MISSISSIPPI’S LAND AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE CONTENTS 4 18 22 26 MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY Volume 85 Number 2 March/April 2009 Features EDITOR Glynda Phillips LAND PROGRAM Mississippi’s greatest resource is its land. Come with us as we learn about the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Land Program and its work with issues that affect state landowners. SOLVE THE MYSTERY This Smith County town hosts a watermelon festival each July. Read the clues and make your guess. RURAL LIVING In this issue, we visit Mary Ann McCurley’s Greenhouse and Country Things in Wilkinson County. We also stop by the quaint and historic town of Carrollton. STATE CONVENTION Come with us as we look back at the 87th Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation. Departments FARM BUREAU OFFICERS President - David Waide Vice President - Donald Gant Vice President - Randy Knight Vice President - Reggie Magee Treasurer - Billy Davis Corporate Secretary - Ilene Sumrall FARM BUREAU DIRECTORS Dr. Jim Perkins, Iuka Kevin Simpson, Ashland Paul Briscoe, Oxford Bill Ryan Tabb, Cleveland Mike Ferguson, Senatobia Dan L. Bishop, Baldwyn L.C. Sanders, Hamilton Doss Brodnax, Starkville Betty Mills, Winona Weldon Harris, Kosciusko Kenneth Thompson, Philadelphia Max Anderson, Decatur James Ford, Taylorsville Mark Chaney, Vicksburg Jeff Mullins, Meadville Bill Pigott, Tylertown E.A. “Pud” Stringer, Foxworth Wendell Gavin, Laurel Terry B. Estis, Lucedale Tom Daniels, Gulfport Dott Arthur, Carthage Brad Woods, Columbia HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENTS Louis J. Breaux, David H. Bennett, and Warren Oakley Mississippi Farm Country (ISSN 1529-9600) magazine is published bimonthly by the *Mississippi Farm Bureau® Federation. EDITORIAL AND BUSINESS OFFICES 6311 Ridgewood Road Jackson, MS 39211 TELEPHONE 601.977.4153 4 President’s Message 6 Commodity Update: Poultry 7 Commodity Update: Peanuts 20 Counselor’s Corner ADVERTISING Call Paul Hurst at 1.800.397.8908 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 to P. O. Box 1972, Jackson, MS 39215. 31 FB Member Benefits ABOUT THE COVER J.B. Brown and son Kevin manage their Stone County timberland for deer and other wildlife. Read their story on pages 8 & 9. MARCH/APRIL Graphic Arts Coordinator Danielle Ginn Department Assistant Angela Thompson MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY *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. 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. 3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Farmers Never Take Land for Granted By David Waide • President, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation his issue of our magazine focuses on three issues we think are very important to Mississippi’s economy: land, poultry and peanuts. The first topic we’ll examine is land, something that farmers never take for granted. More than a year ago, the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation board established the Land Use Committee. Everyone in agriculture knows the importance of land in commodity production. The Land Use Committee is attempting to identify ways that our land can be better utilized to the advantage of its owners and ultimately to the advantage of the consuming public. This is critical because of the escalating cost of production in all areas of agriculture. In attempting to utilize the land for its best and most profitable use, farmers find it necessary to comply with numerous regulations. All of this will be taken into account as the committee decides the way that it will administer recommendations on the utilization of agriculture’s greatest resource, our land. T AD VALOREM TAX One area we are concerned with is the accelerating ad valorem tax that we are seeing on agricultural land. Back in the 1970s, Farm Bureau was active in getting a classification system in place for all property in Mississippi. Farmland carries a 15 percent classification value based on its use. Ad valorem tax on row crop property is determined by the value our land-grant college sees in the production of the various acreage based on the commodity produced and the input cost. While this is a very acceptable way of appraising farmland, it 4 does have its disadvantages. In years like those that we have just seen, escalating commodity prices will mean taxes increase in a year when farmers are in a tremendous cost-price squeeze. The reason for that is the appraisal actually works two years in arrears. This is an issue that we, as agriculturists, are going to have to cope with in the future because being able to own the land means being able to make a reasonable return on the investment. When we have had the escalation of commodity prices that we have seen this past year, it is going to distort the economic value for tax purposes in a year when the profit is not going to be there to pay the tax increase that may be forthcoming. In addition to utilizing land for commodity production, such as the major row crops, we also have utilization for forests, forest products, and all types of livestock operations. Farmers generally attempt to do what is most profitable on their land, and this will continue to be the case. It is the hope of the Land Use Committee that they will be able to recommend ways to add value to the commodities that are being produced and, hopefully, make land ownership a continuing part of the family farm. POULTRY & PEANUTS In addition to looking at our land use in the various articles written around the committee’s activities, we are also focusing on poultry and peanuts. Poultry has long been the number one commodity produced in terms of farm gate value in Mississippi. It has meant much to Mississippi’s economy in that it has created MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY numerous jobs off the farm in the processing industry. Poultry continues to grow but, indeed, it has its challenges. The downturn in the economy is affecting individual incomes but, in the long run, this may have a positive effect on poultry because it has been a cheaper protein source in our diets for a good number of years. Poultry is a wholesome, healthy food. Consumers have learned to enjoy poultry prepared in many different ways. We are also focusing on the peanut industry and its growth in this state. Peanuts were grown a number of years ago but, for the most part, have been moved from the localities where they were once produced. Peanuts are very sensitive to having a sandy soil type. Producers who are growing peanuts have found that they are able to produce a very good return in years the weather is favorable. Peanuts are used in many American diets and are certainly a very valuable protein source. As well as being an edible commodity, peanuts played a huge role in industrial development in that the original diesel engine was designed to run on peanut oil. While peanuts have proven to be more valuable as an edible commodity, the fact that the oil