Lincoln County Extension Office

07/31/2026

This summer our office was proud to host Mississippi State University Extension Service intern Kayla Barfield. Kayla is a recent Mississippi State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Science.

During her internship, Kayla gained valuable insight into Extension and the day-to-day responsibilities of an Extension Agent. She assisted with several Extension programs, including Kids in the Kitchen, Ag Camp, and Project Achievement Day.

As part of the internship experience, each intern was asked to plan, implement, and evaluate a program. For her project, Kayla created M.O.V.E. Mississippi, a college and career readiness program focused on Mentorship, Opportunities, Vocation, and Exploration.

M.O.V.E. Mississippi was designed to increase participants’ confidence through hands-on education related to mentorship, career readiness, and post-secondary pathways. The program encouraged participants to explore future career options while learning about various careers, interview skills, and the importance of working toward their professional goals.

As Kayla begins the next chapter, best wishes are extended for continued success. Her contributions this summer will be remembered with sincere appreciation.

07/04/2026

07/01/2026

Heat-related illness can be life threatening. So, it’s important to know what to look for in yourself or someone else and treat it right away.

The symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke are similar. Both are serious conditions, but in the case of a heat stroke, you need to get immediate medical attention.

Take these steps to prevent heat-related illness:

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Sports drinks can replace salt and minerals lost in sweat. Avoid alcohol, high-sugar drinks, and very cold drinks.

Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Tight clothing doesn’t allow sweat to evaporate properly and can cause you to overheat.

Avoid outdoor activities in the hottest part of the day. Do yard work or exercise when it is coolest – in the morning and evening.

Eat cool, light food. Hot, heavy meals raise your body temperature.

Learn more here: https://extension.msstate.edu/blogs/extension-for-real-life/how-recognize-heat-related-illness

06/08/2026

Calling All Future Wildlife Biologists and Habitat Managers!

If you know a young person who loves hunting, wildlife, or spending time outdoors, the Mississippi 4-H Food Plot Contest is an opportunity they won't want to miss.

This hands-on project gives youth ages 8-18 the chance to learn the fundamentals of wildlife habitat management by establishing and monitoring their own food plot.

Participants will:
✅ Collect and submit a FREE soil sample
✅ Receive their food plot seed at no cost
✅ Prepare and plant a food plot of up to ⅛ acre
✅ Install an exclusion cage and monitor rainfall
✅ Observe wildlife use through tracks, trail cameras, and other signs
✅ Keep records just like professional wildlife managers and researchers

This is more than a contest. It's a chance to experience the science behind managing habitat for deer and other wildlife while developing skills in record keeping, observation, and stewardship.

Whether they dream of becoming a wildlife biologist, working in natural resources, or simply want to improve the hunting property they enjoy with family and friends, this project offers real-world experience and a deeper understanding of how quality habitat is created.

🏆 Prizes will be awarded at both the district and state levels, and registration is only $10.

Stop by your local Extension office for more information or scan the QR code below to register.

05/08/2026

Celebrating Glenda Kees for 27 years of outstanding service with MSU Extension as Lincoln County’s Office Associate. Your work has strengthened our programs, supported our people, and made a lasting impact. Thank you for your excellence and dedication.
Wishing you all the best in your next chapter... retirement.

05/04/2026

Congratulations to our Family Health and Wellness Agent Latoya Evans!!

📣Join us today as we celebrate LATOYA EVANS as part of the 🎉NEAFCS 31 Days of Magic Member Spotlight Campaign! Help us recognize this magical member by sharing your congratulations in the comments! 💙

04/27/2026

If you’ve heard an unusual buzzing or droning sound outdoors lately, or come across a few large cicadas, you may be seeing early emergers from Brood XXIII.

Periodical cicadas are different from the annual cicadas we hear every summer. These insects spend 13 years underground as nymphs, then emerge in large numbers during their scheduled brood year. For our area, the next major emergence of Brood XXIII is expected in 2028.

Why are some showing up now?

A small number can emerge early due to soil temperature, weather patterns, tree removal, soil disturbance, or natural developmental variation. It does not mean the full brood is arriving yet.

What to know:

• They are harmless to people and pets
• They do not sting or bite
• Their loud calls are males attracting mates
• Birds, wildlife, and curious dogs may see them as free snacks

Should you worry about trees?

A few scattered early emergers are usually not a concern. Large brood years can cause minor twig injury on young trees when females lay eggs, but 2028 would be the time to watch for that.

04/15/2026

Making the Most of a Dry Spring: Ryegrass Hay Season

While an unseasonably dry spring presents challenges for many producers, it has offered one silver lining, excellent weather for putting up ryegrass hay.

Ryegrass can produce high-quality forage, but it requires a different approach than harvesting warm-season grasses like bermudagrass or bahiagrass.

What Makes Ryegrass Hay Different?

• Higher moisture content means it takes longer to dry.
• Tedding or fluffing is essential to promote air circulation and speed curing.
• Ample drying time is critical to prevent mold and preserve forage quality.
• Cool-season growth habits result in softer stems and dense windrows that require careful management.

Unlike summer hay, ryegrass demands patience and favorable weather but the payoff is worth it.

Why It Matters

When properly cured and stored, ryegrass hay provides high-quality winter forage with excellent palatability and nutritional value for cattle. It’s an investment that can reduce supplementation needs and support herd performance during the colder months.

A dry spring may not be ideal for every crop, but it certainly makes for outstanding hay-making conditions.

04/02/2026

Join the Challenge!

At Mississippi State University Extension Service, we believe movement is medicine—and walking is just the beginning!!

Magnolia Moves Activity Challenge is an individual or team‑based health and wellness program that encourages people of all ages to increase physical activity and adopt healthier eating habits.

There is no cost to join this 6-week activity program, and you set the pace and choose the activities that you participate in throughout the six weeks. Open to participants of all ages, the program invites you to connect with your community, explore creative ways to stay active, and rediscover the joy of everyday movement.

The challenge officially kicks off on April 20!

Just download the MoveSpring app and it will seamlessly sync with a wide range of wearable devices, including your iPhone, Apple Watch, Apple Health, Android, Google Health Connect, Fitbit, and more. With automatic tracking, your movements and activities are captured by default, giving you a clear, real-time view of your progress and achievements. An alternative to the app is a desktop version that is available.

Need some encouragement? There will be weekly drawings for prizes!

Also, 4-H’ers and other young people who participate in this Magnolia Moves program can count their activity hours towards our nation’s highest youth honor, the Congressional Award.

Find out more about joining the Magnolia Moves Activity Challenge: https://extension.msstate.edu/magnolia-moves