Monroe County Extension Office

Monroe County Extension Office

Special guests Hamilton Jr FFA officers presenting their opening ceremonies at tonight’s Cattlemen’s meeting!

Hamilton FFA officers had the privilege to open the Monroe County Cattleman's Association tonight. #MSFFA 💙🐮💛

Monroe County 4H

‼️MONROE COUNTY TALENT SEARCH‼️
If you know someone ages 8-18 that is talented in vocal, instrumental, dance, drama, reading/writing poetry, or a combination, please share this! There will be a talent search on Wednesday, March 11 at the Monroe County Extension Office. The top 3 jr. acts (8-13 as of Jan. 1) will advance to District Project Achievement Day and the top 3 sr acts (14-18 as of Jan. 1) will advance to 4-H Club Congress!

Sports Field Management Workshop-Columbus | Mississippi State University Extension Service

REMINDER of a good training/workshop event coming up.

extension.msstate.edu STAY IN THE GAME THE BEST-MANAGED FIELDS ARE THE SAFEST COME TO EXTENSION'S SPORTS FIELD MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP! 8:30 a.m.–2:15 p.m. (Lunch included.) Tuesday, February 18, 2020 MSU Extension Office in Lowndes County 485 Tom Rose Road Columbus, MS 39703 Though registration is NOT required, please cal...

Ellen Harrell of Calhoun Co 4-H was the winner of the Booker T. Mims Sportsmanship Award for the Miss. Market Hog Show at the NE District Livestock Show this morning. Congratulations

Mississippi agriculture nears $7.4 billion | Mississippi State University Extension Service

extension.msstate.edu In 2019, Mississippi’s agricultural industry faced the prospect of dipping below $7 billion for the first time in eight years, but federal payments pushed its value up enough to post a slight gain over 2018. The estimated value of Mississippi agriculture in 2019 is $7.39 billion, a 0.2% gain from ...

Poultry retains the top spot in MS agriculture | Mississippi State University Extension Service

"Mississippi’s poultry industry maintained its 25-year streak in 2019 as the state’s No. 1 agricultural commodity."

extension.msstate.edu Overcoming every challenge that comes its way, Mississippi’s poultry industry maintained its 25-year streak in 2019 as the state’s No. 1 agricultural commodity.

Here are some photos from the work project with the Monroe County Master Gardeners and the Bartahatchie RCDC Club.

They updated the landscape in front of the Bartahatchie Community Center this past Monday. Thanks again for all that helped on the cooperative project. Congratulations to the communities new look for the center.

Great turn out for our Monroe County RCDC Awards Banquet yesterday evening. congratulations to all our RCDC clubs and their project awards.

Great program on flower decorating by Kayla Coggin- Dowden with the Monroe County Master Gardeners for their end of the year lunch and learn.

Careful prep can result in healthy, safe holiday meal | Mississippi State University Extension Service

"There is typically enough stress on Thanksgiving Day just getting the meal on the table at the right time, so reduce anxiety by testing the changes to favorite recipes ahead of time to make sure they produce the desired texture and flavor."

extension.msstate.edu A few, simple preparations can mean the difference between achieving a healthy success or suffering a major disaster during the traditional biggest meal of the year.

Christmas tree vendors try to keep up with demand | Mississippi State University Extension Service

extension.msstate.edu Mississippians pondering ideas for a side business could consider investing in land and planting stem cuttings of Leyland and Murray cypress trees.

Leaf structure explains marvel of fall color change | Mississippi State University Extension Service

extension.msstate.edu I am thoroughly thankful I made the move to coastal Mississippi a dozen years ago. One of my truly enjoyable fall pursuits happens after the temperature have gotten chilly. On bright, sunny fall days, I really like driving on Highway 90 to my office at the Coastal Research and Extension Center in Bi...

Shoot or Don't Shoot and let grow. That's the question for most hunters.

"Selective harvest to meet the specific needs of individual deer management programs requires that bucks be aged based on general physical characteristics." See publication attached for more details.

http://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/publications/p2206.pdf

http://extension.msstate.edu/natural-resources/wildlife

Christmas Trees

extension.msstate.edu Gathering around a Christmas tree with family to celebrate Christmas together is a tradition dating back to the 1500s. Since 1977, Mississippi Christmas tree growers have provided a large number of the trees used locally each year. In 1997, approximately 245,000 trees were sold with a retail value ...

