mississippi farm country - vol. 90 no. 5

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

VOLUME 90 NO. 5

A PUBLICATION OF MISSISSIPPI FARM BUREAU FEDERATION • MSFB.ORG

MISSISSIPPI FRUITS VEGETABLES

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2 MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

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Volume 90 Number 5September/October 2014

Mississippi Farm Country(ISSN 1529-9600) magazine is

published bimonthly by theMississippi 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.

Postmaster: Send address changes toP.O. Box 1972, Jackson, MS 39215

EDITORIAL AND BUSINESS OFFICES6311 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211

601-977-4153

EDITOR — Glynda Phillips

ADVERTISINGAngela Thompson

1-800-227-8244 ext. 4242

FARM BUREAU OFFICERSPresident — Randy Knight

Vice President — Donald GantVice President — Ted Kendall

Vice President — Reggie MageeTreasurer — Billy Davis

Corporate Secretary — Ilene Sumrall

FARM BUREAU DIRECTORSDr. Jim Perkins, Iuka

Lowell Hinton, CorinthTommy Swindoll, Hernando

Chris Lively, ClarksdaleTripp Thomas, Batesville

Kelcey Shields, MantachieHerbert Word, Okolona

Kenneth King, AckermanPepper Beard, Coila

Jimmy Whitaker, SatartiaKenneth Thompson, Philadelphia

Vander Walley, WaynesboroQuinton Mills, Forest

David C. Barton, RaymondRobert Earl McGehee Jr., Brookhaven

Mike McCormick, Union ChurchBobby Selman, Monticello

Larry Jefcoat, SosoJ. B. Brown, PerkinstonLouis J. Breaux IV, Kiln

Betty Mills, WinonaMallory Sayle, Lake Cormorant

HONORARY VICE PRESIDENTLouis J. Breaux III

DEPARTMENTS

2 Member Benefits 4 President’s Message6 Commodity Update: Forestry 18 Strolling: Sam Scott 19 Land Program Review

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.

FEATURES

T A B L E of C O N T E N T S

september/october 2014

Ocean SpringsOcean Springs combines a small-

town charm with the laid-back vibe of an arts community and the hustle and bustle of a big city. Read about

Ocean Springs inside.

About The CoverLeslie Sanford, pictured enjoying the blue-berries at Great Southern Farms in Richton, is the 19-year-old granddaughter of Mal-colm and Evia Edwards of Richton, who began the blueberry operation in the 1990s. They were soon joined by Leslie’s parents, Jeremy and Jennifer, and her uncle and aunt, Justin and Wendy. More grandchil-dren are pictured above. They are, from left, Tanner, 4, Andrew, 8, and Audri Anna, 3.

8 Fruits and Vegetables Mississippi is home to a number of fruit and vegetable operations that are an important part of our agricultural industry. Come with us as we learn more.

26Farm Bureau EventsWe look back, through photos and articles, at the summer YF&R fund-raiser, Ag in the Classroom workshops and summer commodity meetings.

MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 3

P R E S I D E N T’S M E S S AG E

Randy Knight, President, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation

Our Ever-Changing WorldIn case you haven’t noticed, we live in a rapidly changing world. Farmers have traditionally been slow to adopt new ways of doing things, but if we fail to do so in today’s world, we run the risk of being left behind.

Farm Bureau is all about keeping our farm-ers informed about any challenges or opportu-nities that might affect their lives and livelihoods. In addition to the many meetings we hold each year, we make a point of touring the agricultural research facilities at Mississippi State University (MSU) to learn about potentially better ways of doing our jobs.

In May, state board members, their spouses and Farm Bureau staff visited MSU and discovered that researchers are work-ing with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in precision agriculture. Experts explained how this type of technology is being used in variable rate nitrogen application, in drift detection and to determine plant popula-tions. We were astonished and amazed.

In recent years, technological advances have helped farmers become so efficient and productive we now produce about 262 percent more food with 2 percent fewer inputs (labor, seeds, feed, fertilizer, etc.) compared to farmers in 1950. Back in the day, who would have guessed that farmers would one day use a smartphone to access and record data? Who could have imagined dairy farmers would use sensors to keep up with milk production per cow, and livestock farmers would use computer

chips to track the growth and production of their animals? New seed varieties and precision farming technology have become

so accessible that most farmers are able to benefit from all of this to one degree or another.

I often wonder where we will be in another ten years or so.

APRIL TORNADOESOn another subject

entirely, I want to talk to you about the spring tornado damage in our

state. Because of the way our magazine is put together — two months or more before it is mailed to you — I haven’t had a chance to do that until now.

In April, tornadoes touched down in several counties and many of our farmers and other members experienced loss of animals, structures and/or homes. Poultry growers in four Mississippi counties saw tremendous damage to their farms and the loss of more than a million birds. Winston, Wayne, Newton and Scott counties reported some 58 houses with major damage and 17 houses with minor damage.

Unless you have experienced something like this or seen it for yourself, you can’t begin to imagine how devastating it can be. I take comfort in the fact that our Farm Bureau family always stands together in times of crisis. We offer up our prayers, and we give generously of our time and resources.

Please continue to remember these farm-ers in your thoughts and prayers.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLESYou will receive this issue of your mem-

bership magazine in September, but I am writing my column in early July, a time of year when fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables are abundant and readily avail-able. Mississippi is home to a number of fruit and vegetable operations, and we are blessed to have many of these farmers in our Farm Bureau family.

Our state also boasts over 80 farmers markets. Almost half of these markets par-ticipate in the Mississippi Certified Farmers Market program, a voluntary branding program, created and administered by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, which stresses the importance of selling Mississippi-grown and Mississippi-

made products. I know you will enjoy

reading about this important segment of our agricultural industry inside the current issue of your magazine.

HARVEST SEASONIn closing, I want to talk to

you about farm safety. Farming is one of the most dangerous

occupations on earth, and this is never more evident than during harvest season, a very stressful time indeed. Farmers are trying to get their crops in on schedule, and a million different tasks are vying for their attention.

In your harvesting efforts this year, please slow down and think about what is going on around you. Be careful out there and have a blessed and bountiful harvest season. FB

IN YOUR HARVESTING EFFORTS THIS YEAR, PLEASE

SLOW DOWN AND THINK ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND YOU. BE CAREFUL

OUT THERE AND HAVE A BLESSED AND BOUNTIFUL

HARVEST SEASON.


MFBF Board Tours MSU Research Members of the Mississippi Farm

Bureau Federation Board of Directors and their spouses toured Mississippi State University research facilities in May. The group visited the North Farm and Research Park and learned about the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in pre-cision agriculture. Dr. Robert Moorhead, director of the Geosystems Research Institute, led the discussion. Dr. Jac Varaco talked about how this technology is used in variable rate nitrogen application, and Dr. Brian Henry discussed the use of UAVs in determining plant population. Dr. Dan Reynolds talked about how this technology is used in drift detection. The group also visited the South Farm and heard the latest research in controlling the wild hog popula-tion. Dr. Bronson Strickland talked about the feral hog situation in Mississippi and surrounding states. FB

MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 5SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Ken Martin MFBF Forestry Commodity Advisory Committee Chair

Kevin BrownMFBF Commodity

Coordinator for Forestry

As I travel through my region in South Mississippi and across the state, I always enjoy the windshield view of Mississippi’s number-two commodity. Our pine and hardwood forests are an essential part of Mississippi’s economy through the actual harvest as well as the wildlife potential they provide. Every year, millions of dollars are spent within the state on hunting by residents and nonresi-dents. However, the single most useful healthy forestry management tool is still underutilized across the state.

