Wcshc february 2014 news flash 2nd edition

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Winston County Self Help Cooperative ________________________________

NEWS FLASH

February 2014 | 2nd Edition

visit us online @ www.wcshc.com

“Team Members Changing Lives in Mississippi” CCSHP’s 3rd Saving Rural America Conference

Barbara Saulter - CCSHP member

By Frank Taylor

Mississippi Pine Belt of Southern Mississippi came alive on Saturday, February 15, 2014 for Covington County Self Help Project (CCSHP) 3rd Saving Rural America Conference (SRAC) at Multi-Purpose Building in Collins, MS. “Our members’ looks forward to this educational event with gratitude to change lives and acquire information to enhance their farm operations” according to Fenton Pope President of CCSHP. This event invigorates our work-plan and provides guidance in making pertinent farm & family’s decisions. We work in conjunction with Winston County Self Help Cooperative to share the same theme of “Strengthening Rural Communities Thorough Partnerships” because of commonalties in

our respected work. CCSHP formalized under auspices of Roger Jones to develop CCSHP’s Heifer Project in 2002 and these partnerships continue to unveil new opportunities in helping small farmers, landowners and others to extract income from natural resources and generate long-term optimism in rural America.

CCSHP’s 3rd SRAC commenced with Collins, MS Mayor of thirty-three years, V. O. Smith unleashed words of welcome and said “our city operates with a surplus budget and Collins’ continues to expand its search for new sources of employment”.Mark Leonard & Steve Wade of Farm Service Agency discussed farm CCSHP’s 3rd Saving Rural America Conf, Continued on page 2

WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE 716 Old Robinson Road • Louisville, MS 39339 Phone: 662-779-2400 • Email: winstoncshc@att.net • Web: www.wcshc.com “Saving Rural America”

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CCSHP’s 3rd Saving Rural America Conf, Continued from page 1 loans and eligibility requirements to register your farm with USDA & obtain services. Elvert Cole & Mitch Fulton highlighted conservation practices through Natural Resources Conservation Service to protect air, water and soils. Rural Development, Jerry Jackson, delivered a detail orientation on 504’s housing loans and grants to remove safety and health hazards. James Gregory, Gregory’s Farm and Sons, Florence, MS, disclosed family secrets of growing & marketing local vegetables. A trio of Alcorn State Extension Program personnel delivered presentations on; Building a Better Credit Report for farming (Carolyn Banks), Marketing Alternatives (Helen D. Brooks) and Taking Control of Your Finances (Rachae

Martin). Carolyn Conger, Mississippi State’s Extension Service, enthralled participants with a presentation on “Ten signs of Alzheimer”.

Barbara Saulters, CCSHP member, strongly emphasized producing your own eggs and earning income through this niche market.

James Ford of National Network of Forest Practitioners encouraged landowners to manage their forestlands for multiple income streams, such as pine straw and hunting leases. Clarence Palmer of Neighborhood Insurance Service dissected how to secure insurance coverage through health exchange.

Mississippi’s Health Exchange consists of two companies Magnolia and Humana .Palmer reiterated March 1,2014,as deadline to sign-up before penalty period starts. Wilson Murray of NRCS & luncheon speaker, enticed attendees to be aware of recent signed Agriculture

Act of 2014.” Although, you can reasonably decipher information from various networks about new conservation practices, however, I would encourage you to visit your local office for credible insights within this month. Our state office will hold informational meetings with employees this week on implementation of Farm Bill Programs”.

Covington County Self Help Project (CCSHP) 3rd Saving Rural America Conference ended with a soulful meal prepared by Pope Family and Members. Conference menu included barbecue ribs, pull pork, potatoes salad, bake beans, breads, and assortments of homemade cup cakes crafted by Chef Pope. CCSHP thanks you for supporting their 3rd Saving Rural America Conference and they will see you in 2015.

