VOLUME 2 • NUMBER 4
MAGAZINE OF THE MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR T he Mississippi State University Extension Service continues delivering research-based information that Mississippians are using to make their lives better. When our agents, specialists, and faculty members see the successes of their clients—local residents dedicated to their families, jobs, and communities—then we know we’re fulfilling our mission. As the holiday season begins, Extension employees all over the state are giving thanks for the many successes of their clients. This issue of Extension Matters features a representative sample of just a few of the people whose lives have been positively changed by our programs and agents. For example, the needlepoint map of Mississippi, which hangs in the Bost Extension Conference Center, was planned, designed, and sewn by the Mississippi Homemaker Volunteers, a statewide Extensionsupported network. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the hand-stitched map, and several of the women who helped sew it reflect on the project and its subsequent impact. The Mississippi Master Gardeners are also celebrating an anniversary. Twenty-five years ago, the program began in the Jackson metro area with 13 certified volunteers. Today, more than 1,000 Master Gardeners serve around the state, and Betty Holland’s story featured in this issue illustrates the joys inspired by sharing the beauty and the science of horticulture and the outdoors with others. Other stories of success in this issue show our clients building their communities. One sales representative shares how her participation in Extension’s Bricks to Clicks program enabled her to build her business’s social media audience and outreach. Also, agritourism and horticulture business leaders share how Extension agents’ input improved the services they deliver and increased the number of customers they serve. A pest-control advocate and leader explains how Extension is uniting the public and private sectors to secure funds to build a much-needed training facility. Two experienced agricultural producers, cattleman Jerry Crawford and row-crop farmer Keith Morton, explain how Extension assistance has contributed to their profitability and efficiency year after year. Finally, 4-H’er Rhac’Quis Tidwell shares how his participation in the youth development program put him on the path to success, and current 4-H’er Noelle Fields explains how 4-H helped her overcome bullying. Whether in agriculture, natural resources, government and community development, 4-H, or family and consumer sciences, the Extension programs our agents, specialists, and faculty offer are extending knowledge and changing lives. I hope you enjoy this issue of Extension Matters as you celebrate the holiday season with your family. Sincerely,
Gary Jackson Director, MSU Extension Service
Extension Matters is published by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.
Dr. Mark E. Keenum President
Dr. Gregory A. Bohach
Vice President Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine
CONTENTS Reaching the Masses
4
Preserving Family Heritage
7
Dr. Gary B. Jackson
Director MSU Extension Service
Dr. Steve Martin
Associate Director Agriculture and Natural Resources
Dr. Paula Threadgill
Associate Director 4-H Youth Development, Family & Consumer Sciences, and Center for Continuing Education
Randy Loper
Department Head Extension Center for Technology Outreach
Where Are They Now?
10
40 Years of Admiration
12
Doing the “Heart” Work
16
Successful Soybean Season
18
Where You Are
20
From Introverted to Involved
22
Finding the Way
25
What’s New
28
Staying on Tour
30
Development Direction
34
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
Keryn Page Editor
Beth Barron Designer Writers
Susan Collins-Smith Nathan Gregory Keri Collins Lewis Michaela Parker Photographer
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.
extension.msstate.edu
On the cover: Noelle Fields learned leadership through 4-H, and the popular Lee County cheerleader shares how participating in the youth development organization is increasing her confidence. Read her story on page 22. MAGAZINE OF THE MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE
REACHING THE MASSES Local Co-op Grows Facebook Audience STORY BY LEAH BARBOUR
• PHOTOS BY KEVIN HUDSON Terri Tomlinson, Oktibbeha County Co-op
4 Extension M A T T E R S
Visit the Oktibbeha County Co-op, and
and professors. One day, one of those
you’ll probably find yourself chatting
Extension friends introduced her to
Barnes and Coatney, Tomlinson went
with a knowledgeable sales associate as
Dr. Kalyn Coatney, an agricultural
to talk to her manager, Dan Shipp. She
you meander through the store. She’s
economics associate professor at MSU.
proposed that she should participate in
Casting her vote of confidence in
a series of Extension workshops that
quick to answer questions and share her
Coatney and Tomlinson almost
knowledge of the available merchandise,
immediately started discussing ways to
Barnes, an associate Extension professor,
whether it’s pet food or plants.
promote agricultural businesses, like the
was offering, called the Bricks to Clicks
co-op, through social media.
entrepreneurship program.
But if you ask Terri Tomlinson a question that she and her colleagues
“He told me about the work he was
“When we started the co-op’s
cannot answer, she’s almost certain to
doing with Dr. James Barnes—working
Facebook page years ago, Dan let us run
shake her head.
with ag groups and agribusinesses to
with it,” she says. “Then, I told Dan
experiment with how social media
about some of the things we might be
“But the county Extension office—you
advertising could increase online
able to do with Extension, and he said he
can trust them, and I’m betting they can
engagement,” Tomlinson remembers.
supported us wholeheartedly in growing
answer you.”
“Extension, just like the co-op, is a true
our market through social media. We
believer in agriculture and small business,
couldn’t have had this success without
for the Mississippi State University
and I knew Dr. James could show us
his support.”
Extension Service, and she’s friends
how to target the people who are already
with many local Extension agents
interested in the co-op.”
“Well, I can’t answer that,” she’ll say.