Fire is the best tool that a forest land-owner has at their disposal for managing a healthy and sustainable timber stand. Fire has been used throughout history for the management of forestlands. Prescribed fire removes the hazardous debris from the tim-ber stand that could create dangerous wildfire conditions. The annual use of pre-scribed fire removes this dangerous debris, opens up the woods and promotes a health-ier ecosystem for the local wildlife. From a wildlife perspective, this promotes a more favorable environment for bobwhite quail and wild turkey to hatch and raise new flocks. The use of prescribed fire adds potash back into the soil from the debris burned and promotes a healthier stand of timber. A healthier stand of timber is more resistant to insects and disease and pays the landowner a better return at harvest.

As a landowner myself, I can personally attest to the benefits of prescribed fire. The biggest obstacle with prescribed fire manage-ment is the fear of burning. This is a common and natural fear. Fire in the wrong hands or misused can do more harm than good. Trust me. If you burn enough, you will have a day where fire will humble you.

Mississippi currently operates under a simple negligence statute, whereas more fire-friendly states operate under a gross negligence statute. Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation policy supports a gross negligence statute. The simple negligence statute often deters individuals from using prescribed fire. But with proper training and the use of pro-fessionals, Mississippi landowners can put fire to use on their property, too.

The problem with using professionals is that the number of professional foresters who do prescribed burning is such a small group and the number of good burning days is so small that it’s hard to retain these individuals’ services. If you are a landowner who is currently burning or interested in starting to burn your timber stands, you should consider attending a Mississippi State University prescribed fire short course.

A landowner attending this workshop would leave with the tools and know how to burn their own property and not be reli-ant upon the professionals and the limited number of burning days in a year. If you know a professional forester who burns in your area, I would recommend that you reach out to them now or as early as possible to retain their services. If you wait until late in December and January, most if not all foresters will already be booked and just not have the time to take on any more acreage.

This winter, I hope to see plenty of smoke billowing up from the countryside as land-owners take to the woods to manage their forests with the most useful tool at their dis-posal. The payoff to the long days burning is worth the investment. Either it’s the sound of a covey rise exploding through the sage brush and pines or it’s a strutting gobbler as

he approaches through the fresh green grasses and legumes that grow after the burn or it’s the scale tickets after harvest. Whatever the reasons that get you to burn as a land-owner, be safe and enjoy the payoff.

2015 WINTER COMMODITY CONFERENCE Informa Economics Senior Vice President

Jim Wiesemeyer and Wells Fargo Bank Ag Economist and Senior Vice President Dr. Michael Swanson will headline the 2015 MFBF Winter Commodity Conference set for Jan. 26 and 27 in Jackson. Wiesemeyer will report on the current political climate in Washington and how this relates to agricul-tural policy. Swanson will provide an overall review of the economy and current trends in major commodity markets.

More detailed information about the con-ference will be released as it gets closer. You may also call Nancy Britt at (601) 977-4230.

WOMEN’S AG TOURThe biannual Mississippi Farm Bureau

Federation (MFBF) Women’s Ag Tour will be held Oct. 2-3 in the Mississippi Delta.

Participants will visit the Cotesworth Culture and Heritage Center in Carroll County; Staplcotn and the Museum of the Mississippi Delta (formerly Cottonlandia Museum) in Greenwood; Indianola Pecan House and the B.B. King Museum in Indianola; the Catfish Museum and Welcome Center, Ethel Wright Mohamed Stitchery Museum, Wister Gardens and Sky Lake Boardwalk in Belzoni; and Mont Helena in Rolling Fork.

If you’d like to participate, contact your county Farm Bureau or the MFBF Women’s Program at (601) 977-4245.

COMMODITY UPDATE: Forestry

Fire is Essential to Healthy Mississippi Forests

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When you donate to the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Balloted Measure Political Issue Committee (PIC), you assure that Farm Bureau’s voice will be heard on matters of concern to its members. PIC funds are used to promote the passage or defeat of the following:

• Issues voted on by the state’s registered voters • Measures voted on by members of the Mississippi Legislature• National ballot issues and national issues in Washington, D.C.

In recent years, PIC funds made it possible for Farm Bureau to conduct a very successful eminent domain reform campaign. PIC funds have also helped us make a differ-ence in these areas:

• Farm Bill• Country of Origin Labeling

• Disaster Relief• Tort Reform• Right to Farm • Estate Taxes• Health Care

PIC funds cannot be contributed to candidates

for political office. They are used only for issues and never for elections. Funds for the Political Issue Committee are collected through a

voluntary contribution on annual county Farm Bureau dues state-ments or through a direct contribution on the MFBF website at www.msfb.org. Please consider donating to PIC, even if it’s just a dollar. Working together through PIC we can truly make a difference.

For more information about PIC, contact the Public Policy Department at (601) 977-4020.

Donate to PICBY S A M A N T H A N E W M A N — M F B F D I R E C TO R O F P U B L I C P O L I C Y

Calendar of EventsSEPT. 19 Rice Tasting Luncheon, Walter Sillers Coliseum, Delta State University — Cleveland OCT. 1-12 Mississippi State Fair, Mississippi Fairgrounds — Jackson OCT. 2-3 Women’s Ag Tour — Delta NOV. 13 State Resolutions Meeting, MFBF Building — Jackson NOV. 21-27 National Farm-City Week DEC. 6-8 MFBF Annual Meeting, Hilton Jackson Hotel — Jackson JAN. 11-14 AFBF Annual Meeting — San Diego, CA JAN. 26-27 Winter Commodity Conference — Jackson

FB

MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 7JULY/AUGUST 2014

Edwards family members are, from left, Tanner, Andrew, Jennifer, Jeremy, Leslie, Evia, Malcolm, Justin, Wendy and Audri Anna.

Jeremy Edwards and his family operate Great Southern Farms, which includes a 130-acre blueberry farm and a state-of-the art blueberry packing house near Richton. The Edwardses packed almost one million pounds of their own berries this year plus about 500,000 to 750,000 pounds of blueberries grown by other farmers.

They market their berries wholesale nationwide and in Canada. A limited quan-tity of berries in season can be purchased at the office.

SOME HISTORY“My father, Malcolm, and my stepmother,

Evia, planted our farm’s first blueberry bushes in 1990, and I joined them in 2004,” Jeremy said. “They were growing row crops and had had some bad years in the 1980s, so they started looking around for something to diversify the operation.

“The blueberries did well so we planted more bushes, expanded and, in 2008, built our own packing house. In the meantime, in 1997, we began doing construction work for highways. We continue that business today.”

Jeremy’s brother, Justin, works at Great Southern Farms as do their wives, Jennifer and Wendy. Jennifer works in the office, and Wendy works in the packing house.

WHAT IT TAKESJeremy says you need a good work ethic

to grow blueberries.“It’s a job, and it isn’t easy. To be success-

ful growing blueberries, you must know a little bit about a lot of different things, from chemicals to soil types to nutrients and how all of this works together. It is a fine balance. I have an agronomist I spend hours on the phone with just talking about the soil.

“To successfully market your berries, you need a good business sense. You also need to know how to work with people. During picking season, we have 50 people working in the fields and 45 people working in the packing house.

“Labor is one of the most important issues for blueberry growers,” Jeremy said.

“Finding and keeping good labor is a chal-lenge. We must follow many rules and guidelines when hiring labor for our fields. The process can be complex, expensive and time-consuming, but in order to provide you with the berries you love, we go through this every year.”

In their packing house, Jeremy says he and his fam-ily also follow stringent guidelines for grading and packing their berries, ensur-ing that the berries you purchase for your family are the very best quality possible.

