Mississippi State University Extension Service

Dr. Jim DelPrince with our MSU Extension Coastal Floral program made the trip to the Winston County Extension Office for a demo on how to utilize gladiolus in floral designs! And if any of you have ever attended an in-person event with Dr. DelPrince, you'll know the audience not only learned something new but was also entertained.

Special thanks to Melissa Foster at Fran's Florist for providing the flowers!

We were excited to team up with the Library of Hattiesburg, Petal, and Forrest County to deliver an adult cooking class!

Our own Felicia Groves taught participants about the best ways to use ground turkey and for dessert, they made yogurt parfaits with strawberries, blueberries, oats and honey granola.

If you're interested in seeing these types of family, health and wellness programs in your county, contact your county's Extension office! Find yours here: https://extension.msstate.edu/county-offices



📸 Library of Hattiesburg, Petal, and Forrest County

Thank you to the Mississippi State Equine Association (MESA) for your continued support of MSU Extension Equine Assisted Services! Your gift helps us continue creating meaningful experiences for our participants, students, veterans and community partners through the healing power of horses.

We appreciate James Watts and James Rasberry for attending the gift presentation on behalf of MESA.

Follow MSU Extension Equine Assisted Services to learn more about this program!

Ready to learn new skills and connect with fellow homesteaders? Join us at the Central Mississippi Homesteading Conference! From beekeeping and gardening to food preservation and livestock care, our expert-led workshops and live demonstrations have something for everyone.

Food trucks and vendors will also be there. We hope you will make plans to attend!

Dates and Time:
Friday, Nov. 6
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 7
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Cost: $20/person for both days.

Location:
Central MS Research & Extension Center
1320 Seven Springs Rd.
Raymond, MS 39154

Vendors are welcome. Call 601-857-2284 for more info.

Register here: https://ow.ly/sKLT50ZBFQK

Mississippi State’s Whitney Crow is a new appointee to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee, giving the state’s agriculture sector a voice in national discussions about environmental policy and its impact on farmers and rural areas.

Crow, an associate professor in MSU’s Department of Agricultural Science and Plant Protection, is one of 21 new members appointed to the federal advisory committee providing independent policy advice and recommendations to the EPA administrator on these issues.

“Mississippi State University’s faculty are widely recognized for their expertise in many different fields that support our farmers, ranchers and rural communities, and that certainly includes Dr. Crow and her work,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “I know she will provide exceptional knowledge and insight as a member of this important national advisory committee.”

Crow’s expertise includes agricultural pest management and crop production, areas that closely align with several of the committee’s priorities, including technical assistance for rural communities, precision pesticide application and reduced chemical use in agriculture, and balancing agricultural conservation and nutrient pollution reduction with the long-term viability of farming operations.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee and bring the perspective of Mississippi agriculture to this national conversation,” Crow said. “As researchers and educators, we have a responsibility to understand the challenges producers face and to help develop solutions that are both environmentally responsible and practical. I look forward to working with fellow committee members to provide meaningful, science-based insight to the EPA.”

In addition to her research and Extension responsibilities, Crow is president of MSU’s Robert Holland Faculty Senate for the 2026-2027 academic year. She has mentored numerous graduate students during her career and coordinates MSU’s Annual Row Crop Short Course, which brings agricultural producers and industry professionals together for information on topics including w**d management, plant pathology, entomology, soil fertility and agronomy.

The FRRCC’s new members were selected from more than 90 applicants following a call for nominations issued by the EPA in 2025. These include representatives from academia, agriculture and allied industries, nongovernmental organizations, and state, local and tribal governments from across the country.

“The members of the FRRCC bring real-world knowledge and firsthand experience from across the country. Their insights will be instrumental in helping the EPA develop practical, commonsense solutions that enhance our rural communities and support viable farming operations,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said.

This is what a lot of days look like for our MSU Extension forages team! Dr. Rocky Lemus spent part of the last week with farm visits in Stone, Forrest, and Jefferson Davis Counties and a cattlemen's meeting in Marion County.

Remember that if you need a consultation on your forage and grazing management programs, please reach out to your local county Extension office to set up an appointment. We are only one phone call away! Find your county's Extension office here: https://extension.msstate.edu/county-offices

Why are trees dropping leaves in the middle of summer? The recent stretch of extreme heat and dry weather has many trees shedding leaves earlier than usual. This is a natural survival response that helps trees conserve water during stressful conditions. The good news? If we receive some rainfall and cooler temperatures soon, many trees should recover just fine.

📸 Desoto County Extension Office

We have recently welcomed a new entomologist to support producers and professionals who work with turf, forages and ornamentals!

Zia Williamson, a native of Lincolnton, Georgia, joined MSU May 1 as an Extension entomology specialist focused on turf, forages and ornamentals. She is also an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Sciences and Plant Protection.

Williamson grew up in a family that owned and operated a landscaping business, which led to an early interest in plants and insects. In college, a summer job in plant pathology introduced her to Extension.

“When I first encountered Extension, I discovered how much I enjoyed working directly with growers and citizens who benefit from the work of a land-grant university,” Williamson said.

“In my role at Mississippi State University, I’m excited to combine my personal and family background in the green industry with my training in entomology to help growers, industry professionals and citizens better understand and manage the insect problems they encounter,” she said.

Her Extension work will provide growers, golf course superintendents, landscape professionals, Extension agents and homeowners with training, educational resources and research-based pest management recommendations.

Williamson holds a bachelor’s degree in both entomology and horticulture from the University of Georgia. She also earned master’s and doctoral degrees in entomology from UGA.

Her research experience includes nematology, applied entomology, plant production and fruit pathology, as well as insect ecology and management in turf grass, ornamentals, specialty crops and urban landscapes.