Mississippi Farm Country Vol 94, No.1

A PUBLICATION OF MISSISSIPPI FARM BUREAU FEDERATION VOL. 94, NO. 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 MSFB.ORG

Farm Woman of the Year

C O N T E N T S VOLUME 94 NUMBER 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

FEATURES

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Mississippi Farm Country (ISSN 1529-9600) magazine is published bimonthly by the Mississippi Farm Bureau® Federation.

Farm Bureau members receive this publication as part of their membership benefit. Periodicals postage is paid at Jackson, MS and at additional mailing offices.

FARM WOMAN OF THE YEAR Neshoba County beef cattle and dairy farmer Marlo Beason has been selected 2017 Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Farm Woman of the Year. Read her story inside this issue.

Postmaster: Send address changes to P.O. Box 1972, Jackson, MS 39215 EDITORIAL AND BUSINESS OFFICES 6311 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211 601-977-4153 EDITOR — Glynda Phillips ADVERTISING Angela Ellis 1-800-227-8244 ext. 4242 aellis@msfb.org

FARM BUREAU OFFICERS President – Mike McCormick Vice President (North) – Donald Gant Vice President (Central) – Ted Kendall IV Vice President (South) – Reggie Magee Treasurer – Billy Davis Corporate Secretary – Kent Bloodworth FARM BUREAU DIRECTORS Carla Taylor, Prentiss Mike Graves, Tippah Jeff Hollowell, Lafayette Preston Arrington, Sunflower Gabriela Brasher, Tallahatchie Neal Huskison, Pontotoc Scott O’Brian, Clay Joe Huerkamp, Noxubee David Hayward, Grenada James Rasberry, Attala William Jones, Lauderdale Max Anderson, Newton James R. Ford, Smith Josh Miller, Sharkey Tammy Layton, Simpson Noble Guedon, Adams Pud Stringer, Marion Larry Jefcoat, Jones Clayton Lawrence Jr., George Perry Meyers, Jackson Betty Mills, Montgomery Luke Andrews, Bolivar

Material in this publication is based on what the editor believes to be reliable information. Neither Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation nor those individuals or organizations contributing to the MFBF publication assume any liability for errors that might go undetected in the publication — this includes statements in articles or advertisements that could lead to erroneous personal or business management decisions.

FARM BUREAU,® FB® and all Farm Bureau logos used in this magazine are registered service marks owned by the American Farm Bureau Federation. They may not be used in any commercial manner without the prior written consent of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

FARM FACTS Mississippi State University Extension Associate Julie White of Oktibbeha County talks about the farm she and her husband, William, operate with his parents in the Oktoc community. Julie and William are also devoted Farm Bureau volunteer leaders. Come with us as we learn more.

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RECIPES

AG BOOK OF THE YEAR

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The 2018 Ag Book of the Year is “First Peas to the Table.” More information can be found inside this issue.

DEPARTMENTS 4 6 20 26

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE NATIONAL AFFAIRS REPORT NOTES FROM THE FIELD

Enjoy the recipes from “Country Cooking, Vol. V.” Sales of this cookbook generate funds for the Ag in the Classroom program. Cookbooks are available at most county offices.

ABOUT THE COVER Farm Woman of the Year Marlo Beason is pictured on her Neshoba County farm near Philadelphia. Read her story inside this issue.

GARDENING MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY

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P R E S I D E N T’S

M E S S A G E

Chocolate Milk from a Brown Cow If you’ve ever had a child tell you that chocolate milk comes from a brown cow, then you understand why Farm Bureau works so hard to teach children about agriculture.

Today’s schoolchildren are tomorrow’s leaders. It’s important they understand that a farmer milked a dairy cow that produced the white milk that Mike McCormick was later made into the chocPresident, Mississippi olate milk they so enjoy. LikeFarm Bureau Federation wise, a farmer toiled for hours under a hot sun to grow the fruits and vegetables or to raise the beef cattle, catfish, poultry and hogs that are processed into the meat products that are sold at their local grocery store.

In all of their efforts, farmers use the latest technologies and science-based production methods, while taking very good care of their animals and our nation’s land, air and water.

One of the best ways we have of teaching kids where their food comes from is our Ag in the Classroom program. Each year, staff members and volunteer leaders take agricultural materials into classrooms across the state. We encourage educators to teach their students about our food and fiber system and the critical role agriculture plays in our economy and society.

Children aren’t the only ones we target with our educational efforts. The average American is at least three generations removed from the farm. In fact, farm and ranch families now make up less than 2 percent of the U.S. population. We must make sure all consumers support farmers. A strong domestic agriculture industry is critical to the security and wellbeing of our nation.

The Farm Families of Mississippi (FFM) Agriculture Promotion Campaign is a great program for reaching consumers with the farmer’s story. We spearhead this endeavor, but hundreds of organizations and individuals support it.

Farm Families started out locally in media markets in the Jackson area. Today, the Farm Families network has grown

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to include eight TV stations in all media markets in Mississippi, the statewide Public Broadcasting Network, additional cable systems all over north and central Mississippi, and more than 115 billboards in high-traffic areas around the state.

This issue of our membership magazine carries photo coverage of the annual Farm Families fundraising dinner held in Jackson in October. The dinner featured Mississippi watercolorist Wyatt Waters and Mississippi restaurateur, chef and author Robert St. John, who did a great job of headlining the program. I want to thank everyone who made this event such a big success.

Yet another means of getting the farmer’s story out to consumers is our Public Policy program. This past year, we made sure that Farm Bureau’s voice was heard on countless issues of concern to farmers. We visited Washington, D.C., many times. We spent a great deal of time in meetings here in Mississippi. We even traveled to Cuba as part of a trade mission led by our governor. We have a great group of lawmakers both locally and nationally who are very open to working with Farm Bureau and Mississippi agriculture. For that, we are most thankful.

In summary, because most of today’s consumers are generations removed from the farm, Farm Bureau must work hard to make sure these men, women and children hear the correct information about agriculture, preferably straight from a Mississippi farmer. Because today’s consumers get their information from many different sources, our message must always be front and center, stronger and clearer than all the rest. We can’t afford to have others telling our story for us.

