WCSHC 7th Business Session Report of 2019

WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE’S

BUSINESS SESSION REPORT 7TH 2019 BUSINESS SESSION • AUGUST 29, 2019 • 4:45 P.M. • 2800 HIGHPOINT WEIR ROAD, LOUISVILLE, MS 39339

(L) ASU President Dr. Felecia Nave helped to present (C) Pearlean McReynolds with the ASU’s Hall of Fame plaque.

By Frank Taylor Email: fltaylor@bellsouth.net

The Winston County Self Help Cooperative uploaded its Sixth Business Session on June 13, 2019, 5:25pm at Louisville City Hall, 200 South Church Street, Louisville, MS. As vehicles glided up and down Church street individuals started pouring into the parking lot for an instrumental business session. Attendees enjoyed a day of unseasonal weather for the month of June. The morning’s temperature settled in at an unbelievable 57 degrees. This scenario propelled members to achieve an abundant number of tireless tasks before joining in on the sixth business session. Tom Wilson, Bobby Hardin, Columbus McReynolds, Arlexis Yarbrough and others arrived early and blazed a path into city hall’s board room.

Members exuberated hope which inspired an early start of 5:25pm. Frank Taylor called the sixth business session to order. Taylor solicited prayer from Deacon Romack Smith.

Taylor thanked and welcomed attendees and dialogued about rejection. He said this will be a permanent part of your daily life. You must

experience and equip your personality for numerous occasions of rejection. However, this scenario of rejection will be temporary in your life span. These experiences will help build character and prepare you for the enduring course of life. Frank reminded members to Invest in a rain gauge, we calculated Winston County received over 34 inches of rain in the first six months of 2019. Allen McReynolds informed attendees the cooperative’s plastic layer. A workshop demonstrating how the plastic layer function shall be determined.

Glendia Cooper recounted WCSHC Youth Group Program at Eiland Middle School on Wednesday, May 22, 2019. Glendia said, “The event provided an opportunity to share with tomorrow’s leaders. The audience listen to veteran police officers, extension agent, quilters and other service providers.” Frank Taylor presented at the Simpson County Homemakers Club Meeting on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 in Magee, MS. Taylor discussed the role of WCSHC in providing leadership in rural communities. Carey Miller ‘s Poultry Field Day Friday, May 31, 2019 in Zion Ridge Community. Carey emphasized the need

WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE 3450 Shannon Dale Drive • Jackson, MS 39212 Phone: 601-291-2704 • Email: fltaylor@bellsouth.net • Web: www.wcshc.com “Saving Rural America”

for senior members to help inspire the next generation of leaders and farmers. Participants toured the poultry facilities and discussed a broad range subject matter. The event concluded with Lillie feature homemade ice cream, which she used eggs collected from their chickens. WCSHC sponsored Jones County’s Outreach Meeting on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, 5:00 pm at Old Palestine Baptist Church (60 Old Palestine Church Road), Taylorsville, MS. Allen recounted the participation of more than 90 individuals, the topics discussed housing loans and grants. Additionally, Ryan Collins of Jones, Green and Wayne NRCS Office highlighted his agency’s practices to benefit small farmers and landowners. Extension and other agencies Continued on page 2

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unpacked their services for rural Americans.

Co-op purchased two heifers from Chris Jones of Mississippi Minority Farmers Alliance in Okolona, MS for $2200.00 to improve the Coop’s Feeder Heifers on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.

Kevin & Teresa Springs-TKO Farming Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, June 7, 2019. Kevin thanked members and supporters for their efforts to help extend life in rural communities.

Kevin expressed with joy about their journey on the farm as neophytes. We continue to learn the processes of building and developing a viable farm operation. Taylor led a discussion about registering to vote by July 6, 2019.He said you should vote absentee if you will be out of town, medical or traveling. Also, you should request absentee ballot for homebound or hospitalized individuals. The election will occur on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. Winston County’s 2019’s Delinquent property tax sale Monday, August 27, 2019. Darlene Bane will provide online bidding training sessions for WCSHC Members. Delinquent Taxes Team members received the month of May’s delinquent tax rolls for review. Solicitating marketing ideas for 2019’s vegetables and fruits, Columbus’s local Meats and MacArthur’s Louisiana Syrup.

Watch Farm Week on Saturdays at 6pm or Mondays, 6am on PBS. Lastly, WCSHC will be celebrating 35 years of serving rural America in 2020, please submit ideas on celebratory events.

Arlexis Yarbrough organized an outreach meeting targeting new and/or beginning farmers from across the county. The outreach meeting started promptly at 5:25pm. Frank Taylor welcomed potential new farmers and visitors for this informational outreach meeting.