from peanuts was utilized to run the first diesel engine manufactured also had a major contribution in our finding alternative fuels. I hope you enjoy reading this edition of Mississippi Farm Country. In addition, I hope you will take the time to familiarize yourself with the various challenges agriculture has both in the utilization of its land and with the two commodities upon which we are focusing in this issue of our magazine. MARCH/APRIL 2009 Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors Make The Connection Long-distance state-to-state rates are only 4.9¢ per minute Local in-state calls are only 6.9¢ per minute (Save even more wth the EZDIAL plan-4.9¢ per minute) Calling Cards are only 8.9¢ a minute state-to-state Monthly Fee is only $1.50 Incremental Billing at 6 seconds Fill out the form below and start saving TODAY! Call toll-free 1-800-362-FARM Contact your state office or visit www.countryconnect.us for more information Yes, please sign me up! Letter of Agency I choose Countryconnect, powered by IBFA, as my primary long-distance provider for the service(s) and telephone number(s) indicated below and I authorize Countryconnect to act as my agent by notifying my local telephone company of this choice. I am legally responsible for the payment of charges incurred on the telephone number(s) listed below and that I have the authority to change the prescribed 1+ long-distance carrier providing service to these numbers. Further, I recognize that I can have only one primary long-distance company for a given telephone number, that I will no longer be pre-subscribed to my current long-distance carrier’s service(s) and that my local telephone company may impose a charge for this and any later change. I understand that my long-distance service will be billed directly by and payable to Countryconnect. There will be a $1.50 monthly access fee on the bill. I understand that my signature on this form means the following services will be provided to me by Countryconnect: IntraLATA (in-state) and InterLATA (state-to-state). Print Name: Telephone #(s): ( Signature: ) ( Street Address: ) Date: ( ) ( ) City/State/Zip: Mailing Address (if different from above): Yes, please sign me up for (#) Countryconnect Calling Cards Mail to: Countryconnect 1850 Howard Street, Suite C Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 © 2008 Countryconnect ® All Rights Reserved. Powered by IBFA, a subsidiary of Telava Networks, Inc. MS0806#001 MARCH/APRIL MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY MAKE THE CONNECTION 1-800-362-FARM 5 COMMODITY UPDATE John Logan POULTRY Jack Alexander Paints, Vaccines, Down Jackets John Logan, MFBF Poultry Advisory Committee Chair Jack Alexander, MFBF Commodity Coordinator for Poultry Each year, Americans consume some 86.6 lbs. of chicken, 16.4 pounds of turkey and 250 eggs per person. Chicken and turkey are wholesome and nutritious, and eggs are high in protein and full of essential vitamins and minerals. We enjoy poultry food products, but few of us ever think about the items that are made from poultry byproducts. Fertilizer is one such product. Farmers put to good use the manure that is cleaned from the houses where the birds are grown. Poultry litter is used as a fertilizer or fertilizer supplement, and it is perhaps one of the best and least tapped resources that we have on our farms today. Another product that comes from poultry is paint. We often don’t think about the utilization of poultry products in paints, but this is a common use. Many vaccines also use egg resources to create an injectable medication. One of the most commonly thought of uses of poultry lies in the use of feathers for insulating material. Perhaps the most common is the insulating material in down jackets. It may surprise people that one of the most heavily exported poultry products is chicken paws (or feet). Chicken paws are valued by many Asian countries where they are used in soups and stews. INDUSTRIES BENEFIT Farmers, processing facilities and supermarkets benefit from the growing, processing and sales of poultry products. Here are some other industries that benefit directly from the Mississippi poultry industry: ■ freezers and refrigerated-related industries ■ transportation firms, including road, railroad and shipping that transport poultry ■ grain and other feed ingredients and materials ■ vendors of packaging such as paper and plastic ■ construction and contractors for building plants ■ mills and poultry houses ■ financial industry ■ equipment manufacturers ■ energy, fuel and propane interests. 6 POULTRY STILL NO. 1 Poultry remains Mississippi’s No. 1 agricultural commodity with a 2008 estimated production value of $2.3 billion. Mississippi ranks fourth in U.S. broiler production and 13th in egg production. The Mississippi poultry industry is concentrated in the south central area of the state, while most of the nation’s broilers are produced in the southern part of the United States. Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Arkansas are all leading meat-producing states for chicken. California is still the leading state in egg production. For more information about our state’s poultry industry, visit the Mississippi Poultry Association’s Web site at www.mspoultry.org. Information sources for this article include the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, American Egg Board, American Meat Institute, Mississippi Poultry Association and Mississippi State University Extension Service. MAGNOLIA BEEF AND POULTRY EXPO Make plans to attend the 2009 Magnolia Beef and Poultry Expo to be held April 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Smith County Ag Complex in Raleigh. The expo will feature educational seminars and a trade show featuring agricultural equipment and other valuable information for beef and poultry producers. This event is sponsored by Mississippi State University Extension Service; Jasper, Newton, Rankin, Scott, Simpson and Smith counties; and Community Bank. For details, contact your local Extension office or Community Bank. MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY MARCH/APRIL COMMODITY UPDATE Clayton Lawrence Greg Shows PEANUTS Peanut Production in Mississippi By: Clayton Lawrence, MFBF Peanut Advisory Committee Chair Greg Shows, MFBF Commodity Coordinator for Peanuts For the seventh consecutive year, peanut acreage increased in the state were abandoned. of Mississippi. According to Farm Service Agency (FSA) records, Even with the problems encountered this year, producers still harplanted acreage was up from 18,000 to 20,800 acres in 2008, and another vested a record crop. Yield estimates for the state are 4,000 pounds per increase is expected again in 2009. George County still ranks first in acre, significantly higher than our 5-year average of 3,600 pounds, and total production, but the northeastern portion of the state is seeing the grades were strong as well. largest increase in acres. For those who are considering growing peanuts in 2009, there