Tomlinson has long been an advocate
Tomlinson dived into the Bricks to Clicks training modules, one-on-
Extension M A T T E R S 5
one consultations, and collaborative
“If you load things into the platform
“I’ve increased the number of people
meetings. She says she learned Facebook’s
the way Facebook wants you to, they’ll
we’re reaching by targeting the people
“inside secrets.”
help you boost your reach into a larger
who are already interested,” Tomlinson
market.”
emphasizes. “It is truly amazing what I
“Facebook doesn’t publish all the tricks and tips, so you have to get knowledge
Once she received training, Tomlinson
was able to learn from Extension, and it’s
and support to do it correctly,” she
was able to take the co-op’s Facebook
explains. “The training showed us how to
page to the next level. Learning how
reach larger numbers of people and how
to read the metrics and discover who’s
see your work—your posts—reaching so
to reach the groups of people who care
looking at the page, as well as using
many people,” she says. “It’s great to see
about what we’re selling. Dr. James also
targeted Facebook posts to conduct
what they’re accomplishing.”
taught us how to incorporate pictures
contests, has made a big difference in
and video into Facebook’s platform.
attracting co-op customers, she says.
so exciting to learn these new things. “Your excitement just builds as you
Expand your business’s social media presence through Bricks to Clicks! Visit http://brickstoclicks.extension.msstate.edu
Co-op Engages Facebook Users, Increases Marginal Returns $12,000 $10,000 $8,000 $6,000 $4,000 $2,000 $0
Nursery
Mulch
Lawn & Garden
Power & Equipment
TOTAL
n Pretraining n Posttraining “Marginal returns” refers to the added dollars earned each week, on average, by engaging Facebook users who view the co-op’s marketing messages on its Facebook page. $296—Co-op’s average marginal return before participating in Bricks to Clicks. • $2,393—Co-op’s average marginal return after participating in Bricks to Clicks.
6 Extension M A T T E R S
PRESERVING FAMILY HERITAGE
Extension Helps Client Make Informed Decisions STORY BY SUSAN COLLINS-SMITH
• PHOTOS BY KEVIN HUDSON
Jerry Crawford takes pride in preserving
never be worth much for growing row
in Chicago,” Crawford laughs. “But I
the Holmes County land where his family
crops or anything else. But with the
figured, if we run a whole country from
has lived since just after the Civil War.
help of an experienced and talented
Washington, D.C., then surely I could farm
His grandfather purchased 160 acres of
bulldozer operator, Crawford now has
a few acres of soybeans from Chicago.”
that property in 1925.
a picturesque landscape. It’s a view that
Until his retirement in 1988, he made
rivals the beauty of the terrain he saw
it work. He took early Friday routes and
me,” he says. “I was born and raised on
and loved as a child watching the old
late Monday routes so that, on some
this land and lived here until I was a
westerns in the Durant movie theater.
weekends, he could ride the train to the
“This property means a whole lot to
“I could see the potential of what
Durant stop. He also used his annual
living here—growing crops, gardens, and
could be done with this land, so I rented
leave to schedule extended trips home.
livestock to sustain their families, just
that first 40 acres,” Crawford explains.
Those first 62 acres slowly grew to 475
like most people did back then.”
“Then I wanted a few more, and a little
acres. He now owns all but a few of these
later on I was able to lease another 22
acres and is steadily working toward
from his wrap-around porch have been
acres across the road. And then I wanted
ownership of those. The property is now
in the making for more than 40 years.
a little more, and a little more, and a
devoted to a herd of 150 commercial
In 1971, when Crawford worked for the
little more.”
Angus beef cattle.
teenager. I can picture all of my ancestors
The green, rolling pastures he admires
Chicago Transit Authority, he decided that he wanted a small piece of property back home that still belonged to his family. The property was full of hills and ditches. People told him it would
With his uncle’s help, he grew soybeans on the first 200 acres.
“It’s been a long process to get to this point,” says 74-year-old Crawford. “But I
“When I rented that first property,
really have enjoyed working through the
people asked me how I was going to farm
obstacles and achieving my goals through
in Mississippi while I was driving a bus
discipline, consistency, and perseverance.”
Extension M A T T E R S 7
“Extension has been a great help to me. I’ve gone to them for all kinds of information about farm bookkeeping, digging and maintaining my pond, and everything about cows.” JER R Y CR AW F O RD , catt l e ma n
8 Extension M A T T E R S
Crawford has leaned on the Mississippi
“The Cattlemen’s Association is full
They came in and donated their time,
State University Extension Service
of people who have been in the cattle
equipment, and some supplies to help
throughout his journey of buying and
business a long time, and meetings are a
farmers here get back to business as usual.”
renovating the land and raising cattle. He
good way to connect with experts from
visits the county Extension office when
Extension,” Crawford says. “I’ve learned
he needs information or advice.
a lot from being a member.”
“Extension has been a great help to
When Crawford was hit hard by the
Crawford says that help was invaluable. “My fences were down all over the place. There were trees and debris
me,” Crawford says, reflecting on the
April 24, 2010, tornado that claimed
everywhere,” he says. “I needed a track
journey of reconditioning the land as
10 lives in Mississippi—one of those in
hoe to clean off my fence lines, which I
he acquired it and learning more about
Holmes County—Extension provided a
didn’t have.”
cattle. “I’ve gone to them for all kinds
connection that helped him clean up.
The Extension Service continues to
of information about farm bookkeeping,
The storm leveled most of Crawford’s
help Crawford make informed decisions
digging and maintaining my pond, and
fences and flattened half his barn.
about the property that is part of his
everything about cows.” Betsy Padgett, Extension county
Padgett connected Crawford with Fellowship of Christian
treasured heritage. “It’s been a 40-year struggle, and
coordinator in Holmes County, helped
Farmers International, a nonprofit,
now I’m the sole owner,” Crawford says
Crawford locate a high-quality bull
nondenominational volunteer group
proudly. “If I can keep it until 2025, it will
breeder and encouraged him to join
formed in Texas in 1985.
have been in the family for 100 years.”
the Cattlemen’s Association, where
“The group called me and wanted
he learned even more about various
to know who they could help in my
subjects, such as herd health and
county,” Padgett says. “They knew
mineral supplements, through Extension
fences were down everywhere. Yazoo
educators and other guest speakers.
and Holmes counties were struck hard.
