Greensboro Gazette News Flash 1st Edition July 2016

NEWS FLASH SPOTLIGHT

SUMMER • July 2016 • 1st Edition • Visit us online @ www.wcshc.com

Congrats Roger Jones

Pg. 3 • New Pilgrim M.B. Church Canning Workshop

Thank you Members, we embarked on this amazing journey on January 12, with Winston County Self Help Cooperative’s ambitious 2016 work-plan on the trajectory of propelling a successful year of work. After the first 194 days of slogging in 2016, we have exceeded our salient goals beyond my bombast dreams and I am eternally grateful for each member’s commitment and fortitude in championing WCSHC’s aspirations to help save rural America. Furthermore, I am inviting you to join WCSHC along the path to promote the ideal of germinating organic opportunities in rural communities. Again, thanks and I am fired up about the remaining 169 days of 2016.

ASU ACSAT Hall of Fame inductee Roger Jones assisted WCSHC in obtaining a grant through Heifer International.

Alcorn State University Agriculture and Consumer Sciences and Advanced Technologies Hall of Fame Committee selected Roger Jones as one of the inductee for the 2016’s inaugural class. We wrote a nominating letter on the behalf of Roger based on his tireless efforts of changing lives in rural America through teaching individuals and families how to become effective managers of their natural resources according to Frank Taylor, WCSHC Team Leader. The Winston County Self Help Cooperative connected with Roger in 1999 for assistance to develop an income driven project utilizing natural resources. Following

lengthy seminars, conference calls, and onsite visits, Roger assisted WCSHC in obtaining a grant through Heifer International. This grant allowed WCSHC to purchase sixty (60) bred heifers and six bulls for needed families in Winston and Choctaw Counties to help alleviate abject poverty. Seventeen years later, this gift continues to deliver dividends as family farms thrive. In addition, commerce is recycled back to the local economy through the purchase of fertilizer, feed, fuel and seeds to maintain cattle herds. This

Frank Taylor, WCSHC Team Leader

Congrats Roger Jones Continued on page 2

WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE P.O. Box 774 • Louisville, MS 39339 Phone: 601-291-2704 • Email: fltaylor@bellsouth.net • Web: www.wcshc.com “Saving Rural America”

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Congrats Roger Jones Continued from page 1 one act of kindness from Roger has helped produce over 1000 heads of cattle, which in turn helped families purchase homes and build sustainable lives in rural America.” The Hall of Fame Banquet will be held on Friday, August 19, 2016, 7pm at the Hilton Garden Inn 235 West Capitol Street Jackson, MS 39201. For more information, call Donald Smith 601-877-6526.

Clyde Hardin’s Farm

Clyde Hardin has quality vegetables for sale.

By Frank Taylor Email: fltaylor@bellsouth.net

Mississippi’s 2016 vegetable crops are providing families with an array of choices to improve their health through the consumption of locally grown fruits and vegetables. You can best describe farmers as individuals of insurmountable faith or the greatest gamblers in the world. They plant seeds in hope of germination through conducive weather conditions and trusting

(Center) Roger Jones with Heifer International Staff

Roger Jones speaking at Saving Rural America Conference

the markets will yield profitable returns after harvest. Mississippi bolsters around 37,000 farmers according to the 2012’s farm census with most farming less than 5 acres.

These farmers are classified as small farmers carrying a huge stick in turn of spawning dollars back into the local economy through purchasing fertilizer, tools, fuel and paying ad valorem taxes. The above narrative describes Clyde Hardin, an associate member of the Winston County Self Help Cooperative based in Louisville, MS. Clyde uses more than a halfacre to produce a valuable crop of tomatoes, cucumbers, okras, eggs, plants, peas, lima beans, and other staples. Clyde’s farm practices utilize numerous innovated styles including raised beds and double spacing to help preserve the natural resources.

Clyde is passionate about producing quality vegetables for his customers, friends, and family with a daily commitment to providing care in removing unwanted weeds and pests from his crops. Clyde said, “I am excited to see my crop producing vegetables for sale.

Currently, I have individuals who purchase directly from my farm and I participate in the Winston County’s Farmers Market on Thursdays at the Louisville Coliseum.” In addition, Clyde raises Rhode Island Red

Laying Hens to help supplement his farm income, through the sale of eggs. We salute Clyde Hardin, for his efforts in providing families with healthy and locally grown vegetables. Clyde’s farm is located at 158 Bethany Ebenezer Road Louisville, MS 39339.

You can place your order by calling 662-8039932. There are more than 60 certified local farmer’s markets in the state of Mississippi.

You can locate the nearest farmers’ market by visiting www.mdac.ms.gov/bureausdepartments/farmers-market/. Also, you can peruse the Winston County Self Help Cooperative’s portal wcshc.com and locate farmers in Mississippi and Louisiana.

Mr. Hardin next to his Rhode Island Red Laying Hens.

Pay your Ad Valorem Taxes If you own property or land then you must pay your ad valorem taxes before Monday, August 29, 2016. If you have not paid your 2013’s and 2014’s ad valorem taxes, then you could be in jeopardy of losing your homestead or land. If you are not sure whether you have paid 2013’s and 2014’s taxes, then please visit your county’s or parish’s chancery clerk office to avoid this unthinkable situation. Furthermore, please remind friends, family members, and others to pay their taxes before Monday, August 29, 2016, in the state of Mississippi.

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Graphic: Mississippi Business Journal

GREENSBORO GAZETTE | NEWS FLASH

WCSHC Honors Mr. R.B. (Pulp) Colter

Mr. R.B. Colter and his two mules tending one-acre farm.

