WCSHC 8th 2016 Business Session Report - September 2016

WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE’S

BUSINESS SESSION REPORT 8th 2016 BUSINESS SESSION • SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 • 3:45 P.M. • 210 EILAND AVENUE LOUISVILLE, MS 39339

Winston County Self Help Cooperative members and visitors pulled together under the early morning skies of darkness on July 18, 2016, 6:30am at the Louisville Coliseum for Co-op’s 7th Business Session and the 1890s’ Policy Research Center Awareness Meeting. Alcorn State University houses the Policy Research Center on campus in Lorman, MS. Shirley Gladney arrived with coffee pot in hand; to reassure attendees of fresh brewed caffeine on demand. With the clock winding pass 6:15 members started dribbling into the parking lot for a timely start. Frank Taylor, employed wake up calls and text messages for late participants. WCSHC welcomed Ken Cagger from Rankin County, a farmer and a service member of the Mississippi National Guardsman. WCSHC collaborates with1890s’ Policy Research Center to raise awareness of creating legislative interest to support small and socially disadvantaged farmers. Billy Lipsey, Farm Service Agency, County Executive Director for Winston County Office, opened session by explaining how Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance (NAP) could benefit small farmers. Lipsey dissected ins and outs of

qualifying for NAP. He emphasized signing up before deadlines and obtaining conservation determinations. You must comply with conservation guidelines in order to qualify for NAP. Highly Erodible Land (HEL) without a determination through Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) will be disallowed. Brad Fouchee, NRCS, Supervisory District Conservationist said, “You should plan for your 2017’s crop season starting today to avoid hindrance”.

NRCS will help to determine eligibility of cropland. Kanika Calvin, ROC, USDA, Risk Management Agency, explained how their agency works in conjunction with FSA to deliver crops protection. Our agency does not sale crop insurance directly, we serve as the intermediary between the farmer and crop insurance agents. You can purchase whole plan protection beyond NAP to ensure you have adequate coverage. Also, you can insure your animals through risk management programs. Rockiell Woods, National Center for Appropriate Technology, Gulf States Regional Director, shared information about his organization role in assisting farmers with obtaining coverage. We conduct outreach

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”

workshops to assist farmers with gathering entail on programs to help sustain their farms including crop insurance. Eloris Speight concluded an awareness session through a roundtable discussion with farmers only.

Farmers spoke candidly about issues and oppositions from policies affecting growth of their farm operations. Several individuals spoke at length on policy changes for local FSA’s County Committee and developing a whole farm plan for USDA’s programs. This whole plan would include service from Farm Continued on page 2

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Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rural Development and Risk Management. We extend thanks to Shirley Gladney, Lorine Gladney, T’arie Todman and Rosie Harris for preparing a delicious breakfast. Winston County Self Help Cooperative and the Meridian Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Omicron Beta Omega Chapter hosted a canning workshop on July 19, 2016 at Philadelphia Elementary School in Philadelphia, MS. Students form local boys & girls club and summer enrichment program learned the art of making strawberry jam. Several participants’ demonstrated arousing interest by asking detailed questions in making jelly.

Peter’s Rock Church of God in Christ in Starkville, MS offered a canning workshop for more than 15 students on Thursday July 21, 2016. Rosie Harris facilitated and T’arie Todman organized workshop. Swett Water Church of God in Christ of Lena, MS sponsored a food preservation workshop for more than 20 students. This bucolic setting spurred hope for rural Americans. Frank Taylor worked with a farmer in Chickasaw County to obtain relief from Farm Service Agency’s loan on Friday July 22, 2016. WCSHC sponsored a Farmer’s Market with Brick Fire Housing Development in Starkville, MS on Saturday July 23, 2016. MacArthur Carter represented WCSHC and offered a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit. Frank Taylor used the subject matter “Managing your Natural Resources on Saturday July 23, 2016 during the Eastern Stars Annual Grand Session at the Grand Lodge on J. R. Lynch Street in Jackson, MS. Scott County Small Farmers and Landowners Meeting on Monday July 25, 2016 at Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Forest, MS. Orlando Ellerby, Mississippi Forestry Commission, Outreach Forester, shared a broad base of information. Orlando encouraged participants to use professionals

or consultants to execute timber sales and management decisions. WCSH Youth Members harvested peas from their garden on Camile Street on Monday July 25, 2016.