Pecan yields good, demand strong | Mississippi State University Extension Service

“The crop volume-wise looks good. Most of the varieties are in an on-year, with pecan trees produce in alternating years. We’ll have a heavy crop, but quality could be hurting to some degree, especially for producers whose orchards aren’t irrigated." MD

extension.msstate.edu RAYMOND, Miss. -- Despite the weather challenges this year, most Mississippi pecan producers expect a good yield. However, a wet spring and late-summer drought could mean nut loss and lessened nut quality for some growers.

Hamilton FFA

Congrats to Isabella Markham for taking 1st place in Junior Prepared Public Speaking at the MS State Fair today in both the FFA and 4H divisions! So proud of our Junior President!

Mississippi’s Gift to Farmers | Mississippi State University Extension Service

extension.msstate.edu John McKee refers to the Mississippi State University Row Crop Short Course as a “convention of rock stars.”

Five more county burn bans approved

JACKSON, MISS. – The Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) has approved burn bans for Hinds, Jefferson, Madison, Scott and Wayne counties.

There are now 30 counties with approved burn bans in place. No outdoor burning of any kind is permitted in areas under a burn ban. Individuals caught violating a burn ban can face a fine of up to $500.

Follow this link for up-to-date information about current burn bans in Mississippi.

For more information, visit www.mfc.ms.gov. or like and follow @MSForestryComm on Facebook and Twitter.

This map shows the current #burnbans in place across Visit Mississippi. 36 counties total. The Mississippi Forestry Commission continues to encourage all Mississippians to postpone outdoor burning due to the dry conditions statewide. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/2m7lFeD. #MSforestry

Mississippi Forestry Commission

CORRECTED GRAPHIC: 17 counties currently under #burnbans in Visit Mississippi. Outdoor burning should be restricted. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/2mqxooL. #MSforestry #wildfireprevention

Small Ruminant Management: FAMACHA Training | Mississippi State University Extension Service

"FAMACHA training will educate small ruminant producers about parasite and forage management."
This program will train small ruminant, goat and sheep producers, in:
•Parasite Control using the FAMACHA System
•Strategic De-worming Methods
•Pasture and Forage Management
•Herd Management

extension.msstate.edu FAMACHA training will educate small ruminant producers about parasite and forage management. Target Audience(s): Small ruminant producers Objectives: This program will train small ruminant, goat and sheep producers, in:

MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Annual Report | Mississippi State University Extension Service

Mississippi 4-H is proud to offer programs and growth opportunities that put the heads, hearts, hands, and health of Mississippi's youth to work learning and applying the essential elements of the 4-H program: belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.

http://extension.msstate.edu/4-h

extension.msstate.edu Download the PDF above for more information.

Southern Gardening | Mississippi Citrus

extension.msstate.edu When I moved to Mississippi I got all excited because I could grow my own citrus. In the late fall/early winter I love going out into my “citrus grove” to enjoy fresh picked home-grown fruit. Satsuma, kumquat, Meyer lemon, Oh My! Citrus are perfectly happy growing in containers. I grow mine in 2...

What Is CWD?

CWD is a contagious, fatal, neurological disease that affects deer, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, and caribou. It causes a spongy degeneration of the brain of an infected animal. It also causes the animal to lose weight, which is why CWD is called a “wasting” disease.

CWD also causes the infected animal to behave in unusual ways, such as not being afraid of people. Eventually, the infected animal will lose control of its bodily functions and die soon after. CWD is always fatal.

CWD is one of a group of related diseases known as “transmissible spongiform encephalopathies” (TSEs). These diseases also include scrapie in sheep, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (also known as “mad cow” disease) in cattle, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which affects people.

In the United States, CWD was first recognized in captive mule deer in Colorado in 1967, but it was not understood to be a TSE until the 1970s. For more info.

http://extension.msstate.edu/natural-resources/wildlife/chronic-wasting-disease

"Planting wildlife food plots is a common practice, especially for white-tailed deer. Many landowners or club members believe that a properly managed habitat and deer herd includes planted food plots."

https://extension.msstate.edu/natural-resources/wildlife

2019 Vegetable Pest Management in High Tunnels and Greenhouses | Mississippi State University Extension Service

extension.msstate.edu MSU Extension will be offering two one-day workshops in 2019 that focus on pest management in vegetables grown in enclosed structures (high tunnels and greenhouses). The first workshop will be held at the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Raymond, MS, on Tuesday, August 27, 2019.

South Delta flood impacts are not short-lived - Mississippi Sportsman

“The impacts of the 2019 flooding in the South Delta will take years to fully appreciate. The concentration of deer for an extended period would have created an opportunity for CWD to spread."

ms-sportsman.com The catastrophic flood that has plagued Mississippi’s South Delta is affecting the the area’s wildlife, and it may take a decade to realize the full impact.

