Feature Story from 2013

FLORA – Taking top honors at the state 4-H land judging contest might seem like an impossible goal for an urban-based team of 4-H’ers with only YouTube videos and an aquarium of soil as training tools.

But thanks to the direction of an experienced, passionate 4-H volunteer leader, the team placed first and second in the state competition March 21 in Flora.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Mississippi State University’s waterfowl and wetlands science program was recently honored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The North American Waterfowl Management Plan, a program of the service’s Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, gave the Blue-winged Teal Award to MSU’s program because of its significant contributions to waterfowl, other wetland-associated migratory bird populations, and wetlands habitats.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – A Mississippi State University student organization not only earned official Sweet 16 honors this spring, but also unofficial Final Four as the nation’s No. 2 collegiate chapter of Ducks Unlimited.

Stephen Leininger, chairman of the Bulldog Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, recently received documentation announcing the chapter’s 2012 success. Each spring, the international organization releases a list of their top 16 university chapters.

CRAWFORD -- Mississippi State University is lending a hand and resources to help child care facilities earn and maintain high-quality standards through a statewide resource and referral network.

The MSU Extension Service oversees the Mississippi Child Care Resource and Referral Network, which receives funding from the Mississippi Department of Human Services’ Division of Early Childhood Care and Development. The network supports parents, children, community members, and early care and education professionals seeking information about quality child care.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – A team of Mississippi State University students knows their insects and has the second place win to prove it.

Four students from MSU’s Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology recently participated in the Linnaean Games, an insect trivia competition, at the Southeastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America’s annual meeting in Baton Rouge, La.

PICAYUNE – Members of the Crosby Arboretum can tour more than 100 botanical gardens and historic homes across the United States without paying admission.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – The recent Manufacturing Summit at Mississippi State University highlighted the importance of communities working across county lines to bring jobs to rural regions of the state.

Earl Gohl, federal co-chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission, was one of the participants in a panel discussion at the March 27 event at MSU’s Franklin Furniture Institute.

“People need to realize that their competition (for new industries) is not with the county next door; it is from across the ocean,” Gohl said.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Mississippi 4-H has annual in-service training and leadership development opportunities to maintain excellence among its leaders, giving participating young people the best opportunity to thrive later in life.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Cool-season forages will get special attention at an April 30 tour at Mississippi State University’s forage unit.

The Cool-Season Forage Tour begins with registration at 5 p.m. and runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Henry H. Leveck Animal Research Farm, commonly called South Farm, in Starkville.

Topics and demonstrations included on the tour are small grains evaluation, annual and perennial clovers, alfalfa variety testing and management systems, tall fescue varieties and nutrient management.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Mississippi State University Extension Service is connecting law enforcement agencies with trainers on a mission to protect innocent citizens from active shooters.

Ryan Akers, assistant professor of community preparation and disaster management with the MSU Extension Service, said people do not want to think tragic shooting incidents could happen in their peaceful communities. Unfortunately, crimes involving active shooters occur almost daily somewhere in the United States, challenging local law enforcement to respond aggressively, rapidly and effectively.

By Kaitlyn Byrne
MSU Office of Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University graduate student Stedmond Ware has lived out the 4-H motto, “To make the best better,” from high school all the way to graduate school.

Ware said he joined 4-H during his freshman year of high school and won a variety of awards in photography contests and art exhibitions, but his most meaningful experiences involved his service with 4-H P.R.I.D.E., a group geared toward teaching youth about interpersonal relationships, diversity and teamwork.

By Sarah Shields
MSU School of Human Sciences

MISSISSIPPI STATE – To raise awareness that childhood is more than just a time for play, the Mississippi Child Care Resource and Referral Network encourages local communities to celebrate the Week of the Young Child.

“What seems like just playing to most adults is children working and learning,” said Ellen Goodman, project manager of the Mississippi Child Care Resource and Referral Network, a program Mississippi State University Extension Service. “Play is children’s work.”

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Guide dogs, handicapped assistance animals, detection dogs, therapy animals, and search and rescue dogs selflessly serve the public. To honor these animals and their work, the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine will provide eye screening services to animals that dedicate their lives to serving the public.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – From fluffy chick to egg-laying hen to money-making livestock, the 4-H Poultry Chain Project engages young people in the process of raising chickens and is now accepting applications for new participants.

PICAYUNE – An award-winning Mississippi landmark is scheduled to undergo restoration to preserve its beauty and architectural integrity for future generations.

HATTIESBURG – When Petal High School students volunteered to eat chocolate-covered insects for a disaster relief fundraiser last year, they had no idea they would be helping their own community.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Well-established and thriving gardens tend to have a mix of plant and animal life, adding interest for gardeners but not as much natural pest control as many people think.

Blake Layton, entomologist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said many people enjoy garden fauna such as toads, frogs and lizards, and some even enjoy bats and snakes.

By Rebekah Ray
MSU Delta Research and Extension Center

STONEVILLE – Mississippi State University experts have a new program to help Delta producers irrigate row crops more efficiently and economically.

MSU Extension Service irrigation specialist Jason Krutz is leading a multi-faceted approach to water conservation, dubbed Row-crop Irrigation Science and Extension Research, or RISER. The researchers are working with producers to help reduce irrigation water use while maintaining or improving crop yields and profitability.

By Karen Templeton
MSU College of Veterinary Medicine

FLOWOOD – The Animal Emergency Referral Center staff in Flowood is always ready to handle animal emergencies and has seen just about everything, but recently, a unique patient came in for surgery.

A fishing cat, an endangered medium-sized exotic cat native to South Asia, was brought to the center with a fractured humerus. The exotic cat is part of a breeding program at the Jackson Zoo and needed quick treatment.

PURVIS -- Conventional gardening can be a challenge for individuals who rely on wheelchairs for mobility. But a project by the Pine Belt Master Gardeners proves raised beds can make growing vegetables a little easier for everyone.

Liz Sadler, county coordinator with Mississippi State University’s Extension Service in Lamar County, said there is a growing interest in gardening in the county. This prompted the Master Gardener group to build demonstration beds as an educational project.