Extension M A T T E R S 9
4-H WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Q&A WITH KERI COLLINS LEWIS
• PHOTO BY KEVIN HUDSON
Rhac’Quis Tidwell, 4-H alumnus
10 Extension M A T T E R S
Rhac’Quis Tidwell, a former 4-H’er from Grenada County, shares how his 4-H experiences put him on the path to success.
Q: Fill in the blanks:
Q: What is your favorite 4-H memory?
• 4-H taught me to . . . be courageous.
My favorite 4-H memory is my first Club Congress! This
• 4-H taught me to stop . . . focusing on how to “fit in”
event gave me the opportunity to meet 4-H’ers from across
and to begin looking at how I could improve myself and my
Mississippi and allowed me to make friendships that will last a
community.
lifetime.
• Because of 4-H . . . I am a graduating senior at Mississippi
State University and have had the opportunity to travel
Q: What was your favorite 4-H project?
throughout the United States.
• If I hadn’t been in 4-H . . . I would not be the man I have
I have a passion for helping others, so the 4-H community service projects were perfect.
developed into.
Q: Who in 4-H influenced you the most? Q: What do you wish people knew about 4-H?
There are two: The first is Jan Walton, the 4-H Extension agent
4-H focuses on sharpening the skills and minds of youth. It
in Grenada County, who has been a role model, friend, and
gives and strengthens the tools needed for success while also
mentor to me. The next is Dr. Martha Banks*, who is a strong
providing a fun, hands-on learning environment.
leader who cares deeply for 4-H and its members.
Q: How do you keep the 4-H pledge–“To Make the Best Better”–now?
Q: Why should young people join 4-H?
I believe that youth should join 4-H to be surrounded by
I am an example for the generations coming after me. I also
individuals aiming for success. 4-H’ers are honing their skills
challenge myself to become better each day, whether it be
and developing their minds while learning new and advanced
academically, socially, or in learning new skill sets. I am
material. 4-H’ers will be encouraged to challenge themselves,
encouraging younger people to become the best they can be.
push their limits, and achieve goals beyond what they can even imagine.
During his 5 years in 4-H, Rhac’Quis was on the 4-H State Leadership team for 3 years, and he participated in 4-H Co-op
*Banks, an assistant Extension professor, works from
Tours and State Legislative Days. He also visited Washington,
the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center
D.C., for a week to participate in Citizenship Washington Focus,
in Raymond. She organizes opportunities for Mississippi
4-H’s civic engagement course for young adults.
4-H’ers to participate in civic and leadership initiatives, such as the Washington Leadership Forum.
Q: How did 4-H contribute to your leadership skills?
4-H presented me with opportunities to develop my leadership skills by placing me in positions where I needed to take charge and make decisions. It gave me the confidence to trust my decisions, establish order, and lead a group to success.
Extension M A T T E R S 11
40 YEARS OF ADMIRATION
Homemaker Volunteers Celebrate Needlepoint Map STORY BY MICHAELA PARKER
Mary Jo Wedgeworth (left) and Dorian Rogers, Mississippi Homemaker Volunteers 12 Extension M A T T E R S
• PHOTOS BY KEVIN HUDSON
Visitors to the Bost Extension Conference
complete the project. Putting a price on
It had to involve every volunteer in the
Center at Mississippi State University are
the countless hours spent working on the
state and portray Mississippi’s heritage.
drawn to the giant, colorful map of the
needlepoint map is difficult.
“Epsy knew nothing but big and
Magnolia State that has been hanging on
exuberant,” says Nancy Critz, home
the wall in the foyer of the building for
economist supervisor for northeast
nearly 40 years.
Mississippi in the 1970s.
The map reflects Mississippi’s
The MHV special project reflected
economy, history, and geography.
Johnson’s “do it big!” attitude. She
The colorful mosaics, many of which
decided a precisely woven needlepoint
were stitched in their respective home
map of Mississippi, close to 12 feet tall,
counties, feature objects or themes
would best tell the story of the state its
unique to each of the 82 counties.
artists called home.
Rae Clarke, a member of the
Johnson asked members of the MHV
Mississippi Homemaker Volunteer club
clubs in each county to submit a fact
from Lauderdale County, was one of the
about their county’s history. The fact was
women who helped make the map. The
then artistically rendered by needlepoint
clubs, organized by the MSU Extension
and featured on the map. Each county’s
Service, provide a variety of educational
design also included the county name
opportunities, including needlepoint,
and year of establishment.
sewing, and knitting, for members and their communities. Clarke admires the map each time she
“The map was worth $100,000 back in the
Jean McKnight, former state MHV president, and Betty Newman, MHV president when the map was made,
visits the MSU campus for MHV events,
day. There’s no telling
carefully researched each fact submitted
including the recent 2016 MHV state
what it is worth now.
to ensure that it would accurately
meeting. “Every time I come up here, it’s the
Honestly, this project is
first thing I look at,” Clarke says. “It is
just priceless.”
an absolute masterpiece. You can’t find
NANCY CRITZ
anything like it anywhere else.” The needlepoint map of Mississippi is
map so memorable to people is that it
Judy Baergen, a resident of Laurel, was hired to organize the creative aspects of the needlepoint map. She designed it and prepared each county’s needlepoint kit. She carefully picked the colors for each
a piece of artwork that, like its mosaics, is unique in its making. What makes the
represent the county.
county so the completed map would be In 1976, Epsy Johnson, a member of the MHV club in Laurel, was approached
appealing. “Every county received a painted piece
is not printed on paper like most maps.
by the executive board of the Mississippi
of canvas and yarn at the state council
Instead, it was delicately woven together
Extension Homemakers Council to serve
meeting,” says Debbie Mullen, the 1970s
with Persian wool yarn by members of
as chair for MHV’s contribution to the
Tate County Extension home economist.
