NEWS BLAST WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE’S
WINTER • Februar y 2018 • 3rd Edition • V isit us online @ www.wcshc.com
WCSHC Land Retention Mississippi’s By Frank Taylor Email: fltaylor@bellsouth.net
Winston County’s Tax Assessor, Darlene Bane
One can define land retention as minimizing the risk of loss. Land loss effects and impacts socially disadvantaged landowners at a higher rate than the mainstream communities. Black and brown landowners continue to lose land at an
alarming rate through delinquent taxes, heirs property issues, misunderstanding between family members, and/or the elevation of tax levies. WCSHC work closely with other groups to develop workable strategies to hinder this situation. 2017’s tax levy increased by 15 percent on the average across Winston County. “We need answers to why our taxes ballooned in 2018”, according to Allen McReynolds of WCSHC. For answers, the WCSHC invited Winston County’s Tax Assessor, Darlene Bane. Darlene accepted the early morning invitation on January 19, 2018 and participated in the session where constituents voiced their concerns. According to Darlene, the state of Mississippi reappraised each parcel of land, and the state attached new rates. Several individuals wanted to know how the state of Mississippi could impose new rates of taxes without notification to taxpayers. Other questions included, “why small parcels of less than 10 acres received a higher levy, and when and WCSHC Land Retention Continued on page 2
Homestead
“Homestead” generally refers to a family’s dwelling and the land upon which the dwelling rests. Under Mississippi law, families have the right to keep a certain portion of their homestead exemption from creditors. Mississippi’s Homestead Continued on page 2
Mr. Joseph Miller Celebrates 90th Birthday Mr. Joseph Miller lovingly known as “Little Joe” is one in a million. This world would be a better place to live, if, we had more individuals like Mr. Little Joe. You can best describe his as a compassion father, deacon, coach, mentor, community leader and most of all, a man who loves God. The city of Greensboro is thankful for your untiring efforts to help humankind and leaving a fruitful legacy for others to follow. Therefore, on this day March 1, the entire city of Greensboro and the Union Chapel Church Family expresses love and appreciation for your 90 years of living and your continuous contributions to society. “Your statue is short;” however, “your foot steps are gigantic.” We Love You, The City of Greensboro, MS
WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE 3450 Shannon Dale Drive • Jackson, MS 39212 Phone: 601-291-2704 • Email: fltaylor@bellsouth.net • Web: www.wcshc.com “Saving Rural America”
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WCSHC Land Retention Continued from page 1
NEWS BLAST ANNOUNCEMENTS Conservation Security Program Sign-up Deadline CSP is the largest working lands conservation program, allowing you to keep your land in production. CSP is focused on implementing conservation on the entire farm. Contract payments start at $1,500. If you are Interested you must submit applications by March 2, 2018, to be considered for this year’s sign-up. To apply, producers should stop by their local NRCS and submit the initial application materials.
2017 Agriculture Census You have received numerous pieces of mail concerning the 2017’s Agriculture Census in recent months and now, we need you to take action by completing your census form ASAP to be counted. Conservation Programs are allocated funds based on data collected through the agriculture census. Mississippi State Statistician, Esmeralda Dickson urged farmers and landowners to complete their forms as soon as possible. If you need assistance, please call our office 601-359-1259.
WCSHC member, Elaine Hobson
what do you need, to sign up for Homestead Exemption?”WCSHC members will work with Winston County Chancery Clerk to obtain a list of delinquent taxpayers. WCSHC will use the information to inform individuals; they need to pay their taxes before the delinquent land tax sale scheduled for Monday, August 27, 2018, upstairs in the county’s courtroom. WCSHC shall obtain multiple delinquent property tax list from Julie Cunningham, Winston County Chancery Clerk.Furthermore, the WCSHC, currently seeking volunteers to review list. Mississippi’s Homestead Continued from page 1 The sole requirement of a property owner to receive this exemption is to occupy the property as his or her primary residence. To declare a homestead exemption,the property owner must file a claim with the county Tax Assessor’s office. Along with protecting the property from creditors, filing for homestead exemption also benefits the homeowner through a reduction in property taxes. You must file for homestead exemption by March 30, 2018, in Tax Assessor and Collector office in the state of Mississippi.
