Choctaw County Extension Office

When you choose to spend time with family grocery shopping, cooking, or being active you are HappyHealthy Living!



https://youtu.be/LxyQV0Q-4UQ

Packed with flavor, this Cabbage Stir Fry recipe is a great way to add vegetables to a meal.
http://happyhealthy.ms/recipes/cabbage-stir-fry



https://youtu.be/XJmSxujEJeg

Easy to make Overnight Oats with Blueberries recipe is perfect for breakfast or a snack.
http://happyhealthy.ms/recipes/overnight-oats-blueberries



https://youtu.be/hMrPgQRvTQE

Walking is a great way to be active, especially when joined by a friend. This Combo Walk video has great tips to help you start today.
http://happyhealthy.extension.msstate.edu/being-active-1



https://youtu.be/TTP-IVRqleQ

Photos from Choctaw County Master Gardeners's post

For a quick meal your family will love, try this Slow Cooker Whole Chicken and Vegetables recipe.
http://happyhealthy.extension.msstate.edu/recipes/slow-cooker-whole-chicken-and-vegetables



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HcjGcGoG-s

Today is a good day to start spending more time together as a family cooking, grocery shopping and being active. That’s what HappyHealthy Living is all about!
https://youtu.be/LxyQV0Q-4UQ

Chicken Broccoli Skillet recipe is easy to make and only uses one pan.
http://happyhealthy.extension.msstate.edu/recipes/chicken-broccoli-skillet



https://youtu.be/bU0I2nRW4Xo

This Quick Chili recipe is easy to make for your family on a fall day.
http://happyhealthy.extension.msstate.edu/recipes/quick-chili


https://youtu.be/rNQbRps6qXo

Photos from Winston County Extension Office's post

Packing lunch for work, grocery shopping or being active at home are all great ways to spend time together as a family - and that's HappyHealthy Living!
https://youtu.be/LxyQV0Q-4UQ

Photos from Choctaw County Master Gardeners's post

Children often are hungry on weekends; HappyHealthy invites you to donate healthy foods to local food pantries or organizations for Backpacks.
http://happyhealthy.ms/tips-videos/how-backpack-buddies.




https://youtu.be/4Kf_Jcmc1u4

This meeting is for anyone that has bees or looking to learn more about them.

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One of the sights I look forward to each year is goldenrod in full bloom.

Beginning in late August and peaking about the third week of September, goldenrods seem to be along the roadsides of every highway and in in every natural area and field. The masses of bright yellow are gorgeous, and it’s hard for me to consider the goldenrod as a w**d.

While I think of goldenrods as gorgeous and welcome, many people consider them to be the scourge of the fall allergy season. That belief is actually not true. Goldenrod is the victim of cause-and-effect reasoning: If your fall allergies peak when goldenrods are blooming all around, then it must be plant’s fault.

However, the real culprit is the ragw**d that blooms at the same time. We don’t see these tiny, inconspicuous flowers, but they produce loads of small pollen grains that are easily distributed by the wind. Ragw**d pollen wreaks havoc with the allergies of thousands of people.

I have said many times that many of our flowering ornamental plants are only one or two steps out of the ditch. Goldenrod is the perfect example of this line of thought.

Now, I will admit I probably wouldn’t plant the “wild-type” goldenrod in my home garden because it would be a wee bit too invasive. Wild goldenrods tend to be 4-foot-tall, unbranched plants. While the flower heads are arching, the plants themselves usually have a top heavy appearance.

I have noticed goldenrods blooming on shorter plants along highways, but these were probably mowed down in late spring.

An older selection that has an outstanding flowering habit is Fireworks goldenrod, which grows to 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. This plant naturally branches close to the ground, and flower clusters radiate out in all directions from these arching branches.

Read my full SG column here: http://ow.ly/2PtV50KOyKI

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How to keep your pumpkin decor looking its best! Although pumpkins have a long post-harvest life, factors like weather and the condition of the pumpkin can lead to early decomposition and rot.

Here are some tips to help extend the life of your pumpkins...

🎃One of the most important things you can do is find pumpkins with no surface damage. Don’t buy pumpkins with bruises and signs of rotting. Pumpkins without damage generally last longer than those with defects.