Aluminum boat start-up creating 75 new positions

A new boat company venture in Monroe County, with next generation Faulkner experience, which will mean new jobs in the Amory area.

djournal.com AMORY – The next generation of a familiar name in boat manufacturing is living out a dream through a new aluminum boat venture. On Tuesday, the official announcement was made

The Plant Doctor - Plant Disease and Fertilization | Mississippi State University Extension Service

“Some diseases that are made worse by too much nitrogen may at least be partially reduced by increasing potassium. This is true in grey mold in tomato and in some bacterial stem rot.“

extension.msstate.edu The Plant Doctor series: Plants must have a proper growing medium for healthy growth. Most often the growing medium is soil. To support healthy plant growth, soil must have the moisture, structure, pH, mix of organic matter, and available nutrients to meet the plant’s needs. A fertile soil is a we...

mississippi.growingamerica.com

"With the uncertainty and reduced yields of this year’s corn market, he indicated feedlot costs will be affected as well as the price of feed. Forage has been healthy but there have been challenges with hay."

mississippi.growingamerica.com

Christmas Tree Farm Association (SCTA) out today at Lowell Worthey Christmas Tree Farm in Hatley, MS (Monroe County)
Over 120 in attendance

5 fun ways to cook catfish without deep frying | Mississippi State University Extension Service

extension.msstate.edu U.S. farm-raised catfish is the star of August, National Catfish Month. Contrary to popular belief, deep-frying is not the only way to cook it – just the most familiar. But who wants to deal with the heat and mess when you can get a healthier meal with less effort? Not me! Here are some tips and r...

How to Take a Soil Sample - MSU Extension Service

Soil Test

"The soil test represents a vital piece of Mississippi State Extension outreach. If you are interested in improving soil fertility for farming, gardening, lawns or wildlife food plots you should get a soil test! Our analysis includes pH, lime recommendation, phosphorous (P), potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), and Sodium. Total soluble salts (TSS) are reported for all horticultural samples."
http://extension.msstate.edu/lawn-and-garden/soil-testing

Dr. Keith Crouse, Retired Soil Fertility Coordinator of Soil Testing Lab, Mississippi State University

Fruit and Nut Review - Blueberries | Mississippi State University Extension Service

"There are two general types of cultivated blueberries: highbush and rabbiteye. Blueberries are vigorous and productive throughout Mississippi. Their linear growth may exceed l0 feet."

extension.msstate.edu There are two general types of cultivated blueberries: highbush and rabbiteye. The native range of the highbush blueberry extends from Wisconsin eastward to Maine and southward to North Carolina. The rabbiteye is native to the Gulf Coast states and fruits well from eastern North Carolina, southward....

We wanted to reach out to let you know about the Digital Marketing Seminar next Tuesday, July 23rd , with the sessions starting at 11 AM and 1 PM at the Monroe Co. Extension Service office in Aberdeen, MS. We would invite you to come to both sessions, but if not, can you let us know if you will be coming for one or both.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Natural Resource Conservation in Agriculture | Mississippi State University Extension Service

"Recognition of soil as the fundamental component for food security represents a significant shift in the way we view and manage agricultural production. It’s important to understand that maintaining and rebuilding soil health, particularly organic matter, takes time. Inorganic nutrients are often required for ensuring sufficient crop yields and food security."

extension.msstate.edu A Landowner’s Guide for Environmental Stewardship in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley Acknowledgements

Disease and Insect Control for Homegrown Peaches and Plums | Mississippi State University Extension Service

extension.msstate.edu This publication provides information on how to identify pests and when to treat. It also includes a recommended spray schedule for disease and insect treatments based on stage of crop development.

Teacher Conservative Workshop today in Monroe County at Watkins Tree Farm in Aberdeen, MS.
18 teachers and students plus staff total of about 27-28 people there made a very good crowd at Bobby’s farm. They are receiving education on Pine Tree plantation management, hardwood and native species management, wildlife management, native birds and beekeeping, and much more.

Continued flooding keeps farmland out of production | Mississippi State University Extension Service

extension.msstate.edu Although numbers on paper look about right for Mississippi row crops, the reality is actually quite grim in places.

Monroe County 4H

Don't forget about the Monroe County Master Garden Plant Sale Saturday.

UAS technology helps assess tornado damage | Mississippi State University Extension Service

extension.msstate.edu HAMILTON, Miss. -- Determining the extent of tornado damage to farms in Monroe County will take weeks, but video shot from flying drones will speed up the process. Mississippi State University Extension Service personnel have been assisting in relief efforts since the morning after an EF-2 tornado o...