are Several factors have contributed to this increase in the state. First, some things to keep in mind. Peanuts are not for everybody. We have to profit potential is higher for peanuts than many of our other crops. keep peanuts on sandy or loamy-type soils. Peanuts are more labor Peanuts work well in a rotation with cotton or corn, and they are a more intensive than some of our other crops, especially at harvest time, and drought tolerant crop. Also, peanuts require less fertilizer than other peanuts must be rotated. It is recommended that a field be planted to crops. These factors, coupled with the strong contract prices offered for peanuts only one year out of three. Tighter rotation intervals will reduce the past two seasons, have allowed this increase in Mississippi peanut yields and increase disease potential. production. The year 2008 also saw the addition of Mississippi’s second peanut This article was written by Michael S. Howell, Area Agronomist, Misbuying point. This facility is located near Aberdeen, and it handled some sissippi State University Extension Service. 8,000 acres of peanuts in its first year of operation. This facility allowed growers a local point to sell their peanuts and avoid the high cost of trucking peanuts to traditional growing areas. This season did see its share of challenges for peanut producers. Insects are seldom a problem in peanuts; however, this season saw approximately 50 percent of the acres receiving an insecticide application, and some received multiple applications. Disease pressure was also higher this season than in the past. Tropical weather patterns that moved across the state during the late summer contributed to this problem. Leaf spot was found in most fields this season, even in areas that had not experienced this problem in the past. Wet conditions also contributed to higher than normal white mold pressure across most of the state. Harvest began in mid-September in South Mississippi and by early October in North A Partnership of Mississippi State University, the City of Starkville and Oktibbeha County. Mississippi. For the most part, harvest went 662-325-9350 - 716 East Poorhouse Road - Starkville, MS smoothly. Some areas were hampered by www.mississippihorsepark.msucares.com repeated rainfall, and an estimated 400 acres Mississippi Horse Park A True Success Story Celebrating 10 Years MARCH/APRIL MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 7 Photo by Scott Bauer and courtesy of USDA-ARS LAND & WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT By Glynda Phillips A labor of lo ve A growing number of Mississippi landowners are managing their timberland for wildlife and recreational purposes. Some want better hunting, fishing and viewing opportunities for friends and family members, while others are interested in operating fee-based hunting and fishing enterprises. J.B. Brown says he began working with experts to develop a wildlife management plan for his Stone County timberland because he was frustrated with the lack of white-tailed deer to be found there. The longleaf and slash pine timber hadn’t been actively managed for wildlife in a long time, and the region’s lower coastal plain soils tend to be a less productive wildlife habitat when compared to the state’s more fertile soils. “Our property was just a barren wasteland and our white-tailed deer population was pathetic when we began managing it eight years ago,” Brown said. “We had maybe 15 deer on about 2,400 acres of timberland, and the deer weren’t any kind of size. “We like to hunt, but we also enjoy watching our wildlife. We knew that a healthy longleaf pine ecosystem would support a number of wildlife species, and that’s what we wanted.” Luckily, J.B. had a strong ally in his son, Kevin, who has helped him every step of the way. “This means as much to me as it does to my father. I enjoy hunting and fishing and so do my friends and clients,” said the 25-year-old farmer and real estate developer. “I also enjoy working to establish an environment that encourages the growth of abundant, healthy wildlife.” THE PLAN The Browns teamed up with experts at Mississippi State University and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to develop a plan tailored to their land and area of the state. Their program began with a participation in the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks’ Deer Management Assistance Program (D-MAP). The men made the decision to erect 10-foot-tall fences to completely enclose all 2,400 acres of property, which is owned by the Browns and their neighbors, 8 MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY MARCH/APRIL businessmen John and Jack White and retired surgeon Dr. Stanton Shuler. The reasoning behind the tall fences is to keep the deer from moving in and out of the area. The men also began select cutting timber and building fire lanes and access roads because deer, turkey and quail like both space and cover. In addition, they used prescribed burning to control hardwood competition. This lets in sunlight to encourage other forage plants to become established. Property owners should consult with experts before attempting to use the prescribed burning process. The Browns took courses at Mississippi State University to get their licenses in prescribed burning. As yet another step in the process, the Browns planted 10-acre (or less) food plots of soybeans, clover, milo, wheat, ryegrass and corn, checker-boarding the plots throughout the property. Soybeans and clover are good sources of protein to help deer build muscle. Corn provides carbohydrates which fatten up the animals for the winter months. The clover provides cover and nesting habitat for quail and turkey. Quail eat insects on the clover and also eat the milo. “We plant a lot of Alyce clover, chufas, LAS1 and Cherokee clover, Roundup-Ready soybeans and Egyptian wheat,” J.B. said. “I want natural food for my wildlife, not protein pellets. This brings the body weight up and ensures that I won’t give my animals contaminated pellets. You hear about pellets being contaminated sometimes, and I don’t want to take that chance with my wildlife.” The men erected special 8-foot-tall fences around their soybean fields. The bottom half of the fence is fixed, while the top part is hinged so that the fence can be raised to keep deer out until the soybeans are 12”-18” tall, then lowered so the deer have access to soybeans all through the summer. HURRICANE KATRINA Hurricane Katrina dealt Stone County timberland owners a devastating blow in 2005, and the Browns say they’ve been playing catch-up ever since in terms of clearing out downed trees. But finally, in recent months, they have been able to proceed with their land management plan. They are ready to do more prescribed burning and to plant hardwood corridors on the farm’s low areas. The Browns are lucky to have a creek on their property, Juniper Creek, as well as MARCH/APRIL numerous ponds. Some of the ponds are rice ponds for geese and ducks. