MAGAZINE OF THE MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE
E X T E N D I N G
K N O W L E D G E
•
C H A N G I N G
L I V E S
As schools around the nation open this fall to educate another generation of students, the Mississippi State University Extension Service continues its mission to offer learning opportunities to people all over the Magnolia State. Extension delivers practical, trustworthy information to help Mississippians just like you make informed decisions about how best to save your money and your time. As Director, I am working collaboratively with Extension faculty and staff, as well as our partners in government and industry, to offer learning opportunities to Mississippians of all ages. Extension offers Mississippians so many ways to better their lives. You can advance your career, earn needed certifications, increase your earning capacity, or simply learn a new skill or hobby—all through Extension. As always, Extension still provides unbiased, researchbased programs in the major areas of agriculture, natural resources, family and consumer education, 4-H youth development, and community resource development. But we constantly seek to reach our audience in new ways, taking advantage of technology we once only dreamed of. Our client-based initiatives are giving people like you the tools they need to be successful in all walks of life. In this issue of Extension Matters, you’ll find the stories of hard-working Mississippians who have used the knowledge provided by Extension to make a difference in their own lives and local communities. A long-time tax assessor tells how Extension training opportunities gave her the tools to do her job more efficiently and accurately. If you’re interested in agriculture, the Farmer of the Year shares how Extension assisted him on his path to success. A teen 4-H’er explains how participating in shooting sports is teaching him how to be responsible and self-disciplined, the same qualities he’ll need to be successful as an adult. One Rural Medical Scholar participant now studying at University of Mississippi Medical Center explains how the family and consumer education-based program first inspired him to pursue medicine. Finally, a small business-owner tells how Extension assisted her in expanding her business by growing her online presence. I am confident you will enjoy this issue, and I hope you will keep reading Extension Matters magazine to learn more about some of the people and places making Mississippi great.
Gary Jackson Director, MSU Extension Service
Extension Matters is published by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.
CONTENTS
Mark E. Keenum President
Gregory A. Bohach Vice President Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine
Assisting Assessors
4
Extension Assists Producer’s Rise to Success
7
Gary B. Jackson Director MSU Extension Service
Steve Martin Interim Associate Director Agriculture and Natural Resources
Paula Threadgill Associate Director 4-H Youth Development, Family & Consumer Sciences, Center for Continuing Education
Randy Loper Department Head Extension Center for Technology Outreach
What’s New in Extension
10
4-H Shooting Sports Teaches Teen Character and Generosity
12
Extension Where You Are
15
Extension Medical Program Offers Career Insights
16
VIP Helps Female Business Owner Reach Online Customers
19
Sumner Davis Department Head Center for Government and Community Development
Elizabeth Gregory North Department Head Office of Agricultural Communications
Richard Swann Assistant to the Director and Fiscal Administrator
Extension Matters is produced by the Office of Agricultural Communications.
Elizabeth Gregory North Executive Editor
Leah Barbour Managing Editor
Amelia Plair Editor
Phillip Smith Designer Writers
Susan Collins-Smith Nathan Gregory Photographers
Kat Lawrence Kevin Hudson Extension Matters Office of Agricultural Communications P.O. Box 9625 Mississippi State, MS 39762 We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
www.msucares.com On the cover: Allen Eubanks and his wife Janice, owners of Eubanks Produce Farms and Mississippi’s Farmer of the Year, grow diversified truck crops of fruits and vegetables, as well as classic row crops, such as soybeans. PHOTO BY Kevin Hudson M A G A Z I N E O F T H E M I S S I S S I P P I S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y E X T E N S I O N S E R V I C E
ASSISTING Extension Center For Government and Community Development Trains Local Government Officials STORY BY SuSan COllinS-SmiTh
W hen Myra Murrell Davis graduated
with collections, she said she needed
the class, I didn’t know how to read
from East Central Community College
help learning the appraisal part of the
maps. It also helped me understand the
in 1979, she did not have a clear career
job. Extension’s Center for Government
appraisal process so that I can explain to
path in mind.
and Community Development played an
citizens how we calculate the value of
important part in helping her succeed in
their property.”
“I earned a business degree, but I
didn’t really have any idea what I wanted her new role. to do or where that degree would take
“When I was elected, I went through
The Mississippi Certified Appraiser School is part of the center’s Mississippi
the Mississippi Certified Appraisers
Education and Certification Program.
