week, which recognizes all volunteers, marked a perfect time to recognize the leaders who contribute their time and energy to today’s youth. Established in 1974, this year’s volunteer week was observed April 15-21.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Early spring is the perfect time to examine the performance and needs of cool-season forages at a Mississippi State University tour on April 30.

The Cool-Season Forage Tour will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the forage unit on the Henry H. Leveck Animal Research Farm, otherwise known as South Farm, in Starkville.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Goats remain a niche segment of the state’s livestock production, but they have a strong fan base.

“Meat goats make up most of the goat herd in Mississippi and in the nation,” said Kipp Brown, area 4-H livestock agent and meat goat specialist with Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Bill Ryals and his son raise meat and dairy goats at the Rocking R Dairy in Tylertown.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University has named Sam K. Chang as the new head of the Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion.

Chang has been a professor in the Department of Cereal and Food Sciences at North Dakota State University since 1997. Before joining NDSU in 1984, he served as a research fellow at the University of Arizona and associate professor and head at the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Cary W. “Bill” Herndon, a long-time leader in Mississippi State University’s Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, has been named the new associate vice president in the division.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Youth interested in outdoor fun and hands-on learning experiences can register for two different summer camps focused on natural resources.

High school students curious about careers in natural resources are invited to attend Mississippi State University’s Natural Resources Summer Camp June 10 to 14. Any high school student entering ninth grade in 2012 or older may attend. This includes 2012 graduating seniors.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University is planning four workshops throughout the state to help participants learn how to better manage their land for white-tailed deer.

The workshops are in two-day sets, and participants can register for one or both days. Workshops will be held June 1 in Vicksburg at Hinds Community College and June 2 at the Mahanna Wildlife Management Area Office in Valley Park. The workshops on the MSU campus will be July 13 and 14 at the College of Forest Resources’ Thompson Hall.

By Rebekah Ray
MSU Delta Research and Extension Center

STONEVILLE -- Scientists at Mississippi State University’s Delta Research and Extension Center are researching new ways to reduce aflatoxin in infected corn.

Corn is one of the state’s leading row crops, but it is susceptible to aflatoxin, a fungus that can reduce profits and hurt marketability.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine honored its first graduating class in the four-year veterinary medical technology degree program with a special pinning ceremony April 27.

Dr. Allison Gardner, clinical instructor in CVM’s veterinary medical technology program, said veterinary technologists make important contributions in the field of animal care.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – The Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station recently honored several faculty and staff members for their research, publications and commitment to excellence.

Dan Reynolds, a MAFES researcher and professor in MSU’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, received the 2012 Excellence in Research award for his work on herbicide application and weed control for crops grown in Louisiana and Mississippi.

PICAYUNE – Two thousand swamp gum seedlings are taking root in the Crosby Arboretum’s Gum Pond exhibit after an Earth Day celebration and planting party.

New South Access and Environmental Solutions donated the trees, and 24 employees and their family members volunteered to plant them into the arboretum’s Gum Pond educational exhibit on April 28.

The tree planting will help the arboretum to meet its mission of conservation and education, said Bob Brzuszek, associate professor of landscape architecture at Mississippi State University.

STONEVILLE – Mississippi State University is making several changes this year to the field day schedule in Stoneville to accommodate participants’ needs.

Steve Martin, head of MSU’s Delta Research and Extension Center, said they are breaking with tradition by splitting the event into two days with two crop focuses. They also have changed meeting times from mornings to afternoons.

The July 19 field day will focus on soybeans and corn. The July 31 event will highlight rice.

MISSISSIPPI STATE –Mississippi State University Extension Service’s 4-H youth development program will pay tribute to America’s military heroes with the Welcome Home Garden project, sponsored by Burpee Seed Co.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Not many 17-year-olds spend their free time doing stem cell research, but an interest in helping special-needs children brought Brenna Nye to Mississippi State University to do just that.