As I conclude my first message of the new year, I want to remind you that the 2018 Session of the Mississippi Legislature convenes at noon on Jan. 2. I plan to spend a great deal of time at the Capitol this session, and I hope to see you there as well.

As we begin yet another year of service to Farm Bureau, I want to remind you that my door is always open. I welcome your thoughts, your ideas and your dreams for our organization.

I look forward to working with you in the coming year, and as always, I appreciate all you do for Farm Bureau.

Have a happy and blessed 2018. FB

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

NATIONAL AFFAIRS REPORT★

BY JUSTIN FERGUSON

Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation National Affairs Coordinator & Commodity Coordinator for Major Row Crops

ANDY WHITTINGTON

Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Environmental Coordinator

★ ★ ★

A Renewed Vision of Cooperative Federalism at EPA

By definition, cooperative federalism is a concept in which national, state and local governments interact cooperatively and collectively to solve common problems, rather than making policies separately but more or less equally, or clashing over a policy in a system dominated by the national government. The cooperative federalism approach to environmental protection in this country has been a fundamental component of our federal environmental laws since the early 1970s. In short, Congress passed laws, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wrote the regulations, and states sought delegation of those programs and implemented and enforced them.

When those state programs were in their infancy, EPA tended to have a strong oversight role, and states often looked to EPA for technical support and guidance. EPA often limited the discretion of states in implementing those federal programs. As state programs matured, states developed their own expertise and often identified new and innovative ways to implement federal requirements and achieve desired outcomes. States are now authorized to implement over 90 percent of the federal programs and also take the lead on most enforcement matters.

In his confirmation hearing before the Senate Environmental & Public Works Committee in January, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt stated, “Process, rule of law and cooperative federalism, that is going to be the heart of how we do business at the EPA.” Pruitt has vowed to follow the Trump administration’s will to soften EPA’s rules.

The hope is that this renewed view of cooperative federalism will allow the EPA to build on the work state environmental agencies are

already performing. The EPA has frequently taken more of an oversight role, in which it establishes policies that are then enforced by the states. Pruitt hopes to expand upon this pattern, shifting additional responsibilities onto the states in order to minimize the role of the EPA. Environmental laws never were intended to be onesize-fits-all. The natural resources of Alaska and Mississippi differ, and the ways in which people use and protect the natural resources in those states differ.

Absent a compelling need that is embodied by Congress in law, a single national solution to a challenge, or a single national mechanism to exploit a resource is arguably inappropriate. State and local governments can and should take the lead in forging local solutions.

Where cooperation with neighboring states or the federal government makes sense, a state can decide to pursue it ­— all the more so when cooperative federalism, the rule of law and core mission focus are EPA’s guideposts.

American farms and businesses by far are the most regulated in the world, competing in a global market against competitors with minimal environmental restraints or oversight, while manufacturing or growing their product. The business and farm community, especially, will benefit greatly from this renewed view of cooperative federalism. In fact, we have already seen this philosophy placed into action with the withdrawal of the Waters of the U.S. rule (WOTUS), ongoing discussions surrounding pollinator health, and the risk-based vs. precautionary approach to pesticide regulation.

The farm community welcomes Administrator Pruitt into his new role and applauds his renewed vision of cooperative federalism at the EPA. FB

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, front, is pictured with the MFBF president EPA Administrator Pruitt and Governor Bryant and vice presidents and Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

2018 Winter Commodity Conference

The 2018 Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Winter Commodity Conference will be held Jan. 22-23 at the MFBF Building in Jackson. The annual Legislative Reception is scheduled for the evening of Jan. 22.

Bryce Anderson, Senior Ag Meteorologist for DTN/ Progressive Farmer, and other key speakers will be featured at this year’s conference. Speakers will address issues of interest to every segment of Mississippi agriculture.

More details will be made available as the conference draws closer. For more information, contact Nancy Britt at (601) 977-4230. FB

CALENDAR of EVENTS JAN. 5-10 AFBF Annual Convention

Phoenix, Arizona JAN. 22-23 Winter Commodity Conference

Jackson

JAN. 22 Legislative Reception Jackson FEB. 23-25

State YF&R Leadership Conference Biloxi

FEB. 28 Ag Day at the Capitol Jackson MARCH 13 Women’s Day at the Capitol

Ronald McDonald

Jackson

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“Farmers provide American consumers with access to an abundant, safe and affordable supply of food, fiber and fuel. In turn, food security gives Americans a chance to choose to follow their individual dreams to be whatever they want to be. This is cause for celebration.” — MARLO BEASON

Farm Woman of the Year B Y G LY N D A P H I L L I P S

Neshoba County beef cattle and dairy farmer Marlo Beason milk, reduced-fat milk and cream, which are sold at approximately has been named 2017 Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) 35 locations in central Mississippi, serving restaurants and grocery Farm Woman of the Year. The announcement was stores as far west as Jackson, as far east as Meridian, made prior to state convention activities in Decemas far north as Starkville and as far south as Magee, ber. She was selected from among entries from with a lot of places in between. around the state.

The dairy has grown from eight to 35 Jersey cows, A dedicated volunteer leader, Marlo says she milked twice a day, every day, come rain or shine. The appreciates the many ways Farm Bureau supports Beasons have a total of 80 cows, including young our nation’s farmers, especially its efforts to carry heifers and dry cows. Beason Family Farm recently the farmer’s story to the general public. Through added two employees, one to help with milking and the years, she has worked with the Women’s, Ag in bottling and one to help with delivery. the Classroom and Young Farmers & Ranchers proMarlo has her farm chores, as do all of the grams, as well as the Farm Families of Mississippi Beason family members. But in recent years, she Agriculture Promotion Campaign. has also stepped up her agricultural volunteer work.

“I am always surprised at how many generations On the day of her interview, Marlo had just read removed from agriculture people have become,” she the 2017 Ag Book of the Year, “The Cow in Patsaid. “I expect that kids might not know that a milk rick O’Shanahan’s Kitchen,” to a classroom of area cow must first have a calf before it can make milk. kindergartners. She planned to read at kindergarBut I am always taken aback when a teacher doesn’t tens and daycares each morning for the two weeks “Being a part of a know that either. leading up to the Neshoba County Ag Appreciation great organization like “Being a part of a great organization like Farm Day Expo held at the Neshoba County Coliseum Farm Bureau helps Bureau helps farmers educate the public about what farmers educate the in Philadelphia. The event was sponsored by the we do for them every single day,” she said. “Farmers Neshoba County Farm Bureau. public about what provide American consumers with access to an abun- we do for them every Marlo is a longtime county Farm Bureau womdant, safe and affordable supply of food, fiber and fuel. en’s chair, a former State YF&R Committee member single day.”

