Smith County Extension Office

08/25/2026

🌻 Senior Citizens Day 2026! 💚

What a day! This past Friday, Smith County MCV and Smith County Extension hosted our annual Senior Citizens Day & Health Fair, and we could not have asked for a better celebration of some of Smith County’s very best! From fellowship and laughter to learning, connecting, and celebrating, the day was full of moments we’ll remember.

Our vendors brought so much to the event! From health and wellness resources to community services, helpful information, giveaways, and friendly faces, they gave our seniors the opportunity to connect with organizations and resources that can support them well beyond Senior Citizens Day. We are incredibly grateful for each organization that took the time to come out, set up, visit with our seniors, and be part of such a special day. 🌱

This year’s theme, “Planting Seeds of Healthy Living,” reminded us that it’s never too early—or too late—to invest in yourself. 🌱 Small, healthy choices made today can grow into a healthier, happier tomorrow. Through wellness, connection, and taking time to care for ourselves, we can plant seeds that strengthen not only individuals, but families and our entire community.

We were also honored to hear from Ms. Lauryl Joyner, Miss Madison County, whose service initiative, “Be the One,” beautifully connected with this year’s theme. Lauryl reminded us that meaningful change can start with just one person and one small step. When we invest in our health, well-being, and personal growth, we create opportunities for those seeds to grow—and inspire others to do the same. 🌻

A HUGE thank you to everyone who helped make this day possible! To our amazing vendors, generous donors, dedicated volunteers, speakers, entertainers, and everyone who contributed their time, talents, and resources—we truly could not have done it without you. 💚

From start to finish, Senior Citizens Day 2026 was one for the books! Thank you to everyone who showed up, participated, laughed, learned, and helped us celebrate the incredible senior adults who make Smith County such a special place.

Until next year… keep planting those seeds! 🌱💚

08/24/2026

🏈🌭 Ready to tailgate like a pro? 🌭🏈
Today!
Football season is almost here, and great game days start with safe food! Whether you're firing up the grill outside the stadium or cheering from your own backyard, a few simple food safety tips can keep your team—and your family—winning all season long.
Join us for Touchdown Tailgating: Food Safety for Game Day and learn how to:
🧼 Clean and sanitize food preparation areas properly
🥩 Prevent cross-contamination while preparing and serving food
🌡️ Keep foods in their safe temperature zones to reduce the risk of foodborne illness
🔥 Practice essential grill safety for a fun and safe tailgating experience
Not a football fan or don't tailgate? No problem! These are practical food safety skills you can use year-round for backyard barbecues, family gatherings, cookouts, holidays, and everyday meal preparation.
📅 August 24, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Smith County Extension Conference Room
📞 RSVP today by calling 601-782-4454 or emailing [email protected].
Don't let foodborne illness ruin your game day—join us and make food safety part of your winning playbook! 🏆🍔🏈

08/21/2026

Today! Happy Senior Citizens Day!!
Let us celebrate you!

🗓️Today, August 21st, 2026
⏰Check In at 10am, Program and begins at 11am
📍Charles Waldrup Ag Complex (132 Oil Field Rd Raleigh, MS 39153)

Well save you a seat! We hope to see you there! 🥳

🌱 TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY! 🌱

We can’t wait to welcome everyone to the Smith County Senior Citizens Day & Health Fair tomorrow, Friday, August 21! 💚

Join us for a wonderful day of fellowship, fun, health, and celebration as we come together under this year’s theme, “Planting Seeds of Healthy Living.” 🌻

📍 Smith County Ag Complex
⏰ Check-in begins at 10:00 AM
🍽️ Free lunch
❤️ Free health screenings
🎨 Arts & crafts
🎶 Entertainment
🎁 Door prizes & more!

Whether you’re a longtime friend of Senior Citizens Day or joining us for the first time, we’d love to see you there! Come ready to enjoy the day, connect with others, and celebrate the wonderful senior adults who make our community so special.

See you TOMORROW! 🌻💚

08/20/2026

🌱 TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY! 🌱

We can’t wait to welcome everyone to the Smith County Senior Citizens Day & Health Fair tomorrow, Friday, August 21! 💚

Join us for a wonderful day of fellowship, fun, health, and celebration as we come together under this year’s theme, “Planting Seeds of Healthy Living.” 🌻

📍 Smith County Ag Complex
⏰ Check-in begins at 10:00 AM
🍽️ Free lunch
❤️ Free health screenings
🎨 Arts & crafts
🎶 Entertainment
🎁 Door prizes & more!

Whether you’re a longtime friend of Senior Citizens Day or joining us for the first time, we’d love to see you there! Come ready to enjoy the day, connect with others, and celebrate the wonderful senior adults who make our community so special.

See you TOMORROW! 🌻💚

08/19/2026

🏈🌭 Ready to tailgate like a pro? 🌭🏈

Football season is almost here, and great game days start with safe food! Whether you're firing up the grill outside the stadium or cheering from your own backyard, a few simple food safety tips can keep your team—and your family—winning all season long.