🎃Where you place your pumpkin display can also play a role in how long they will last. When setting up your fall decor, avoid wet areas. Find a spot that is well drained to avoid decomposition. Consider wiping down pumpkins with a 1-part bleach, 10-parts water solution to kill bacteria before setting them outside.

🎃The longevity of pumpkins is shortened once carved. After carving pumpkins, use petroleum jelly to help seal the exposed flesh. This seal will keep the pumpkins moist and create a barrier to bacteria. Coat any exposed surfaces, including the inside and the cut-out sections. A great alternative to carving pumpkins is painting them. Choosing to paint your pumpkins instead of puncturing them ensures that they stay fresh longer, since there will not be any cuts on the surfaces.

With just 3 ingredients, these Energy Bites are a perfect after school snack.
http://happyhealthy.ms/recipes/energy-bites



https://youtu.be/eIGu1r4BerE

Here are some ideas for Simple Family Fun so you can be more active with your family. All you need is 20-30 minutes.
http://happyhealthy.ms/being-active-3

https://youtu.be/k_OPElb_ncM

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Here's your gardening checklist for September!

Some tasks include:
❇️Apply preemergence herbicide for winter w**ds.
🌿Repot and prune houseplants.
🌱Sow hardy annuals like calendulas, annual pinks, snapdragons and sweet peas.
❌Stop feeding mums when blooms appear.
🥦Plant cool season vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, spinach and carrots.

Learn more about each of these tasks here: http://ow.ly/Cbih50Kyabg

Very excited to announce that our very own Choctaw County Master Gardeners have a new page!! Please give them a follow. They will be posting about gardening, MG events and much more!

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We are excited to share with you that Dr. Steve Martin is now serving as Interim Director of MSU Extension! He has been serving as our associate director for county operations since November 2021.

Dr. Martin has held several leadership roles during his time in Extension, and this administrative experience ensures leadership continuity for our organization.

“Extension has long been a pillar of MSU’s service mission, providing the university with a presence in every Mississippi county,” said Dr. Keith Coble, vice president for the MSU Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine “I know Extension will continue its important role under the interim leadership of Steve Martin.”

We look forward to continuing the important work of Extension under Dr. Martin’s leadership.

Are you ready to start HappyHealthy Living? Today is a great day to spend time together as a family cooking, grocery shopping and being active.
https://youtu.be/LxyQV0Q-4UQ

Use these tips for Handwashing so you stay healthy and your food is safe to eat.
http://happyhealthy.extension.msstate.edu/tips-videos/how-handwashing



https://youtu.be/YsnYdDbGWAk

An easy recipe for you and your family to make together! Fiesta Taco Pizza is perfect for lunch or dinner.
http://happyhealthy.extension.msstate.edu/recipes/fiesta-taco-pizza

https://youtu.be/CnuWO2r7EXY

One of the most important things you can do for your children's future is to spend time with them cooking, grocery shopping and being active. That's what HappyHealthy Living is all about!
https://youtu.be/-reSmHxnHTY

Check out ways your children can be active with this new Play It Up video.
http://happyhealthy.ms/being-active-11

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeeOMuBNFtM

Going back to school is a good time to start HappyHealthy Living. From after school snacks to spending time as a family cooking, grocery shopping and being active together, today is a great day to begin.

https://youtu.be/-reSmHxnHTY

HappyHealthy Living means spending quality time with your family and teaching them good habits about cooking, grocery shopping and being active. Today is a great day to start!
https://youtu.be/-reSmHxnHTY

HappyHealthy Living means spending quality time with your family and teaching them good habits about cooking, grocery shopping and being active. Today is a great day to start!
https://youtu.be/-reSmHxnHTY

For a quick snack and a new way to use chickpeas, try this Roasted Chickpeas recipe that's crunchy and delicious.

http://happyhealthy.ms/recipes/roasted-chickpeas

https://youtu.be/Y5sx8ug1pog

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Very excited to announce that the new Mississippi 4-H Rabbit Program is kicking off on Saturday, August 6 at Mississippi State University! Please invite any Mississippi youth that you think would be interested in raising or exhibiting rabbits.