In turn, food security gives Americans a chance to and a regional winner of the YF&R Achievement — Marlo Beason choose to follow their individual dreams to be whatAward contest. Shelby serves as vice president of ever they want to be. This is cause for celebration.”

Neshoba County Farm Bureau.

Although she didn’t grow up on a farm, Marlo Marlo and her husband regularly host field days often visited her grandparents’ farms, which had on their farm, where schoolkids learn all about dairycows and vegetable gardens. She learned to appreing and agriculture. This Christmas, the Beasons will ciate agriculture. have a “Mooey Christmas” celebration, with Santa “I was a high-maintenance, girly-girl cheerleader Clause arriving on a Saturday. There will be cookies who majored in business in college and planned and milk, a wagon ride and a book reading. to open a dress shop. I didn’t expect to farm for a “We feel so blessed here at Beason Family Farm,” living,” she said. “Fortunately, God had other plans Marlo said. “I just wish my grandparents could be for me, and I am so glad He did.” here now enjoying this farm life with me.”

When Marlo married Shelby Beason, she The MFBF Farm Woman of the Year Award became a full-time farmer, and she can’t imagine was established to recognize, encourage and reward a better place than a farm to live, work and raise the achievements of women farmers. The recipient their children. The Beasons have three kids: Cole, personifies the highest level of professional excel20, Micaela, 17, and Landon, 9. lence in agriculture. For more information, contact In recent years, the Beasons added a small dairy MFBF Women’s Programs and Ag in the Classto their beef cattle and custom hay harvesting operation. The dairy room Coordinator Clara Bilbo at (601) 977-4245. Or visit the Farm pasteurizes and bottles whole white milk, chocolate milk, butter- Bureau website at www.msfb.org. FB JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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Mills family members are pictured on the farm.

“Farm Bureau is the best thing farmers have as far as a voice in the Legislature and in Washington, D.C. Sarah and I have gone on quite a few Farm Bureau-related trips through the years.We enjoyed representing Scott County in Washington.”

— QUINTON MILLS

Photos by Terri Sloan Photography

MILLS RETIREMENT IS END OF AN ERA

Q

B Y G LY N D A P H I L L I P S

uinton Mills’ recent retirement as a dairy farmer and agriculture industry leader has been deemed the “end of an era” by his many friends at Farm Bureau.

Quinton operated Mills Dairy Inc. near Forest for some 52 years and has served as a well-respected Farm Bureau leader for over 40 years.

Along the way, he also built a successful milk and feed trucking company, which today includes 7 tractors and 7 trailers and is run by his son-in-laws.

HOW IT BEGAN

he began by selling his young heifers and dry cows to area farmers.

When he sold the final 500 “perfect milk cows,” as he calls them, dairymen from across the state, as well as from Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee, showed up for the sale. Some of his family members cried to see the cows go.

“While it lasted, the dairy was a good life and a great place to raise my children,” he said. “We had some good times and some bad times, but overall, we were blessed.”

Quinton says rising input costs and low milk prices made it hard to realize a profit in recent years. He says it was very difficult to compete with the big dairies in the Midwest.

“It got to be time to retire, and that’s what I did,” he said. “Along the way, I started a trucking company, which is now owned and operated by my son-in-laws. The company transports milk and feed across the Southeast for other farmers.”

Also along the way, Mills worked with alternative energy experts and others in helping to pioneer alternative fuel. He built a methane gas digester on his farm with the intent of generating electricity from waste collected from the dairy. He planned to use the energy to power his home and farm and then sell any extra to Nineteen-month-old Sanders Abe is pictured with a calf. a local power company. He says “THIS HAS TRULY BEEN A FAMILY this is done regularly and successOPERATION. WE ARE GRATEFUL TO GOD fully in other areas of the nation FOR BLESSING OUR FAMILY. but proved difficult to accomplish WE GIVE HIM THE GLORY.” in Mississippi.

Quinton grew up on his father’s Grade C dairy farm in Leake County and worked in Jackson for a number of years before deciding he wanted to operate his own dairy. He was hauling milk for MS Milk Producers Cooperative when he began buying calves one at a time from dairymen customers along his route.

“My wife and I lived in Jackson at the time, so a friend of mine raised the calves, and we kept them up here in the country until I could buy some land and get my own farm started,” he said.

In 1962, Quinton was able to purchase 95 acres in the Hillsboro community, which he cleared by hand using a chainsaw and tractor with the help of his wife, Sarah.

“I drove the milk truck until 4 p.m. every day of the week and would cut trees and burn brush piles at night. It — QUINTON MILLS felt good to clear a little patch at a time, just as long as I was accomplishing something,” he said.

FARM BUREAU LEADER In 1965, Quinton bought 95 cows to add to the 30 heifers he Quinton was an active Farm Bureau volunteer leader for 40-plus already owned. He milked his cows in another farmer’s dairy barn years before his recent retirement from the county board. He says in Sebastopol. In 1966, he was able to build his own barn, and that he served as a county president for 20-25 years and served on the was the beginning of Mills Dairy Inc. Through the years, the Mills state board of directors for several terms. family added to their farm, and at its largest, the dairy totaled 1,000 “Farm Bureau is the best thing farmers have as far as a voice in the head of cows and calves.

Legislature and in Washington. D.C.,” he said. “Sarah and I have gone on quite a few Farm Bureau-related trips through the years.

DAIRYING CHALLENGES We enjoyed representing Scott County in Washington.”

When Quinton decided to retire and sell his cows in recent years, Mills also served on the local ASCS Board, was president of the (Cont’d) JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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local water board, and was a member of the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association. He is a deacon at Hillsboro Baptist Church.

Mills says he would like to thank all of the family members and employees who have helped him through the years, including his daughters, Judy Ledford and Jan Crowell, and his son-in-laws, Freddie Ledford and Britt Crowell. He’d also like to thank Rachel Thornton, who worked for many years caring for the cows.