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW J.B. says if you are interested in managing your timberland for wildlife and if you want to open your property for recreational purposes, you need to keep in mind the following: WORK WITH EXPERTS “Get in touch with experts like Chris McDonald, Larry Castle and William McKinley of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and Dr. John Hodges, a forester at Mississippi State University. Call landowners like me who have experience with this.” REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS “Don’t go into this expecting immediate results,” he said. “It takes about five years and involves a lot of time and hard work. We also used a lot of our own money. We took advantage of some Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs, but we funded most of the improvements ourselves.” LARGE ACREAGE “The larger the acreage, the easier it is to manage,” he said. “Smaller acreage is more management intensive.” LIABILITY COVERAGE “There are a lot of liability issues when you invite people onto your land to enjoy either wildlife viewing or hunting,” he said. “On hunts, we have someone with our visitors at all times. We also try to keep our deer population in check so it doesn’t prove to be dangerous to visitors. For that purpose, we hunt our does more than our bucks.” THIS CAN WORK “If you intend to open your land for fee-based hunting, this can work,” he said. “We haven’t gotten around to doing that yet – and we may never do it. We enjoy our wildlife and want to keep it among friends and family.” J.B. emphasizes the importance of working with experts in managing your timberland for wildlife. “When you work with experts, you bring to the table different minds, areas of expertise and divergent views, and you come up with a plan that will make your land work for you and your area of the state,” he said. “Remember, this can bring in extra income MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY if you work hard enough and if that’s what you want,” he said. “If you don’t want a feebased operation then a good land management plan can give you and your family years of personal satisfaction and enjoyment.” J.B. Brown is a member of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Land Program. For more information about the Land Program, contact Land Program Coordinator Doug Ervin at 601.551.5311. J.B. Brown is chair of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Forestry Advisory Committee. He is president of Stone County Farm Bureau and is president of the American Farm Bureau Federation Forestry Advisory Committee. WANT TO LEARN MORE? To receive help in managing your timberland for wildlife and recreational purposes, contact the following organizations: • Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation – Contact MFBF Land Program Coordinator Doug Ervin at 601.551.5311 • Mississippi Forestry Commission – MFC has offices in each county. • Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks – Call 601.432.2400 or the Biologist of the Day at 601.432.2199 • Natural Resources Conservation Service – Call your county office or contact Natural Resource Specialist Decunda Bozeman at 601.965.4139, ext. 120 • Mississippi State University Extension Service/MSU Natural Resource Enterprises Department-Contact Dr. Daryl Jones at 662.325.5769. Private consultants are also available to be of assistance to landowners. Any of the organizations listed here can put you in touch with a consultant to fit your needs. 9 LAND: OUR GREATEST RESOURCE By Doug Ervin MFBF Land Program Coordinator Land is Mississippi’s single greatest resource. It provides wildlife habitat, an abundance of food, fiber and timber, mineral and oil resources, and a wide range of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Farm Bureau members depend on the land to provide for their families and to provide goods and services for families in urban areas. The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Land Program is designed to give Mississippi landowners an opportunity to discuss and recommend solutions to problems that directly affect their land and often their livelihoods. Through this program, landowners are able to: • • • • Identify and recommend issues for policy development Identify emerging issues related to land Offer suggestions or clarification of existing policies Assist in the process of policy implementation when necessary Farm Bureau encourages all members to take advantage of the MFBF Land Program by forming land use committees in their respective counties. County committees are greatly needed to address not only local concerns but statewide land use issues as well. WORKING FOR LANDOWNERS This past year, the MFBF Land Use Committee was involved in several facets of the land industry, including mineral rights, land liability issues, private property rights, taxes, eminent domain, agritourism, recreational uses of land and consulting landowners on ways to improve idle land. The committee was also involved in several policy issues designed to protect your private property rights. Eminent domain is an ongoing process but an issue that MFBF feels is very important for our landowners. In addition, we worked with our Legislature to strengthen trespassing laws such as ATV trespassing in public waterways, which passed. 10 MFBF Land Use Committee Each year, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation partners with organizations such as the Mississippi State University Natural Resource Enterprises Department to host statewide workshops designed to help landowners better utilize their assets. These workshops provide information on hunting leases, agritourism opportunities, bird watching and other great uses for your property. ABUNDANT LAND RESOURCES From the Delta to the Black Prairie and from the red clay hills to the Gulf Coast, Mississippians can experience wide open spaces, dense hardwood forests, rolling pastures, wetlands and wilderness, all within a few miles of our most urban areas. Mississippi’s land area, some 30,020,000 total acres, is some of the most diverse and fascinating in the country. The most recent land use survey conducted by the USDA estimates that our state has the following: • • • • • 6,063,000 acres of cropland 2,223,000 acres of grassland pastures 18,572,000 acres of forest use 957,000 acres in special uses, including parks and wildlife management 1,607,000 acres in other lands such as marsh or open swamps Within these numbers, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates there are over 4,000,000 acres of wetlands. These lands provide habitat, food, fiber, fuel and recreation, both locally and around the globe. All of this is very impressive within itself, but the greatest benefit provided to Mississippi’s landowners is an overwhelming sense of pride in land ownership. For more information, contact MFBF Land Program Coordinator Doug Ervin at 601-551-5311 or email [email protected]. MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY MARCH/APRIL Alaska Cruise CALENDAR OF EVENTS March 27 & Pacific Northwest Vacation ! " # $%!