School,” Davis says. “That was very
Created in 1979, it continues to help
Scott County tax assessor and collector’s
valuable to me because I was not
local government officials, including
office in August of that year and ended
familiar with the assessment part of the
appraisers and assessors, gain greater
up with a 35-year career serving Scott
job. I had only worked in collections
expertise in the valuation and
and Lauderdale County citizens.
until that point.”
equalization of property for ad valorem
me,” she says. She accepted a part-time job at the
purposes.
Except for the seven years she spent
The school is a two-week intensive
in the Lauderdale County tax collector’s
training session that helps assessors and
office between 1987 and 1994, Murrell
appraisers achieve certification required
includes the center, the Mississippi
Davis has worked in Scott County,
by state law. Attendees learn about
Department of Revenue, and the
where she grew up.
mapping, urban and agricultural land
Mississippi Assessors and Collectors
“This is all I’ve ever done,” the Forest
valuation, preparing and maintaining
native says. “I love it. I enjoy everything
tax rolls, and appraisal of personal,
about my job. I get to meet and visit
residential, and commercial property.
with the people we serve in this county.” In 1997, she was elected tax assessor
“This course gave me an overview of the entire office and how the process of
and collector in Scott County. Although
appraisals and collections is supposed to
she had almost 20 years of experience
work,” Davis says. “Until I went through
4 Extension M AT T E R S
The program is a partnership that
Association. It offers certification, recertification, educational programs, and technical assistance to municipal and county government officials throughout the state. In addition to the assessor education courses, the center coordinates the
ASSESSORS
Myra Murell Davis, Scott County Tax Assessor and Collector PHOTO BY
Kevin Hudson
Extension M AT T E R S 5
Mississippi Tax Collector Education and
is the taxpayers and citizens of the state
Certification Program in partnership
who benefit through improved services.”
with the Office of the State Auditor. The
As a collector, Murrell Davis
“Without the training I got through the certified appraisers school, learning this job would have been a very slow
program was established in 2010 to
participated in many of the center’s
process,” she says. “I also am able to
provide certification opportunities for
education programs, and she has earned
attend continuing education classes that
tax collectors and deputy collectors.
numerous designations, including
help me learn new aspects of the job
Mississippi certified appraiser,
and keep my certification up-to-date.
“Local government is government that is closest to the people,” says
certifications in assessment evaluator I
“Education is also important for my
Terence Norwood, Extension instructor
and II and collector of revenue I and II,
staff, and I am grateful for the learning
with the center. “These government
and Mississippi assessment evaluator.
opportunities we’ve had through the
officials are the face of government to
She served as the 2013-2014
Extension Service that allow us to
the citizens of Mississippi, and when
president of the Mississippi Assessors
continually improve service to Scott
they attend our certification programs or
and Collectors Association and said job-
County citizens,” Davis says.
training sessions, we are building their
related education has always been a high
capacity as public servants. Ultimately, it
priority for her.
GCD: WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO The Mississippi State University Extension Service Center for
n Tax Collectors
Government and Community Development provides educational
The GCD, the Office of the State Auditor, Mississippi Department
training, information, and technical assistance to government leaders,
of Revenue and the Mississippi Assessors and Collectors Association
community-based organizations, state and local agencies, and
work together to provide educational training that leads to greater
business enterprises.
expertise in county tax collection processes and services to tax payers.
The center coordinates with various state offices to provide several state-mandated certification programs for the following professions:
n Purchase, Receiving, and Inventory Control Clerks
n Attorneys for County Boards of Supervisors and Chancery Clerks In cooperation with the Mississippi Emergency Management
The GCD and the State Auditor’s Office provide education that
Agency, the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security, the Mississippi
leads to certification for clerks. County supervisors and county
State Department of Health, and the Mississippi Board of Animal
administrators may also receive training through this program.
Health, the GCD provides educational training and certification,
n Tax Assessors and Appraisers
including Incident Command System training, to local emergency
The GCD, the Mississippi Department of Revenue, and the
managers, 911 operators, and state and local officials.
Mississippi Assessors and Collectors Association work together to
The MSU Extension Service Center for Government and
provide educational training, from performing needs assessments to
Community Development helps build strong relationships and is
grading examinations, that leads to certification and recertification.
committed to strengthening Mississippi communities and improving
n Municipal Clerks and Collectors
the skills of local government officials.