Most of all, he would like to thank his wife, Sarah, for her love and support. The Mills have been married for 63 years.

“I couldn’t have done any of this without her. She’s been with me all of these years, working just as hard as I have worked,” he said. “This has truly been a family operation.

We are grateful to God for blessing our family.

We give Him the glory.”

Quinton and Sarah have three grandchildren, Josh, Jonathan and Drew, and one greatgrandson, 19-month-old Sanders Abe. FB

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See Page 5 for Member Benefits!

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

FarmFacts: S T R A I G H T F R O M A M I S S I S S I P P I FA R M E R

Teaching the Next Generation

by Julie White

M

y husband, William, and I are involved in agriculture today because both of our families were involved in agriculture and took time to teach us the importance of farming. I was raised on a small farm in Denham Springs, Louisiana. We raised Jersey and Milking Shorthorn dairy cattle, which I also showed in 4-H. William was raised on a small beef cattle farm in Stewart, MS. The work ethic and sense of responsibility that we both gained on these farms have driven us to do what we LOVE on a daily basis.

William and I own White Farms in the Oktoc community just outside of Starkville, along with William’s parents, John and Patsy White. We raise beef cattle and hay on our 200-acre farm.

We are the fifth generation on the family farm, which was a Grade C dairy owned

by William’s father and grandfather in the 1970s. Our main goal on our farm is to be good stewards of the land provided to us by our ancestors. As a part of that, we participate in both the Conservation Stewardship and EQUIP programs through USDA-NRCS. These practices help us to enhance and improve the facilities, pastures and wildlife habitats on our farm.

We both have a strong passion for 14

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agriculture, and we work to instill that passion in our children, Matthew and Morgan. They work beside us on the farm daily, caring for the land and animals, and we are providing them with some of the same opportunities that our parents provided us as children. We are connecting them to the farm by allowing them to purchase their own beef cattle and starting their own herds. However, their 4-H projects (dairy cattle, market goats and market lambs) have also added some diversity on the farm. We feel that these projects are important in teaching them many life skills while also creating a love for animals.

We spend many nights and weekends working on the land or with the cows, since we both work off the farm.

Even though we work off the farm, we are both very involved in agriculture on a daily basis. William is the Facilities Coordinator for the Leveck Research Station, better known as South Farm, for the Mississippi State University Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences. He spends his days caring for the land, animals (beef cattle, horses, sheep and pigs) and facilities, along with working with the faculty, staff and students of the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

I am an Extension Associate for the

Mississippi State University Extension Service, where I focus my time on agricultural literacy and coordinating the FARMtastic program. FARMtastic is an agricultural literacy program for students in the second, third and fourth grades that teaches them the importance of agriculture to their daily lives by experiencing Mississippi agriculture at their fingertips. Through our traveling exhibit, children have the opportunity to see, touch, taste and smell what life is like on a farm. For more information about FARMtastic, visit our website at www.farmtastic.msucares.com or follow us on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) @farmtastic.ms.

Organizations like Farm Bureau give farmers the opportunity to network and gain knowledge about our state’s diversity in agriculture. Our involvement with Farm Bureau began in 2004, when William became the chair of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee for Oktibbeha County Farm Bureau. Being on the State Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee and competing in the Excellence in Agriculture contest helped us to realize the important role that Farm Bureau plays in the farming community and the importance of becoming even more involved.

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William, Matthew, Julie, and Morgan White

“Farming is more than a job or a hobby; it’s a way of life.

Every farm and farmer is unique, and each has a story to tell.”

— Julie White After competing in the American Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture contest, I had the opportunity to participate in the American Farm Bureau Partners in Agricultural Leadership (PAL) program. This is a two-year program that focuses on developing the leadership and advocacy skills of farmers and agribusiness professionals. PAL Class 8 consisted of 10 farmers from across the nation involved in various types of agriculture. This program has helped me to further develop my passion for agriculture and my ability to be an advocate for Mississippi agriculture.

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On the county level, we are becoming more involved. William has recently been elected president of the Oktibbeha County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, and I was elected as chair of the Oktibbeha County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee. We look forward to serving in these new roles.

Farming is more than a job or a hobby; it’s a way of life. Every farm and farmer is unique, and each has a story to tell. Our story is our passion for agriculture and our desire to teach the next generation the important role farming plays in their daily lives. FB

William and Julie White are past recipients of the state YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award and placed among the top-ten finalists in national competition. Julie is a past recipient of the MFBF Ag Ambassador Award (with Nelda Starks).

The Farm Families of Mississippi Agriculture Promotion Campaign was created to educate the public about the agriculture industry. For more information, contact Greg Gibson at (601) 977-4154.

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“Shiitake mushrooms are used by chefs in high-end restaurants, and you’ll also find them in salad bars of chain restaurants. According to research, shiitake mushrooms are very healthy and assist with a lot of health problems. They are tasty, too.”

— Columbus McReynolds

S G H N I I I T W A O KE R G MUSHROOMS B Y G LY N D A P H I L L I P S

Retired vo-tech teacher and lifelong farmer one or one and a half pounds per log twice a year Columbus McReynolds grows vegetables on his for a total of about six productions off each log. The family land in the Little Calvary Community in rural desirable mushroom in today’s marketplace is the Winston County. In recent years, he has become size of a 50-cent piece. Columbus grows two varieties interested in shiitake mushrooms, an increasingly of shiitake mushrooms. They are marketed through popular specialty crop in the United States.

“Up In Farms” in Jackson, MS, and they are sold to “I attended some Alcorn State University (ASU) restaurants in the Starkville area. workshops, including a workshop conducted at the “Shiitake mushrooms are used by chefs in highASU Incubator Farm in Preston, under the guidance end restaurants, and you’ll also find them in salad of Dr. Frank Mrema. After the session, Dr. Mrema “Since I started my venture, bars of chain restaurants. According to research, shiiasked me to grow shiitake mushrooms on my farm. we’ve had numerous co-op take mushrooms are very healthy and assist with a lot He kept encouraging me until I agreed to do so. members and groups from of health problems. They are tasty, too.”

