Feature Story

By Jamie Vickers

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A drought, hurricane and fewer growers will not prove to be a problem for Mississippians who appreciate homegrown Christmas trees this holiday season.

"The 1997 production figures were up 6.5 percent from the previous year, and the sales from the choose-and-cut market were up 10 percent," said Dr. Bob Daniels, Extension forestry specialist at Mississippi State University. "This is our third straight year of increases."

Last year 245,000 Christmas trees were sold in Mississippi at a value of $7.6 million.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Catfish that don't taste right when headed for the processing plant won't make it to the dinner table until they do, a setback that costs the industry millions of dollars a year.

Mississippi processed about 315 million pounds of catfish in 1997, making catfish one of the top four agribusinesses in the state. An important reason for the success of the industry is the consistently mild, sweet flavor of the fish grown in ponds.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi farmers have a history of concern for their environment. After all, they depend on it for their income, their families' health, and their year 'round enjoyment. Recent research indicates that current agricultural practices are improving the state's water quality.

By Jamie Vickers

MISSISSIPPI STATE - A program started on a shoestring budget to educate 2,000 Mississippi Head Start families in good nutrition has become a national success.

Nutrition $ense was started in 1996 with a $500 Kraft Foods Consumer Center Media Grant. Patty Draper, home economist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said a six-person team began with families in Central Mississippi.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- When the votes have been counted and a new local official takes office, work has just begun for the 25-year-old Center for Governmental Technology.

The center is a unit within the Enterprise and Community Resource Development program area of Mississippi State University's Extension Service. It was established in 1973 to help local officials understand the duties they are to perform.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The success of this year's peanut crop depended at harvest on how far away it was from Hurricane Georges, but all areas suffered from drought in the growing season.

Joe Morgan, owner of M&M Farms in Forrest County, said overall yields on his 1,090 acres of peanuts were about the lowest he has ever gotten. His 8-year average yield is 3,334 pounds an acre. This year he averaged 3,013 on irrigated land and less than 2,000 pounds on non-irrigated land.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Dairyman John McReynolds solemnly watched his Oktibbeha County neighbor's dairy operation go up for auction as what was once called the "Dairy Center of the South" lost another family business.

"What is sadder still is when you've got two sons, and you don't want them to stay on the farm," McReynolds said. "Agriculture used to be a way of life, but it never turned into a way to make a living."

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A large number of Mississippians have hunting on their minds when Thanksgiving and Christmas roll around, making safety in the woods a major consideration.

Each year, about 301,000 Mississippians over age 16 go hunting, spending a yearly average 22 days in the woods. With a state population of 2.6 million people in 1990 according to the U.S. Census Bureau, that means nearly 11.6 percent of Mississippians have hunting licenses.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Managing the holiday tug of war between family homes can add enormous stress to a season intended to provide pleasant memories for years to come.

"Deciding where to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas is one of the toughest choices many families face during the holiday season," said Dr. Louise Davis, child and family development specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service. "Healthy compromises require honest and considerate communication."

By Amy Woolfolk

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- When it comes time to pack up the kids, the luggage and the gifts for that trip to Grandma's house, do not forget about family pets and their special needs.

Dr. Richard Hopper, veterinarian with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said that while most pets travel well, there are several things pet owners need to think about before leaving home.

By Jamie Vickers

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- With proper selection and care, a beautiful, traditional holiday plant may last long past the holidays.

"Poinsettias have become a tradition, and some new gorgeous varieties will be showing up this year," said Norman Winter, horticulturist at the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center.

By Jamie Vickers

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Bring nature into the home to create a new look for both traditional and non-traditional decorations this holiday season.

"There are a lot of things that you can do with materials around your home to decorate for the holidays," said Jim DelPrince, assistant professor of floral design at Mississippi State University.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Traditions are a big part of what makes the holidays special, and being thankful and giving back to others less fortunate are holiday traditions many parents want to instill in their children.

Dr. Tom Carskadon, psychology professor at Mississippi State University, said parents can use traditions to help children realize Christmas is a time of giving, removing the emphasis on getting.

By Amy Woolfolk

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Smiles and shrieks of joy fill the holiday season as gifts are given, but many of those smiles turn upside down when the holiday bills start rolling in.

Dr. Beverly Howell, family economics and management specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said holiday shoppers often get so caught up in buying gifts for the people they care about that they overspend and end up with holiday debts.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Holiday celebrations with the whole family present often become memorable for their conflicts as hosts and guests tangle under the stress of empty time and close quarters.

Dr. Louise Davis, child and family development specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said the change in living patterns can place a burden on both hosts and guests. Planning ahead and communicating well are keys to a happy stay.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Short of bagging the perfect 10-point buck, hunters can get what they really want for Christmas if gift-buyers follow a few guidelines.

Stores are full of hunting and fishing equipment, clothes, gadgets and games. Some are needed, others useful and fun, but there are some that hunters and fishers sincerely hope don't end up under their Christmas tree.

Dean Stewart, an avid hunter and wildlife specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said hunters and fishers are real particular about the gifts they get.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Cattle prices are rebounding after numbers of animals dumped on the market peaked in drought-stricken areas and with the anticipation of another year of fewer calves.

"Early in the year, we had an optimistic outlook for the fed cattle market, which led to feedlots keeping cattle longer than normal waiting for better prices," said Dr. Charlie Forrest, marketing specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service. "Longer-than-normal days on feed led to record-high slaughter weights."

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Holiday cooks may want to shop early while prices and supplies last for locally grown pecans.

"The 1998 crop could be the lowest crop in growers' memories," said Dr. Freddie Rasberry, horticulturist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service. "The few pecans that were set early on were lost to drought stress and the hurricane."

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The state has an abundance of creepy, crawly critters, but exactly which ones and in what numbers are questions the Mississippi Herpetological Atlas wants to answer.

This atlas is seeking to document where reptiles and amphibians are distributed throughout the state. Bird surveys are common, while atlases of reptiles and amphibians -- known as herps -- were not until recently when biologists documented the decline of amphibian numbers.

By Jamie Vickers

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Clay County hospitals will have some friendly yet unusual guests when 4-H'ers and their pets show up for therapy.

PAWS, Pets Are Worth Sharing, is a new program teaching Clay County 4-H'ers responsibility. PAWS trains youth and their pets for visits to nursing homes, schools and children's homes to offer a unique type of therapy.

Mary Ann Holloway, president of the PAWS program and owner of Paws-itive Attitudes Training Service, said PAWS offers a break in routine for people in nursing homes and children's homes.