MHV clubs all over the state.
American Bicentennial Celebration.
“Everyone had around a month to finish it.”
More than 100 people donated their time, efforts, and money to help
The special project had to be different, beautiful, and worthy of time and effort.
With a few exceptions, each county paid for its own kit and had a resident
Extension M A T T E R S 13
work on the needlepoint. If counties did not have people who were already skilled in the craft, Extension agents would find someone else to complete the task on their behalf. Dorian Rogers, retired Extension 4-H agent in Jones County, was one of many women who first learned how to needlepoint because of this project. “A lot of ladies did not know how to needlepoint,” Rogers says. “Many women were from rural areas and were never properly taught.” Critz traveled to several households in northeast Mississippi to stay updated as the needlepoints came together. She remembers the reactions from some of the women working on the squares. “I would hear, ‘Oh, I don’t like these colors! Why did they choose this for my county?’ and things like that,” Critz says. Once the women saw their county displayed on the map, the critical comments stopped. “I never, ever heard another complaint,” Critz says. “There was nothing but smiles. Everyone was so pleased and proud of it.” Reflecting on her efforts four decades ago, Clarke fondly remembers all the people who invested themselves in the map’s creation. “A lot of hurt and hard work went into this project,” Clarke says as tears fall from her eyes. “It was a dream come true to get this map together. It means the world to me, and it was such an honor to be a part of it.”
14 Extension M A T T E R S
Nancy Critz, homemaker volunteer
Extension M A T T E R S 15
Betty Holland, Mississippi Master Gardener
DOING THE “HEART” WORK Master Gardener Connects with Community STORY BY LEAH BARBOUR
16 Extension M A T T E R S
• PHOTOS BY KEVIN HUDSON
Her husband had recently died, and her
together—that’s the most rewarding part
retirement from Calhoun City Middle
of being a Master Gardener.”
School was right around the corner. But
As a former teacher who worked with
Betty H. Holland had already decided she
students for more than three decades,
had to stay busy.
Holland understands how to reach
“I had a vision of starting something that would help people, especially the older people in my church,” she says.
different people, no matter what their age or background. “Being a teacher for all those years—it
“I really like flowers, so I thought, let’s
helps me to relate to people. I just know
plant flowers. Then, my friend Donna
how to feel out the different personalities
Cole, also a widow—the wife of former
when people have questions about
Calhoun City Mayor Tom Cole—told me
flowers,” she says. “I can come up with
about the Mississippi Master Gardeners.”
different ways to teach different people
The program, overseen by the Mississippi State University Extension
the same information.” Even Holland’s Extension contact for
Service since 1991, trains community
the Master Gardener program, Stephanie
volunteers to answer questions and help
Hitt, was in one of Holland’s middle-
with common gardening and horticultural
school classes.
challenges. Master Gardeners spend at
“Stephanie was my student, and she
least 20 hours annually sharing their
was a good student,” Holland says. “We
expertise with other members of their
get along quite well, and she does a great
communities.
job sharing Extension’s programs.”
Holland attended trainings offered by
Even a cancer diagnosis 2 years ago
Extension’s horticultural experts, and,
could not stop Holland from continuing
since she completed her certification
to participate as a Master Gardener
in 2005, Holland has continued
volunteer. In fact, Holland relied on her
volunteering as a community resource to
participation in the program as part of
Calhoun County friends and neighbors
her therapy, and, with her cancer now in
with gardening questions or concerns.
remission, she’s continuing to find ways
“When I first started, I went to the older people in the church, and I bought them plants and planted them in their yards,” she explains. “And they actually grew! “One lady I planted flowers for said
to assist community members with their gardening questions. “Master Gardeners helps keep me going; it helps me to relax. My whole body and soul relaxes when I’m with
she would sit on the porch and enjoy
flowers. And I look forward to the
them most every day. That made me
trainings—we meet once a month—and
happy,” Holland remembers. “Meeting
the experts who come in,” Holland says.
and greeting and sharing—sharing
“There’s always something new to learn,
ideas, sharing plants, just sharing time
and you can never learn too much.”
Extension M A T T E R S 17
SUCCESSFUL SOYBEAN SEASON Row-crop farmers all over Mississippi have harvested their soybeans, the Magnolia State’s top row crop in 2015. That year, Mississippi farmers brought in 2.27 million acres of soybeans with a production value of approximately $1.03 billion. Soybean specialists with the Mississippi State University Extension Service are forecasting another favorable harvest in 2016. PHOTO BY KEVIN HUDSON
18 Extension M A T T E R S
Extension M A T T E R S 19
Libby Beard, owner
L ibby Beard admits she didn’t know much about horticulture when she became co-owner of the Vicksburg nursery her mother-in-law opened in the early 1980s. “Before my husband, Glen, and I bought the business in 2002, I had an office job,” Libby explains. “Glen had worked with his mother since he was a teenager and has managed the landscaping part of the business since he earned his landscape license. But I knew very little about plants, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and the other products we sold.” Although she was familiar with the day-to-day administrative duties at the Flower and Nursery Center, she knew she would need guidance to learn the horticultural aspects of the business. She had help from several sources, but she also relied heavily on the expertise and resources provided by the Mississippi State University Extension Service. “In the beginning, I asked a lot of questions and spent a lot of time just reading labels on our products,” Libby says. “Any time I came across something I needed to know or better understand, I could pick up the phone and call our county Extension agent. “I was also very fortunate to have a wonderful sales representative who helped me learn about the products and their uses. (My motherin-law) Ms. Bobbie, of course, taught me some things, and our
GROWING A BUSINESS Extension Helps Business Solve Problems
STORY BY SUSAN COLLINS-SMITH PHOTOS BY KEVIN HUDSON
20 Extension M A T T E R S
customers helped me learn a lot about the different plants,” she says. During their 14 years at the store, Libby and Glen have built a strong relationship with the Extension Service that helps them better serve customers and solve problems at the nursery. Anna McCain, Warren County Extension agent, says the Beards and their employees are regular participants in Extension horticultural programs.