Once I accepted the challenge, he visited my farm As we wrapped up the interview, Columbus personally and helped me and a group of my friends around the state visit our farm looked pleased with his good-looking vegetables, to learn from us and what we are which were growing well, and with his 500 logs of inoculate 500 logs all day on January 23, 2017.

“Dr. Mrema’s assistance helped minimize my doing with these mushrooms.” shiitake mushrooms, which were resting in the 70 mistakes in starting this venture,” Columbus said. percent shade, waiting to be harvested for consumers.

— Columbus McReynolds “Since I began my venture, we’ve had numerous co-op members and groups from around the state visit our farm to WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVE learn from us and what we are doing with these mushrooms. We’ve In 1985, Columbus McReynolds helped organize the Winston had field days in partnership with the USDA-Natural Resources County Self-Help Cooperative (WCSHC) under the auspices of Conservation Service (NRCS), ASU and the Winston County Self the Mississippi Association and Federation of Southern CooperaHelp Cooperative.” tives. He served as the first president and remains a committed member today.

GROWING AND MARKETING MUSHROOMS The WCSHC works with area farmers, teaching them how to Columbus says growing shiitake mushrooms may look easy, but raise livestock and grow timber and produce. The co-op teaches a lot of hard work is involved. them how to buy and sell in bulk. The co-op also teaches members “This year, before I got started, I cut 500 sweet gum logs, three how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and how to buy or refinance a inches in diameter and three feet long,” he said. “You can also use property. WCSHC has a youth group and is teaching its members white oak, pin oak or maple logs. If you have a stand of hardwood leadership skills. trees you want to thin, you can take the low-value or no-value trees “Our co-op has been good for farmers,” Columbus said. “We and turn them into productive and sustainable assets, using them work with a lot of different enterprises, from timber and produce to for your mushrooms. However, soft timber like pine doesn’t work cattle and small ruminants. Often, there is a gap in communication for growing mushrooms.” between the people interested in having these enterprises and the Under the watchful eye of Dr. Mrema, Columbus and his friends local offices of the organizations who can help them. We bring in divided themselves into two groups and began drilling holes into experts to talk to our members, and we teach our members how to 3-inch spaces on the logs. Another crew injected the holes with contact these offices, whether it is the USDA-NRCS, Mississippi mushroom spores then brushed wax over each hole to seal it. It is Forestry Commission, Farm Bureau, Farm Service Agency, Missisideal to cut these logs in October, February or March, when the sap sippi Department of Agriculture, Heifers International, Southern has migrated down into the branches and trunks of the trees.

Echo Inc., or the Extension Services at Alcorn State University and “I soak the logs in clean water every two weeks and water them as Mississippi State University, to name just a few of the resources these needed for the mushrooms to grow well. I also keep the logs in 70 small farmers have at their disposal.” percent shade, which is very important. My mushrooms are grown For more information about the Winston County Self-Help all-natural.”

Cooperative, visit the website at www.wcshc.com or call (601) 291Columbus leans the logs against trees in a sort of teepee-style 2704. Frank Taylor currently serves as the president. manner to keep them out of the dirt as the mushrooms grow and The Winston County Self-Help Cooperative is devoted to mature. He harvests the mushrooms by hand and can get about “Saving Rural America.” FB JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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Chili Vegetable Soup

Forgotten Stew

Honey Cornbread

1 ½ lbs. ground chuck 1 med. onion, chopped 6 stalks celery, chopped Brown all together and drain well.

Add: 3 cans beef broth 3 cans minestrone soup 2 cans Ro-Tel tomatoes 2 cans ranch beans, drained and washed 1 can white corn, drained Salt and pepper Chili powder Handful of macaroni

1 lb. lean stew meat 2 med. onions, quartered ½ c. celery, chopped 1 (8-oz.) can tomato sauce 2 lg. potatoes, quartered 2 med. carrots, sliced 1 T. flour ½ c. Coca Cola

⅓ c. salted butter, softened ½ c. honey 1 ⅓ c. milk 1 ½ T. baking powder ⅓ c. white sugar 4 eggs 2 ⅓ c. flour ½ c. cornmeal

Place meat, potatoes, onions, carrots and celery in a greased casserole dish. Sprinkle with flour. Mix tomato sauce and cola together and pour over top. Cover tightly and bake at 250 degrees for four hours.

Do not peek.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter, sugar and honey. Add eggs and beat well.

Add milk, flour, baking powder, cornmeal and salt just until combined. Do not overmix. Batter will be lumpy. Pour into a greased 9 x 9-inch baking dish. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Yields 9 squares.

Hint: An easy way to have honey release from a measuring cup is to spray the cup with cooking spray before adding honey.

Cook until the macaroni is done. Serve and freeze remainder.

Peggy McKey Hinds County

Kay Perkins Tishomingo County

Kay Perkins Tishomingo County

COUNTRY COOKING, VOLUME V: These recipes are from “Country Cooking, Volume V,” available at most county offices. The cost is $20.

If you order a cookbook from the state office, you will pay $20 plus postage. For more information, contact Pam Jones at (601) 977-4854.

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—IN MEMORIAM—

Louis J. Breaux III Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Honorary Vice President Louis J. Breaux III, 90, of Kiln passed away Nov. 1. His passion for Farm Bureau and Mississippi agriculture, as well as his leadership, warmth and sense of humor, will be greatly missed.

Louis received Farm Bureau’s highest honor, the 2012 Distinguished Service Award, and its 2007 Excellence in Leadership Award. He served as South Mississippi Vice President for many years and served on the MFBF Board of Directors from 1971 until his death. He also served at one time on the board of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company.

Louis started and headed the Farm Bureau Gumbo Festival in Washington, D.C., for many years. He served with six Federation presidents: Boswell Stevens, Hugh Arant, Don Waller, David Waide, Randy Knight and Mike McCormick.

Louis helped to organize and grow Hancock County Farm Bureau, and served as its vice president and president for some 17 years. His son, Louis J. Breaux IV, now serves as the county president.

A lifelong farmer, Louis served his church, many agricultural and civic organizations, was named 2002 Commercial Cattleman of the Year and received the Merchant Marines Veterans’ highest award, the Distinguished Service Metal. At one time, he managed the Gulf Coast Dairymen’s Association.