WCSHC 2014’s Saving Rural America Conferences NEWS FLASH

visit us online @ www.wcshc.com

January 2014 | 1st Edition

Winston County Self Help Cooperative ________________________________

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Winston County Self Help Cooperative ________________________________

WCSHC 7th SRAC

NEWS FLASH February 2014 | 1st Edition

visit us online @ www.wcshc.com

“WCSHC Takin’ it To The Streets in 2014”

Jasper County 1st SRAC

Wilson Murray, Kurt Readus and Frank Taylor

By Frank Taylor

Winston County Self Help Cooperative wrangled with old man Winter and convened their 7th Saving Rural America & Youth Conference on Friday January 24, 2014 at the Louisville Coliseum in Louisville, Mississippi.

Stiff winds from the north and a temperature below freezing set off alarms on the eve of WCSHC’s 7th SRA Conference according to Jean Harper. “As we congregated on Thursday afternoon, several members expressed significant concerns about impending weather conditions and how it would impact attendance. Cold weather normally trumps participation, however, on this day more than 230 farmers, landowners and students joined forces to help save rural America by extolling WCSHC’s 2014 conference theme of “Strengthening Rural

Covington County Self Help Project 3rd SRAC brings closure to Winston County Self Help Cooperative’s series of four Saving Rural America Conferences conducted throughout Mississippi in January & February 2014. WCSHC conveys thanks to Mid South Agricultural Producer Group,

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The voices of rural Americans yarned for assistance from USDA, extension, community-based organizations and local governments on Saturday February 8, 2014 at Paulding Fire Station in Paulding, MS. Participants traveled over hills of Heidelberg and through vast hollows of Vossburg to hear stories of hope with possibilities of restoring prosperity in rural communities. Wayne County Self Help Organization (WCSHO) and Winston County Self Help cooperative (WCSHC) worked cooperatively with Jasper County Supervisors, community leaders and others to host Jasper County’s First Saving Rural America Conference. Rodney Pickens, President of WCSHO said, “We are seeking to expand our membership into adjacent counties and, today presents an

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WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE 716 Old Robinson Road • Louisville, MS 39339 Phone: 662-779-2400 • Email: winstoncshc@att.net • Web: www.wcshc.com “Saving Rural America”

By Staff

By Frank Taylor

Communities through Partnerships”. We work collectively and broadly to enhance opportunities in rural Americans through partnerships with various entities. This year’s conference highlighted WCSHC’s vast network with USDA, extension, state agencies, community-based organizations, non-profits and local governments to help rebuild communities, schools, health care facilities, jobs and families.

The 7th Saving Rural America & Youth Conference started 7:30a.m with a live radio broadcast featuring co-op members, local elected officials and conference attendees. Minster Carnette Hudson offered prayer, Will Hill, Mayor of Louisville & Bert Warner, County Supervisor District-one,

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Wayne County Self Help Organization, and Covington County Self Help Project for working collectively to create successful conferences as team players. Your time and efforts added lifelines for participants and made an indelible impact on humankind.

Additionally, WCSHC appreciates assistance received from USDA- NRCS, FSA, RD, and ASU & MSU Extension Programs, MFC and MAC.

entrance way to highlight our relationship with service providers and demonstrate benefits of maintaining membership with a community-based organization. Pickens continued by stating small farmers and landowners used their natural resources to spawn income, and sometimes individuals need assistance in developing successful farm entities, therefore, WCSHO serves as a mentor for these individuals to avoid costly mistakes”. Additionally, WCSHO operates as liaison between farmers and landowners in obtaining services through USDA & extension. Calvin Triplett, farmer from Heidelberg, MS said, “My family finally received financial assistance through Natural Resources Conservation Service in 2013 after

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WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE 716 Old Robinson Road • Louisville, MS 39339 Phone: 662-779-2400 • Email: winstoncshc@att.net • Web: www.wcshc.com “Saving Rural America”

CONNECT WITH US

Again, thanks to you from WCSHC Members and Youth Groups.

Now, WCSHC will embark on conducting outreach meetings, field days, and others educational events in upcoming months. You can follow WCSHC by visiting our website www.wcshc.com for posted announcements or call Frank Taylor 601-291-2704. “We will see you along the way in rural America”.

Winston County Self Help Cooperative | NEWS FLASH

CCSHP’s 3rd Saving Rural America Conference Photo Gallery

Editor: WCSHC Team Leader Frank Taylor Layout and Design: www.MarqueusDraper.com

Winston County Self Help Cooperative | NEWS FLASH

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