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MISSISSIPPI
I. Significant Activities/Program
Highlights
1. Risk Management/Financial Crisis Management
- Risk Management 2000 (statewide distance
education program)
This program was delivered to over 125
individuals at seven different sites across the state via distance
education. Positive evaluations were received from this program that
not only provided input on the value of the risk management and farm
crisis information presented, but also demonstrated the value of distance
education technologies in appropriate, future Extension education
programs.
- Future of Mid-South Agriculture
(multi-state program)
This program focused on summarizing the
farm business environment faced by farm families, as well as suggesting
strategies for dealing with situations in the future. Following the
two-day meeting, an Extension workshop was held to identify the potential
for future program opportunities. A task force was developed involving
Extension Services of AR, KY, LA, MS, TN, and USDA’s Risk Management
Agency (RMA). This area matches the RMA’s region in the Mid-South.
The Task Force is planning additional educational opportunities for
the future.
2. Horticulture Programs
- Master Gardener Volunteer Management
Training
During the last year, 750 Mississippi Master Gardeners volunteered
over 22,500 hours valued at approximately $337,500. This program has
grown from 8 to over 27 counties in one year. A significant effort
was made to update the training curriculum in the form of a standardized
PowerPoint-based curriculum to agents via a train-the-trainer program.
Each of the four Extension Districts have an agent-based train-the-trainer
team conducting this program in each district. Additionally, an effort
was made to enhance volunteer management competencies for agents managing
Master Gardener programs.
- Grow Green Ornamental and Turf
Program
The 1999 Mississippi Legislature provided
funding for six new positions (three state specialists and three area
agents) to promote the growth and economic contribution of the state’s
floriculture, ornamental horticulture, and turf grass industries.
Significant efforts have been made to plan a results-oriented statewide
program in this area. New staffing is two-thirds complete, and this
group combined with existing specialists and agents have already begun
to positively impact the growth of this industry in the state estimated
to be in excess of $50 million in farm gate value.
3. Poultry Waste Management
- A series of agent and NRCS staff trainings
were conducted to provide awareness information on use of the state’s
phosphorus guidance document in support of a nutrient management program.
Significant effort was made with Extension Service, NRCS, and farm
organizations to develop useable phosphorus guidance information which
includes the phosphorus index.
- A grower awareness program was held
reaching over 300 poultry growers at 12 locations in the state to
help them understand the importance of nutrient management plans and
to lay ground work for ways that nutrient management plans can be
effectively and efficiently developed in the state.
II. New Initiatives/Thrusts
- Programs in Geospatial/Precision Farming
- Enhanced programs in Forestry in Northeast
Mississippi (Area Forester)
- Enhanced program in Wildlife and Natural
Resources Business Development
- Enhanced programs in Poultry Science
III. Administrative Changes
New Vice President for Agriculture,
Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, Dr. J. Charles Lee (started September
1, 1999).
New Administrative Intern
for ANR, Dr. Freddie Rasberry (started July 1, 2000).
IV. Major Issues
Boll Weevil Eradication
New Referenda Activities
Version II Electronic Curriculum
involving both research and Extension
Continued involvement in
enhancement of multi-state programming
V. New Partners
NASA with Geospatial/Precision
Farming Program
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