& ' () ) *+,$-& (./ ./ -' ! & !0 -!'# $% !) ) 1"(2 ", ! ( 3 " " $ $ +$$4 & % ) */ 5 $ )6 $ $7$)$ /. $7"! 891: +;8<:: + ! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Canadian Rockies Tour Offers ‘Cool’ Vacation ! " # $ % " &$ '" ( ') ( !2 '( !2 ) . = $=$ 0 " ! $) $= % $. 0 2!'/ ! 2, %./ ,%= !& ! !)=! $) 4! - ./ >%*,%'! ) % , % , . = - % , ! + 0 ' 2 ! 3 , . ' % . / > ?/ $ ) $ $ ! April 1-3 April 2 April 4 June 9 June 10 June 11 Women’s Leadership Conference Jackson Mississippi Women in Agriculture Hilton Hotel Jackson Magnolia Beef and Poultry Expo Smith Cty. Ag Complex Raleigh Legislative Session Ends Ag in the Classroom Workshop Tupelo Ag in the Classroom Workshop Collins Ag in the Classroom Workshop Jackson """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" National Parks Tour Visit 6 Western National Parks + More! = " ! @$A$B$% !$ $ !./ = $!2$! !$/ $# !$ ($ #$. !' A $(%,$ & 4 ! ' > ?/ $ ) $ ! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" * $" + ' $ " ! "#$% ) 9CD7> MARCH/APRIL &&'(&' MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 11 Photo courtesy of USDA-ARS 12 Photo courtesy of ClaytonFarms.com MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY MARCH/APRIL Photo courtesy of ClaytonFarms.com Photo courtesy of USDA-ARS Photo courtesy of ClaytonFarms.com E ADDING INCOME TO TIMBERLAND By Glynda Phillips ight years ago, Adams County landowner Walter Davis decided to open a commercial hunting and fishing operation on 4,000 acres of his property in Adams County and two adjoining Louisiana parishes. He says the venture, which he calls Clayton Farms Hunting Club, not only offers quality hunting and fishing opportunities for its 25 members, but provides Davis with a great source of added income. Davis is uniquely suited for this type of endeavor. An outgoing, friendly man who likes a good challenge, Davis loves people and enjoys having them on his land. He makes a point of listening to them, and he’s not afraid of the hard work and expense involved in producing a high-quality business. Today, Clayton Farms Hunting Club offers the following: • More than 30 duck blinds • 25 deer stands • Sunflower fields for doves • 1300 acres of 0-grade and precision-leveled rice/soybean fields with guaranteed water • 4 and 5-man pits in rice/soybean fields • Flooded timber • Flooded cypress breaks • Fletcher’s Lake • Access to more than 25,000 acres on Angelina Farms for goose hunting • Trophy-managed deer program • 10-acre catfish pond that is fully stocked • 10-acre trophy bass pond • 4,000-square-foot, two-story lodge • 10 concrete-slab dog kennels for member retrievers If you are interested in using your land for hunting and/or fishing, Davis offers these suggestions: • Be Prepared to Work Hard – You must prepare your land to support wildlife, and you must actively manage the wildlife. Davis precision levels a portion of his land and irrigates it in order to grow rice for the duck hunting facet of his operation. He says irrigation is a very important aspect of both waterfowl and wild game management. In addition, he plants corn and soybean food plots to support deer and dove populations. • Don’t Rush the Process – Davis says he waited three years before opening the duck hunting operation in order to allow time for the ducks to become imprinted so they would return to the sites each year. He says his patience paid off. MARCH/APRIL • Be Prepared to Offer “Free” Hunting – Davis says he gave the hunting away for free the first year to see if it would work. He was pleased to see that it possessed the potential to succeed. He now offers hunting for an annual “fee” instead of for “free.” • Little Touches Are Important – The little touches can make the biggest difference. For example, Davis gives all members of Clayton Farms Hunting Club identification tags and maps of the property, things that make them feel valued and a real part of the club. He also provides members with keys to the hunting lodge and cabins. • The Internet Is Important – Davis says he can’t overstate the importance of using the Internet. Having a Web site to advertise your hunting or fishing enterprise is very important. He has three. • Liability Insurance – Landowners involved in commercial hunting or fishing enterprises must have good liability insurance coverage. Also, if you don’t have business management skills, you should consider taking business courses and/or consult with a business expert. • A Beautiful Hunting Lodge – Davis says a beautiful lodge is very important to a quality hunting and fishing operation. He says the necessary equipment, vehicles, buildings and labor can be expensive, but the rewards are well worth the expense. Most of the members of Clayton Farms Hunting Club live in the Mississippi cities of Jackson and McComb and the Louisiana cities of Alexandria, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Covington and Monroe. Davis says this year he also had some clients from Alabama. A longtime Adams County Farm Bureau member who served for a time as county president, Davis says he values his affiliation with Farm Bureau and especially his association with Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation President David Waide. “Farm Bureau is a great organization, and David Waide is a fine man,” he said. “I can’t say enough about his work ethic and character.” Getting off the subject of hunting and fishing and onto turtles, another of Davis’ interests, he says he wants to commend Waide for his efforts in getting turtle legislation introduced into Congress through the American Farm Bureau Federation. He says that piece of legislation has proven to be very important to our nation’s commercial turtle industry. Davis also appreciates Farm Bureau’s efforts in the area of land management. He believes a good land management program is the way of the future for Mississippi farmers and rural property owners. For more information about the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Land Program, contact MFBF Land Program Coordinator Doug Ervin at 601.551.5311. FC MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 13 M By Glynda Phillips 14 ississippi farmers are good stewards of the land. Their livelihoods depend upon healthy soil and abundant, clean water. As our state’s largest general farm organization, the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) offers programs designed to help farmers and other rural landowners address the unique opportunities and challenges of land ownership. The organization also joins with other ag organizations in developing programs that promote environmental stewardship. Delta F.A.R.M. is one such program. MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY MARCH/APRIL DELTA F.A.R.M. Delta F.A.R.M. was established ten years ago by farmers interested in taking a proactive stance in addressing natural resource issues and environmental concerns. The program spotlights the many positive things