“Libby and Glen depend on the Extension Service to stay informed about any issues that might affect their business, such as new or potentially devastating pests and diseases,” McCain says. “Extension helps them stay aware of current issues in Mississippi horticulture that could affect their customers’ choices of plants or other products, or problems customers might experience in their landscapes.” Libby and Glen often call on the Extension Service for help with issues customers bring to them at the nursery, including how to address pests and diseases. “We use Anna’s knowledge and networks as a resource on a regular basis,” Libby says. “Any time we have a customer with a pest or disease we don’t recognize or are having trouble controlling, we call her. We refer customers’ questions and send her pictures of suspected diseases all the time. She is always willing to help, whether
SOIL TESTING FAST FACTS
it’s a customer with an issue or a problem we’re having at the nursery.” The Beards know soil testing is essential to maintaining a healthy
The Mississippi State University Extension Service Soil
landscape, and they encourage their customers to use Extension’s
Testing Laboratory offers soil analysis to help homeowners
soil-testing kits that they keep on hand at the store. The Extension
and farmers solve plant fertility problems in turf, row crops,
Service conducts inexpensive soil tests to help homeowners and
and vegetable and flower gardens.
farmers understand why plants aren’t performing well and to choose fertilizers. “Checking the soil health is very helpful,” Libby says. “You need to know what is going on underneath your soil before you plant or if plants are struggling. It will tell you if you need to amend the soil or if you need fertilizer, and, if so, what kind and how much, depending on the plants you want or already have.
n Pick up soil-testing kits and instructions at your county Extension office. n Gather samples as instructed for crops, home gardens, and lawns. n Take soil samples at least every 3 years, when you plant
“Soil testing can save you a lot of heartache and money. I told
something new, or when problems occur. Late summer
Anna not too long ago that I’m so glad that more people are using
and early fall are good times to take routine soil samples.
this service,” she adds. “We’ve had many more customers choose to test their soil this year.”
n Allow the soil to drain after a rain before sampling. Too much moisture can affect proper sampling. If you can till it, you can sample it. n Get results in 3 to 5 days. n Visit your county Extension office or the MSU Extension Service website at http://www.extension.msstate.edu/ lawn-and-garden/soil-testing for complete details and instructions.
Extension M A T T E R S 21
FROM INTROVERTED TO INVOLVED 4-H Broadens Interests and Opportunities STORY BY KERI COLLINS LEWIS
• PHOTOS BY KEVIN HUDSON Teressa Sykes (left) and daughter Noelle Fields, 4-H’er
22 Extension M A T T E R S
4-H has been opening doors to new
“All I could think was, ‘Oh my gosh!
club she volunteers with,” Sykes explains.
opportunities for more than 100 years.
Governor Phil Bryant just commented on
“She said we’d find positive kids and
But not everyone can say 4-H
my picture!’” she recalls with a laugh.
good role models, and that Noelle would
involvement led to being recognized by
Considering that Noelle had been uninterested in leaving her house just a
the governor of Mississippi. When senior 4-H’er Noelle Fields
year before, she had come a long way in a short time.
traveled to Jackson from Amory to represent her 4-H club on Legislative Day, she never dreamed that she would not only meet Governor Phil Bryant, but that he would recognize her.
From Introverted to Involved During the second semester of her
After delivering his speech, the
ninth-grade year, Noelle’s mother,
governor mingled with the crowd, smiled
Teressa Sykes, noticed a significant
at her, and said, “That’s you!” gesturing
change in her only child. Normally a
to a 4-H banner on display. “Cool
happy, albeit shy student, Noelle had
picture!”
become withdrawn and depressed because
At that moment, 16-year-old Noelle
she was being bullied at school. Sykes
was grateful for the communication-skills
confided in a friend and asked for advice.
training that allowed her to chat casually
“Teresa Roberts is a good friend of
while her brain was on overload.
mine, and she told me about the 4-H
be encouraged to pursue her interests and give back to the community. I signed her up immediately. I didn’t even ask Noelle!” Noelle joined the Consolidated 4-H Club in Lee County, which is open to members from any school or county. “My first project was public speaking,” she remembers. “I was well prepared because my club leaders host workshops so we can practice, and they edited my speech on childhood obesity. I was nervous even though I was prepared, because it was outside my comfort zone. I never would have gotten up in front of people before.” Noelle won first place.
“Now they call her and want to know why she’s so busy and how she’s gotten to travel and do so many exciting things. It’s all because of 4-H.” TERESA ROBERTS
Extension M A T T E R S 23
From that initial success, doors began flying open, and Noelle ran through them. She started a service project collecting eyeglasses for people who cannot afford them. She chose 4-H contests and projects that helped her become more comfortable in front of large groups and tested her communication skills. Her path to 4-H came full circle when she began performing in an antibullying play with the 4-H State Technology Team under the direction of Dr. Linda Mitchell, a regional coordinator for the
Front and Center Because of 4-H, Noelle learned to think strategically about her future. “A class on branding and entrepreneurship made me think about how I want to present myself and how
skills and grown friendships with other young people. She is now a cheerleader at Amory High School and a member of Amory Students for Change, Future Business Leaders of America, and Hosta, a club that visits local nursing homes.
I want the public to see me,” she says.
When the 4-H club meets, Noelle
“Because of 4-H, I understand it’s not
is no longer the shy new kid hanging
just about me; I am representing the
out on the edge of the action, volunteer
people who helped me get where I am.
Teresa Roberts says.