America please help Winston County Self Help Cooperative Salute R.B. Colter for his commitment to managing God’s natural resources by using low impact farming techniques. On most days you will find Mr. Colter on Miller Ave in the infamous

community of Greensboro in Louisville, MS tending his one-acre farm with his two mules pulling implements such as G-wiz, Georgia Stoke, Disk, Middle Buster, Turning Plow, Planters and Session Harrow. After accumulating more than eighty years of farming experiences Mr. Colter continues to plant corn, greens, green beans and peas to provide for his family and friends with locally grown produce. After a full day of working and sweating on the farm, you will find Mr. Colter under the veranda playing his guitar and bellowing out blues lyrics beyond earshot, which reminds listeners of the difficulties growing up under the crushing hands of “Jim Crow Laws”. We will end this brief narrative by thanking and honoring Mr. Colter for his enduring spirit and passion

New Pilgrim M.B. Church Canning Workshop

(Left) WCSHC’s Rosie Harris teaching canning techniques.

Pastor Ecclesiastes Goodwin and New Pilgrim M. B. Church Parishioners located at 6190 Hwy 45 N. Waynesboro, MS. in the Hiwannee Community, hosted a canning workshop for 20 individuals on Monday, June 27, 2016, 5:30pm. Curtis Johnson, church trustee and workshop organizer stated, “His grandfather name is on the church’s

cornerstone as one of the organizers”. Mary Hannah, one of the founding members of the Winston County Self Help Cooperative (WCSHC), expressed gratitude for her fellow man and delineated a brief history of the WCSHC’s role in rural America.Dennis Thomas, workshop participant said, “Most individuals here in Hiwannee has deep rooted ties to agriculture and, therefore, canning is not a foreign activity to some of the participants.

We worked as sharecropper laborers during the day to earn income for the family.

However, we planted our personal gardens and fields to support our family needs of food and lodging”. New Pilgrim’s Canning Workshop could have been a disaster due to male participants outnumbering the females. Nevertheless, under the guided tutelage of Rosie Harris, eased the process of learning how to preserve locally grown

in passing on traditional farm practices to inspire the next generation of farmers to manage their natural resources effectively.

Colter keeps the Blues tradition alive in Greensboro, MS.

tomatoes. Please visit our website for upcoming canning workshop wcshc.com or call 601-291-2704.

Canning Workshop participant adding ingredients in jar.

Locally grown melons and vegetables Winston County Self Help Cooperative members are selling locally grown vegetables to help improve your family health. If you want to taste the sweetest Jubilee Watermelon ever, then, you should contact Allen McReynolds 601-513-4503 to purchase a load for your family or organization. Other members are selling tomatoes, green and lima beans, cucumbers, corn, peas, and other staple vegetables.

Locally grown melons sold at Peter’s Rock Missionary Baptist Church Farmers Market

GREENSBORO GAZETTE | NEWS FLASH

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SCSFLO Meeting

SCSFLO participants met at Little Rock M. B. Church.

As Thursday, June 30, 2016, moved closer toward the end of an exceeding month of salting temperatures and humidity; The whispers of summer engulfed the curving roads on my path to Little Rock M. B. Church 642 Tallabogue Road in Forest, MS for Scott County Small Farmers and Landowners Organization meeting. Frank Taylor called the assembly to order promptly at 6pm. Mr. Gregg Nicks solicited prayer and Mrs. Vivian Sanders’ voiced the welcome to twentyseven individuals for a respite of learning and fellowshipping. Frank Taylor, vocalized

and reminded participants to pay their ad valorem taxes before Monday, August 29, 2016’s delinquent tax sale. Frank reiterated for individuals to at least pay 2013’s taxes.

This will inhibit or stall the loss of ownership of property. The tax assessor will publish the 2015’s delinquent tax roll in the Scott County’s Times Newspaper by the second week of July. Therefore, I am tasking and challenging individuals to formulate a plan of action to pay their ad valorem taxes current by year’s end. This would be your family 2016’s Christmas present. Taylor yielded to Allen Crosswhite of USDA Rural Development for a presentation on rural housing. Allen discussed the 504 housing grant and loan program, which can be used to remove health or safety impairments such as leaky roofs, plumbing issues, and floor stabilization problems. You must own your home and be sixty-two years old to qualify for a grant.

504’s loan qualifications are based on income guidelines. You must be very low income to qualify for this one percent interest loan.

Additionally, Allen differentiated between the 502 direct and guaranteed loans. Allen stated, “502 guaranteed loan program has

an abundance of funds, therefore, this would be a great opportunity for you to achieve the American’s dream of homeownership.

This informational meeting ended with participants receiving brown bag dinners from Little Rock M. B. Church and Pastor Sheldon Thomas. We appreciate this loving church for allowing Scott County Small Farmers and Landowners Organization to meet.

USDA Rural Development’s Allen Crosswhite

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 • 1:30 PM Philadelphia Boys and Girls Club Canning Workshop Philadelphia Elementary School 406 Stribling St. Philadelphia, MS 39350 THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016 • 10:00 AM After School Program W.P.R. Canning Workshop 223 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Starkville, MS 39759 FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016 • 10:00 AM Sweet Water C.O.G.I.C. Canning Workshop Life Center • 1498 Ealy Road Lena, MS 39094

MASTER SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016 • TIME: TBA Ms. Smith’s Educational Service Canning Workshop Location: TBA SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2016 • 10:00 AM Millspring Baptist Church Canning Workshop 620 Stewart Weir Rd. Weir, MS 39772 WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE P. O. Box 774 • Louisville, MS 39339 Phone: 601-291-2704 • Email: fltaylor@bellsouth.net Web: www.wcshc.com • “Saving Rural America”

Editor: WCSHC Team Leader Frank Taylor | Email: fltaylor@bellsouth.net | Phone: 601-291-2704 Layout and Design: www.MarqueusDraper.com