Greensboro Gazette ________________________________

NEWS FLASHWIN

TER

January 2016 | 1st Edition Greensboro, Mississippi | visit us online @ www.wcshc.com

WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVEP.O. Box 774 • Louisville, MS 39339Phone: 601-291-2704 • Email: fltaylor@bellsouth.net • Web: www.wcshc.com“Saving Rural America”

Leake County’s 1st SRAC

EL Nino wreak havoc in the west, uncertainties in Shanghai Stock Market mired retirement plans, Mississippi River flooded homes, and discourse among perspective presidential voters dominated conversations over the second week of January 2016. However, the Winston County Self Help Cooperative and partners ended the week by kicking-off Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Celebration’s with Leake County’s 1st Saving Rural America Conference (SRAC) in Walnut, Grove, MS. This event foreshadowed the legacy of inequalities and injustices suffered by people of color from grasping tools of economic stability. The small hamlet of Walnut Grove, MS Juxtaposed 26 miles west of Neshoba County where Ku Klux Klansmen murdered Civil Rights Workers James

Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner in the summer of 1964. Therefore, this backdrop set the tenor for conference’s attendees to aggregate needful information with the intent of spurring economic and spiritual growth in rural communities. As darkness relented to daylight on January 15, 2016, it seemed Leake County’s 1st SRAC attendant would be in jeopardy due to impending weather conditions. However, the first attendee arrived before 7:00 a.m. and dispelled this notion. Winston County Self Help Cooperative’s staff gavel the conference to order with Greg Nicks delivering a prayer. Ned Rushing, FSA Adviser and Curtis Johnson, Leake County Supervisor extended words of welcome to partake in Leake County’s southern hospitality. Farm Service Agency

(Center) WCSHC Team Leader and Editor Frank Taylor with (Left) Jody Mathney and (Right) Leon Fountain, Jr.

By Frank TaylorEmail: fltaylor@bellsouth.net

Leake County’s 1st SRAC,Continued on page 2

January 15, 2016, Latrice Todman and Allen McReynolds departed from the activities being held at True Light Community Center to embrace the presence of forty-eight sixth graders at Leake County Elementary School in Walnut Grove, MS. The goal of the duo’s presentation was to continue to convey the theme of Leake County 1st Saving Rural America Conference “Sustaining the Legacy for Future Generations.”

The students entered library in an orderly

fashion. As they took their seats, they sent greetings and smiles to Latrice and Allen, who were standing in the front of the library. Latrice presented first. Her topic was: How to Fight Obesity with God’s Natural Resources. The room became ignited with hands being raised to ask questions like, “what are the benefits of eating fruits and veggies”? Answers such as weight loss, a source of calcium, and they make your hair grow, were given. As the presentation continued, students continued to share their thoughts and ideas on how they can fight obesity. Reducing the

THEME: “SUSTAINING THE LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS”

Leake County Elementary School SRAC presentation

Leake County Elementary School SRAC,Continued on page 2

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2 GREENSBORO GAZETTE | NEWS FLASH

Leake County’s 1st SRAC,Continued from page 1

(FSA), Outreach Specialist, Aaron Robinson Sr. elaborated on programs with an emphasis of risk management’s sign-up deadlines. Patty Roberts and Emund Woods of FSA added supplemental statements concerning County Committee’s Local Administrative Area 2016 election process and Livestock Forage Program’s sign-up deadline. Joshua Coleman, Alcorn State University, Agribusiness Educator emphasized the need for monitoring your credit portfolio. Your credit score determines the cost your of loan, therefore, you should exercise judicial care of your FICO score which helps lenders’ evaluate risk. Bill Kitchings and Orlando Ellerby of Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) lamented on a cadre of services to help individual derive positive income from their woodlots. MFC can develop stewardship plans to help forestland owners achieve their targeted management goals. Stewardship plans identify types of soils, trees, wildlife and other aesthetic values. Walter Jackson, NRCS, State Conservation Agronomist recounted changes in the implementation of Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). Additionally, Jackson answered questions focused on the Small Ruminant Farmer Initiative (SRFI). Priscilla Williamson, NRCS, Leake County, energetically encouraged attendees to participate in Local Work Group Meetings to determine resource concerns within their counties. She dissected Historic Underserved (HU) categories including Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher, Socially Disadvantaged Producers and Beginning Farmer or Rancher. She stated how these categories impacts rate of cost to implement conservation practices. James Ford of Square O Consulting described opportunities for forest landowners to aggregate services through state and USDA’s programs to create income. Ford said “NRCS’s Conservation Stewardship Program