Following Hurricane Katrina, he organized food drops for families who had lost everything.

Louis and his wife, Jeanette, were married 70 years. They have seven living children, 18 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church in White Cypress.

Ag Book of the Year The 2018 Ag Book of the Year is “First Peas to the Table” by Susan Grigsby, illustrated by Nicole Tadgell.

Thomas Jefferson loved to garden. In the spring, he and his neighbors competed to see whose peas would be ready to eat first. Two hundred years later, Maya’s class is having its own First Peas to the Table garden contest. Will a secret tip from Thomas Jefferson help Maya win?

This lighthearted classroom story presents scientific and historical information and appealing watercolors with botanical accuracy sure to delight gardeners of any age!

“First Peas to the Table” sells for $10 and includes a teacher’s guide. To order, call Pam Jones at (601) 977-4854. FB JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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NOTES FROM THE FIELD ★

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

BY ANDY BROWN

Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Region 1 Regional Manager

Farmers Sharing Their Stories Fighting “Fake News” with Facts

“Everybody is famous in a small town” has been sung by musicians, stated by authors and joked about at local hangouts. In Mississippi, most of us grew up in a small town, where most everyone knows your name. The good, the bad and the ugly often filter through the grapevine at a rapid pace and are all the talk at some of the popular gathering places around town. However, as your mother or grandmother may have told you, like mine instructed me, “Don’t believe everything you hear!”

Whether you are a social media addict or not, you are probably aware that the 21st century has seen all information and rumors grow in both readiness and scale. Twenty-four-hour news outlets, constant online access through smartphones and social media apps, and now, even alerts buzzing your wristwatch to keep you up with the latest and greatest have driven some media outlets to promote speed over accuracy. The lack of precision of information, when it occurs, has been labeled by some as “fake news” or “misinformation,” and we should all be concerned.

Regardless of the speed with which you get your information, are you taking the time to check the news you receive for validity? When you read a label in the grocery store, are you considering what it is actually telling you?

When you see a news story about agriculture, particularly animal agriculture, are you taking it at its 2 ½ -minute depth? Or, maybe, have you considered checking with someone actually in the profession? It is time you do. And Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation is here to help.

Despite the fact that I write this bimonthly article for a magazine, I would not consider myself a member of the media. However, I do consider myself a member of the agricultural community and an advocate for this industry. Topics like food labeling or animal welfare have consumed a large portion of the outreach and advocacy that Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) does for and with its farming and ranching members.

Instead of using their limited amount of time off the farm to learn and advance technologies and practices to feed the growing world, the majority of farmers have to take that time now to defend 20

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what has already been scientifically proven. Think about if you went home every night to someone falsely accusing you of wrongdoing regarding what you poured sweat over since the sun came up. Eventually, that might get a little disheartening. It might also be impeding the progress of the American farmer.

Farmers and ranchers are still going to continue to get up and go to work every day to produce food, fiber and shelter for their family and yours. It is their nature and, some would say, their higher calling. As a Farm Bureau member and a Mississippian, you are a part of the agriculture community, even if you are only a consumer.

Your affiliation with Mississippi Farm Bureau also gives you a head start in learning the facts about agriculture as opposed to any “fake news” or “misinformation” you might encounter about it. MFBF staff, farming leaders like MFBF President Mike McCormick, or any of our volunteer leaders are here to share their story with you.

If you have questions about how your food, fiber or shelter is produced, I have not met one agriculturalist that wouldn’t love to share that process with you and provide you with the truth.

So listen to Mama. Don’t believe everything you hear. Come to the source, the farmer and rancher, and hear the great things that are being done to provide the world with a more efficient, safe and abundant food supply than ever before in our nation’s history.

Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation media staff strives daily to bring you these stories and facts through media output, such as the Mississippi Farm County magazine; our “Voices of Agriculture” television program on RFD-TV and YouTube; our newsletters; and our social media outlets of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It is our hope and effort that we relay a transparency for agriculture in an accurate and entertaining way. If you have questions or want to know more about how to engage with our news and information efforts, please visit us at www.msfb.org.

I ask that you join us in standing up for Mississippi agriculture. However, if you choose to not stand up, at least don’t sit in the way. FB JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

Farm Families Fundraising Dinner The annual fundraising dinner for the Farm Families of

that was auctioned off during the dinner. Pictured with St. John in

Mississippi (FFM) Agriculture Promotion Campaign was held Oct.

the cooking demonstration is Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation

24 at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum in Jackson.

(MFBF) President Mike McCormick and MFBF Central Mississippi

The program featured Mississippi watercolorist Wyatt Waters and

Vice President Ted Kendall IV. The event was a fun and successful

Mississippi restaurateur, chef and author Robert St. John. St. John

fundraising effort for a campaign that annually takes the farmer’s

cooked for those in attendance, and Waters completed a work of art

story to consumers across the state.

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FB

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“We want farm families to think about their end game. What are they building their business for? If they realize the work is not for the next generation, they may change how they approach the business. It can change how they are going to live their life. It’s important to give the next generation permission to dream their own dreams and not feel confined to a piece of land.” — SYLVIA CLARK

C I D A E T D ED L A L

FARMING ADVOCATE B Y L I N D A B R E A Z E A L E — M S U A G C O M M U N I C AT I O N S

Wouldn’t it be nice if entering a Mississippi State University (MSU) classroom solved every midlife crisis?

At age 52, Sylvia Clark found herself at a crossroads as she reflected on her life as a small business owner and caregiver for her family. Reared on a Webster County farm, Sylvia married shortly after earning an associate’s degree and settled into her role as the wife of a Vardaman sweet potato farmer. Eventually, their children were grown and their parents no longer needed her care. With the support of her family, Sylvia enrolled at MSU in 2006 to finish her formal education in agriculture and Extension education.

“My professors were very helpful in giving me opportunities to build on my experiences as an unofficial spokesperson for Vardaman sweet potatoes. They helped me find new footing, a new direction for my life,” Sylvia said. “I’m still an advocate for sweet potatoes and Vardaman, but so much more.”

While she was a student in 2007, Sylvia was encouraged to participate in an Extension-facilitated program called Annie’s Project.

