WINTER
Winston County Self Help Cooperative ________________________________
NEWS FLASH January 2014 | 1st Edition
visit us online @ www.wcshc.com
WCSHC 7th SRAC
Wilson Murray, Kurt Readus and Frank Taylor
By Frank Taylor
Winston County Self Help Cooperative wrangled with old man Winter and convened their 7th Saving Rural America & Youth Conference on Friday January 24, 2014 at the Louisville Coliseum in Louisville, Mississippi. Stiff winds from the north and a temperature below freezing set off alarms on the eve of WCSHC’s 7th SRA Conference according to Jean Harper. “As we congregated on Thursday afternoon, several members expressed significant concerns about impending weather conditions and how it would impact attendance. Cold weather normally trumps participation, however, on this day more than 230 farmers, landowners and students joined forces to help save rural America by extolling WCSHC’s 2014 conference theme of “Strengthening Rural
Communities through Partnerships”. We work collectively and broadly to enhance opportunities in rural Americans through partnerships with various entities. This year’s conference highlighted WCSHC’s vast network with USDA, extension, state agencies, community-based organizations, non-profits and local governments to help rebuild communities, schools, health care facilities, jobs and families. The 7th Saving Rural America & Youth Conference started 7:30a.m with a live radio broadcast featuring co-op members, local elected officials and conference attendees. Minster Carnette Hudson offered prayer, Will Hill, Mayor of Louisville & Bert Warner, County Supervisor District-one,
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WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE 716 Old Robinson Road • Louisville, MS 39339 Phone: 662-779-2400 • Email: winstoncshc@att.net • Web: www.wcshc.com “Saving Rural America”
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______________________________ Continued from page 1 delivered words of welcome. Roger Jones, a former employee of Heifer International presentation “Multiplying your Gift” ignited participants and set forth a blissful path for other presenters to follow. Terri Tate of Rural Development explained the 504’s loan and grant program. Farm Service Agency Billy Lipsey highlighted documentation needed to obtain services through USDA as first time users and Doug Naron elaborated on micro, farm ownership, and youth loans. NRCS Kelvin Jackson explained rules and regulations of (EQIP) Environmental Quality Incentive Program. National Center for Appropriate Technology Felicia Bell asked farmers to use their services to find sustainable solutions to reduce poverty and promote healthy communities. Mississippi Association of Cooperatives Ben Burkett focused on marketing locally grown vegetables. Burkett said you should conduct a market analysis before planting crops. Alonzo & Peggy Miller dialogued on returning to Mississippi as Beginning Farmers and services received through USDA & WCSHC. Bill Kitchings of the Mississippi Forestry Commission conversed on certifying your forestlands and understanding the value of certification. Carl James conference attendee of Uneedus, La said he enjoyed the camaraderie and the opportunity to share with individuals of similar interest in managing their natural
resources. This event provided farmers and landowners an inter-personal window to ask service providers pertinent questions to help make relevant farm decisions. Kurt Readus, Mississippi’s State Conservationist and luncheon speaker emphasized NRCS’ role of serving landowner, farmers and others with conservation practices. We offer a plethora of services to benefit our customer base with soil, air, and water issues. I am encouraging you to contact your local office of Natural Resources Conservation Service to learn about other service to protect our ecosystem for future generations. Winston County Self Help Cooperative and Youth Groups convey thanks to everyone for participating in the 7th Saving Rural America & Youth Conference. Special thanks to Louisville Public Schools and Winston County Head Start Center for allowing their students and staff to participate. We hope you will return next year and we will see you along the way in rural America. Click on links below to watch and listen from the 7th SRAC. http://www.wcbi.com/wordpress/video7th-annual-save-rural-america-youthconference http://www.blo gtalk radio.com/ savingruralamerica/2014/01/24/winstoncounty-self-help-cooperative-7th-savingrural-america-and-youth-conferen
WCSHC 7th Youth Conference
By Jen Sellers
On January 24, 2014, Winston County Self Help Cooperative held their 7th Annual Youth Conference. This event was held at the Louisville Coliseum. The four-year-old classes from Winston County Head Start and the 2nd graders from Fair Elementary, participants
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of the FoodCorps Mississippi Program, sponsored by Winston County Self Help Cooperative, were able to participate and enjoy the activities that were coordinated by the Co-op Youth Director Ms. Jean Harper. Jen Sellers is a FoodCorps Mississippi service member who also works with Winston County Self Help Cooperative to help organize lesson plans and activities that involve teaching children about healthy food, engages children in growing school vegetable gardens, and helps connect farmers with the Louisville Public Schools System to help get more local produce into the cafeterias. This falls in line with farm-toschool initiatives across the country. The mission of the youth conference was connecting kids with agriculture and helping them live healthy lifestyles. Activities included: fruit and vegetable identification,
storytelling, fire safety, agriculture and plant science, Rethink Your Drink, a fitness activity, music art, information on youth diabetes, MSU Department of Health, and My Friend the Forester. It is an important mission of WCSHC to get children interested in farming so we can raise future farmers to Save Rural America.
WCSH Youth Group Leader Jean Harper
Winston County Self Help Cooperative | NEWS FLASH
WCSHC 7TH SRAC PHOTO GALLERY
Will Hill Mayor of Louisville
Bert Warner Sup D-1 Louisville
Roger Jones Ext & HPI
Doug Naron FSA Loan Officer
Kelvin Jackson NRCS Sup-D-Con
Billy Lipsey FSA Winston Co-CED
Felicia Bell NCAT Ag-Specialist
Terri Tate RD Area Specialist
Ben Burkett MAC Exc Director
Alonzo Miller AM & PM Farm
Peggy Miller AM & PM Farm
Wilson Murray NRCS Outreach Specialist
Winston County Self Help Cooperative | NEWS FLASH
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WCSHC 7TH SRAC PHOTO GALLERY CONTINUED
Kurt Readus State Conservationist
Bill Kitchings MFC Outreach Forester
WCSHC 7TH YOUTH CONFERENCE PHOTO GALLERY
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Winston County Self Help Cooperative | NEWS FLASH
WCSHC 7TH YOUTH CONFERENCE PHOTO GALLERY CONTINUED
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WCSHC 7TH YOUTH CONFERENCE PHOTO GALLERY CONTINUED
Editor: WCSHC Team Leader Frank Taylor Layout and Design: www.MarqueusDraper.com