Youth picked blue berries from Nancy Woodruff ‘s Farm on Wednesday July 27, 2016. Rosie Harris conducted youth canning workshop with Second Baptist Church of Starkville, MS Wednesday July 27, 2016. T’arie Todman said, “More than 25 students participated and learned the art of making jam”. Saturday July 29, 2016 WCSHC conducted its final 2016’s Food Preservation workshop at Mill Spring Baptist Church in Weir, MS. Jewel Evans formerly of Louisville organized and planned activities to benefit individuals in Choctaw County, MS. Rev. Miller and Mrs. Fairley enjoyed the fellowship and sharing with WCSHC founding member Mary Hannah. Rosie Harris of WCSHC facilitated activities. Participants appreciated hands-on

preparation and several bubbled with joy in learning the art of making jelly. WCSH Youth Group conducted a two-day workshop August 1, & 2, 2016 at extension office in Louisville, MS. Topics included “preparing for back to school” and “canning and preserving local grown foods”. The Winston County Journal published Farmers Market Buck Day’s article on Wednesday August 3, 2016 featuring our youth members. Buck day allowed youth to purchase locally grown vegetables and fruits from vendors. WCSH Youth Group donated 200.00 for buck day.

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This donation allowed twenty youth to spend ten dollars each for their purchase.

Civil Eats, a non-profit organization focused on managing the natural resources and providing conscious raised foods. Civil Eats published an article on Thursday August 4, 2016 featuring several WCSHC members.

Title of article: Building Herds and Improving Lives in the Deep South | http://civileats. com/2016/08/04/helping-disadvantagedfarmers-build-herds-in-the-deep-south/.

Frank Taylor participated in the 1890’s Policy Research Center Board Meeting August 1013, 2016 in Tunica, MS. Mary Hannah, Jean Harper, Rosie Harris and Frank Taylor attended the Federation of Southern Cooperatives Annual Meeting August 18-20, 2016. WCSHC ladies participated in Estelle Witherspoon Annual Banquet August 18, 6pm in Birmingham, Ala. This year’s honorees included legendary Freedom Riders & Civil Rights Workers Hollis Watkins, Dave Denson and Bob Moses unsealed words of encouragement. The annual meeting assembled at the training center in Epes, Ala on Friday August 19, & Saturday 20, 2016.

Speakers from United States Department of Agriculture, Non-Governmental Organizations and Community-Based Organizations shared information with individuals who journeyed from numerous states and from the country of Columbia.

Frank Taylor broadcasted live on Friday with a variety of interviews of families and individuals who shared their thoughts on the vocations of farming. WCSHC members Allen McReynolds, Clifford Hampton, Columbus McReynolds and Frank Taylor joined with others for Alcorn State University’s Inaugural Agriculture Family and Consumer Sciences Alumni Hall of Fame Banquet at the Hilton Gardens Hotel in Jackson, MS on Friday August 19, 2016, 7pm. Robert Cole formerly of Louisville, MS received accolades for his stellar career in agriculture. Cole retired from USDA in 2005 and started working for the Columbus Ohio Public Schools System.

President Obama Administration’s appointed Cole to the Ohio’s Farm Service Agency State Technical Committee in 2009. Roger Jones longtime friend of WCSHC received Hall of Fame of recognition for reputable work with Heifer International, extension and Mississippi Public Schools over expanded career. Pearlean McRynolds and Judith Ward served on the hall of fame committee. This group of individuals developed and created Continued on page 3

WCSHC’s 8th 2016 Business Session Report

a successful inaugural event. August 22-23 T’arie Todman attended the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. On Monday August 22, 2016 James Gill passed on two heifers to Sandra Edwards. James Gill owes one more heifer to complete pass on obligations. Frank Taylor worked and shepherded Clyde Jefferson, Jr. through USDA enrollment on Monday August 29, 2016.