Join us for Touchdown Tailgating: Food Safety for Game Day and learn how to:
🧼 Clean and sanitize food preparation areas properly
🥩 Prevent cross-contamination while preparing and serving food
🌡️ Keep foods in their safe temperature zones to reduce the risk of foodborne illness
🔥 Practice essential grill safety for a fun and safe tailgating experience

Not a football fan or don't tailgate? No problem! These are practical food safety skills you can use year-round for backyard barbecues, family gatherings, cookouts, holidays, and everyday meal preparation.

📅 August 24, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Smith County Extension Conference Room

📞 RSVP today by calling 601-782-4454 or emailing [email protected].

Don't let foodborne illness ruin your game day—join us and make food safety part of your winning playbook! 🏆🍔🏈

08/19/2026

🩷🥫 Help us give back to our community! 🥫🩷
Smith County Community Volunteers are hosting a Canned Food Drive in conjunction with Senior Citizen Day on August 21st!
If you’re attending Senior Citizen Day, we encourage you to bring a canned food item to donate to our service project. If you’re unable to attend but would still like to contribute, you can drop off your donation at the Smith County Extension Office! 💚

🥫 Please note: We will accept unopened, non-perishable food items that are safe for donation. Every item collected will be donated to a local food pantry serving Smith County. Each donated item must have the original label still intact.

📅 August 21, 2026
📍 Charles Waldrup Ag Complex
149 Oil Field Road, Raleigh, MS
⏰ Doors open at 10:00 AM
Every can makes a difference! Thank you for helping us invest in and give back to our community.

08/18/2026

☀️ BEAT THE HEAT!

The August heat is here, and dangerous heat conditions are affecting central Mississippi. With many students beginning outside sport practices, people working outdoors, and families spending time outside, it is important to know the signs of heat-related illness and what to do when they occur.

🔸 HEAT EXHAUSTION
Watch for:
• Heavy sweating
• Cold, pale, or clammy skin
• Fast, weak pulse
• Muscle cramps
• Tiredness
• Fainting
• Nausea
• Headache
• Dizziness

WHAT TO DO: Move the person to a cooler area, cool them down, loosen clothing, and have them sip water.

🔴 HEAT STROKE
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Watch for:
• High body temperature
• Hot, dry, or damp skin
• Fast, strong pulse
• Confusion
• Losing consciousness
• Nausea
• Headache
• Dizziness

WHAT TO DO: Call 911 immediately. Begin cooling the person down and do not give them anything to drink.

🏈 Parents, coaches, and athletes: Make sure kids are getting plenty of water and taking regular breaks during football practices and other outdoor activities. Don't wait until someone feels sick to take a break.

👷 If you work outside: Take frequent breaks in a shaded or air-conditioned area, stay hydrated, and pay attention to how you and your coworkers are feeling.

🌳 Even if you're simply spending time outside: Extreme heat can affect anyone. Take breaks, drink plenty of fluids, and know the warning signs.

Heat-related illness can become serious quickly. Know the signs. Know what to do. Look out for one another.

For more information, read the Mississippi State University Extension blog, “How to Recognize Heat-Related Illness.”

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

Stay safe and beat the heat! ☀️

08/18/2026

Help spread the word to all Mississippians about the fall online Master Gardener training. Registration opens August 12th. Contact your county Extension office for details. Must be at least 18 years of age to register.

08/17/2026

🍅🏆 Tomato Growing Contest Winners! 🏆🍅

A big congratulations to our Tomato Growing Contest winners! Your hard work, patience, and dedication to growing healthy, productive plants truly paid off. 🌱

Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their gardening skills with us. We hope this contest inspired you to keep planting, growing, and learning! 🍅🌿

08/17/2026

🦆 What is the state of waterfowl conservation in Mississippi—and what can we do to move the needle?

Join conservation partners for the Mississippi Waterfowl Conservation Summit on September 10 at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science in Jackson.

This event will bring together landowners, land managers, hunters, conservation professionals, and researchers for a conversation about the current state of waterfowl and their habitats in Mississippi, the challenges facing conservation, and where we have opportunities to make a difference.

The morning will feature presentations from MDWFP, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Mississippi State University discussing current priorities, ongoing and emerging efforts, challenges, research, and opportunities for conservation.

Following lunch, representatives from agencies and conservation organizations will come together for an open panel discussion focused on the questions that matter to Mississippi's waterfowl community:

Where are we making progress? What is holding us back? Where should we be investing our time and resources? And how can we work together to improve waterfowl conservation in Mississippi?
Whether you own or manage waterfowl habitat, hunt public or private land, or simply care about the future of Mississippi's waterfowl resources, we hope you'll join us and be part of the conversation.

📅 September 10
📍 Mississippi Museum of Natural Science | Jackson, MS
🍽️ Lunch provided

Registration in the link in the comments and our story. $25 registration fee is required for lunch and refreshments.

Please share with anyone who has an interest in the future of waterfowl and wetland conservation in Mississippi.