This training, coordinated by the GCD, the Municipal Clerks and Tax Collectors Association of Mississippi, and the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, helps city clerks and collectors understand the law and become more proficient in their duties.
6 Extension M AT T E R S
For more information, publications, and associated links, visit http://www.gcd.msstate.edu.
EXTENSION ASSISTS
Producer’s Rise to Success STORY BY naThan GReGORY
Allen Eubanks, 2015 Mississippi Sunbelt Ag Expo Farmer of the Year PHOTOS BY Kevin Hudson
Extension M AT T E R S 7
Allen Eubanks grew his family business near Lucedale from a 200acre row crop farm to a 2,500-acre, high-tech produce operation, and he credits researchers and agents
watermelons and different
MISSISSIPPI’S SUNBELT AG EXPO
Farmer of the Year
with the Mississippi State University Extension Service with helping him succeed. Bell peppers, cantaloupe, eggplant, snap beans, and zucchini
Shares Secrets to Success Eubanks’ grandfather, Pat, who grew peas,
distributes to major commercial vendors
butterbeans, watermelons, and pecans.
throughout the Gulf Coast, Southeast, and
Eubanks’ father, Charlie, later grew row
Northeast.
crops, watermelons, and tomatoes. He soon opened 10 acres of tomatoes to the
300 employees grow and hand-harvest
public for picking. That farm has since
crops using GPS technology and drip
grown into a 100-acre farm known as
irrigation to make the most efficient use of
Charlie’s U-Pik. It offers a wide range of
water and the fertile Southeast Mississippi
fruits and vegetables in June and July for
soil. Each week, Eubanks conducts soil and
people wanting to buy produce directly
plant testing on the crops he grows to
from the farm.
free. The elaborate nature of the operation has significantly evolved from its roots.
Helping his father and mother grew Eubanks’ interest in becoming a farmer himself. “I grew up helping out where needed
The first seeds of Eubanks Produce were
and just developed a love for it,” Eubanks
planted two generations ago by Allen
says. “I started growing a few more
8 Extension M AT T E R S
worked on my degree in agricultural economics, I would grow more vegetables on weekends and summers.” Eubanks established his first ties with Extension while he was a student studying under David
plant and soil sciences.
fruits and vegetables Eubanks Produce now
make sure they’re all healthy and disease-
years. While I went to MSU and
Nagel, an Extension professor in
are just a few of the dozens of fresh
During peak growing season, more than
vegetables in my high school
“He was my mentor in college and later did extensive trials for several years on our farm,” Eubanks says. When he graduated in 1992, Eubanks spent “every dime” he had trying to build a viable vegetable business. The first years were challenging, and he paid his dues with long hours and modest returns. “I learned mostly by trial and error,” Eubanks says. “It developed and steadily grew in size to where it is today. It was probably 2003 before we had a decent income and consistent business.” He emphasizes that Extension was especially helpful during the first years of developing his business, and he continues
to maintain relationships with Extension
of the premier farm shows in the U.S.
business. Eubanks and his wife, Janice,
agents and researchers today. With their
Nine participating states select nominees
have engaged their four children in the
expertise, Eubanks says he began
for the award, and an overall winner is
operation. Their 17-year-old son, Andrew,
concentrating on growing the crops that
chosen at the conference.
managed Charlie's U-Pik this summer,
thrived on his land and avoiding the ones
Patricia Knight, Extension research
while daughter Allison, 16, is the farm’s
that did not consistently meet his
professor and head of the Coastal Research
social media and marketing manager.
expectations.
and Extension Center in Biloxi, says
Younger sons Joshua, 12, and Jacob, 9, also
Eubanks was a popular recommendation
assist customers who come by to pick
was George McNeil. I got to know him
among MSU Extension agents and
produce.
early on as a 4-H leader,” Eubanks
agricultural faculty.
“The first Extension agent I remember
says. “He helped us diagnose disease
“His name came up several times,”
“People come from a 150-mile radius to pick their own vegetables each
problems in watermelons. He was a great,
Knight says. “He got such a strong
summer,” Eubanks says. “We really like
very encouraging man. The next agent,
endorsement from our folks that he was
this because it is our connection to the
Kerry Johnson, also helped identify
the obvious choice.”
local community. We also participate in
problems I had and show me other
During multiple visits to Eubanks's
our local farmers market when we can,
potential crops I could plant. He showed
facilities, Knight was impressed with his
and our children have helped out a lot
me how to get information and help when
attention to detail and ability to adapt to
with that.”