GROWING BLUEBERRIESEach year, the Edwardses

bed up their plants with pine sawdust and pine bark mixed into the soil. They mulch on top with organic matter. This type of process slows weeds down and helps the soil hold moisture, which makes the bushes grow faster.

“We plant many varieties of Southern Highbush and Rabbiteye blueberries. The Southern Highbush berries fruit first in late April followed in the summer by the Rabbiteye berries,” Jeremy said. “We pick our berries from the last week of April to mid-July. We were packing berries in April,

making us the earliest growers in the state.”Jeremy says blueberries have some insect

and disease problems but not many. “Blueberries are a relatively easy plant to

grow, but growing them can be expensive since it takes about six years for them to fully mature. It takes a serious investment of time and money to successfully grow blueberries.”

LEGISLATIVE TOUROn a recent day in early June, Great

Southern Farms hosted a Farm Bureau-sponsored legislative tour of their operation designed to show area lawmakers, local growers, local media and Farm Bureau volun-teer leaders and staff the process of growing and packing blueberries. The group came away with a better understanding of this most important segment of Mississippi’s diverse fruit and vegetable industry.

Jeremy said he and his family were glad to open their operation for the visi-tors. The Edwardses enjoy growing blueberries and want others to understand

and appreciate this type of farming, too.“I love farming, period,” Jeremy said.

“In addition to the blueberries, I have a large vegetable garden each year that could supply the whole community. I like to see things grow.

“You look at your crops, and you think, ‘I did that.’”

B Y G LY N DA P H I L L I P S

“IT’S A JOB, AND IT ISN’T EASY. TO BE SUCCESSFUL GROWING BLUEBERRIES, YOU MUST KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, FROM

CHEMICALS TO SOIL TYPES TO NUTRI-ENTS AND HOW ALL OF THIS WORKS TOGETHER. IT IS A FINE BALANCE.”

JEREMY EDWARDS

G

ROWING MISSISSIPPI

BLUEBERRIES

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“I’VE BEEN AROUND FARMING ALL MY LIFE. I REMEMBER SITTING ON MY DAD’S LAP WHILE HE PLOWED CORN AND DREAMING OF THE DAY I COULD MAKE

A LIVING THROUGH FARMING.”TIM COOPER, FARMER

“If you didn’t know him, you’d definitely be intimidated by him.”

Somehow, that sen-tence seemed to be the first thing that came out of my mouth when my coworker asked how my trip to Cooper Farms & Vineyard in Morton went. When I thought about it a little more, I realized I needed to per-fect this intro. After all, I’d soon be introducing the owner, Tim Cooper, to most of our employ-ees as the featured farmer during this year’s growing season. But at a minimum of 6 feet, 3 inches in height, with a stocky build and scruffy mustache, Tim is anything but hard to miss. Having never had height or much intimidation on my side, I soon became convinced that if anyone could look the part of a farmer, before even being interviewed, he would be the one.

I had talked with Tim, now known to some as “Coop,” a few times at local farm-ers markets across the state before visiting his 115-acre farm. You know that feeling when a location actually smells like the place it is? When an old antiques store actually begins to smell like one? Cooper Farms & Vineyard is one of those places. Mixtures of fresh grass, sweltering heat and whiffs of growing herbs nearby, like basil or peppermint, make this place truly smell like a farm.

Although Cooper Farms & Vineyard was established in 1981, Tim can’t remember a time when he wasn’t around farming. He recalled one of his favorite memories growing up when he said, “I’ve been around farming all my life. I remember sitting on my dad’s lap while he plowed corn and dreaming of the day I could make a living through farming.”

After retiring from the Mississippi

Department of Transportation, Tim decided to give full-time farming a gander and, although it hasn’t been without challenges, he hasn’t looked back since.

When asked what all he grows on the farm, Tim just smiled. As he began to rattle off everything from onions to blueberries, pep-pers, kale, squash and everything in between, I realized I could’ve avoided the ensuing hand cramp by instead inquiring what he didn’t grow. Of course, the short answer to the latter question would’ve been almost nothing. Tim may not be a jack-of-all-trades, but he sure is a jack-of-all-produce.

As we discussed the challenges farmers face, Tim stated, “Right now, the buzzword is organic, but it’s quite difficult to grow organically while still making a profit due to Mississippi’s unique climate.”

One specific hardship mentioned was the lack of predictability in weather.

“This past winter was a rough one,” Tim said. “Our yields this year will be affected because of it.”

Elaborating on how farming is a con-stant learning experience, Tim stated, “Each day is different. Because of that, you have to wake up and try to learn how to make your

business more successful every day.” Speaking from experience, he men-

tioned how he likes to read marketing books to help him learn ways to

market himself and his busi-ness to various demographics.

When you walk inside the Mississippi Farmers Market

on High Street in Jackson, you see examples of his self-ini-

tiated marketing education by the way he specifically color codes his produce tables to match, promot-ing brand consistency.

His newest tactic comes in the form of neon as each Cooper Farms &

Vineyard employee wears a bright neon shirt to help with easy crowd detection (as if one needed a neon shirt to spot Tim towering over the crowd). Results from his market-ing efforts are visible as Tim currently sells his produce to seven local restaurants in the Jackson area in addition to public farmers markets throughout the week.

The more I’ve gotten to know Tim, the more I’m convinced my first thought of him was true. While Tim has the uncanny ability to command attention in a room, when he laughs, it’s passionate and authentic. Now he just strikes me as a gentle giant — except with more dirt. With a laugh that’s synonymous with the way he runs his business, both pas-sionately and authentically, Cooper Farms & Vineyard is on track for continued success in the years to come.

If you’re curious about that farm smell and want a whiff of it yourself, head on down to Morton and enjoy the farm’s

“U-pick” selection. Or hang a left (or right, depending on the direction you are headed) at the Mississippi Farmers Market and pay him a visit. However, don’t leave without an armful of his famous muscadine syrup or a hug from his oldest and most loyal employee, Mr. Willie.

COOPER FARMS & VINEYARD

B Y E R I N M C D I L L W I L L I A MS

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MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 11JULY/AUGUST 2014

Robert Robinson has worked with plants his whole life. He grew up on his father’s farm and as an adult worked in greenhouses for a local wholesale nursery. Each evening, he would return home to labor on his own farm.

Robert, 74, watched his father and talked with other farmers, but he mostly learned through experience and through developing a keen eye for plants. He says he “listens” to his plants, observing them and determining what they need in order to grow healthy and strong. He strives to grow the very best veg-etables possible, and as a result, his produce is very much in demand.

“I don’t sell anything but the best,” he said. “I personally inspect it all. If it doesn’t pass my inspection, we don’t pick it.”

Robert grows peas, beans, okra, cucum-bers, tomatoes, eggplant, bell pepper, cayenne pepper, cabbage and a few collards in the early spring. In the winter, he grows mustard greens, collard greens, turnip greens and cabbage.

“I was raising hogs back in the early years, before I gradually moved into the vegetable business,” he said, stopping on a hot, humid morning in mid-June to visit for a while. “I started growing for a local farmers market then decided to build my own shed and sell from my farm. We ran ads and received a good response.

“At the time, we were growing 15 acres of peanuts, sweet potatoes, peas and okra. When my kids finished school, I started cut-ting back. Now, I’m down to four acres of vegetables. The rest of the fields have been turned into pasture.”

In addition to produce, Robert raises 43 head of crossbred Angus cattle.

SELLING PRODUCEDuring the summer and fall seasons, the

early morning hours on the farm are devoted to picking and cleaning vegetables. Robert will not pick in the evening because a long hot day will give his vegetables too much heat, which isn’t good for their nutritional value or shelf life. He keeps the vegetables cool in an air-conditioned room, where they remain until they are purchased.

