8th 2019 WCSHC Business Session Report

WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE’S

BUSINESS SESSION REPORT 8TH 2019 BUSINESS SESSION • OCTOBER 1, 2019 • 9:15 A.M. • COUNTY ROAD 844, PHILADELPHIA, MS 39350

Members of the Winston County Self Help Cooperative

By Frank Taylor Email: fltaylor@bellsouth.net

Clouds draped over the landscape on Thursday, August 29, 2019, as the winds blew gently from the northwest. This phenomenal setting caused Frank Taylor’s heart to palpitate with anticipation of a successful 7th business session. Herbert Bennett Lawn Service manicured the landscape from a tactical perspective which created spectacular optics from 2800 Highpoint Weir Road, Louisville, MS. Joyce and Mae from Scott County Small Farmers and Landowners Organization, of Forest, MS, notably arrived in advance. This early arrival formed a median of exchanges between Winston County Self Help Cooperative members. As the time piece drifted south of

4pm, the meeting spaces started filling up with members and friends. The ambiance quickly accelerated into fifth gear for a speedy commence of the seventh business session.

Frank Taylor requested individuals to read the 7th business report before engaging in conversation. Deacon Tommy Hopkins uttered words of hope and grace. Frank welcomed everyone to the Miller-Gladney Farm and shared thoughts about the co-op’s past activities.

Taylor acknowledged members for their loyalty and steadfastness over the pass thirty years in building a formidable organization. Taylor shifted the session forward by introducing Jnay Domineck. She heralds from Clinton, LA and graduated from the public-school system.

In 2015 Jnay earned a master’s degree from Alcorn State University. Also, she landed a job

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”

in 2015 with the Mississippi Natural Resources Conservation Service. Jnay started working at the Madison County, MS, United States Department of Agriculture Office as a Soil Conservationist. In late 2018, Jnay’s passion and commitment to serve landowners and farmers propelled her to the present position as Supervisory District Conservationist of Attala, Choctaw, and Winston County. Jnay supervises a staff of nine employees and manages day to day operations of each county. Jnay thanked the audience for this opportunity to highlight NRCS’s plethora of services to help benefit farmers and landowners. She emphasized the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the financial rewards for participating Continued on page 2

CONNECT WITH US

Continued from page 1 in this program. Additionally, Jnay said, “The Conservation Activity Plan (CAP) will help you obtain forest management plans. Also, CSP and CAP are part of the Environmental Quality Incentive Program-EQIP. One can solicit technical services from NRCS without a farm number.” She encouraged participants to visit the local office of NRCS. WCSHC acknowledged Pearlean McReynolds for being inducted into Alcorn State University College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences Hall of Fame on August 17, 2019, at the Marriott Hotel, in Jackson, MS. Pearlean thanked the cooperative for its support. District 42 Representative, Carl Mickens dispatched thanks for supporting his successful re-election campaign. He stated, “you as voters should request support from your elected officials to help improve life in rural communities.” Rep. Mickens said,“I would support the effort to pass the Heirs Uniformed Partition Act in 2020.” Frank restated the need for a broad coalition to help pass this needed legislation. We hope our members will call their representatives and senators to request passage of the Heirs Uniformed Partition Act in 2020. This legislation will help families retain ownership of land. If you decide to sale your interest in the property, then HUPA will require sellers to give family members the first choice to purchase. WCSHC members Jean Harper, Rosie Harris and Lorine Gladney participated in the Winston County Farmers Market on Friday, August 30, 2019, at the Louisville Coliseum. The week of September 1-7, 2019 witnessed true devastation in the Bahamas. Hurricane Dorian wreaked havoc on mankind and property.

Abaco Island suffered major losses in human life and personal possessions. WCSHC should support recovery efforts with a donation.

The Winston County Farmers Market closed on Friday, September 6, 2019. However, Jean Harper will be accepting orders for produce.

The Thanksgiving market will occur Monday, November 25, 2019, at the Louisville Coliseum, 245 Ivy Ave, Louisville, MS. Tentative starting time 3pm. Also, this week produced the hottest temperatures of 2019. Some places across the state experienced triple digit temperatures from the Mississippi Delta to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This pattern continued into the week of September 8-15, 2019. WCSHC conducted an exciting biscuit making workshop on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, 5:30pm, at extension office in Louisville, MS. Shemika Coleman facilitated activities. Jean Harper and Rosie Harris performed and demonstrated the art of biscuit making. They distinguished the difference in making biscuit

2

Continued on page 3

WCSHC’s 8th 2019 Business Session Report

Continued from page 2 by using plain and self-rising flower. Jean used self-rising flour and Rosie used plain flour. Jean Harper also demonstrated the techniques of making rolls with plain flour. Shemika said,“This event offered an opportunity for young and old to participate and trade the art of biscuit making.”Thursday, September 12, 2019, WCSHC members and friends attended Alcorn State University’s Annual Field Day, at the Incubator in Preston, MS. Allen McReynolds recanted facts about 2019 field day activities. We thoroughly enjoyed all the presentations from the speakers.

Jean Harper said,“Eugene Livingston of NRCS presented on collecting rain fall,” which drew her interest. WCSHC co-hosted a fire safety workshop with Lonely Valley C. M. E. Church on Thursday, September 12, 2019, 6pm, at the church. Gail Triplett, Captain, and Randal Livingston, Fire Chief of the Betheden Fire Dept., presented ideas on developing fire plans to save lives. Allen McReynolds of WCSHC helped facilitate. Thanks to Sandra Jackson and Lonely Valley Church Family for allowing this informational workshop to help save lives.