First impressions are everything, because I represent myself and my club.” Noelle’s first year of 4-H culminated
MSU Extension Service. In addition to
at the 2016 Club Congress, when she
presenting the play at local elementary
successfully ran for the office of state
schools and at community events, Noelle
reporter.
traveled to Washington, D.C., and New
Noelle has developed leadership
“I got to use my communication skills
“She’s the center of attention. She keeps everyone laughing,” Roberts shares. As for the bullies, Noelle shakes her head. “They don’t bother me anymore. I don’t feed into that,” she says. “Now they call her and want to know
York City. Through more than 200
from doing public speaking to persuade
why she’s so busy and how she’s gotten
hours of volunteer service, Noelle earned
people to vote for me. It was fun,” she
to travel and do so many exciting things,”
Congressional bronze and silver medals.
remembers.
Roberts says. “It’s all because of 4-H.”
24 Extension M A T T E R S
FINDING THE WAY
Soybean Producer Overcomes Adversity STORY BY LEAH BARBOUR
• PHOTOS BY KEVIN HUDSON
Keith Morton, soybean producer
Extension M A T T E R S 25
In 1999, Keith Morton had to decide whether he was going to continue farming. He was already deeply in debt, thanks to the loan he received following the 1995 cotton disaster. The years to finish out the century weren’t great, and 1999 was abysmal. That year, Keith farmed more than 1,000 acres scattered over 20 miles in Blue Mountain and Falkner, small Tippah County towns. When he first drove a tractor onto those 400 Falkner acres, Keith says he felt like the Lord meant for him to consolidate his farming operation there. That plot generated the only profit Keith earned that year. However, he hadn’t made enough money to receive continued financing from the bank. Keith sat down to talk about the
Application of Research and Technology
“Extension specialists helped us learn
future with his wife, Beth. He could work
yield-improvement initiative developed
how to lower costs and increase profit,”
in the furniture factory, he told her, but
and delivered by the Mississippi State
he explains. “With no-till, you can get
the salary wouldn’t make a dent in their
University Extension Service. She cut it
your seed into the moist ground in a
loan payments.
out and showed it to Keith. He called
more timely manner. With skip-row
“We were so broke,” he remembers.
Extension to find out if Morton Farms
cotton, you’re planting six rows instead
“We were in a dire financial situation, and
Inc. could participate during the 2000
of eight, and your down-the-row inputs
it didn’t look like we were going to be able
growing season.
are reduced. So we saved money on seed
to make another crop. I did some prayerful
“Alan Blaine was the Extension
consulting with the Lord; Beth was
soybean specialist. His goal was for us to
teaching me to pray. We studied the Bible.
produce soybeans at lower cost and make
and chemical, and we increased our cotton yields on a per-acre basis.” He developed a network of Extension
greater profit,” Keith says. “Once we got
professionals who answer a myriad of
going to be a better day. I confirmed that
SMART implemented on a few fields, it
production-related questions. Irrigation
I was supposed to be farming and that
was a great benefit—we made 40 bushels
specialist Jim Thomas offered drainage
the Lord would show me there’s a better
an acre. Doing things the old way gave us
expertise, plant pathologist Billy Moore
way to do this. So, me and Beth said,
between 27 and 33 per acre.”
gave input on plant varieties, and
“It gave me hope—to know that there’s
‘What can we do?’” Beth saw an article about the SMART program, the Soybean Management by
26 Extension M A T T E R S
With Extension assistance, Keith
marketing specialist Jim Quinn taught
incorporated no-till seed sowing, along
how to base crop sales on production
with skip-row cotton planting.
averages.
Connected to the Commodity Community Keith Morton is a member of several state and local organizations:
n Mississippi Farm Bureau Soybean Commodity Committee Chair n Mississippi Land Bank Board of Directors n Mississippi Soybean Association Board of Directors n Mississippi Soybean Promotion Director n Tippah County Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors
With Beth’s full support, Keith
and they looked at our books and our
Keith credits the Lord, first and
continued improving his methods by
improvements. They were confident we
foremost, for his many successful years of
participating in Extension research
could make it work.
row-crop farming. Next is his wife, Beth,
and education programs even as his
“Now, we have roughly 3 miles
who helped him rediscover his faith and
original network of specialists and agents
from the south end to the north end of
has been his steady support through the
changed. Though the Mortons stopped
contiguous farmland,” he adds.
good times and bad. Finally, Keith says
Keith appreciates all that Extension
Extension gave him the education he
continued farming soybeans and wheat.
has done for him, so he participates as
needed to increase yields and profits.
Later, they added corn.
a producer-cooperator in the annual
raising cotton in the early 2000s, they
“Extension has been key to the success
official variety trials for soybeans, he says.
of our farm. First in my life comes the
to buy the Falkner acres and build their
He consults with Extension specialists
Lord. Then Beth. Then Extension,” he
family’s home.
Dr. Angus Catchot, Dr. Darrin Dodds,
laughs. “In 2000, it was just me and her,
Dr. Trent Irby, and Dr. Eric Larson. Keith
and we took everything we had to the
said, ‘Are you interested in selling?’ By
attends the MSU Row Crops Short Course
field, and we made it work.
the end of the year, we had negotiated
every year.
Finally, Keith and Beth were ready
“In 2003, we went to the landlord and
the terms, and, by 2004, we owned
“Extension is true education. I
“We’re truly thankful we eat much better today than we did then. It took
the property, 5 years after I first drove
participate in everything Extension
patience and faith and a little help from
onto it,” Keith says. “We went to the
offers that teaches me more about being a
Extension.”
Mississippi Land Bank for the loan,
farmer,” Keith says.