Robert uses local high school kids and one full-time adult employee to help him pick. He

says the part-time work gives the youths a little pocket money and keeps them out of trouble. In the past, he helped establish a scholarship for kids who worked on his farm. He says many of them have gone on to excel in life.

By 10 a.m., customers are steadily arriving. Robert and his wife, Anna, help them with their purchases. They have some customers who have been with them for many years and others who are brand

new. Customers are from Lincoln County as well as Lawrence, Copiah, Pike, Adams, Claiborne and Franklin counties.

By evening, the work on the farm is finished for the day.

EXPERIENCE IS TEACHER“Through the years, Anna and I have

done very well with our vegetables, despite the weather,” Robert said. “We grow our plants from seed in our own greenhouse, and I have my own special way of growing them. We don’t use heaters very often; we mainly rely on the sun. We bundle the house up tight in plastic during cold weather. I know that if I mistreat my plants this will show up later. I keep them healthy and their immune systems strong. Disease only attaches itself to weak plants.

“Once the plants are in the fields, I leave weeds so the insects will feed on them and not my plants. It works,” he said. “All of this cuts way down on the amount of chemicals I use. The only problem I have is with corn ear worms on the tomatoes, so I use just a little something for that.

“We plant cover crops like ryegrass, wheat

and clover to build up our soil,” he said. “If you are good to the soil, it will be good to you. We also try to rotate where we plant the vegetables and not plant them in the same place every time.

“Experience is my teacher. If you do these things and try different things, you will find what works best for you,” he said. “I have attended Extension meetings, and they have sent me materials. But most of what I read I already know. Every farm, every patch of soil is different, so it is hard for me to tell other growers what to do with their plants. They must figure that out for themselves.”

While reading about another vegetable farm, Robert discovered a unique way to keep birds off his plants. He uses red and sil-ver reflective streamers, which he attaches to poles beside the plants. The streamers blow in the wind, catching the light and making a rustling noise, which he says frightens the birds away. In addition to being useful, all of this makes for a pretty sight.

FARMER OF YEARRobert enjoys the challenge of growing

vegetables, and he loves watching them grow.“If I had to sum up my strategy, it would

be that you must make a plan and stick to it. The good Lord and the weather might change your plan, but try and stick with it otherwise. You also must be available in case your plants need you.”

Robert is contemplating retiring once he celebrates his 75th birthday, but he says he will always have his cows and he will try to keep a little patch of vegetables for his oldest and most loyal customers.

“These men and women have been good to me,” he said. “I want to be there for them.”

In 2002, Robert became the first African-American farmer to receive the Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Small Farmer of the Year Award. The same year, he also received the Alcorn Conservation Farmer of the Year Award.

Robert and Anna are Lincoln County Farm Bureau members. Their eight children, six sons and two daughters, are grown. None of the children farm.


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Vegetable Farmer Listens to His Plants


It always seems that, especially in the South, some of life’s greatest moments are celebrated in the company of good friends and great food. Add in a little bit of fam-ily-friendly fun, Southern hospitality, local talent and farm-to-table flare and you’ve got a recipe for success. You’ve got the Mississippi Farmers Market.

Located on High Street near the Mississippi Coliseum, the Mississippi Farmers Market, a certified farmers mar-ket, is sowing seeds in Mississippi’s future by investing in the talents and efforts of the local community. Community farmers mar-kets, oftentimes scattered in towns statewide, have been a part of the Magnolia State’s agri-cultural history for quite some time now. However, with battling the weather and the intense summer heat that accompanies the growing season, comfortable farmers mar-kets have been largely out of reach for both the community and the farmer.

The Mississippi Farmers Market facil-ity, an 18,000-square-foot building with 32 stalls, roll-up doors and refrigerators, was built especially with this reason in mind. Now a haven where farmers can come and sell their produce without having to worry about weather conditions, the Mississippi Farmers Market is also a place where locals can make purchases in a convenient, com-fortable and accessible way. And it’s really fun.

Frank Malta, manager of the Mississippi Farmers Market, said, “Our main goal with the market is to create an environment where Mississippi small farmers can thrive and sell their products.”

Currently, the market proudly boasts, on average, 65 vendors each week — a mix-ture of farmers, artists and area craftsmen. It wasn’t always this large. A few years ago, the Mississippi Farmers Market combined with the Greater Belhaven Market, and the strengths of each market have helped to cre-ate today’s thriving market downtown.

In reference to this, Frank said, “The Belhaven market brought a new culture to the Mississippi market specifically in the arts and crafts scene. When we merged, both markets really complemented each other well.”

Although focused with the farmer in mind, the Mississippi Farmers Market has evolved to become one of Jackson’s greatest

attractions for all ages. From face painting for the kids to weekly live entertainment and emerging musicians to cooking demonstra-tions from area chefs as well as senior citizen activities and even a new onsite restaurant, The Farmer’s Table, there’s something for everyone to do, whether visiting with a few or with a crew.

Having worked in the grocery business most of his career, Frank understands the role marketing plays in success for the farmers he

and the community have grown to love. “For a while, I’ve loaned out one of

my books, “The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing,” to our vendors because I genuinely want them to succeed in their endeavors here and back at their farms,” Frank said. “Learning to market oneself, espe-cially for farmers, is integral, and I believe the vendors here have learned to draw from each other’s strengths.”

In the past few years, local farmers markets have seen a rebirth. Although par-ticipation in farmers markets has ebbed and flowed over the years, farmers markets are now no longer simply a grab-and-go loca-tion. They are instead a place folks of all ages can kick back, relax and hang out for hours. Open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., there are plenty of opportunities to stop by the Mississippi Farmers Market and learn the faces and sto-ries of the people who grow your food.

Maybe I’m not alone in this, but I’ve always heard that things come in cycles. What this appears to mean is that if a generation opts to skip out on an idea, product or fashion trend (hello current fad of 80s-inspired high-waisted shorts), it’ll simply come back in the next generation. Whatever you do, from grabbing a bite at The Farmer’s Table or enjoying the enter-tainment, your support of local farmers markets ensures that they won’t be one of those things that comes in cycles.

Who knows? If you go, you may even want to break out the 80s-inspired high-waisted shorts. No judgment here.

B Y E R I N M C D I L L W I L L I A MS

WHAT’S GROWING ON DOWNTOWN?

ALTHOUGH FOCUSED WITH THE FARMER IN MIND, THE MISSISSIPPI FARMERS MARKET HAS EVOLVED

TO BECOME ONE OF JACKSON’S GREATEST ATTRACTIONS FOR ALL AGES.

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omer Wilson is an 81-year-old working entomologist who pos-sesses a gift for growing peaches.

His farm near Fulton boasts 60 peach trees that produce some nine varieties of his favorite peaches.

“I’ve learned from experience how best to grow them,” he said. “I have Red Globe, which is a huge, flavorful peach. Some of my Red Globes have weighed a pound. I grow Hale Haven, which should be ready by now (mid-June) but is two weeks late because of the weather. I have Red Haven and Elberta, J. H. Hale and Bell of Georgia. I also grow the old-time Indian peach, which is very popular and a good pickling peach. I grow nectarines, but some of them were killed by the freeze this year.”

Homer is considering adding a variety of peach that produces in late August and early September.

“I stopped by a farmers market in South Carolina in early September, and they were selling huge peaches just coming off the trees. I want to buy some of those trees and try them.”

At maturity, Homer’s peach trees stand 12 and 15 feet tall.

“I tend to the trees myself,” he said. “My grandson helps with the pruning, and that’s the hardest and most important part of the process. But I do all of the spraying and all of the picking. My yield depends on the season.