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WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE’S NEWS BLAST
WCSHC 2018’s Valentine Celebration Photo Gallery
WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE’S NEWS BLAST
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“Linking Citizens of Louisiana with Opportunities for Success" Southern University and A & M College System
AGRICULTURAL LAND-GRANT CAMPUS Agriculture and Natural Resources
Ashford O. Williams Hall P. O. Box 10010 Baton Rouge, LA 70813 (225) 771-2242 (225) 771-2861 Fax www.suagcenter.com
January 23, 2018 Hello Louisiana Small Farm Enthusiasts and Urban Gardeners: The Southern University Agricultural Land-Grant Campus will be hosting the 8th Annual Louisiana Small Farmer Conference, March 15-17, 2018, at the Felton G. Clark Activity Center (SU Mini Dome) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. With this year’s theme, “Transforming and Elevating Louisiana’s Small Family Farms,” the conference promises to be both enlightening and informative and will highlight educational opportunities, USDA programs and services and other resources that will help small farmers stay in business. We are kicking the conference off with a Grant Writing Session on Thursday, March 15 th at 10:00 a.m. The overall goal for the conference is to provide an opportunity for all of Louisiana’s small farmers to gather and collaborate with each other and also to collectively gain insight on the latest educational tools and resources that could impact the survival of their agricultural businesses. We Invite All: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
New and Beginning Farmers Small and Urban Farmers Agricultural Business Owners Community Leaders Backyard Gardeners Community Based Organizations
If you fit into one of the categories above, love Louisiana agriculture or are just interested in learning more about the opportunities available in the food and agricultural sciences, make plans to attend the Louisiana Small Farmer Conference, March 15-17, 2018 hosted by the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Complimentary Registration until March 2, 2018. For more information, please contact me at kelli_hollins@suagcenter.com or 225-771-5782.
Sincerely, Kelli Hollins, MS, MBA Assistant Ag Specialist ANR Programs
The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center is a statewide campus of the Southern University System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. Southern University and A & M College, Louisiana parish governing bodies, Louisiana State University, and Unites States Department of Agriculture cooperating.
ALLIANCE OF SUSTAINABLE FARMS TRAINING SCHEDULE SOUTHERN SARE PROJECT “TRANSITION TO SUSTAINABILITY IN SMALL-SCALE VEGETABLE PRODUCTION: HANDS-ON TRAINING FOR AGRICULTURAL PROFESSIONALS AND EDUCATORS” TOPICS “Year-round Production: High Tunnels, Low Tunnels, Row Covers, Field Production, and Appropriate Technologies”
“Irrigation, Water Management, and Appropriate Technologies”
“Integrated Pest and Disease Management; and Appropriate Technologies”
“Expanding Market Opportunities: Selling Directly to Consumers and Social Media”
DATE
LOCATION
TIME
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
MSU Beaumont Horticultural Unit Beaumont, MS
Registration: 10:00am Program: 10:30am - 2:30pm
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Levee Run Farm Greenwood, MS
Registration: 10:00am Program: 10:30am - 2:30pm
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Small Farm Training Center Picayune, MS
Registration: 10:00am Program: 10:30am - 2:30pm
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Jumpertown High School Booneville, MS
Registration: 10:00am Program: 10:30am - 2:30pm
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Ole Brooke Organics Brookhaven, MS
Registration: 10:00am Program: 10:30am - 2:30pm
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
MSU North Mississippi Research and Extension Center – Verona, MS
Registration: 10:00am Program: 10:30am - 2:30pm
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
NCAT Demonstration Farm Piney Woods, MS
Registration: 10:00am Program: 10:30am - 2:30pm
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Choctaw, MS
Registration: 10:00am Program: 10:30am - 2:30pm
