Extension Matters: Volume 9 Number 2

Missy Brandon remembers gathering countless bouquets of the tiny blue-eyed bluets that grew in her parents’ yard when she was a child. She would place them in a miniature pottery vase made by her mom, who taught art and ceramics. Growing up, Missy gathered and arranged any and all kinds of blooms she could find.

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Jacob Turner has been a 4-H member since he was old enough to join.

Oktibbeha County native and former 4-H’er Janiece Pigg has a passion for Extension and 4-H that continues to grow in her current role with University of Tennessee Extension. Her experience in Mississippi 4-H allowed her to build a career devoted to understanding different people and how culture impacts education and leadership.

Sledge Taylor is no stranger to cover crops —he first planted vetch on 100 acres of his Panola County farmland in 1979—but he has ramped up his cover crop usage and added other sustainable agricultural practices over the past 15 years.

The 2023 Dixie National Junior Round-Up, held annually in February at the Jackson fairgrounds, hosted 1,257 young people, including more than 1,000 4-H’ers, showing 2,153 head of livestock. Animals shown included beef and dairy cattle; meat, dairy, and Boer goats; hogs; and lambs. In addition, 4-H hosted its first-ever rabbit show.

Rev. Dr. Manney Murphy has known for years that serving his community is his calling. Even after years of making a difference in Warren County, Murphy recently felt led to return to his father’s hometown of Yazoo City. Now, he’s working to change how Mississippians of all ages in the Delta are accessing and receiving healthcare.

Mississippi State University and partners have been awarded a grant of nearly $6.6 million from the National Fish and Wildlife Federation for shoreline restoration work on the Gulf Coast.

Paul Cavanaugh became a Master Gardener when he came off the road as a truck driver and his wife encouraged him to find a hobby.

Imagine what Mississippi might look like if everyone had access to healthy foods. The state could set an example for other rural states in using existing resources, collaborating with officials and stakeholders, and creating solutions that have measurable impacts for individuals and families.

Former U.S. senators, award-winning authors, and influential musicians have called Carrollton home, so it makes sense that town leaders lean on those credentials to lure visitors to the town to generate revenue.

Thanks to Dr. Eddie Smith for taking care of what matters to all the Southern Gardening fans out there!

The 4-H Poultry Chain Project regularly receives generous donations from organizations across the state, but the project has never received a donation quite like Southern AgCredit’s pledge of $25,000 over 5 years.