Extension M A T T E R S 27
INSPIRING CHILDREN’S LOVE OF READING Agents and specialists with the Mississippi State University Extension Service Center for Technology Outreach, along with Extension Director Dr. Gary Jackson, joined thousands of volunteers in Mississippi to Read Across America. Extension agents, faculty, and staff with the center read to more than 4,000 children across Mississippi. The annual event allows adults to promote the importance of literacy by celebrating reading with children. Read Across America is celebrated annually on the birthday of children’s author Dr. Suess. Literacy and reading are key to helping Mississippians adopt and expand their use of technology, says Sonya Smith, curriculum specialist with the Center for Technology Outreach. Volunteers from the center who read with children received positive feedback from schools, and center leaders plan to participate annually in the future. First implemented in 1998, Read Across America is sponsored by the National Education Association.
DEFEATING DIABETES TOGETHER The Mississippi State University Extension Service is training staff to deliver the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Diabetes Prevention Program in 18 counties and at MSU’s main campus in Starkville. The program, begun by the CDC and funded by a grant from the Mississippi State Department of Health, teaches participants how to prevent diabetes through lifestyle modifications, including weight control and physical activity. Participants will meet together
28 Extension M A T T E R S
1 hour per week over 16 weeks, then once each month for the following 6 months, for a total of 1 year. Dr. David Buys, Extension state health specialist, and Dr. Brent Fountain, state human nutrition specialist, are training the 20 Extension professionals who will deliver the program. To learn more about Extension’s Diabetes Prevention Program, contact Buys at (662) 325-3060 or david.buys@msstate.edu.
AG ECONOMICS EXPERT NAMED DEPARTMENT HEAD He’s a longtime educator with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and the MSU Department of Agricultural Economics. Now, Dr. Keith Coble, the William L. Giles Distinguished Professor, is the permanent head of agricultural economics. He had served as interim leader of the department since January 2016. “Dr. Coble is a national leader in agricultural economics, and I am very excited about his leadership for the department,” says Dr. Gary Jackson, director of the MSU Extension Service. Coble is internationally recognized for his work in agricultural risk management and crop insurance. His insurance analyses and studies have impacted U.S. crop insurance premiums, and he has coauthored more than 50 reports for government agencies. “The agricultural economics department at Mississippi State has a great past, and I believe it has a great future,” Coble emphasizes. “I applied for this job because of the outstanding students and faculty at the university and the great opportunities we have to impact Mississippi and the world.”
DEER-HUNTING APP UPGRADE FOR ANDROIDS The Deer Hunt app, a popular, free mobile application, is updated with new functions and available for Android devices, as well as iPhones, just in time for deer season. Developed by the Mississippi State University Extension Service and MSU Deer Lab, with support from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, the app enables hunters and wildlife managers to record their observations in the field. Individuals or hunting clubs can record what they see while deer hunting, as well as their harvest data. Users can view summaries of the deer seen and harvested to better understand population trends. Hunters with the app may also access weather information, including wind speed and direction, to help them discover the best locations in the field for deer-sighting opportunities. Deer researchers expect that the information will provide insights into deer behavior and movements, which will allow Mississippi hunters and wildlife professionals to better manage wildlife populations. Download the app today from http://www.msudeer.com.
Extension M A T T E R S 29
STAYING ON TOUR
Mississippi Farm Celebrates Agritourism Success STORY BY NATHAN GREGORY
Don and Jo Lynn Mitchell, owners
30 Extension M A T T E R S
• PHOTOS BY KEVIN HUDSON
Dennis and Nelda Mitchell planted the
emphasizes; it put agritourism on the
first row crops on their farm in 1960, but
Mississippi map.
the feature that now draws thousands of
“Extension has gotten agritourism
visitors annually to the 1,500-acre farm
happening in Mississippi,” she says. “I’m
celebrates its 10th birthday this year.
an example of that.”
Mitchell Farms in Collins branched
Extension officials began making a
into agritourism beginning in 2006, two
push in 2005 to encourage Mississippi
years after the farm owners’ son, Don,
producers to create activities near their
married Jo Lynn Mitchell. She oversees
farms to attract visitors, educate the
this component of the farm, which hosts
general public about the importance of
school field trips, church groups, and
agriculture, and create new attractions
individual visitors wanting to tour the
and local revenue streams.
“Extension has gotten agritourism happening in Mississippi. I’m an example of that.” JO LYNN MITCHELL
Association board, which gave her and several Extension professionals on the
grounds. Its major nationwide tourism
“The farm received a notice of an
draw is the Mississippi Peanut Festival,
agritourism meeting in Jackson, and
board opportunities to see how well-
which Mitchell says allows visitors to
my family sent me there to see what it
established agritourism operations in
“take a step back in time and tour a
was about,” Mitchell explains. “I didn’t
other states succeed.
working farm with turn-of-the-century
know what agritourism was, and, having
antiques.”
married into the family, I mainly just
opened the door to me starting this
knew we had row crops and a U-pick
venture,” she says. “They sponsored
University Extension Service with helping
operation. I met with Extension leaders
workshops, took trips to farms, and
her develop an agritourism business plan,
and agents there, came back home, and
used their connections with schools to
get it started, and grow her venture into a
told the family this was something I
put me in touch with teachers to find
nationally known brand.
wanted to do.”
out how I could offer them what they
She credits the Mississippi State
Extension not only helped her put her mark on the family business, Mitchell
Soon, Mitchell was nominated to be on the Mississippi Agritourism
“Working with Extension is what
would want students to see on field trips. Extension encouraged us to set up this
Extension M A T T E R S 31
new component of the farm as a limitedliability company.
Mitchell saw the many visitors already visiting the farm as an opportunity for a
birthday parties to senior citizen groups,” Mitchell says.