Leake County Elementary School SRAC,Continued from page1

amount of sugar intake, exercise more and eat more fruits and veggies were answers offered by the students. A quick overview of how to determine how much sugar and fat are in a Snicker bar by reading the food label was done. The students being able to see how many teaspoons of sugar and fat are in a Snicker bar made them understand the importance of eating more fruits and vegetables. This portion of the presentation ended with Latrice encouraging the students to visit their local farmers market for the best selection of fruits and vegetables. Allen’s presentation tied in well with Latrice’s presentation. He opened with an important question to the students. What are some natural resources? Immediately hands were held all around the room. Students responded with, water, soil, air, trees, grass, wind and etc. Allen was amazed to see how smart these students were. He continued to explain why it is so important to take care of God’s natural resources. He informed the students that due to no access of clean water, there are many cases of lead poisoning in children that live in Flint, Michigan. Lead poisoning can cause delayed mental developmental issues that can severely impact one’s life. This example was an attention grabber for the sixth graders. Allen continued asking questions in regards to agriculture and how it can affect them personally. He concluded his presentation with encouraging the students to get involved with agriculture now so they can do their part in protecting these resources. Allen experiences as retired Extension Agent and Latrice as a license Pharmacist provide an elevated barometer of life lessons for students.

(CSP) rewards landowners for implementing innovated conservation practices. Other means of deriving income from your forestlands includes hunting leases and pine straw.” Thomas Brewer of Mississippi State Extension Service (Jefferson Davis Co.) concluded presentations with Heir Property. “You can define heir property as undivided interest with no clear title of ownership. This issue plagues most families’ holdings in the south. Heir property inhibits families from selling or obtaining services through USDA to improve the quality of their natural resources.” Brewer encouraged participants to take proactive measures by developing wills, life estates or mechanisms to pass on fee simple ownership. Frank Taylor, WCSHC Team Leader acknowledged Jody Mathney and Leon Fountain, Jr., as tomorrow leaders in rural America. “These two young farmers attended this conference to ascertain more information to make better informed decisions for their families and learned methods to become effective managers of their natural resources.” Leake County’s 1st SRAC ended with a succulent meal managed by Phyllis Caples and WCSHC Staff conducting a lives radio broadcast. WCSHC extends thanks to True Light Church Family, Leake County Elementary School and others for creating Leake County’s 1st SRAC.

WCSHC Community Coordinator, Latrice Todman

GREENSBORO GAZETTE | NEWS FLASH 3

WCSHC’s 48 Hours

Perhaps, we borrowed CBS’s legendary Crime-Solving Show “48 Hours” to describe next weekend tall task of conducting three Saving Rural America Conferences on Friday and Saturday in various locations. WCSHC’s 9th Youth Conference will kick-off weekend’s activities on Friday, January 22, 7:30 a.m. at Louisville Coliseum 201 Ivy Ave., Louisville, MS, 39339. Our 2016’s Theme “Passing the Torch, Exalting Agriculture and Cultivating Excellence” according to Jean Harper, WCSHC Youth Director. “This youth conference will provide participants with hands-on experiences and learning by doing educational activities. Students will engage in learning sessions focused on health and nutrition, plant science, forestry, Ag in the classroom and physical activities to promote healthy lifestyles. Seventh Graders from Winston County’s area schools

By Frank TaylorEmail: fltaylor@bellsouth.net

will participate.” Unlimited Community Agricultural Cooperative’s will host their first Saving Rural America Conference on Friday starting 12:00 pm at BJ3 5226 Old West Point Road, Starkville, MS, 39759. “Brad Spencer said our members will provide an atmosphere for learning to promote camaraderie among rural Americans. United States Department of Agriculture, Alcorn & Mississippi State Extension Service, and community-based organizations will present on how to generate income from farmland and forestland. You will meet veterans and beginning farmers who are using their natural resources to generate positive income. If you need answers to issue(s) related-agriculture, then you should attend this conference to find solution(s).” Mississippi Minority Farmers Alliance’s will hold their second Saving Rural America Conference on Saturday, January 23, 7:30 a.m. at North Mississippi Research & Extension Center 5421 Hwy 145 S., Verona, MS, 38879. MMFA’s conference presenters

will provide invigorating and informative information to help attendees change lives in northeast Mississippi. Natural Resources Conservation Service staff will discuss changes within the Environmental Quality Incentive Program(EQIP) and other pertinent programs. Carolyn Jones, MMFA Director, said, “we look forward to sharing MMFA’s mission and dreams with other rural Americans to protect our forefathers’ legacies.” Mark your calendar and join the caravan on next Friday and Saturday.