Delta farmers do for the environment, and targets areas that need improvement. Each year, farmers enrolled in Delta F.A.R.M. agree to participate in a private environmental assessment. They use the feedback they receive to improve their stewardship practices. A Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation regional manager participates in the private assessment aspect of the program, along with representatives from the Delta F.A.R.M. staff and Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension Service. Other Delta F.A.R.M. partners include Delta Council, Careful by Nature, Delta Wildlife, Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts, Mississippi Department of Ag and Commerce, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the Mississippi Health Department, U.S. Department of Agriculture-ARSFSA-NRCS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, YMD Joint Water Management District, National Farm-A-Syst, and said. “We have some of the most fertile land in the state and plenty of good, available water. With the cost of growing a crop and the way irrigation can save it during a drought, you understand the value of both. You don’t want to abuse or waste either.” Gant uses Best Management Practices (BMPs) on his rice, soybean, wheat and corn fields to reduce soil erosion and control water runoff. These BMPs include no-till production methods, precision leveling, grass filter strips around ditches, pads around fields, and overfall pipes. And speaking of no-till, Gant says he has some ground that hasn’t been turned since 1981. “It makes a better crop now than it did 28 years ago,” he said. FARM BUREAU CARES Gant takes time from his busy farming schedule to actively participate in the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation. He believes in the organization’s efforts to help state farmers and rural Mississippians. Gant has served as a county Farm Bureau president and American Farm Bureau rice chairman and has served on many other committees. Land and water are important to farmers everywhere Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. In recognition of its 10th anniversary this past October, Delta F.A.R.M. announced the enrollment of one million acres into the program and 10 years of service to the landowners, farmers, allied ag industry and the natural resources of Northwest Mississippi. CONSERVATION IMPORTANT Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Northern District Vice President Donald Gant, a Bolivar County row crop farmer since 1970, is a longtime Delta F.A.R.M. member. He appreciates the program’s efforts to improve environmental stewardship. “Land and water are important to farmers everywhere,” Gant MARCH/APRIL Currently, he’s beginning his second two-year term as a federation vice president, representing the northern region of the state. “Farm Bureau is a great organization with many great county leaders,” he said. “It is always looking for ways to further the cause of farmers and rural Mississippians. Farm Bureau and programs like Delta F.A.R.M. make the lives of Mississippi’s farmers and rural residents a whole lot easier.” FC Donald Gant is chairman of the MFBF Communication Committee and a member of Delta Council. He is chairman of the board of directors of the Mississippi Rice Promotion Board and a deacon and treasurer at his church. Gant’s wife Lil is chair of the Bolivar County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee. MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 15 The Old Home Place By Andy Whittington/Environmental Programs Coordinator As a kid, going to my grandmother’s house (father’s side) was the longest 3-hour trip ever. Daddy always took The Trace, which would have been a peaceful drive for him if he hadn’t had a backseat driver and three restless children along for the ride. But pulling into my grandmother’s driveway was always worth the torture of that long family road trip. Nanny and Pawpaw had chickens. Everywhere. And lots of them. The chickens had a coop but preferred to spend most of the day avoiding the cats while scratching around in the dirt. There was a barn with a big hayloft and a tractor to play on and a porch swing or rocking chair for when you got tired. My grandparents had the best food to ever cross a table. And every bit of it came from their yard! They could garden like nobody’s business. My Nanny could have ended world hunger if someone had only given her 40 acres, a bag of Sevin® dust and a half-moon hoe. Nanny lived to be 93 on fried chicken, cathead biscuits, and real vegetables that were boiled slow with lots of bacon fat. After my father sat on the porch for awhile, visiting, watching the grass grow, and letting his food settle, he’d take me walking with him. When you are eight or nine years old, 56 acres seems like all the land in the world. And to my father it really was. We would walk past the old barn, and he’d tell me how he had to milk the cow every morning and carry the milk back to the house. He’d show me where they kept Jack, a mule so mean that he’d kill a calf if he ever got close to one. Jack sent me to the hospital once when he reared up and came down on my head, which some people claim explains a lot about me now. But that’s a whole other story. As we walked over the hill, my father would show me where he and his brothers grew cotton. I’d have to use my imagination because at that time the ground was covered with tiny pine saplings, lasting reminders of a tornado a few years back. On all of these walks, we’d go by and inspect the “new pond,” which didn’t look very new to me, and I was well into my teens before I ever realized where the old pond was located. The back pasture looked 16 endless back then, and we almost never failed to jump a covey of quail crossing it. As we headed back to the house, I would get the sense that my father was telling these old stories more to himself than to me, as a reminder of years gone by. There is an attachment to the land that you grow up on that’s different from any other. You can move off it, but you can never leave it. It’s forever a part of you. I think that’s what it means to be “married to the land.” The land of your childhood has its own smells, sounds and memories. The dirt somehow gets in your blood, and you take pride in it. When you go back and walk the land where you grew up, the briars, chiggers, cockleburs and ticks aren’t a nuisance. They just come with the territory. That’s why farmers and ranchers are the greatest stewards of the land. They are business partners with the land, working together to scratch out a living. A good landowner never gives the land what it doesn’t need and always gives back what he’s taken from it. I went back recently, and the place doesn’t seem nearly as big as I remember it. What took hours to walk across as a kid is now just a short hike from fence line to fence line. The porch is much smaller, the coop is overgrown and falling in, and there is no sign of the outhouse except a few rose bushes