“This year, I will get 50 percent of a nor-mal crop. That is about 100 to 110 bushels. In a good year, with a full crop, I can expect 200 bushels. It is easy to grow at least four bushels to a tree or eight to nine bushels in a good year. I am trying to thin the trees some because that makes the peaches grow bigger. My customers want bigger peaches.”

For information, Homer relies on the Southeastern Peach Growers Association as well as Extension research from Georgia and South Carolina, big peach-growing states.

He says Mississippi does well with peaches but is a little on the cold side.

“I’ve had more loss from spring freezes,” he said. “If you can get past the spring cold, then this is a great state to grow peaches.”

With peaches, Homer says the insect problem is not bad but there is a lot of dis-ease, especially brown rot if the weather has been rainy.

“You can’t spray during wet weather and I don’t like to spray on ripening peaches, so

that poses a problem,” he said. “But you can help control disease by controlling a tree’s access to sunlight and air. One hour of morning sun is worth three hours of after-noon sun. A lack of sunshine can really cut into the size of your peaches.”

As a child, Homer lived near his mater-nal grandfather, who had a peach orchard.

“I would help him gather the peaches by climbing into the trees. I’ve always loved to eat peaches, and I still do. As an adult, I began planting my own trees, and I had a great peach orchard on Old Highway 25, where I lived in the 1980s. When I bought this place in 1994, I put out peach trees before we built the house in 1997. I had to move some of the trees to build the house.”

Homer also grows apples, includ-ing Arkansas Black, Red Jonathan and Smokehouse, as well as a Japanese persim-

mon that is decorative and eats like an apple but is much sweeter. He puts in a big vegeta-ble garden every year, with tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, squash, cantaloupes and watermelon. He grows peppers, field peas and butterbeans for himself and his family.

With help from his wife, Kay, Homer sells peaches and vegetables on his farm. He also takes his produce to a Fulton farmers market on Fridays.

“If I were a young man, I’d find 20 or 30 acres of loam soil on a creek and grow peaches, green beans, tomatoes and squash. There is such a demand for them these days. I have established customers here in Fulton as well as in Pontotoc, Belmont, Booneville and Hamilton, Alabama. Some of these men and women have been with me for a long time. I just call them when the produce is ready, and it is gone.”

The peaches and vegetables are a hobby for a man who continues to walk cotton fields.

“I have four cotton farms in Belmont and one in Mantachie that I see about,” he said. “Cotton has been good to me. In 1965, the year after I got my master’s degree from Mississippi State University, I went into business for myself. I had worked for some-one else before that.

“I have done very well with my work, and I’ve enjoyed it. It gets tiresome by the time the season is over, but by the time the next year rolls around, I am anxious to get started again.”

Homer also helps his daughter and son-in-law at Holley Farm, a popular agri-tourism operation near Fulton.

Homer and Kay are Itawamba County Farm Bureau members. Homer’s daugh-ter is Itawamba County Farm Bureau Women’s Chair Jan Holley. Jan received the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation’s Excellence in Leadership Award in 2012. He has one son, Brian.


A GIFT FOR GR WING PEACHES

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“I HAVE DONE VERY WELL WITH MY WORK, AND I’VE ENJOYED IT. IT GETS TIRESOME BY THE TIME THE SEASON IS OVER, BUT BY THE TIME THE NEXT YEAR ROLLS AROUND, I AM ANXIOUS

TO GET STARTED AGAIN.”HOMER WILSON

We don’t hear much these days about World War I, which began 100 years ago this August. As the troops marched from many nations, bands played, flags waved and ora-tors waxed eloquent that war is ennobling,

their nation and its soldiers would cover themselves in glory and this was to be the war to end all wars — all of which was foolish and false. Modern weapons and obsolete tactics made it the war that greedily devoured a generation

of European and British lives, changing the world forever.

Alan Seeger’s poignant verse captures the moment:

“But I’ve a rendezvous with DeathAt midnight in some flaming town,When Spring trips north again this year, And I to my pledged word am true,I shall not fail that rendezvous.”

When the armistice was declared in November, 1918, forty million1 souls had kept a rendezvous with death or been wounded. The numbers are still staggering a century later. For example, on July 1, 1916, the French and British launched an offensive known as the Battle of the Somme in France. In the artil-lery barrage that preceded it, the British fired more than a million and a half high-explosive shells. Over 100,000 British troops went over the top of the trenches, and at the end of that one day, over 57,000 were killed or wounded. This is but one example of the slaughter that lasted for four years. America finally entered

the war in 1917, and its casualties were signifi-cant but light compared to the British, French and Germans.2

The British began to consider how to remember and memorialize their war dead, and in 1917, the Imperial War Graves Commission was founded to honor its forces who died from wounds inflicted, accidents occurring or diseases contracted, while on active service whether on sea or land. Remembering that the British Empire included many nations, including Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India, this was a task of a magnitude never before undertaken by any nation.

By 1937, the commission had identified 580,000 graves, 180,000 unidentified graves and 530,000 unknown graves, and had cre-ated cemeteries and memorials in over 100 nations. Britain was still a class-conscious nation, but in these cemeteries and memorials, there were then unique and controversial deci-sions. Private memorials were not allowed in any military cemeteries. Repatriation of bod-ies to England was prohibited. There was no distinction between officers and men lying in the same cemeteries in the form or nature of memorials. A universal simple headstone was used. A large horizontal marker was placed in the cemeteries with words by Rudyard Kipling, the great British author, inscribed thereon:

“Their Name Liveth Forevermore.” For uniden-tified or unknown graves, Kipling wrote: “A Soldier of the Great War, known unto God.” A tall cross was placed in each cemetery with softly rounded arms, and in it was a sword pointed downward, signifying death in battle. It became known as the Cross of Sacrifice.

Three great monuments were built in France and in other cemeteries worldwide, varying from a few graves to over 11,000 and

created for perpetual care. To the extent pos-sible, they would recreate the homely sense of an English churchyard. Nurseries for mil-lions of trees, shrubs and flowers were created and planted. Thousands were employed in this undertaking, and housing, food and rec-reation facilities were furnished along with schools for their children.

Registries of the dead were created and maintained, photos of graves were sent to families, questions were answered and guid-ance to locate the graves was provided. Just as the first phase of the work was finished, World War II began and greatly complicated and expanded the work of the commission, but it has never flagged from its duty, which continues to this day.3

This monumental and permanent task is an eloquent response to the phrase: Lest We Forget.

King George V, speaking in France in 1922, said, “I have many times asked myself whether there can be more potent advocates of peace upon earth through the years to come than this massed multitude of silent witnesses to the des-olation of war.” Alas, it did not prove so!

Retired attorney Sam Scott worked with Farm Bureau for many years and continues writing for Mississippi Farm Country. You may contact him by emailing [email protected]. The subject discussed above and opinions and comments therein are solely those of the author.

1 There is much confusion about casualty numbers, but this is best estimate.2 For American memorials, see “American Armies and Battlefields in Europe — U.S. Govt. 1938 shows 52,947 killed and 202,628 wounded.3 See “The Unending Vigil” by Phillip Longworth covering the period 1914 to 1967.

by Sam Scott

Remembrance

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STROLLING


he Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Land Program has worked dili-gently throughout the year to protect your landowner rights.

Our Land Committee has been involved in many areas of the land industry, including private property rights, taxes, agritourism recreational uses of land, wildlife issues, rural development and mineral rights and royalty issues, especially in the southwestern area of the state, where the Tuscaloosa Marine

Shale has many land-owners excited about the possibility of oil being produced from their land.