Frank, Allen, Columbus and Bobby talked about WCSHC’s role serving farmers. They chatted about the various activities and role of WCSHC to help small and beginning farmers. Shameka Coleman expressed interest in joining WCSHC. She informed participants about their family’s swine operation. She eloquently shared other farm experiences. This outreach meeting provided an opportunity for WCSHC to display its profound work with others. Arlexis will

organize a canning workshop in July or August in the western parts of Winston County.

Romeka Smith displayed bell peppers she raised on the family property. Allen McReynolds said Smith’s peppers demonstrated the best in rural America. The outreach meeting concluded with members moving onto the sidewalks in front of city hall to continue conversations. Allen McReynolds, Columbus McReynolds, Bobby Hardin, Jack (Linden) Ball and McArthur Carter traveled to Perryville, Ark for three days of learning on June 14-16, 2019.

This venture between Heifer International, Grass Roots and WCSHC Cooperatives focused on connecting producers to resources. WCSHC conducted canning workshops in Ripley and Okolona, MS, on Monday, June 17, 2019. In Ripley at 10am, we partnered with the boys & girls club (read the following article http:// www.djournal.com/tncms/asset/editorial/ 0e02294a-d70e-581f-97da-d14be1fb1338 for more information). We concluded Monday afternoon with Mississippi Minority Farmers Alliance Organization. The organization’s building flooded with youth wanting to learn the art of canning. Rosie Harris, WCSHC patiently demonstrated the art of making strawberry jam for more than 35 students. The attendees engaged with cutting, washing, cooking and placing the final product into the pint jars. Lorine Gladney provided technical support. WCSHC and UCAC co-hosted two canning workshops in Starkville, MS on June 18 & 20, 2019. Alonzo Miller and Allen McReynolds picked up two heifers from Tommy Hathorn to complete his pass on obligations.

Stokes Veterinary Service in Philadelphia, MS palpated and vaccinated heifers. They transported heifers to cooperative’s pasture

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in Bethel Community on Wednesday, June 19, 2019. The Winston County Farmers Market opened with an on rush of customers. 2019’s weather conditions curtailed the number of vendors for the market, however, the vendors with produce should enhance their bottom line. L. C. Hines Conducted a Pickle Canning Workshop at Shiloh Baptist Church in Causeyville, MS on Saturday, June 22, 2019.

We checked in with producers from across Mississippi during the week of June 23-29, 2019. The melon crop shows great potentials for the fourth of July according to O. White.

Mr. Robertson’s crops demonstrated vitality with an over-abundance of rain. Delmer Stamps, Ben Burkett and Frank Taylor participated in a conference call with Professor Thomas Mitchell with Texas A&M Law Center.

They discussed building support to pass the uniformed partition heirs property act during MS’s 2020 legislative session. The Winston County’s Farmers Market encountered previous customers on Friday, June 28, 2019. The Scott County Small Farmers and Landowners Organization sponsored a candidate’s forum on Saturday, June 30, 2019 at the field across from Little Rock M. B. Church 643, Tallabogue Rd, Forest, MS. Mattie Evans organized a densely attended political forum for more than 20 state and local candidates. Tony Sanders, a candidate for supervisor-district one sponsored this event of needs for individuals, who questioned candidates about their plans and goals for the respected offices. Vivian Sanders and Sherrie Spivey served as registrars and greeters. Joseph Sanders and others served food and snowcones. Frank Taylor, WCSHC Team Leader emceed the entire program. Little Rock Church Pastor Sheldon Thomas closed the forum with

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WCSHC’s 7th 2019 Business Session Report

Continued from page 2 words of encouragement for attendees and Scott County. WCSHC and Attala County Self Help Cooperative (ACSHC) joined forces on Monday, July 1, 2019 to conduct a canning workshop at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Sallis, MS. ACSHC, President David Newell and members arrived early for informal gathering. although attendees consisted primarily of baby-boomers, however, most did not actively participate in the article of canning. This single event rejuvenated memories of attendees’ mothers and aunties. The canning workshop created thoughtful thoughts of the participants work on the family farm in producing fresh vegetables to support large families. Rosie Harris, WCSHC led attendees through the paces about canning into the future. She doled out instructions for participants wash their hands and get prepared for fill-time in learning the art of canning. On, this night Rosie choose to prepare tomatoes as the testing vegetable.