that mark the spot. The old barn is still standing, a testament to fine craftsmanship. I stood there and imagined Pawpaw walking behind a team of mules and Nanny cutting sage grass to make a new broom. I imagined Daddy, his brothers and sister picking cotton across the road to earn money for school clothes, and I saw the chickens strutting around the backyard and the cats napping under the porch. I will always have good memories of the old home place, but I remember it more for what it means to my father than to me. He has a real connection to it. As I got into my truck to drive home, I couldn’t help thinking that I would miss those visits with Nanny and Pawpaw and those long walks with my father, but there’s one thing I will never miss … I am so thankful that I don’t have to make that three-hour family road trip ever again! MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY MARCH/APRIL BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com Funded by The Beef Checkoff Mississippi Beef Council 680 Monroe St. Suite A . Jackson, MS 39202 601-353-4520 . www.mscattlemen.org/mbc SOLVE THE MYSTERY The city park, pictured above, is the site of a big watermelon festival each July. Opposite page, from top, the old Thomas Sullivan Home; Jane Sullivan Martin; one of the town’s first jails (about 85 years old); and the renowned Hamburger House. Our mystery town is located in southwestern Smith County in the south central region of the state. It is known for the watermelon festival that is held there each July in the city park. Watermelons have been important to the area since the early 1920s and 1930s, when Smith County’s reputation for growing sweet, delicious watermelons was established. Name this town. SAWMILLS & RAILROAD This town was named for a popular Smith County sheriff, who served from 1878 to 1890. Numerous sawmills settled in the area in the late 1800s, and the railroad came through in the early 1900s. By 1910, this town’s population numbered around 1,000. Today, our mystery town boasts approximately 285 citizens. It has fine schools and numerous businesses. It also offers a city park with a lighted walking track and playground near Clear Creek. The town is also located near Okohay Creek and Lake Ross Barnett. Here are more clues. SULLIVAN’S HOLLOW Our mystery town was once known as the “Capital of Sullivan’s Hollow.” Sullivan’s Hollow, located about five miles south of town, was first settled in the 1800s by a man of Irish descent named Thomas Sullivan. Tom fathered 22 children, and those children also had large families. Most of the Sullivans remained in the hollow and soon gained a reputation for feuding amongst themselves and with other nearby clans. Many wild tales circulated. One tale said that salesmen didn’t dare visit Sullivan’s Hollow because they’d be made to plow the fields. One Bible salesman claimed that William C. “Wild Bill” Sullivan and his oldest brother Neece, two of Tom’s grandsons, stuck his head between the rails of a fence and placed a beehive on his bottom. The bees stung him repeatedly before Wild Bill and Neece finally let him go. 18 MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY MARCH/APRIL “Oh, those tales are so wrong,” said Jane Sullivan Martin. Jane is a descendant of Tom Sullivan and one of the oldest living Sullivans. “I don’t know how they got started. Our family has had its share of progressive farmers, ministers, musicians and teachers.” The father of Louisiana Governor Huey P. Long was born in Sullivan’s Hollow, where his grandfather, John Murphy Long, lived for many years. The original home of Tom Sullivan stands today and is used for family reunions. Made of hewn logs, it is said to be one of the oldest in the area. The historic log house contains many modern amenities and, according to Jane, is definitely NOT haunted as some of the local schoolchildren maintain. MORE CLUES Around the turn of the century, our mystery town was known for the very fine Smith County Agricultural High School built there in 1913. This high school produced outstanding men’s and women’s basketball teams in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. The 1927-28 men’s basketball team in particular was said to have some of the finest basketball players in the history of Smith County. The team won the state championship and went on to participate unsuccessfully (some say because of illnesses) in the national high school basketball tournament. A landmark in this mystery town is the Hamburger House, which at one time was nationally known. Established in 1950 by Curtis and Fredna Glisson, the present building was built in the early 1960s. The Hamburger House is now owned and operated by Jerry and Merle Brewer. It is located at the four-way stop at the intersection of Highway 28 and Highway 35. Stop by and experience the old-timey burgers, fries and onion rings. Name this town. A special thanks to Raleigh attorney Gene Tullos, Margie Chisholm, Jane Sullivan Martin and Merle Ingram Brewer for their help with this article. CORRECT GUESSES Mail guesses to Solve the Mystery, Mississippi Farm Country, P. O. Box 1972, Jackson, MS 39215. You may also send e-mail guesses to [email protected]. Please remember to include your name and address on the entry. Visit our Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Web site at www.msfb.com. When all correct guesses have been received, we will randomly draw 20 names. These 20 names will receive a prize and will be placed in the hat twice. At the end of the year, a winner will be drawn from all correct submissions. The winner will receive a Weekend Bed and Breakfast Trip, courtesy of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation. Families may submit only one entry. Federation staff members and their families are ineligible to participate in this contest. The deadline for submitting your entry is March 31. JAN./FEB. The correct answer for the January/February Solve the Mystery is the Ruins of Windsor. MARCH/APRIL MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 19 COUNSELOR’S CORNER 1930S AGAIN? By Sam E. Scott/Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation General Counsel In a recent New York Times article entitled “Printing Money and Its Price,” Peter S. Goodman said, “It may seem perverse that in this new era of (financial) reckoning, with consumers tapped out, government coffers lean and banks paralyzed by fear, many economists have concluded that the appropriate medicine is a fresh dose of the very course that delivered the disarray: Spend without limit. Print money today, fret about the consequences tomorrow. Otherwise, invite a loss of jobs and business failures that could cripple the nation for years.” Suddenly, it’s 1932 again. It is difficult enough to accept that the American economy teeters on the brink of failure, but even more perplexing to consider is what the present recovery plan may create. The legal implications for taxpayers, which no one yet seems to be considering, are as significant as the massive funds