“Agents came to our house and
head start. Some of the long-established
Covington County Extension
helped me figure out a place to start,
crops on the farm included peanuts and
Agent Carolyn Conger said she and
how to market the business, where to
vegetables. She started with what was
other Extension staff have assisted the
get insurance, and to learn what other
already there before adding new features
Mitchells when they’ve experienced
successful people in the industry are
piece by piece.
challenges with the production goals of
doing,” Mitchell adds. She also attributes the agritourism
Seasonally, the property now boasts a
the farm. Agents have also conducted
pine plantation, a pumpkin patch, a corn
variety trials on their property that have
feature’s success to her family’s open-
maze, and cabins built from resources
been helpful. Conger says the feature
mindedness and willingness to invest
already on the land. Classes can tour the
she is most impressed with there is the
time and resources in something new.
fields on a wagon to learn about farm
Mississippi Peanut Festival.
“The farm was already very successful
life and see how crops, including corn,
“Thousands of people come just for that
long before I arrived. Thousands of
peanuts, wheat, peaches, soybeans, and
event, and the number of people you see
people came each year to pick their own
blackberries, grow. It also features Tiny
on other days, dropping by there just to buy
vegetables, so we were already used to a
Town, which Don Mitchell developed as
peanuts, is unbelievable,” she says. “It’s
lot of people coming here,” she says. “I’m
a fun activity for children that features
phenomenal what Jo Lynn has developed
very lucky the family I married into is
small replicas of various types of structures.
there with the support of her family. I
full of visionaries who don’t mind taking
“My hope was to have something for
can’t find words to describe how much of a
chances as long as they see the potential
everybody, so we have features now that
success they’ve created with this venture. It
benefits being worth the risks.”
can host any activity, from children’s
has to be experienced firsthand.”
32 Extension M A T T E R S
Extension M A T T E R S 33
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTION If you discover termites inside your home, they’re probably already living in the foundation. You need a reliable, professional exterminator who knows exactly how and where to apply pesticide safely, killing the pests before they completely take over—and destroy—your home. Leaders in the pest control industry have long understood the importance of training their employees to select appropriate pesticides and apply them to the safest, most effective places, says Mississippi Pest Control Association President Richard Linley. “Pest control is like fishing: the people who are the most successful have the most information and understanding of what the fish are doing in the first place,” he emphasizes. “We need professionals to learn about the different types of construction, the spaces for drilling, the different chemicals, how they penetrate into the ground of the foundation, how the building is set up, and how the chemicals are going to disperse.” Offering this kind of specialized
Richard Linley, Mississippi Pest Control Association
training for termite pesticide application has been particularly challenging in Mississippi, Linley explains, because the state doesn’t have an in-depth training facility. Industry leaders like Linley, who
34 Extension M A T T E R S
Extension Partners to Take on Termites STORY BY LEAH BARBOUR
• PHOTO BY KEVIN HUDSON
also co-owns Northeast Exterminating
knowledge they need, they can provide
if they want to make a significant
LLC with his father, Jimmy, have been
consumers the protection they expect.
contribution to our facility,” Staggers
hoping for years to develop a local state-
“What I really do with Extension and
of-the-art training facility, but challenges
what I did as a landscape architect is to solve
the heart and soul of this facility. We’ve
and funding have always ended the
problems,” Merkl says. “All these entities—
been all over the Southeast touring and
project before it ever really began.
administrators with the pest control
learning about other similar facilities, as
association, entomologists working in
well as teaming up to ask for funding.
Not being one to give up easily, Linley
continues. “Gene Merkl is absolutely
contacted Mississippi State University
integrated pest management, and anyone
Extension Service Director Dr. Gary
interested in sustainable foundations in
all the way through. There is no facility
Jackson to discuss whether the project
building practices—have something in
such as this in the state of Mississippi,
might advance through Extension.
common: they all want this facility. So all
so this would be huge for our people and
Jackson supported the idea and agreed
I’m doing is connecting the pieces.”
our state,” Staggers adds.
to work collaboratively to develop a new
Together with the MSU Foundation
“He and I are going to see this project
After the facility receives formal
training facility. Jackson directed the
and development officer Will Staggers,
university approval, all the gift-givers can
project to Dr. Jeff Dean, head of the MSU
Merkl is coordinating outreach efforts to
be recognized according to their wishes,
Department of Biochemistry, Molecular
line up the donations necessary to make
and construction will begin.
Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology.
the facility a reality and to locate it on
This department also houses Extension’s
MSU’s Starkville campus.
Office of Pesticide Safety Education. After 35 years as a landscape architect,
“Gene’s gotten everyone together,”
“At the MPCA meeting, everyone was really upbeat; they think it must be the time to finally get this built,” Linley says.
Linley says. “MPCA knows him, and
“When they see the Extension Service
Gene Merkl joined MSU Extension as
we trust him. This facility will increase
working with industry leaders and the
an Extension associate, and he directs
public safety, as well as the value of the
entomology department, everyone wants
the Pesticide Safety Education program.
service itself. We already have tentative
to get involved.”
Linley says he’s known Merkl his whole
commitments of about $90,000.”
life; Merkl worked with Linley’s father. Merkl began his new position with
Because all on-campus facilities must
Consider making your donation to Extension today. Contact Staggers at
be approved through MSU’s design and
wstaggers@foundation.msstate.edu or
the immediate goal of connecting the
planning committee, the charitable giving
(662) 325-2837.
private sector to the public sector to
must remain “probable” until the building
build a termite pesticide-application
is formally approved, Staggers explains.
training facility. He believes that, when applicators are trained with the
“We can offer any donor visibility and exposure in the state of Mississippi
Extension M A T T E R S 35
NONPROFIT ORG. US Postage PAID Tupelo, MS Permit No. 290
Box 9625 Mississippi State, MS 39762
extension.msstate.edu @MSUExtService Mississippi State University Extension Service msuextservice msuextservice Mississippi State University Extension Service
Page 30
STAYING ON TOUR STORY BY NATHAN GREGORY
• PHOTOS BY KEVIN HUDSON
Don and Jo Lynn Mitchell, owners of Mitchell Farms, share how their agritourism business has grown into a nationally known brand.