CRYSTAL SPRINGS, Miss. -- The Southern Region of the American Society for Horticultural Science recognized what Mississippi gardeners already knew: Rick Snyder’s monthly gardening column is informative, entertaining and high quality.

 Snyder, a vegetable specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, received a Blue Ribbon Extension Publication Award in February for his work. Since 2005, Snyder’s column has appeared monthly in Mississippi Gardener magazine.

“Rather than telling how to grow any particular plant, my column is reflective, quirky, informative and amusing,” said Snyder, who works at the MSU Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station in Crystal Springs.

Recent topics have covered imperfect produce, boiled peanuts, composting, seasonal allergies and pollinators. His intended audience is home gardeners and anyone interested in horticulture. The award was given to recognize outstanding contribution to the understanding of horticultural subjects.

Snyder also won a Blue Ribbon in 2017 for the MSU Extension Service publication, “Common Problems with Tomatoes.”