Each year, we con-tinue to work with the Mississippi State University Natural

Resource Enterprises Department to host statewide workshops designed to help land-owners better utilize their assets. These workshops provide information on hunting leases, agritourism opportunities, bird watch-ing and many great uses for your property. This year, over 100 landowners attended, and participation is growing every year.

Also this year, we had a good attendance at our winter commodity conference. The first part of the conference deals with land-owner-specific issues. Stan Ingram, an oil and gas attorney from Jackson, was our guest speaker and updated landowners on several legal issues dealing with the oil industry. The Tuscaloosa Marine Shale (TMS) is the buzz-word in southwestern Mississippi recently. The TMS is an oil and natural gas field located in southern Louisiana and parts of southwestern Mississippi. In Mississippi, the counties affected are Adams, Amite, Franklin, Pike, Walthall and Wilkinson counties.

OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIESMississippi’s land area, some 30,020,000

total acres, is some of the most diverse and fascinating in the country, with an abun-dance of wildlife. A recent land use survey conducted by the United States Department

of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that our state has 6,063,000 acres of cropland, 2,223,000 acres of grassland pastures, 18,572,000 acres in forest use, 957,000 acres in special uses, including parks and wildlife management, and 1,607,000 acres in other land, such as marsh or open swamps.

Research conducted at Mississippi State University (MSU) has shown that pri-vate landowners and farmers can diversify income and increase conservation on their lands by developing fee-access outdoor recreational enterprises (such as hunting, angling, wildlife watching and other nature-based activities). Landowner knowledge in establishing and operating these types of businesses is limited. Thus, the MSU Natural Resource Enterprises Program (NRE), working with collaborators like Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, has designed educational workshops, curricula and resource materials to train landowners and producers to develop outdoor recre-ational businesses on working lands.

These businesses in the South are most often associated with hunting, fishing, wild-life watching, horse trail riding, farm tours (agritourism) and bed and breakfast enter-prises. Expenditures incurred for outdoor recreation in Mississippi in 2007 by almost 1.5 million recreationalists are estimated at nearly $1.1 million annually (inflated to 2013 estimates). This industry is good for the state economically plus offers landowners incentives to conduct conservation on their properties to support wildlife and fish that are featured in many of these outdoor enterprises.

NRE workshops lasting one day are typically held on private lands or farms that support an outdoor recreational business. Lectures are given in the morning session and include enterprise opportunities available on your land, legal aspects of operating a busi-ness, marketing and conservation cost-share assistance available to landowners. Following lunch on the grounds, an afternoon field tour offers participants the opportunity to view actual enterprise operations and conservation implemented on the host property.

To measure specific impacts of NRE

workshops, surveys have been conducted with landowners and farmers who have attended past events to determine enter-prise activities and associated conservation practices implemented on the farm. Survey findings from responses by landowners and farmers in Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana who have started outdoor recre-ational businesses during the past couple of years have been impressive.

Over 100 landowners have initiated out-door recreational businesses on their farms and properties, including 40 fee hunting operations, 46 hunting leases and over 30 fee fishing and agritourism operations. In terms of hunting-related businesses, over one-half featured white-tailed deer and wild turkey hunting excursions. On average, land-owners earned almost $13,000 in additional annual income or $21 per acre from these ventures that represented over $1.4 million in aggregate cash flows from these outdoor recreational enterprises. Most landowners reported that they started their enterprises to improve income and recreational potential on their properties, to enhance wildlife and fish on their land and for personal enjoyment of operating their business.

NRE-initiated outdoor businesses also enhanced resource conservation and wildlife management on the land. Survey respon-dents reported that conservation practices that included wildlife supplemental plant-ings, control of unwanted or invasive vegetation, disking, prescribed fire and for-est management took place on over 150 farms, improving wildlife habitats on over 10,000 acres of private lands in Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana.

Outdoor recreational businesses pro-vide economic and ecological benefits to our state and to family farms and improved our natural environment in Mississippi. To learn more about the NRE program or to attend one of the workshops, please visit www.naturalresources.msstate.edu.

A special thanks to MSU Natural Resource Enterprises Program Coordinator Daryl Jones for his help with this article.

Land Program Review

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TBY D O U G E RV I N — M F B F L A N D P RO G R A M D I R E C TO R


Ocean Springs is the oldest French settle-ment in the present-day United States. Known as the City of Discovery, in recog-nition of those French explorers who established the settlement in 1699, it takes its name from the many mineral springs located in the area. The L&N Railroad came through in the 1800s, playing an important role in the early growth of the town’s seafood and tourism industries. Trains still pass through the city today.

Approximately 17,000 people call Ocean Springs home.

“Years ago, we were known as a bedroom community for larger cities,” Mayor Connie Moran said. “Today, we have enough large businesses of our own, including our hospi-tal and our schools, to offer employment to many of our citizens.”

Ocean Springs is also home to the Gulf

Coast Research Laboratory and the Gulf Islands National Seashore Visitor Center and Campground.

MAIN STREET AWARDThrough the years, Ocean Springs has

remained strong and vibrant, despite the twin disasters of Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf Oil Spill and despite having lit-tle industry and absolutely no gaming. (Through the years, the city has consistently refused to accept gaming.) Along the way, it has become a model for other communi-ties, winning numerous state and national awards, including the prestigious Great American Main Street Award for 2013.

“We can’t compete with Pascagoula to our east with its industry or Biloxi and Gulfport to our west with their gaming, so we emphasize what we do have. We have

great people. We have over 100 fantastic res-taurants, a strong arts community, excellent schools and a top-notch health care system,” said Mayor Moran.

“You will find many one-of-a-kind boutiques in our downtown area that peo-ple like to spend time browsing through, and we are home to the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, Shearwater Pottery, the Ocean Springs Museum of History and the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center and Culinary Cafe.”

In addition, the town offers special events year-round, including the Peter Anderson Arts and Crafts Festival, the larg-est festival in Mississippi with 100,000 visitors annually, and the popular Red, White and Blueberry and Feast of Flavors festivals, which each draw about 10,000 visi-tors annually.

Ocean Springs combines a small-town Mayberry charm with the laid-back vibe of an arts community and the hustle and bustle of a big city. Here you will find tree-lined streets filled with one-of-a-kind shops, art galleries, museums and restaurants. You will also discover excellent

schools, a new sports complex, and a hospital that is part of a nationally top-ranked health care system. In addi-tion, located as it is on Biloxi Bay, Ocean Springs offers beautiful white-sand beaches, a boardwalk with mosaic murals and lots of outdoor recreational opportunities.


Ocean S prings


“We have something going on all of the time,” said Chamber of Commerce-Main Street-Tourism Director Margaret Miller.

“These events bring together a large, diverse group of people, and that always makes for a great energy.”

FARMERS MARKETOcean Springs is home to a successful

10-year-old farmers market called Ocean Springs Fresh Market, which emphasizes fresh, locally grown foods. Patterned after European outdoor markets, it is helmed by Diane Claughton, whose background as a chef and restaurant owner makes her uniquely suited for ensuring that customers find quality foods, including milk and dairy products (conventional and goat), fruits and vegetables (in season), salsas, honey, bread, beef jerky, barbecue sauce and baked foods.

Ocean Springs Fresh Market sets up every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot in front of the historic L&N Depot Building (home to the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce-Main Street-Tourism Bureau) on Washington Avenue near the downtown area. The market con-sists of some 25 to 30 vendors and enjoys a loyal clientele, which includes local chefs who shop for foods for their restaurants.

“We don’t have crafts because we want our customers to be drawn to our farm products,” Diane said. “I have nine farmers I work with who are committed to this market. If we say we will be here, we are here unless the weather is so inclement it is foolish to set up.”