Participants worked as team members as requested by Rosie. The washed, peeled and placed into jars. Rosie informed the participants on the amount of juice and salt need to develop a robust taste. The night of canning capped off with participants carrying freshly preserved tomatoes home to be served to their family members. Frank Taylor visited numerous farms throughout eastern, Mississippi. Most of the farms showed a need of rain to continue producing. The week of the fourth with farmers markets with brisk sales on Friday. July 8-13, 2019 WCSHC members engaged in a broad range of activities. On Monday, July 8, 2019 Walden Chapel United Methodist Church in Goodman, MS hosted a canning workshop.

Mattie Coleman and Terry Moore organized this informative event. The canning brought friends and visitors from across the bluffs and hollows under the umbrella of preserving green beans. Rosie Harris led more than 25 individuals through the process preparing tomatoes. She requested attendees to wash hands. This process allowed participants to cut, slice and wash the tomatoes. Other individuals packed the jars with the refined product and place jar in the pressure cooker. The night ended with great appreciation. Allen McReynolds, Rosie Harris, Lorine Gladney and Frank Taylor represented WCSHC. Tuesday, July 9, 2019, WCSHC conducted two canning workshops in Winston and Choctaw Counties.

Carey and Lillie Miller hosted Zion Ridge, New Zion and Greensboro Communities Canning Workshop. The Millers selected KIA Recreation center for Zion Ridge, New Zion and Greensboro Communities to congregate for their canning

workshop. Rosie Harris led more than twenty youth through the paces of making strawberry jams. Grandparents and parents gathered around tables and discussed their experiences of canning with their families. Baby Dear Miller chatted about her canning experiences in the 1960s. Jessie Evans hosted Pilgrim Rest M. B. Church Canning Workshop. Eleven of WCSHC members traveled to Cleveland, Ohio for the Minority Landowner Conference on July 10-14, 2019. The following individuals participated Cliff Hampton, Rosie Harris, Carol Williams, Jean Harper, Sandra Jackson, Arlexis Yarbrough, Frank Taylor, Shirley Gladney, Lorine Gladney, Lillie Miller and Carey Miller. Victor Harris, Minority Landowner’s Publisher and Terry Cosby, Ohio’s State Conservationist deemed this setting as the Urban Farming Conference.

Ohio’s, U. S. Representative Nancy Fudge created this renaissance of urban gardens in 2012. She secured funds and support from NRCS to change lives in the inner city of Cleveland. This urban garden project helped eliminate crime, eradicate food deserts, increase livability and increase property value. The Federation of Southern Cooperatives provided technical support along with local NRCS’ District Conservationists. The week of July 8-13, 2019 ended with the first named hurricane of 2019 “Barry”. This storm made landfall on the southern marshes of Louisiana on late Saturday afternoon. The National Weather Center quickly downgraded Barry to a tropical storm. Barry moved north along the Mississippi River and dumped upward of 11 inches of rain along the corridor. Natchez, Woodville and Liberty, MS received a constant drenching of rainfall until late Monday afternoon.“Most farmers in eastern Mississippi welcomed the needed rain according to Allen McReynolds, WCSHC. This

will help crops reach maximum production and prepare soils for fall planting. Some places in Winston County received upward of eight inches of rain from Barry.” As Barry departed east central Mississippi, WCSHC members regained their composure and started harvesting and gathering locally grown fruits and vegetables to be sold to consumers. Allen McReynolds started harvesting watermelons.

Other members cut and rolled hay. Some members wrote stories, planned events and enjoyed Mother Earth’s opportunities. The weeks of July 14-28, 2019, WCSHC members and friends continued to harvest crops, readying for fall plantings, cutting and rolling hay. Local consumers wanted green beans, peas, squash, corn and other traditional staple to fill families’ freezers and satisfy their daily quench for fresh vegetables. The week of July 28, 2019 through August 4, 2019 cooperative members engaged in a buffet of activities.

Alonzo & George Miller hayed the cooperative’s demonstration pasture from July 28-August 2.

They rolled seventy-one round bales of hay. A big hooray to the Miller Brothers. WCSHC members Jean Harper, Rosie Harris, Carol Williams, Arlexis Yarbrough, Lorine Gladney and others participated in the women in agriculture conference held in Okolona, MS on Monday, July 28, 2019. Mississippi Minority Farmers Alliance and Alcorn State University hosted this informative event. WCSHC donated $1000.00 for the conference. July 30, 2019, Seniors on the Go of Winona hosted a canning workshop for their seniors to partake. Facilitated

by Mr. L.C. Hines, this group armed him with many questions and promised to repeat what they learned at home. Afterwards the group

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Continued from page 3 of ladies shared their talent of dance with T’arie Todman. Frank Taylor, Sandra Billups, Brad Spencer, Steve Robertson, David Newell, Bobby Joe & Sherrie Spivey attended Farm Service Agency’s Farm Bill Listening Session at the Farm Bureau Building on Ridgewood Drive in Jackson, MS, on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. Jean Harper and others harvested peas from the youth garden located on Camile Street on Thursday, Aug 1st and Saturday, Aug 3rd.