I needed it.”
evolving agricultural technology.
More recently, Eubanks says he has
“He has a tremendous variety of truck
Eubanks says he was humbled and appreciative to be chosen as the Ag Expo
regularly consulted with former George
crops, and, in listening to him talk about
County Extension agent Mike Steede and
his operation, he’s very meticulous about
current agent Heath Steede.
quality control and goes beyond what is
than seeing a crop from start to finish,” he
required to bring the best possible product
says. “It’s definitely challenging at times
Mississippi's selection for the 2015
to his customers,” Knight says. “He has an
mostly due to weather and markets, but
Sunbelt Ag Expo Farmer of the Year. Held
excellent reputation and represents himself
there's nothing else I would rather do. I
in Moultrie, Georgia, the Ag Expo is an
and his business very well.”
feel like I am overly blessed to do what I
Extension nominated Eubanks as
annual trade show featuring more than 1,000 ag-based vendors. It is known as one
A fourth generation of Eubanks is
Farmer of the Year for his native state. “There’s nothing more satisfying to me
love with my family alongside me.”
already getting involved in the family
Extension M AT T E R S 9
INTRODUCING INTERNATIONAL CULTURE The 2015 4-H State Congress at Mississippi State University opened its first-ever International Village to approximately 50 young people, who “toured” India, Kenya, and Japan. Because 4-H’ers pledge to serve their clubs, communities, country, and world, state Congress organizers, led by assistant professor of international agricultural and Extension education Susan Seal, organized a cultural experience for 4-H’ers. Each nation’s representatives dressed in traditional Indian, Kenyan, and Japanese apparel and offered authentic foods typical of the countries. 4-H’ers had the chance to participate in a variety of activities at the International Village, starting with receiving their “passports” and learning about international travel. In Kenya, young people listened to presentations about the nation’s rich diversity, and some 4-H’ers opted to receive temporary henna tattoos from India. All young people removed their shoes to enter Japan before enjoying the nation’s green tea with rice cakes. Organizers hope the participating students will continue exploring other nations and cultures and share their knowledge of other cultures in their home communities.
CONTROLLING INVASIVE INSECTS The Mississippi Legislature recently confirmed its commitment to controlling invasive insects and educating the public about them by funding Mississippi State University Extension Service’s new Invasive Insects position. The selected entomologist will lead educational and control initiatives on fire ants, hairy crazy ants, Formosan termites, and Asian termites. Extension, led by entomologist Blake Layton, has worked with Mississippians for years to combat both fire ants and Formosan termites. More recently, hairy crazy ants have invaded south Mississippi, displacing native species and damaging natural habitats. Asian termites have not yet invaded the state but have been found in Florida and currently are expected to invade Mississippi as well. The new specialist will work with Dr. Layton on fire ants and also contribute to Bite Back Mississippi, Extension’s campaign to promote both immediate and long-term ant control. The most up-to-date information on how to control fire ants is available at hhtp://msucares.com/biteback/.
10 Extension M AT T E R S
STAYING INFORMED SOCIALLY The MSU Extension Service offers programs in every county for Mississippians of all ages—and they're sharing their experiences on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. With 82 county offices and numerous individual programs and Extension initiatives—how can anyone keep up? The good news is that social media strategist Ellen Graves recently began The Social Media Buzz, a new weekly Storify series to keep you connected when you don’t have time to sift through every single feed. At https://storify.com/MSUExtService/, you can sit back, relax, and browse the week’s highlights in agriculture and natural
resources,
family
and
consumer
sciences,
government and community development, and 4-H. The Social Media Buzz may introduce you to an innovative program or community initiative that will help you, your friends, your organization, or your business to
HONORING ADMINISTRATIVE ADVANCEMENTS
grow, develop, and thrive. If it’s Extension, it’s on Storify!
Mississippi State University Extension Service employees are serving in new roles that benefit the state and the nation. Steven W. Martin was appointed as the interim associate director for agriculture and natural resources following the retirement of longtime associate director Joe Street. Since 2012, Martin has headed the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Verona, where he administers research and Extension programs within the northeast region and at four branch experiment stations: Northeast Mississippi in Verona, North Mississippi in Holly Springs, Pontotoc Ridge-Flatwoods in Pontotoc, and Prairie in Prairie. Also, David Buys, assistant professor in Extension and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, will chair the national chronic disease prevention and management action team. The group is part of a national initiative led by Extension and its partners to deliver trustworthy, researchbased information about living healthy lives. Buys will lead a group that finds research-based programs and curricula and identifies the gaps in available materials. The team will develop at least one new program, train Extension agents to use it, and launch the program nationally.