The kickoff event will cover the basics of:
🐰rabbit management
🐰rabbit selection
🐰rabbit showmanship
🐰and more

Registration cost is $15 and the event will include lunch. Contact your local Mississippi State University Extension Service agent or Cobie Rutherford to register.

Find your Extension office here: http://extension.msstate.edu/county-offices
Cobie's contact info: http://extension.msstate.edu/ctr-4-h-youth-development/mr-cobie-rutherford-jr

Being active for 20 minutes each day makes you feel better and relieves stress. Use the Aim for 20 video to get started.

http://happyhealthy.ms/being-active-2

https://youtu.be/2G0d_M_Nd1o

Try this great summertime recipe - Baked Tomatoes - a great way to add flavor and vegetables to a meal.


http://happyhealthy.ms/recipes/baked-tomatoes

https://youtu.be/fKH84Z89JUs

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For most Halloween pumpkin varieties, it's best to plant seed in early to mid-July!

Did you know? Pumpkins belong to the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae, along with watermelons, summer squash, and zucchini. They are a good source of vitamin A and fiber but are mostly desired for their decorative value.

This publication covers:
🎃Climate/Soils
🎃Planting
🎃Fertilizing
🎃Maintenance
🎃Varieties
🎃Harvesting
🎃and more!

READ HERE: http://ow.ly/6Emj50JS07M

Try this Spring Roll in a Bowl recipe that's quick to make and packed with flavor.
http://happyhealthy.ms/recipes/spring-roll-bowl



https://youtu.be/Un88pgjLof0

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Did you remember? July 4th is one of the holiday reminders to apply baits for fire ants! Granular baits are an easy, inexpensive way to reduce the number of mounds on your property by 80 to 90 percent.

You can use these holidays as reminder dates to apply bait:
🔹Easter
🔹Independence Day
🔹Labor Day

(Remember one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to management. Certain treatment products shouldn’t be used near food crops, pets, and livestock.)

Learn more by reading our blog post: http://ow.ly/RyNQ50E9GDs ❌🔥🐜

Here's a Quick Lasagna recipe that's easy to prepare for your family.
http://happyhealthy.ms/recipes/quick-lasagna



https://youtu.be/CqNCh_Nvc_A

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Blueberry pruning reminder! There are a few different ways to prune blueberries, depending on what you want to achieve with your plants. But the most important thing is to prune each year after harvest. Pruning creates new wood where flower buds develop.

🔹Prune blueberries anytime after harvest, but before August 1 to ensure flower buds will have time to mature before the onset of fall and winter.

🔹Pruning is a stress on the bush, so keep them watered and fertilized to make sure they recover and continue to grow at the right rate.

🔹The best way to determine what kind and how much fertilizer to use is to do a soil test. For the best results, pull samples from underneath the bushes. (MSU Extension offers soil testing. Contact your local MSU Extension office for details.)

🎥You can watch our blueberry pruning tutorial video and find more resources here: http://ow.ly/7cR050JKaVi

Congrats on retirement, Juli! Here’s a couple of pics from her surprise retirement party😃For almost 30 years, Juli has made a positive impact in our community through the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

She has been an outstanding Extension agent and has done her part to “extend knowledge and change lives.” We wish her the absolute best as she retires. Thanks for everything, Juli!! Enjoy retirement!

Hughes leaves legacy of service through Extension Service

Hughes leaves legacy of service through Extension Service Juli Hughes has enjoyed a long and rewarding career with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. For nearly 29 years, she’s been happily working, based in her native Choctaw County.

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Are you planning to can fruits and vegetables this year? Whether you’re new to canning or you’ve done it for years, Extension has resources to help you make sure it’s done safely.

➡️You can always reach out to your local MSU Extension agent for advice. Another great resource is the Complete Guide to Home Canning Extension publication. You can access it here: http://ow.ly/tfjm50JFk92

Slow Cooker Pot Roast is a family favorite and easy to make. Try this new recipe today that you can prepare ahead.

http://happyhealthy.ms/recipes/slow-cooker-pot-roast

https://youtu.be/8Lw0Qq3zvDc