“PROJECT FUNDED BY SOUTHERN SARE” Other Partners: Mississippi State University Extension Service; Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station; Alcorn State University Extension Program; University of Mississippi Transactional Law Clinic; National Center for Appropriate Technology; Mississippi Department of Education, Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED. To Register Email: allianceofsustainablefarms@gmail.com
ALLIANCE OF SUSTAINABLE FARMS TRAINING SCHEDULE SOUTHERN SARE PROJECT “TRANSITION TO SUSTAINABILITY IN SMALL-SCALE VEGETABLE PRODUCTION: HANDS-ON TRAINING FOR AGRICULTURAL PROFESSIONALS AND EDUCATORS” TOPICS “Practical Food Safety for Smallscale Farmers, and Appropriate Technologies”
“Soil Health, Crop Selection, Seed Starting, and Appropriate Technologies“ “Growing Farm Profits: Recordkeeping, Data Collection, Analysis, and Appropriate Technologies”
DATE
LOCATION
TIME
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Small Farm Training Center Picayune, MS
Registration: 10:00am Program: 10:30am - 2:30pm
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Native Son Farm Tupelo, MS
Registration: 10:00am Program: 10:30am - 2:30pm
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Ole Brooke Organics Brookhaven, MS
Registration: 10:00am Program: 10:30am - 2:30pm
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Levee Run Farm Greenwood, MS
Registration: 10:00am Program: 10:30am - 2:30pm
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
MSU Truck Crops Experiment Station Crystal Springs, MS
Registration: 10:00am Program: 10:30am - 2:30pm
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Bountiful Harvest Farm Starkville, MS
Registration: 10:00am Program: 10:30am - 2:30pm
“PROJECT FUNDED BY SOUTHERN SARE” Other Partners: Mississippi State University Extension Service; Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station; Alcorn State University Extension Program; University of Mississippi Transactional Law Clinic; National Center for Appropriate Technology; Mississippi Department of Education, Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED. To Register Email: allianceofsustainablefarms@gmail.com
“Irrigation, Water Management, and Appropriate Technologies” MARCH 2018 Trainings for AG Professionals, Educators, Service Providers, Farmer Group Leaders TUES - MARCH 6TH - SMALL FARM TRAINING CENTER WED - MARCH 7TH - JUMPERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL The Alliance, with support from Southern SARE PDP and in collaboration with Mississippi NRCS, Mississippi State University Extension Service, and Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Experiment Station will offer two training sessions focused on “Irrigation, Water Management, and Appropriate Technologies”. These events are designed for AG professionals, Educators, Service Providers, and Farmer Group Leaders who support farmers who are practicing or interested in these topics/issues. Farmers who serve as trainers or mentors to other farmers are also eligible to attend. The training events will be held on local farms and university research sites; and be led by practitioners with personal and practical experience. The focus will be on production of specialty crops on smaller farms, and will include discussion of how NRCS cost-share and technical assistance can be profitably applied on local farms. This training is intended to help these AG professionals, educators, and others better serve farmers, including farmers with or considering NRCS EQIP cost-share agreements. Two half-day training sessions will be conducted on a quarterly basis. As our partners recommended, the sessions will be conducted on two consecutive days to increase participation and help with logistics (one in the northern region and one in the southern region). There is NO CHARGE to attend. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. FREE Lunch will be provided. REGISTRATION: 10:00AM. PROGRAM: 10:30AM TO 2:30PM. DIRECTIONS TO SMALL FARM TRAINING CENTER IN CARRIERE, MS SMALL FARM TRAINING CENTER is located at 31492 Anner Road, Carriere, MS 39426-9147 (Near Picayune, MS). From I-59 take Exit 10. Go East on W. Union Road for 8-9 miles. (W. Union Road becomes Caesar Necaise Road). Turn left onto Anner Road for 3.5 miles. Training center is on the right. Contact: Terry Sheldon at 601-749-2380 for help with driving directions. DIRECTIONS TO JUMPERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL IN BOONEVILLE, MS JUMPERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL is located at 717 Hwy 4 West, Booneville, MS. 38829. From Hwy 45, go West on Hwy 4 toward Ripley for almost 5 miles. The school will be on your right. Contact: John Allen at 662-416-3233 for help with driving directions. USDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Provider and Lender To Register: Send Email or Call AllianceofSustainableFarms@gmail.com • (601) 988-4999