Steven W. Martin
David Buys Extension M AT T E R S 11
“I have learned that, with discipline and responsibility, my personal possibilities are endless.”
Taivon Collins, Mississippi 4-H’er PHOTOS BY Kevin Hudson
12 Extension M AT T E R S
4-H SHOOTING SPORTS TEACHES TEEN STORY BY leah BaRBOuR
Character and Generosity Quitman native Taivon Collins learned
grandmother, Catherine Collins, had
“When he wanted to do shooting sports in
an important life lesson when he broke his
talked and were planning to get him a .22
4-H, we already knew he was blind, so we
gun during a 4-H shooting sports
of his own.
started him with an air pistol.
competition. “If life gives you lemons,” he says, “you get a new .22 rifle.” He was finishing up his third year participating in 4-H shooting sports, though it was his first competing with a
Taivon discovered that 4-H leadership, volunteers, and supporters could enhance
two people competing in the same
his inborn humor, determination, and
shooting category, he would win. Then one
optimism.
day, he looked at us and said, ‘Let me try
And he concluded, when times get tough, sometimes the tough get a new rifle.
rifle. The day before the 2013 district competition, Taivon broke the firing pin on the county-owned gun he was using. “Another 4-H’er let me borrow her .22 for district,” he remembers. “I was slightly nervous about shooting a gun I had never shot before, but the whole week before I broke my .22, I was shooting really good.” However, when Taivon arrived at the 4-H district competition, he realized the gun he’d borrowed was completely different from the one he broke. The size, the weight, and the action were different, but that wasn’t the worst part. The scope was mounted crooked. Taivon’s shots were way off the mark, and his standing was awful. Clarke County Extension agent Christy King was there to support Taivon, and she told him he did pretty well, considering he was shooting with a crooked scope for the first time. Plus, she and Taivon’s
“But because there were only one or
n Overcoming obstacles Before King joined Extension, she taught fourth grade in Quitman. That’s
the .22 rifle.’” Taivon said he lives in an area where the sound of gunshots usually means trouble, but participating in 4-H shooting sports has changed his opinion about firearms. “I have learned the most from 4-H
where she first met Taivon. She got to
shooting sports,” he says. “I have learned
know him and his family well because his
that I can take something that was once a
physical obstacles created unique
negative influence in my life and use it for
classroom challenges.
good and that guns aren’t bad when they
Without his glasses, Taivon is legally blind, and, without his hearing aid, he’s
are used with discipline and responsibility. “And I have learned that, with
almost deaf. To compensate, he wears
discipline and responsibility, my personal
glasses and lip-reads masterfully, King says.
possibilities are endless.”
Taivon grew up in town with his
King explains that 4-H showed Taivon
brothers and sisters and his grandmother
more of the world than he had ever before
Catherine, known to most in the
experienced. But 4-H also taught Taivon
community as Granny.
more about the people right in his own
“I already knew from teaching him in fourth grade that Taivon had hearing and
backyard. “Everything I’ve done in 4-H—going to
vision problems, and I always had a close
State Congress, going to National
relationship with Granny,” King explains.
Congress—I wouldn’t have been able to do it without community support,” he says.
Extension M AT T E R S 13
“People give but don’t want anything in
stating that he had been selected for a
Taivon a sport coat. JC Penney donated a
return. They just want you to thank
once-in-a-lifetime trip to 4-H National
button-up shirt and tie. King took Taivon
them.”