WCSHC Saving Rural America Radio Broadcast offers you an opportunity to join the conversation if you cannot attend in person. You can listen to

Leake County’s 1st Saving Rural Conference’s Wrap up Session by clicking on the following link :

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/savingruralamerica/2016/01/15/live-broadc

WCSHC Youth Director, Jean Harper

UNLIMITED COMMUNITY AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE

MISSION: “To promote the growth and future well-being of our community”

Since 2013

UCAC meets on the 4th Saturday monthly at the American Legion Post

240 Building 3328 Pat Station Rd.

Starkville, MS

Unlimited Community Agricultural Cooperative is organized for the purpose promoting the growth and future well-being of the community. It will accomplish this goal by assisting its members in all efforts that will better position their enterprises.

The Unlimited Community Agricultural Cooperative “UCAC” was established in 2013. The cooperative has developed itself into a growing Agricultural Advancement Organization for the local community of Starkville, Mississippi. With the help of the Winston County Self-Help Cooperative, UCAC has been able to contribute to economic well-being of the community by educating and exposing Small Farmers and

Business Owners to opportunities in agriculture, Community Development, and Self-Development.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Orlando Trainer, President

Phone: 662-769-0071Email: orlandotrainer@hotmail.com

Web: www.ucac.webs.com

OFFICERS:Brad Spencer, Vice President

Curtis G. Snell, TreasurerShayla Jefferson, Secretary

“ S u s t a i n i n g t h e L e g a c y f o r F u t u r e G e n e r a t i o n s ”

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2016, 7:30AM1ST LEAKE COUNTY SRACTrue Light Community Center1325 School Road Walnut Grove, MS 39189Contact: Frank TaylorPhone: 601-291-2704Email: fltaylor@bellsouth.net

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016, 7:30AM9TH WINSTON COUNTY SELF-HELP YOUTH GROUP SRACLouisville Coliseum201 Ivy Avenue Louisville, MS 39339Contact: Jean HarperPhone: 662-312-8004Email: JeanH29@bellsouth.net

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016, 12:00PM9TH WINSTON COUNTY SELF-HELP COOPERATIVE SRAC HOSTED BY UNLIMITED COMMUNITY AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVEBJs 5226 Old West Point Rd.Starkville, MS 39759Contact: Orlando TrainerPhone: 662-769-0071Email: orlandotrainer@hotmail.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2016, 7:30AM2ND MISSISSIPPI MINORITY FARMER’S ALLIANCE SRACNorth Mississippi Research & Extension Center5421 Hwy 145 South Verona, MS 38879Contact: Carolyn JonesPhone: 662-213-2433Email: mmfa@verizon.net

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016, 7:30AM1ST ATTALA COUNTY SELF-HELP COOPERATIVE SRACResearch and Administration Center 2033CR 4116 Sallis, MS 39160Contact: Jessie Fleming Phone: 601-900-9844 Email: jfteacher1@aol.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2016, 7:30AM3RD MID-SOUTH PROGRESSIVE AGRICULTURE GROUP’S SRACDavid L. Beckley Center (Rust College)150 Rust AvenueHolly Springs, MS, 38635Contact: Revelyn ColemanPhone: 901-409-7897Email: rglpcoleman@yahoo.com

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2016, 7:30AM6TH WAYNE COUNTY SELF-HELP ORGANIZATION’S SRACWayne County Career and Technical Center100 Collins St. Waynesboro MS, 39367Contact: Patrick BusbyPhone: 601-740-0463Email: pbusby91@bellsouth.net

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2016, 7:30AM5TH COVINGTON COUNTY SELF-HELP GROUP’S SRACMultipurpose Building- 68 Collins, MS 39428Contact: Fenton PopePhone: 601-517-3188Email: fentonpope@yahoo.com

2016’S WCSHC SAVING RURAL AMERICA CONFERENCE MASS SCHEDULE

WINSTON COUNTY SELF HELP COOPERATIVEP.O. Box 774 • Louisville, MS 39339Phone: 601-291-2704 • Email: fltaylor@bellsouth.net • Web: www.wcshc.com

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Leake County’s 1st SRAC Photos

Editor: WCSHC Team Leader Frank Taylor | Email: fltaylor@bellsouth.net | Phone: 601-291-2704

Layout and Design by Marqueus Draper

Editor: WCSHC Team Leader Frank Taylor | Email: fltaylor@bellsouth.net | Phone: 601-291-2704

Layout and Design by Marqueus Draper