“I was over the moon in love with the concept of teaching women in agriculture-related fields problem solving, risk management, record keeping and decision-making skills,” she said. “The goal of Annie’s Project is to empower women to feel like full business partners with their husbands or to succeed in their own right. I could identify with that goal.”

Today, as the coordinator for Annie’s Project in Mississippi, she is guiding other women and, by extension, families, as they explore opportunities in the agricultural community. Aided by the MSU Extension Service, the organization’s goal is to educate, encourage and support women who are involved in agricultural enterprises.

“We want farm families to think about their end game. What are they building their business for? If they realize the work is not for the next generation, they may change how they approach the business. It can change how they are going to live their life,” Sylvia said.

“It’s important to give the next generation permission to dream their own dreams and not feel confined to a piece of land.”

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

After graduation, Sylvia easily transitioned into a full-time Extension job with the multistate Healthy Homes Initiative, addressing lead paint concerns. Today, her responsibilities include advising the Mississippi Homemaker Volunteers and supporting the 4-H Youth Development Program.

“It’s all intertwined — agriculture, food, families — like a threelegged stool,” she said. “They are all important to the vitality of our entire state.”

Sylvia’s first supervisor after graduation was the MSU Extension family resource management and housing specialist, Bobbie Shaffett.

“Sylvia taught me so much about the life of farm families as she shared her passion for agriculture,” said Shaffett, now retired. “She not only serves women in her professional work, but she also volunteers in local ministries and statewide organizations, including the Christian Women’s Job Corps and Mississippi Farm Bureau. She is a servant and role model of volunteerism for Women for Agriculture, Master Clothing Volunteers, Mississippi Homemaker Volunteers and 4-H.” Sherilyn Jones of Inverness is treasurer for the Mississippi Women for Agriculture organization. She said Clark has been instrumental in the establishment and granting of MSU scholarships to women from across the state.

“Part of our mission statement is to educate and promote agriculture among women students,” Jones said. “Sylvia has helped us identify recipients who have benefitted from scholarships provided by the Diane Evans family, Delta Council and Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Cindy Hyde-Smith.” FB For more information on Women for Agriculture, go to: http://mswomenforag.org/.

Sylvia is Calhoun County Farm Bureau Women’s Chair. She is a past president of Calhoun County Farm Bureau and a past recipient of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Excellence in Leadership Award.

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Photo by Amber’s Photography

The three pumpkin photos are by Anita Maddox.

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COUNTRY

PUMPKINS

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B Y G LY N D A P H I L L I P S

What started out as a small roadside pumpkin stand in the “We don’t baby our pumpkins, we just let them grow. So, we could fall of 2000, has grown into a successful Lowndes County agritour- probably get bigger pumpkins if we tried,” Jean said. “We have all ism business called Country Pumpkins. Proprietors Dwight and sorts of pumpkins and gourds. We started out with just the basic Jack Jean Colson say that for seven weeks each fall, Country Pumpkins O’Lantern variety. Now, we have 75-80 varieties of pumpkins, gourds hosts hundreds of schoolkids and adults who enjoy games, rides, and squash. They are all quite beautiful. a corn maze, a pumpkin patch and a hayride tour of a working “During planting season, my daughter and I sit on the back of the family farm. tractor, and as the ground is broken, we drop in the seeds,” she said.

On their Pine Meadows Farm near Caledonia, the Colsons “My favorite thing about the business now is planting the seeds.” grow row crops, pine trees, pumpkins, winter squash and ornamenThe Colsons hire high school and college students to pick the tal vegetables. pumpkins. However, they don’t pick a lot of pumpkins at one time.

The Colsons prefer to keep the pumpkins on the vine as long as posHOW IT BEGAN sible. This year, because of the weather, Country Pumpkins grew just During a visit to Kentucky in 2000, Dwight’s brother, Paul, gave 25 acres of pumpkins. him some pumpkin seeds and invited him to try growing a few acres of pumpkins in Mississippi. Dwight planted three acres that first year. TEACHING AGRICULTURE The pumpkin patch has since grown to be 30 acres in size.

Each season, the Colsons bring a portion of their farm’s harvest to “We started selling our pumpkins at a roadside stand using an honor Country Pumpkins for the kids to experience. They offer a big corn box. Because more and more people were showing up to purchase box filled with corn kernels, plus a cotton wagon filled with cotton. the pumpkins, my husband wanted to experiment with a big tent in An antique cotton picker has been converted into slides. Country the front yard,” Jean said. “I was skeptical, but that first year, we sold Pumpkins also offers a hay wagon ride around the farm plus a ride everything we put out there, including pumpkins, gourds and decora- through a 170-acre pine plantation, where information is posted tive squash. The business just grew from there.” about the different crops grown on the farm. Visitors can also walk Today, Country Pumpkins consists of 12 tents, a concession stand, a trail through the pine plantation. a 4-acre corn maze, a corn box, a children’s corn maze, a deck, a barrel “We get a lot of visitors,” Jean said. “It’s quiet and peaceful out here, train, a hayride, a 170-acre pine plantation, bathrooms and a play- and this is a way to get away and experience a bit of farm life. People ground with lots of fun things to do. have grown so far removed from the farm, it’s an adventure for them Some 30 family members and seasonal workers help with the oper- to see what we do here. ation on the weekends.

“It’s especially fulfilling for us to see families enjoying this together.”

Country Pumpkins has visitors from Columbus, Starkville, West HOW IT’S DONE Point, New Hope, Caledonia and Tupelo. It has hosted some out-ofSchoolchildren visit during the week, and Country Pumpkins is state visitors from Alabama. Because Country Pumpkins is located near open to the public on the weekends. The Colsons also offer tents for Columbus Air Force Base, it has had visitors from Lithuania, Germany, birthday parties and campfires for business and church groups and France, South America, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. family functions.

All advertising is word of mouth, although Country Pumpkins has No admission is charged and parking is free on the weekends, but been featured (through articles and photos) in Mississippi Magazine fees are charged for the different activities, excluding the playground. and in several local magazines and one local newspaper.