Congress.
to Old Navy to buy shirts, sweater vests,
“Sometimes, it’s hard to take it, even
“The first-place winner in 4-H shooting
and slacks, and, when the manager found
when it’s something you need. But what
sports had won the free trip last year, and
out about the community support for
I’ve learned in 4-H is, you can always take
you can only win once,” Taivon says. “I
Taivon, he insisted 15 percent be
pride in accepting stuff when you need it.”
was going to nationals.”
discounted from the total and $100
n Memorable moments
Though the trip expenses were covered, Taivon didn’t have the appropriate apparel
deducted from the final price. “Then, Mayor Eddie Fulton said, ‘You
to participate. So, naturally, he started
and 4-H are changing this boy’s life.’ And
During the summer of 2014, Taivon
asking his grandmother for money to buy
I said, ‘No, Taivon is doing it,’” King
was determined to win a national 4-H trip.
clothes. She wasn’t sure how she would be
remembers. “I told the mayor that Taivon
able to afford nice new clothes for Taivon.
was going to need a cellphone. He’ll need
If he could win first with his record book, he could go to National 4-H
However, a 4-H volunteer team headed
to be able to talk to Granny, and all the
Congress. Likewise, with a top ranking in
by King’s husband sponsored a community
other kids will have cellphones. So the
the 4-H Shooting Sports State Invitational,
drive to help Taivon get exactly what he
mayor talked to C-Spire and they donated
he could compete in the 4-H Shooting
needed to fit in with the other teens at the
one for a week.”
Sports National Championships.
national conference.
“I knew if I could get first place in
“Taivon was in band, and my husband
Taivon was just another normal kid at National 4-H Congress. He was the
something, I’d be going to nationals,”
Chris was the former band director in
Mississippi flag bearer and led the Magnolia
Taivon explains. “But I got second place in
Quitman and an active 4-H shooting
State delegation into the assembly. He saw
record books. I got second place in
sports volunteer leader, so he is still active
the sights of Atlanta and slept in the most
shooting sports. I knew I wasn’t going to
in Taivon’s life. Chris posted on Facebook
comfortable bed he’s ever felt.
nationals, so I thought, ‘Next time, I’ll try
to ask people to donate,” King explains.
harder.’ Then I went home.”
“People started asking what Taivon
Nationals was really fun—something I’ll
needed, and, within 48 hours, Chris had
remember forever.”
A few days later, Taivon received a mysterious yellow envelope in the mail. It was a congratulatory letter from Extension’s 4-H Youth Development
14 Extension M AT T E R S
raised $1,500.” A news anchor from Meridian donated luggage, and a Sunday School class bought
“I wish I could’ve stayed,” he says. “4-H
EXTENSION Partners and presenters at Extension’s 2015 IMPACT2 workshop
• NASA • East Central Community College LIGO, the Livingston Laser Interferometer • Gravitational-wave Observatory, which detects and measures gravitational waves Marilyn Zecher, Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia • Education Center, discussed multisensory mathematics instruction
IMPACT2 teacher-mentors
• Konya Johnson, Mount Olive • Tammy Krutzfeldt, Poplarville • Michele Lee, Poplarville • Bill White, Louisville • Jackie Wintruba, Gulfport
Michele Lee (right), fifth-grade teacher and IMPACT2 mentor PHOTO BY
Kevin Hudson
Teacher training for Poplarville and beyond Fifth-grade teacher Michele Lee travels from Pearl River County to a two-week MSU Extension conference every summer because she’s learning teaching techniques that help her students understand math better. Lee, who teaches at Poplarville Upper Elementary, acts as mentor to first-time teachers at Extension’s In-depth Mathematical Practices
concepts, and students benefit from writing about math since state assessments also require writing about proofs. “Whether it’s division, exponents, or whatever we’re studying, they can copy from me into their notebooks, and they go on to show me what they learned, write the proof, and reflect on what they learned from it,” she says. “They remember it.”
and Content Teacher Training workshop, better known as IMPACT2.
Lee teaches every subject in her fifth-grade classroom, and she
The annual summer workshop is facilitated by the Center for
appreciates teaching opportunities that enable her to combine several
Technology Outreach, and Lee says being a leader at the conference
subjects to reinforce one central concept. She says her students
is also being a learner.
simply understand better.
“This conference isn’t your typical workshop where you sit all day
“We’re building the habit of learning,” Lee emphasizes.
and listen to someone talk; here, we learn like our students learn, and
Her classroom is also benefiting from IMPACT2’s online learning
we all learn from each other,” she explains. “The math instruction at
community where teachers may ask questions about math instruction
this conference is great. We make notebooks, charts, and foldouts,
in different grade levels. Lee says her classes are learning the
and I take them all back to my school where I have my students do
foundation for the standards they’ll learn in both middle and high
their own.”
schools.