The farmers market has been so success-ful Diane has expanded it to Gulfport and is considering setting up more markets further down the coast as interest continues to grow.

BILOXI-OCEAN SPRINGS BRIDGE An important part of the Ocean Springs

community is the redesigned Biloxi-Ocean Springs Bridge, which is reportedly used by some 25,000 drivers daily.

“Following Hurricane Katrina, we worked with a group of architects to rebuild the bridge,” said Mayor Moran. “From a 4-lane drawbridge, we went to a high-rise 6-lane bridge that includes a new 12-foot-wide pathway on one side, where people can walk, jog or bicycle. Hundreds of people use the pathway every day.”

If you hike the length of the bridge and back again, you walk 3.2 miles. In addition to getting your exercise, you get a great view of the water.

“I insisted on being able to see through the railing for aesthetic and safety pur-

poses,” said Mayor Moran. “I also wanted lights along the length of the bridge and necklace lighting on the girders. Salvaged bronze plaques from the old bridge, which was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, as well as new bronze artwork decorate the walking path and emphasize the city’s history, the area’s flora and fauna and our place as an historic arts community.”

COME SEE USThe city of Ocean Springs invites you

to visit.“We think we are the best-kept secret in

the Southern coastal region,” Mayor Moran said. “Many of us raised our families here, and we are invested in ensuring that the town remains strong and growing. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by what you discover here. You might even decide to live here. It’s happened with our visitors before, so I wouldn’t be surprised.”

For more information, visit www.oceanspringschamber.com.

Photos of the Walter Anderson Museum of Art are complements of the museum. Lovelace Drugs and Farmers Market photos are complements of the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce.

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Fresh Tomato Soup

2 c. fresh ripe tomatoes2 T. flour¼ tsp. pepper1 c. half & half3 T. butter1 tsp. salt¼ tsp. baking soda½ c. chicken broth

Peel and dice tomatoes. Simmer in butter five minutes. Puree in blender. Add flour, salt and pepper. Blend until smooth. Bring to boil. Reduce heat. Cook for two minutes. Add half & half and chicken broth. Stir and enjoy.

Linda BondsTishomingo County

Blueberry Cobbler

1 (16-oz.) can crushed pineapple1 stick butter3 c. blueberries1 box yellow cake mix¾ c. sugar, divided

Grease a 10 by 10-inch Pyrex dish. Pour pineapple into the dish. Top with berries. Pour ½ cup sugar over berries. Sprinkle dry cake mix over sugar. Top with ¼ cup sugar and 1 stick melted butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Adelean EmersonAlcorn County

Squash Pie

1 qt. boiled, mashed, drained squash½ c. sugar½ c. flour2 eggs, beaten2 T. butter1 tsp. vanilla1 tsp. baking powder

Melt butter in warm, drained squash. Let cool. Combine sugar and eggs and add to squash. Add flour, vanilla and baking pow-der and put in a greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 40 minutes. Serve hot as a vegetable or cool as a dessert.

Peggy SegressClaiborne County

COUNTRY COOKING VOLUME IV These recipes are from “Country Cooking Volume IV,” available at most county Farm Bureau offices. The cost is $15. If you order from the state office, you will pay $15 plus postage. • For more information, contact Women’s Program Coordinator Clara Bilbo at (601) 977-4245.

Recipese


On June 21, the Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) State Committee hosted the Gary Langley Memorial Clay Shoot at Kearney Park Farms in Flora. This yearly event is held in memory of Gary Langley, a previous YF&R State Committee member who lost his life in a tragic tractor acci-dent. All of the proceeds from the event are donated to the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) YF&R Scholarship Foundation.

This year, even though the temperature was very hot, the event enjoyed a great turn-out. Eighteen four-man teams competed for a variety of prizes. The course consists of 100 shots at 12 different stations, creating a chal-lenging and fun course.

The committee would like to thank all of the sponsors, donors and participants for making the event a success. They would also like to extend a very special thank you to MFBF President Randy Knight, North

Mississippi Vice President Donald Gant, Central Mississippi Vice President Ted Kendall IV and South Mississippi Vice President Reggie Magee for their gener-ous donation of a Beretta A400 Explore 12 Gauge Shotgun awarded to the top shooter of the day, Jacob Lowery of Lowndes County.

For more information about the MFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Program, call (601) 977-4277.

2014 Gary Langley Memorial Clay ShootBY K I RS T E N J O H N S O N — M F B F Y F & R C O O R D I N ATO R

STATION SPONSORSHIPSouthern Farm Bureau Life Insurance CompanyAgri-AFC Adams County Farm BureauYazoo County Farm BureauMarion County Farm Bureau

First South Farm Credit, ACAWalthall County Farm BureauWalthall County Co-opStockpro Animal HealthSouthern Ag CreditBank Plus

PRIZE SPONSORSRandy Knight, Donald Gant, Ted Kendall IV & Reggie Magee — Top ShooterAcademy Sports — First PlaceMississippi Ag — Second PlaceWatson Quality Ford — Third Place

High Shooter of the Day was Jacob Lowery of Lowndes County. First-place team members include Todd Dupré, John Dupré, Tyler Carlton and Skyler Magee of Simpson County.

Second-place team members include Jacob Lowery, Greg Lowery,Dalton Alexander and Joey McCullough of Lowndes County.

Third-place team members include Lee Hutchison, Andrew Parrish, Dustin Simmons and Jared Busick, MS Tent & Party Rental.

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MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 27MAY/JUNE 2014

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) competitions will offer great prizes in 2015.

Winners of the Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agri-culture awards will have a choice of a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado or a 2015 GMC Sierra pickup, sponsored by GM. In addition, they will receive a paid registration to attend the 2015 AFBF Engagement Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

Three finalists in the Achievement

Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture contests will receive a Case IH Farmall 65A, sponsored by Case IH, along with a $2,500 cash prize and $500 in mer-chandise from STIHL, sponsored by STIHL.

Winners will be determined at AFBF Annual Convention Jan. 11-14, 2015, in San Diego, California.

For more information about YF&R competition, contact Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation YF&R Coordinator Kirsten Johnson at (601) 977-4277.

Mississippi YF&R state competition also offers a fantastic prize package.

In the event any of the national event awards are unavailable, AFBF reserves the right to substitute a prize of comparable or greater value at its sole discretion. Winners and finalists will be expected to 1) accept the awarded prize and 2) consent to the use of their name, likeness and hometown in promo-tional material, and must be legally eligible to do both.

National YF&R Prize Package

Jay Leno to Address 96th AFBF Annual ConventionAcclaimed late-night TV host Jay

Leno will give the closing session keynote address at the 96th American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show in San Diego on Jan. 12, 2015.

About 7,000 Farm Bureau members

from across the nation are expected to gather in San Diego Jan. 11-14 to hear from distinguished leaders and partici-pate in a grassroots policy-setting process that will guide the American Farm Bureau Federation through 2015.

Leno, an admired stand-up comedian, is also a best-selling children’s book author, TV and movie voice-over artist, pioneering car builder and mechanic, and philanthro-pist. He has been widely characterized as

“the hardest-working man in show business.”

2014 County Annual MeetingsAdams County Farm BureauThursday, Nov. 20, at 9 a.m.Farm Bureau OfficeNatchez

Alcorn County Farm BureauTuesday, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m.Alcorn County Extension OfficeMeal will be provided. Bring your favorite dessert.

Amite County Farm BureauThursday, Oct. 9, at 6:30 p.m.Harrison Bldg.Liberty

Chickasaw County Farm BureauThursday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m.Farm Bureau OfficeHouston

Claiborne County Farm BureauThursday, Sept. 18, at 12:30 p.m.Farm Bureau OfficePort Gibson

Clarke County Farm BureauThursday, Oct. 23, at 6:30 p.m.Multipurpose BuildingQuitmanPlease RSVP by Oct. 17 at (601) 776-6977.