SCOTT COUNTY SMALL FARMERS AND LANDOWNERS ORGANIZATION SMALL SCALE BEEF CATTLEMEN FIELD DAY SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2018 TIME: 9:00 AM LITTLE ROCK M.B. CHURCH 643 TALLABOGUE RD. FOREST, MS
Here’s an invitation for you to participate in an in-depth Herd Health Program, designed to help increase profits and reduce cost. Participants will learn the following topics on heard health; genetics, the benefits of developing a high-quality pasture, marketing, and management practices to produce productive cowherds, and how to create top quality calves. The Herd Health Program will focus on recommended herd health practices, development and maintenance of productive pasture grasses and forages, bull selection for producing premium calves, and marketing opportunities for calves through sales. Feature presenters include DR. L. C. Peyton, TriCounty Veterinary Clinic, Bay Spring, MS, Dr. Rocky Lemus, Forage Specialist, Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Science, Carylon Banks, SFOT&TAP, Alcorn State University, Extension Program, and Michael Trusclair, USDA, 1890 Program Liaison, Alcorn State University. These knowledgeable speakers will transfer relevant information that can offer each beef cattle producer vital practices to increase their profits.
Participants will assemble at Little Rock M.B. Church 643 Tallabogue Rd, Forest, MS on Saturday, April 7, 2018, Time: 9:00 am. For more information Call Greg Nicks at 601-507-1439 or Allen McReynolds at 601-513-4503. If you need an accommodation to participate in this activity or event, please contact Latrice Todman at 662-446-2423 , or by e-mail at tarieltwcshc@gmail.com by Saturday, March 24, 2018. This event is sponsored Winston County Self Help Cooperative.
WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE 3450 Shannon Dale Drive • Jackson, MS 39212 Phone: 601-291-2704 • Email: fltaylor@bellsouth.net Web: www.wcshc.com • “Saving Rural America”
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WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE AND COLUMBUS MCREYNOLDS’ SHIITAKE MUSHROOM WORKSHOP SATURDAY MARCH 3, 2018 9:00 AM 28 ROACH ROAD MCCOOL, MS 39108
Here’s an invitation to expand your knowledge and interests in growing Shiitake Mushrooms on Saturday, March 3, 2018. The workshop will take place on Columbus McReynolds Farm at 28 Roach Road, McCool, MS 39108 @ 9:00 am. Participants will learn and practice how to grow shiitake mushrooms on hardwood logs. Additionally, participants will be introduced to various market opportunities, developments, and expansions within the area. If you are planning to attend this hands-on event, please bring five (5) hardwood logs cut from healthy Oaks, (Mockernut Hickory, White ash or Sweetgum trees), five days before the workshop day. The size of the logs should be (4” diameter X 40” length). Conifers logs such as pine logs are not suitable for shiitake mushroom production. This hands-on workshop training will be conducted by Colombus McReynolds and Ms. Linda Stephen, both of Winston County Self Help Cooperative (The Mushroom Lady). If you need an accommodation to participate in this activity or event, please contact Latrice Todman at 662-446-2423 , or by e-mail at tarieltwcshc@gmail.com by Saturday, February 24, 2018. This event is sponsored Winston County Self Help Cooperative.
WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE 3450 Shannon Dale Drive • Jackson, MS 39212 Phone: 601-291-2704 • Email: fltaylor@bellsouth.net Web: www.wcshc.com • “Saving Rural America”
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Editor: WCSHC Team Leader Frank Taylor | Email: fltaylor@bellsouth.net | Phone: 601-291-2704 Layout and Design: Marqueus Draper