Members continued harvesting fruits and vegetables, which contributes to the success of 2019’s Farmers Markets. The week of August 5-10, 2019, Mt. Calvary M. B. Church 1615 Mt. Calvary Rd. Louisville, MS, hosted a canning workshop. Linden “Jack” Ball organized a late afternoon of learning at his home church in the southwest corner of Winston County. The muggy heat offered no resistant for participants.

For example, Deborah Coleman traveled 90 miles from Ridgeland, MS to learn the art of canning. Jack Ball provided the needed supplies for Rosie Harris to teach a class of nine participants. Deacon Billy Goss offered prayer and Angie Ball extended welcome. Frank Taylor verbalized thanks to members and visitors for spending an afternoon with WCSHC. Lorine Gladney managed the sign-in-sheets and disseminated relevant information about coop’s previous work. Rosie reflected on pass practices of canning and rotated participants into the twenty-first century. Participants washed their hands to participate in the hour & half of learning the art of canning to enhance the health of Winston Countians. Winston County’s Primary Election occurred on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. Several members served as poll workers for the democratic and republican primaries. Some individuals harvested peas, lima beans, corn, watermelons and other staple vegetables. Frank Taylor participated in the Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Policy Center Advisor Board Annual Meeting in Tunica, MS on August 7-9, 2019. A roundtable discussion focused on heirs’ property and the rulemaking period. The week of August 5-11, 2019 ended with the local area absorbing 4 to 6 inches of rain on Friday and Saturday. On average Winston County received 50 inches of precipitation in the first eight months of 2019.

Currently on pace to supersede 2018 of 79 inches of rainfall. The week of August 12-17, 2019 presented amazing opportunities for coop members to experience the engagement of saving rural America. Additionally, weather conditions heated up with temperatures above 97 degrees on Monday and Tuesday. This excessive heat caused issues for individuals

working outside and sports activities. J’ Nay Domineck, Supervisory, District Conservationist for Winston, Choctaw, and Attala Counties met with Gwen Robbins Pratt and Florine Robbins Stewart on Tuesday, August 13, 2019. This unit assembled at the family farm located on Hwy 25 north of Saint James Presbyterian Church in Louisville, MS. J’ Nay delineated a plan of action for the sisters. She conveyed the following steps, building conservation activity plans, conservation stewardship plans and burning to enhance long-tern goals for their properties. Allen McReynolds provided technical support from the cooperative’s perspective. Mr. Lloyd Robinson member of Attala County Self Help Cooperative’s will host a Cattle Field Day Monday, Sept 30, 4pm at his farm 3110 Attala County Road, McCool, MS, 39108. Kim McCoy’s Forestry Field Day Monday, October 7th or 14th in Heidelberg, MS. Darlene Bane, Winston County’s Tax Collector hosted a training session for the public on Tuesday, August 13, 5:30pm at courthouse in the courtroom. Participants learned the steps to bid on delinquent tax properties. WCSHC members Jean Harper, Arlexis Yarbrough, Shemika Coleman, Lorine Gladney, Bobby Hardin and Allen McReynolds and Carey Miller attended the Federation of Southern Cooperatives’52 Annual Meeting in Birmingham and Epes, Ala on August 15-17, 2019. WCSHC and SCSFLO members attended Alcorn State University’s School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences Hall of Fame Banquet at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Jackson, MS. WCSHC members Allen McReynolds, Frank Taylor and Columbus McReynolds. SCSFLO members Bobby & Sherrie Spivey and Greg & Evelyn Nicks. Pearlman Yarbrough McReynolds, wife of Columbus McReynolds entered the hall of fame on Saturday, August 17, 2019. The week of August 19-26, 2019 jump started on Monday with Allen McReynolds visiting Lloyd Robinson Farm in McCool, Ms. Allen and Lloyd discussed logistics for upcoming field day. Some parts of Winston County received upward of one or two inches of rain on Monday, August 19, 2019.

This week of work consisted members planning and planting fall crops. The cattle market encountered turbulent due packing plant catching fire. The incident sent the market into tailspins causing prices to move down in prices.

Follow the markets for further indicators. Rain ushered in the week of August 25-31, 2019 with four inches across central, Mississippi.

Scott County Small Farmers and Landowners Organization conducting their monthly business session on Monday, August 26, 2019, 6pm at Little Rock M.B. Church 643 Tallabogue Road, Forest, MS, 39074.

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WCSHC’s 7th 2019 Business Session Report