Fifth-graders decorate their notebooks, and they write reflections
IMPACT2 is funded by the Mississippi Department of Education
on the concepts their class is reviewing. Lee says art reinforces math
through a Math and Science Partnership grant provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
Extension M AT T E R S 15
Johnny Lippincott, Rural Medical Scholars program graduate PHOTOS BY Kevin Hudson
16 Extension M AT T E R S
EXTENSION MEDICAL PROGRAM OFFERS Career Insights STORY BY SuSan COllinS-SmiTh
He delayed his journey to become a
Rural Medical Scholars take two pre-
doctor, but Johnny Lippincott has been
med courses, follow various local
intrigued by the field since childhood.
physicians in their day-to-day activities,
program allowed us to see what physicians actually do on a day-to-day basis.” Although he left the program with an
tour a major medical facility, and attend
enhanced understanding of what it would
medicine,” the Tupelo native says. “My
lectures targeted at aspiring physicians.
take to complete medical school,
dad was a psychiatrist so I was aware of
Students begin the program in a study
Lippincott did not pursue that goal right
the field. I was a member of a club in high
skills workshop and go on to earn college
away.
school that fostered students interested in
credit for the two academic courses.
“Growing up, I was always interested in
careers in medicine.” Through the club, he found out about
“The Rural Medical Scholars program certainly confirmed and increased my
“Once I got to college, I realized I wanted to explore other things before I dove into medicine,” he says. Lippincott graduated in 2009 from
the Rural Medical Scholars program. The
desire to become a doctor,” says
program introduces high school students
Lippincott, who completed the 2004
Emory University in Atlanta with a degree
to careers as family medicine physicians. It
program. “I enjoyed the classes, and we got
in philosophy. Afterward he explored law
is directed and funded by the Mississippi
an idea of what college would really be like
school and worked as a paralegal for the
State University Extension Service and the
by living in the dorms and attending
Federal Trade Commission in Washington,
Mississippi State Office of Rural Health.
classes. The program really provided a
D.C., while he earned a master’s degree in
stronger foundation for me when I started
physiology.
The program was held for the first time in 1998 to introduce high school students interested in the medical field to the
college.” Observing the doctors was perhaps the
Now a first-year medical student at University of Mississippi Medical Center in
rigorous academics and lifestyle
most influential portion of the rigorous
Jackson, he is not sure exactly what type of
requirements of a family practitioner in a
program. Lippincott chose to shadow an
medicine he wants to practice, but he
rural setting.
ear, nose, and throat specialist, an area of
knows he’s in the right field.
Mississippi students between their junior and senior years of high school with
medicine in which he was especially interested at the time.
“There is certainly a need for family practice physicians in the state,”
ACT composite scores of at least 24 and
“One day when I was with him, he
Lippincott says. “But Mississippi has a
high GPAs are eligible to apply. Students
diagnosed a patient with throat cancer,”
wide range of needs when it comes to
accepted to the program live on the MSU
Lippincott says. “And I thought, ‘This is
medicine. There is also a great need for
campus for five weeks.
what I’ll be doing.’ That part of the
mental health physicians. Right now I’m
Extension M AT T E R S 17
not committed to one path. I think that
About 70 percent of the students who
Each year, between 20 and 25 students
will become apparent as I advance in
complete the program go on to a career in
are selected through an application
school and get more experience in
healthcare, Carew said. Several have
process. County Extension offices receive
different specialty areas.”
become nurses, pharmacists, dentists or
detailed information and instructions for
medical researchers.
application in late January or early
According to statistics from the federal government, Mississippi ranks last in the
“Most of them go into medicine right
February each year. To be considered for
number of doctors per person, and at least
away or within two years, but sometimes
the program, prospective participants must
a portion of every county in the state is
they take a different path,” she says.
apply by the March deadline.
designated as medically underserved.
“Johnny was one of those. I haven’t seen
For more information on the Rural
him since about a year after he finished
Medical Scholars Program, visit
Program launched in 1998, more than 300
the program, but he would email me
http://www.RMS.msucares.com.
students have completed it. Thirty-five of
sometimes. And I always felt strongly that
those students have entered medical
he would pursue a degree in medicine.
Since the Rural Medical Scholars
school, and 24 have graduated and are in
“Sometimes people need to take other
residency or private practice, said Bonnie
paths to get where they are going. Those
Carew, assistant Extension professor and
paths broaden them as a person, and that
director of RMS.
makes them better doctors,” Carew says.