Clyde expressed interest in livestock production on his rolling hills farm located in the Mt. Olive Community in Louisville, MS. Clyde obtained a seal copy of his deed from Chancery Clerk Office and ordered current maps of property from Tax Assessor Office.

These steps will help landowners validate ownership, location and tax status. WCSHC encourages individuals to ask questions of your tax assessor about appraisals, exemptions, and millage. Also, inquire about how many new homes and businesses added to tax roll in 2016 to help reduce citizens’ tax burden. Your ad valorem taxes primary supports schools and county government operations. The public school system receives the largest share of ad valorem taxes.

Chancery Clerk should share copies of Winston County’s 2017 operating budget.

Please check your deeds for date record and page number recorded in deed book located in the Chancery Clerk Office. This solidify legal transaction of property. On Monday August 29, 2016 members and community mined individuals participated in Winston County’s yearly Delinquent Tax Sale conducted in the courthouse started at 2pm. Numerous individuals and investment companies bided on unpaid 2015 taxes. These parcels of land and houses will be assessed one and half interest per month until taxes are paid. The Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Family and WCSHC honored founding member Dee Dotson on Sunday September 4, 2016, 10:45am. Pastor Billy Joe Clay and congregation showered words of encouragement for Dee’s services to the church and community at large. Pastor Clay said, “He enjoys consuming greens, peas, okras and more grown by Mr. Dotson in his garden and field.” Frank Taylor conferred a plaque and resolution from the Federation of Southern Cooperatives (FSC) for his faithful years of services. Mississippi Farm Country Magazine published an article on Dee in recent publication. Frank Taylor attended National Agricultural Statistics Service’s (NASS) Community Based Organizations Partnership Meeting in Memphis, Tenn. on

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September 6-8, 2016. This assembly of CBOs gathered information to ensure all farmers will be counted in the 2017’s Farm Census.

CBOs supplied list of organizations and names of individuals who should receive census forms. WCSHC will encourage members and friends to complete census forms in a timely manner. This data helps determine what programs receive funding such as Environmental Quality Incentive Program, therefore, WCSHC will work diligently and feverishly to ensure farmers return completed census forms. WCSHC will assist farmers with completion of forms. You can complete census forms online. NASS will mail long and short forms, therefore, do not be alarmed if you receive a long form for completion. They will start mailing forms in the last quarter of 2017. The MISSISSIPPI GOURD FESTIVAl September 16-17, 2016 at the Smith County Ag Complex 131 SCR 77 (Oil Field Rd.) Raleigh, Mississippi. Medicare open enrollment starts on October 15, 2016.

If you need assistance, please contact your local America Association of Retired People Chapter (AARP). East Mississippi Electric Power Association (EMEPA) Annual Meeting Saturday October 1, 2016, 10am at headquarter building located on Hwy 39 in Meridian, MS. If you cannot attend, then please return your proximity card before deadline. Proximity card allows your representative to cast votes on your behalf.

You should test soil by picking up a soil sample kit from your local extension office today. Please check your home heating

source before using. Perhaps you moved furniture or something could be block your vents, therefore, ask someone to please check heating source before using. Dean Park’s 8th Annual Harvestfest Saturday, October 1, 2016, 11:00 a.m. 3850 Hwy 15 South Louisville, MS 39339 (Center Ridge Community). This is a family friendly event. For more information, contact Richard Moncrief (662) 736-3323, Elmetra Patterson (510) 672-2106 or Macileen Jordan (662) 705-1676. We need your suggestions for WCSHC’s 2017 Calendar by October 1, 2016. You must register by 10-82016 to vote in the presidential election on Tuesday 11-8-2016. WCSHC’s Annual Christmas Gala Friday December 2, 2016.

National Organization of Professional Black Natural Resources Conservation Service Employees’ (NOPBNRCSE) Educational Expo December 9-11, 2016 in Atlanta, GA.

WCSHC’s 8th 2016 Business Session Report

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NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTIC SERVICE 2017 Farm Census.

“WCSHC Standing for the Count”

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