Frank Taylor attended the minority landowners outreach conference in Richmond, VA, on September 10-12, 2019. This event engaged farmers, landowners, and resource providers in a local vicinity. The week of September 16-22, 2019 continued with the unusual ranges of temperatures. The adverse weather conditions have begun to cause havoc for fall crops. Heat causes plants to under perform or die from extreme heat conditions. Meteorologists indicated the weather pattern should be shifting within the next seven days. As Monday, September 16, 2019, relented into the late afternoon, individuals traversed from across Winston County to participate in Bethany Presbyterian Church’s Fire Safety Workshop, 3083 Bethany Ebenezer Road, Louisville, MS, 6pm. Pastor Cedric Wooten and his church family welcomed attendees. Jim McAdory, Winston County Ext. Director, presented the Firewise Program. This entailed landscape plans and highlighted hazards which causes external fires. Jim said,“you should not place pine needle or leaves adjacent to your home. This would serve as a kindling box.” Anthony Jernigan, of Highpoint Volunteer Fire Department, highlighted the need for escape plans. Anthony emphasized and reiterated for families to practice escape plans monthly. He said, “unattended cooking is the leading cause of interior fires.” Anthony asked participants to support local volunteer fire departments with donations to purchase needed equipment. Jim provided a barbeque meal, which included

bake beans, pull pork, chicken, potato salad and desserts. Members from Ebenezer COGIC and New Zion M. B. Church supported this effort to educate families. WCSHC thanked Gloria Turnipseed for organizing this educational event. Covington County’s USDA Outreach Meeting, Tuesday, September 17, 2019, 6pm, at Jones Chapel M. B. Church, 140 Jones Chapel Church Rd, Collins, MS, 39428.

Pastor Milton J. Williams. Arnetta Crosby, Superintendent of Covington County Public Schools, organized a group of 60 individuals, who participated in the landowners’ learning session. Fenton Pope, CCSHP, Delmer Stamps, Square O Consulting, Elvert Cole, NRCS, Vangela M. Wade, Attorney, The Wade Law Firm, PLL, presented relevant information for individuals

to assess their property for natural resources practices. WCSHC used a community education model to teach basic survival skills. This means WCSHC transferred place-based knowledge, through a viable relationship with their senior citizens, to germinate positive dividends for Winston County. WCSHC hosted a sewing workshop on Saturday, September 21, 2019, 12 noon, at the extension office, 460 Vance Street, Louisville, MS, 39339. Veteran Seamstress, Fannie McMullan, taught individuals how to mend shirts, pants, shorts and skirts. Fannie also demonstrated the art of using patterns.

Arlexis Yarbrough said,“participants thoroughly enjoyed the activities.” Allen McReynolds started preparing soil on Saturday, September 22, 2019, for a plastic and drip tape laying

WCSHC’s 8th 2019 Business Session Report

Continued on page 4

3

Continued from page 3

demonstration, planned for Tuesday, October 29, 2019, 10am. This demonstration will occur at Jonas & Solomon farm, owned and operated

by Allen & Rita McReynolds, 605 Carter Rd., McCool, MS (Little Calvary Community). The Scott County Small Farmers and Landowners Organization conducted their second business session on Monday, September 23, 2019, 6pm, at Little Rock Baptist Church, 643 Tallabogue Rd, Forest, MS, 39074. This business session focused on finalizing details for a biscuit making workshop scheduled for September 30, 2019, 6pm. A Harvest & Heritage Festival, October 26, 2019, 11am, will occur at Little Rock Church.

SCSFLO’s Business session ended with Shawn Chambers, of North Central Scott Volunteer Fire Department, presenting on fire safety.

Shawn encouraged participants to develop fire escape plans and asked attendees to request resource providers to check their heating sources before using. Alonzo Miller and Allen McReynolds clipped their co-op pastures on Tuesday, September 24, 2019.

This procedure will enhance forage consumption by the animals. Mount Pleasant #1 M. B. Church, 2058 Evergreen Rd, Louisville, MS, conducted a Fire Safety Workshop to prevent loss of lives. Deacon Jerome Foster verbalized prayer and welcomed attendees on the behalf of Mt. Pleasant #1 Church. Allen McReynolds of WCSHC reminded attendees of the night’s purpose. We hope families will learn techniques to reduce hazards and save lives through fire prevention. Randal Livingston, Fire Chief and Gail Triplett, Captain, of Betheden Fire Department, elaborated on models to save

lives. Also, Gail and Randall reiterated the need for younger fireman. They stated, “We need more manpower to buff Betheden Fire Department’s rank. This manpower will incorporate new tactics to help lower insurance ratings and reduce premiums for Betheden Fire Department service area.” Pastor Willie V. Daniel asked members and visitors to adhere to the presentation to save lives. WCSHC conveyed thanks to Pastor Daniel and Church Family for allowing our team to deliver the fire safety presentation. On Tuesday, September 24, 2019, Tom Wilson transferred the second heifer to Nathaniel Hardy-SCSFLO. This completes Tom Wilson’s Pass On obligations, through WCSHC Heifer Program. Nathaniel Hardy is required to pass on two heifers to another youth within two years. Frank Taylor worked with the Smith Family of Liberty, MS, to develop long-term goals for their property on Wednesday, September 25, 2019. WCSHC youth learned the art of weaving paper, Wednesday, September 25, 2019. Glenida Cooper incorporated skills of listening, focus and precision to master the art of weaving.

WCSHC members participated in Pike County Agricultural Field Day at Bobby and Jimmie Mckennis Farm, 1075 Clem Wallace Rd, McComb, MS, on Thursday, September 26, 2019. Bobby’s operation includes hay and cattle. After retiring from the oil and gas industry, Bobby started building this immaculate entity to serve farmers from across the southeast. This operation produces over 23,000 square and round bales of hay yearly.

4

WCSHC’s 8th 2019 Business Session Report