During the week, school groups pay a set fee per child, which includes For more information, visit www.countrypumpkins.ms or the access to the playground area, hayride, children’s corn maze, barrel Country Pumpkins Facebook page. You may also call Jean Colson train ride and picnic tent The cost does not include pumpkins. at (662) 574-5062. Country Pumpkins is located at 860 Spruill Rd, The cost of the pumpkins ranges from 50 cents to $25, depend- Caledonia, MS 39740. ing on the size. The largest pumpkin the Colsons have ever harvested Please check our County Pumpkins website each year for our openwas a 180-pound Atlantic Giant. ing and closing dates. FB JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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Growing Cannas They Thrive in Heat and Resist Disease B Y G A R Y R. B A C H M A N — M I S S I S S I P P I S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y E X T E N S I O N S E R V I C E

Cannas are commonly grown as large-specimen plants and look fantastic mass planted in landscapes. Their tropical-looking foliage lends bold texture to the space until the flowers steal the show from summer through fall.

In fact, the cannas I have planted in my Ocean Springs landscape right now are looking the best they have so far this year.

The canna lily is another one of my go-to easy landscape plants that everyone should have in their garden. These plants can be used as accents for the back of garden borders or in containers. Contrary to what their delicate appearance might make you think, cannas are extremely durable, and when massed together, they are quite impressive.

The cannas I remember back in the old days were giants that needed to sit in the back row of any landscape bed. With many reaching more than 5 feet tall, they would rise like sentinels standing guard with their colorful blooms as hats. It seemed this was going to be their lot in life, but plant breeders are doing a good job reducing the size of cannas.

If you love the look of tropical plants but need some that grow more like petunias — meaning easy to grow — then look no further.

Toucan cannas are fast growers, vigorous and highly disease resistant.

They are ideal for our hot Mississippi climates, and they flower like crazy in the summer heat.

Toucan cannas are available in a variety of luscious, tropical-

themed colors. Toucan Dark Orange (formerly Red) flowers are a gorgeous and fiery reddish orange. Toucan Rose flowers feature coral-pink flowers. Toucan Scarlet has bright scarlet-red flowers and bronze-green foliage, and Toucan Yellow flowers are a clear, sunny yellow. These plants grow to 30 to 48 inches in the landscape.

Other good, smaller cannas are the Cannova and Tropical canna series, which typically have flowers that are about 3 to 4 inches across — pretty big for a smaller canna. The beautiful flowers are soft and form on spikes held high above the wide, lush foliage.

These cannas produce reliable color in a variety of shades, from rose to red to yellow.

Another good choice is South Pacific Scarlet, which was selected in 2013 as an All-America Selections winner. This plant has 4-inch flowers that bloom all summer long with a blend of scarlet shades.

It thrives in hot and humid conditions, which makes it the perfect choice for Mississippi gardens and landscapes. South Pacific Scarlet is a little bigger than the Tropical cannas, with the potential to reach 4 feet tall.

Though not required, deadheading will prolong the bloom period.

Each plant has multiple flower shoots, and removing the spent and faded flowers will allow the shoot below to develop and flower.

For the best growth and flowering, plant these cannas to get full sun at least six hours each day. Keep the soil moisture consistent.

While the plants will tolerate drier conditions, flowering will suffer.

Dr. Gary Bachman is an Extension and research professor of horticulture at the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi. He is also the host of the popular “Southern Gardening” television and radio programs. Contact him at southerngardening@msstate.edu.

Locate Southern Gardening products online at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/southern-gardening. FB

Toucan Rose 26

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Toucan Yellow

(Photos by Gary Bachman) JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

Cala Tabb is Communications Boot Camp Grad Cala Tabb of Webster County was among the 15 farm and ranch women leaders to graduate from the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 11th annual Women’s Communications Boot Camp.

The agricultural leaders were recognized after completing an intensive three-day course featuring sessions on working with the media, public speaking, testifying and messaging.

“Women’s Communications Boot Camp is the experience of a lifetime,” said Sherry Saylor, an Arizona row crop farmer and chair of the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee. “Graduates of this program are persuasive and effective advocates for agriculture, with a passion for connecting with influencers at the local, state and national levels.”

Other graduates include Magen Allen, Arkansas; Andrea Brossard, Wisconsin; Danielle Burch, Ohio; Jodi DeHate, Michigan; Gimmie Jo Jansonius, Kansas; Sine Kerr, Arizona; Bonnie LaTourette, Penn-

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sylvania; Renee McPherson, North Carolina; Paula Peterson, Nebraska; Cindy Ramsey, Indiana; Ruth Scruton, New Hampshire; Laura Vaught, Tennessee; Andi Vincent, Washington state; and Sara Wayne, West Virginia.

Cala was recently named Farm Mom of the Year for the Southeast Region by Monsanto. She and her husband, William, were the state and national recipients of Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award and placed as finalists in Syngenta’s #RootedinAg award. They serve on the 2017-2019 State YF&R Committee, which William chairs in 2018. The Tabbs have three children.

The American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee, in partnership with AFBF staff, hosts and provides training for the Women’s Communications Boot Camp. This program has more than 165 graduates and is open to all women involved in Farm Bureau. An application process is used to select the participants. FB

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

Farm Families Table 100 Dinner

This fall, the Farm Families of Mississippi Agriculture Promotion Campaign held its annual farm-to-table fundraising dinner at Table 100 in Flowood. The event raises funds for the campaign while spotlighting local foods and the farmers who grow them. Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Communications Coordinator Greg Gibson, center in front, is pictured with, from left, Table 100 General Manager Nathan

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

Delaware; Table 100 Sous Chef Melissa Ellis; Table 100 Executive Chef Payton Warren; prior Table 100 Executive Chef Mike Roemhild; Babalu Fondren Sous Chef Grey Townsend; Gibson; Babalu Memphis Executive Chef Daniel Flores; Table 100 Sales Manager Lauren Vicknair; Table 100 Sous Chef Charles Ferguson; and Table 100 Assistant General Manager and Sommelier Tiffany Bobbs. FB

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Ag Mags Available The most recent issue of our Ag Mag children’s newsletter features land and water.

You can order Ag Mags for your local classroom or ag promotion events from our Ag in the Classroom program.

Dairy, corn, poultry, horticulture, cotton, peanut, honey bee, soil, beef and soybean editions are also available.

Contact Pam Jones at: pjones@msfb.org or (601) 977-4854 30

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See Page 5 for Member Benefits!

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