Clay County Farm BureauTuesday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m.Farm Bureau OfficeWest Point

Covington County Farm BureauTuesday, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m.Multipurpose BuildingCollins

Forrest County Farm BureauTuesday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m.Multipurpose BuildingCounty Extension Office952 Sullivan DriveHattiesburg

George County Farm BureauMonday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m.Farm Bureau OfficeLucedale

Grenada County Farm BureauTuesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m.Farm Bureau OfficeGrenada

Hancock County Farm BureauTuesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m.County Office GroundsKilnThis is subject to change.

Harrison County Farm BureauSaturday, Oct. 4, at 6 p.m.West Harrison High SchoolGulfport

Hinds County Farm BureauMonday, Sept. 29, at 1 p.m.Farm Bureau OfficeRaymond

Jackson County Farm BureauSaturday, Sept. 27, at 4 p.m.East Central Community Center4300 Highway 614Hurley

Jefferson County Farm BureauWednesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m.Farm Bureau OfficeFayette

Jefferson Davis County Farm BureauTuesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m.Farm Bureau OfficePrentiss

Jones County Farm BureauTuesday, Oct. 7, at 6:30 p.m.Farm Bureau OfficeLaurel

Kemper County Farm BureauThursday, Sept. 18, at 6:30 p.m.County Farmers Market BuildingDeKalb

Lafayette County Farm BureauTuesday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m.Farm Bureau OfficeOxford

Lamar County Farm BureauMonday, Sept. 15, at 6 p.m.Okahola Voting Precinct59 Old Okahola School RoadPurvis

Lauderdale County Farm BureauTuesday, Oct. 14, at 6 p.m.Farm Bureau OfficeMeridian

Madison County Farm BureauMonday, Sept. 8, at 10 a.m.Farm Bureau OfficeCanton

Marion County Farm BureauThursday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m.Columbia Exposition Center150 Industrial Park RoadColumbia

Monroe County Farm BureauTuesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m.Farm Bureau OfficeAberdeen

Montgomery County Farm BureauTuesday, Oct. 28, at 6:30 p.m.Farm Bureau OfficeWinona

Neshoba County Farm BureauTuesday, Oct. 14, at 6:30 p.m.Neshoba County ColiseumPhiladelphia

Newton County Farm BureauThursday, Oct. 16, at 6:30 p.m.First Baptist ChurchNewton

Noxubee County Farm BureauTuesday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m.County Civic CenterMacon

Oktibbeha County Farm BureauThursday, Sept. 11, at 6:30 p.m.MAFES Conference Center – Bull BarnMississippi State


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Panola County Farm BureauMonday, Sept. 15, at 6:30 p.m.Farm Bureau OfficeBatesvilleLight refreshments will be served.

Pearl River County Farm BureauTuesday, Oct. 7, at 6:30 p.m.Jack’s Fish Camp7921 Hwy. 11McNeill

Pontotoc County Farm BureauThursday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m.Pontotoc Community HousePlease bring a covered dish.Meat, bread and drinks will be provided.

Rankin County Farm BureauMonday, Oct. 20, at 6:30 p.m.Farm Bureau OfficeBrandonHamburger supper will be provided.

Scott County Farm BureauThursday, Sept. 18, at 6 p.m.Roosevelt State ParkAlfreda LodgeMorton

Simpson County Farm BureauTuesday Sept. 16, at 6:30 p.m.County Junior Livestock BuildingHighway 49 SouthMendenhall

Smith County Farm BureauTuesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m.Smith County Ag ComplexRaleighProgram – Celebrating the MississippiState Extension Service (1914-2014)

Tallahatchie County Farm BureauTuesday, Oct. 21, at 7:45 a.m.Farm Bureau OfficeCharleston

Tippah County Farm BureauMonday, Sept. 15, at 6 p.m.County FairgroundsRipleyLadies are asked to bring a dessert.

Tishomingo County Farm BureauThursday, Sept. 18, at 6:30 p.m.County High School CafeteriaIuka

Wayne County Farm BureauThursday, Oct. 9, at 6 p.m.Farm Bureau OfficeWaynesboro

Winston County Farm BureauThursday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m.Winston County Shrine ClubHighway 15 SouthLouisville

Yazoo County Farm BureauThursday, Nov. 20, at 10 a.m.Farm Bureau OfficeYazoo City

MFBF Annual Meeting

Mark your calendars to attend the 93rd Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation to be held Dec. 6-8 at the Hilton Jackson Hotel in Jackson.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Temple Grandin. Despite being diagnosed with autism as a child, Dr Grandin has enjoyed a successful career as a livestock-handling equipment designer, professor and speaker.

Special musicians for the worship service are Susie and Mark McEntire. Susie, Reba’s little sister, has directed her talents to the country gospel side of American roots music. Mark often joins his wife onstage to sing and play a little blues guitar.

A detailed convention schedule will run in the next issue of our membership magazine.


Teachers from across the state participated in Ag in the Classroom workshops held this summer in Hernando, Cleveland and Hattiesburg. The workshops, coordinated by the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Program, are designed to give teachers ideas about how to incorporate agriculture into their classroom activities.

Ag in the Classroom Workshops

The Fourth Annual Mississippi Gourd Festival will be held Sept. 20-21 at the Smith County Ag Complex in Raleigh. The early-bird classes are scheduled for Friday, Sept 19.

For more information, visit www.mississippigourdsociety.org.

Mississippi Gourd Festival


Summer Commodity Meetings

The 2014 Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) summer commodity meetings enjoyed great speakers and an active participation in the policy development process. Pictured speaking to farmers attending the MFBF Summer Apiculture and Horticulture Meeting at the MFBF Building in Jackson is AgWorks President Dan Bremer. Bremer’s topic was “Farm Labor and Beyond.” Also on the agenda but not pictured were Dr. Alba Collart, Mississippi State University (MSU) Ag Economics, who gave an update on the 2014 Farm Bill, and Dr. Jeff Harris, MSU Apiculture Specialist and Researcher, who talked about issues affecting the apiculture industry. The 2015 MFBF Winter Commodity Conference will be held Jan. 26-27 in Jackson. See the related article on page 6.


Ag Mag Issues

AvailableFarm Bureau offers a children’s agricultural newsletter called Ag Mag. Each issue features one Mississippi commodity through facts, activities, games and more. You can order copies of the newsletter for your local class-room or ag promotion events from our Ag in the Classroom Program.

Dairy, corn, poultry and horticulture editions are now available for purchase. The cost is $5 for 20 copies. To order, contact Pam Jones at [email protected] or (601) 977-4854.

Ag Mag, designed by Graphic Design Coordinator Danielle Ginn, won a first-place award in AFBF communications competition in 2014.


If you haven’t purchased your Ag in the Classroom T-shirt, contact the State Women’s Program or your county Farm Bureau office. The shirts are available in maroon or red — sizes Youth, small through large, and Adult, small through 3XL. The cost is $15. A limited number of long-sleeve T-shirts are available at $20 each. The State Women’s Committee would like to thank Region 4 Women’s Chair Jody Bailey for the design.

We also have fans for sale, using the same design as the T-shirt, at 50 cents each. If you buy in bulk, you get a cut. For example, you can purchase 25 fans for $10.

For more information, contact Clara Bilbo or Pam Jones at (601) 977-4245 or (601) 977- 4854 or email them at [email protected] or [email protected].

Ag in the Classroom T-Shirts & Fans


mississippi farm country - vol. 90 no. 5

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