18 Extension M AT T E R S
VIP HELPS Female Business Owner
REACH ONLINE CUSTOMERS STORY BY naThan GReGORY
PHOTOS BY Kevin Hudson
After Becky Tatum acquired Delta Grind in 2008, she wanted the wholesale cornmeal production business
While social media outlets helped,
and-mortar businesses, but individuals as
one digital medium issue nagged Tatum.
well. In Becky’s case, she already had an
“I knew absolutely nothing about
established business. She had a website,
to remain true to its roots, but she also
building and maintaining a website,”
but she couldn’t edit or change it. She
had her own vision for what it could be.
she says.
was just wanting to improve her visibility
She made a few tweaks, one of which
That changed last year, thanks to a
online for people who wanted to learn
was upgrading the early 20th century
chance encounter in Water Valley.
Meadows stone gristmill that is the
During a visit to the town’s Main Street
centerpiece of the operation. But the
Association office, she ran into Lara
like Tatum. Bowman recently began a
changes she made were hardly limited to
Bowman, an instructor with Extension’s
second version of the program in Clarke
how the product was made.
Center for Technology Outreach.
County. Five business owners—ranging
Bowman was starting a new project
from retailers to garden nursery owners—
media outlets and started accounts on
designed to help small Mississippi
are participating.
Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest as they
businesses use online resources to
emerged and used them to expand the
enhance exposure and profit. She
at the base level of the community and
business southward. She now caters to
planned to introduce the Virtual
in the online market,” Bowman says.
more than 50 restaurants from
Incubator Program, or VIP, in Yalobusha
“Incubating a business into an online
Memphis to the Gulf Coast and uses an
County.
environment means your market does
Tatum became proficient with social
electric-powered gristmill to produce
“Our goal is to help existing and
more about Delta Grind.” VIP has grown to assist more people
“We’re trying to grow businesses both
not have to be limited to your
fresh yellow corn, polenta, and masa to
potential businesses,” Bowman says.
community anymore. If we can help a
order.
“I’m not just wanting to target brick-
business grow into an online market,
Extension M AT T E R S 19
we’re helping them reach those new
of how to create a website. She said is
accounts, allowing her to get the best
audiences to help them expand their
more common for business owners to be
out of each online outlet she has.
services and sales.”
familiar with websites only or to be
The nine-month program is divided
The new website has generated an
unfamiliar with both social media and
extra connection to prospective
into two phases. The first phase includes
websites. In Tatum’s case, after she
customers, evidenced by the increased
12 workshops taught by Extension
purchased a domain name for her
number of emails Tatum receives from
faculty over a three-month period. After
online presence, Bowman showed her
people interested in learning more about
the courses are finished, Extension
several website-building programs and
and buying products from Delta Grind.
faculty continue to work with
let her pick the one she thought would
participants for six more months to help
be easiest to use.
them use the coursework information to increase online traffic and sales.
“It was important to have Lara there
“I think the website serves as an introduction to Delta Grind,” Tatum said. “Other resources, like Pinterest and
to guide me through that,” Tatum said.
Twitter, are more geared toward
“There is a lot involved that you need
immediacy and are good to have so I can
start and change her website so she
guidance with if you don’t know exactly
keep people updated on what I’m doing,
could have complete control of the
what you are doing, and she was a lot of
but the new website is more personal
content and the skills to edit her own
help.”
and makes for a good home base.”
“This program taught Becky how to
site,” Bowman says. She said Tatum’s situation was
Tatum said her new site, http://deltagrind.com, has been up and
unusual in that she was already familiar
running for more than six months. The
with social media platforms but unaware
site has links to her social media
20 Extension M AT T E R S
Becky Tatum, owner of Delta Grind
Extension M AT T E R S 21
NONPROFIT ORG. US Postage PAID Tupelo, MS Permit No. 290
Box 9625 Mississippi State, MS 39762
www.msucares.com
www.facebook.com/MSUExtService www.twitter.com/MSUExtService www.pinterest.com/msuextservice Instagram: @msuextservice
VIP HELPS Female Business Owner REACH ONLINE CUSTOMERS BY NATHAN GREGORY
Becky Tatum’s cornmeal production business already had a strong social media presence online, but she knew that Delta Grind needed its own website. Extension instructor Lara Bowman was ready to assist—she encouraged Tatum to enroll in the Virtual Incubator Program, learn how to build and change her new website, http://deltagrind.com, and increase her online traffic and sales.
Now, Delta Grind is thriving more than ever.