which do not seem to abate the escalating problems. It brings to mind a story about two men who were approaching each other on a bridge over a fast-moving river. As they came closer, one noticed that the other had a rope coiled over his shoulder with one end tied around his waist and the other end in his hand. As they converged, the rope holder threw the end in his hand to the surprised second man who instinctively grabbed it, whereupon the other quickly jumped over the side of the bridge shouting, “Hold on, don’t let go.” And as he descended, he repeated, “Hold on or I’ll drown.” Put yourself in the holder’s shoes, it’s more appropriate than it may seem. The holder is the American taxpayer supporting those who are too big or too important to fall, never mind that they got where they are as a result of their own action or inaction, stupidity or greed. The $700-plus billion-dollar initial “bailout” has been used to buy huge amounts of “equity positions” in failing or threatened financial institutions. Equity positions in corporations, in contrast to debt or secured positions, mean ownership and traditionally consist of stock, either common stock, which denotes control through voting rights, or preferred stock, which usually means priority in the payment of profits in the form of dividends but may also include voting rights. Voting rights include the right to control, usually by a majority that can elect directors who, in turn, can select the officers who manage the corporation. Preferred stock is also commonly redeemable and upon satisfaction of the terms and conditions upon which it was issued, the corporation can buy it back from its owners at an agreed price. What are the taxpayers buying? If so, will dividends be paid? If so, how much and how often? Will it be redeemed? If so, when? What if the recipient continues to lose money? Will it be necessary for further capital infusions to protect the current investment? If the corporation fails, what will be the government’s position in a liquidation? How do the taxpayers get repaid? This involves hundreds of billions of dollars – trillions have even been mentioned. Banks have been granted over $170 billion in Troubled Asset Relief Program funds. Many more billions have been granted to insurance companies, auto manufacturers and others considered too big or important to fail, including the two giant mortgage companies known as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In all, more than $350 billion was spent in 2008 on the financial institutions relief program. Congress must approve the release of the remaining $350 billion, and the new administration is mentioning a new program of perhaps $800 billion more. No doubt, the alternative of letting the economy run its course, find its own bottom and let pure capitalism and a free marketplace provide the answers does not seem desirable either, though some argue it is the only real cure. Not many today recall actual experiences in the Great Depression, which began in 1929. Those who did never forgot and worried that it would happen again. Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in early 1933 and launched what 20 MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY was probably the largest government financial initiative in the world in the last 300 years to revive an economy. The Works Progress Administration, the Civilian Conservation Corps., Bank Holidays, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Social Security were a few components of the New Deal, but not until the economic boom of industrial activity in World War II did the nation fully recover. What have we learned from this? Where do Mr. & Ms. Average American fit in? Are they just holding the rope? There is no doubt about where all this government largesse is coming from. U.S. Treasury printing presses must be working 24-hour shifts to print up all this money. Moreover, some of it is going to parties who do not really need it to survive. Actually, there are many, many others that are in dire need, farmers, small businesses, family corporations, mainstream America, who are not even considered for a bailout no matter how hard they have worked, scrimped and saved only to fall victim to the disaster. Contrast this to corporate bigwigs who reap millions in buyouts for bankrupting huge corporations or collect enormous fees for making what anyone with any common sense knows are bad loans. Somehow, that situation or flying multi-million-dollar private jets to Washington for handouts does not invoke the sympathy of the Okies of the 1930s or the breadlines and soup kitchens of that era. It seems that the masters of the financial universe have left the common people holding the rope, warning them to not let go. Reality appears to be absent. Experts are not able to evaluate the benefits, if any, of the programs to date. Perhaps the famous comic character Pogo got it right: “We have met the enemy and it is us!” Sam E. Scott is general counsel for Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) and practices law in the law firm of Samuel E. Scott, PLLC, in Jackson. The foregoing information is general in nature and is not intended as nor should be considered specific legal advice, nor to be considered as MFBF’s position or opinion. MARCH/APRIL Mary Ann’s Greenhouse & Country Things M By Glynda Phillips 22 ary Ann McCurley has a green thumb. And a sunburned nose. And nails that are often brown with dirt. A devoted gardener, she spends much of her time inside a humid greenhouse or outdoors beneath a hot sun, carefully planting, watering, pruning and weeding. Mary Ann is so good with plants she’s managed to turn an interesting hobby into a modest business, which she calls Mary Ann’s Greenhouse & Country Things. In addition to plants, she sells handmade crafts. MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY MARCH/APRIL VARIETY OF PLANTS To get an idea of the types of plants Mary Ann offers, you might want to tour the large greenhouse located behind the rustic cabin that serves as her gift shop. You can also wander past attractive gardens and hanging baskets displayed on either side of the cabin. Or you may simply want to browse through the potted plants and hanging baskets that are arranged along the cabin’s front porch. Mary Ann sells roses, biennials, perennials, annuals, succulents, ferns, cacti, shrubs and trees. She buys most of her plants from area nurseries. She also sells a few pass-along plants that she’s collected and propagated down through the years. When I first visited Mary Ann last June, she had plenty of summer plants for sale. When I visited again in November, she was primarily selling pansies, violas, Proven Winners Fall Magic plants, and ornamental cabbages and kale. Spring is Mary Ann’s favorite season. “As the cold, dreary days of January and February give way to the warmer, sunnier days of March, spring flowers begin their color show,” she said. “Wave petunias bloom in several colors and perform well for spring and early summer.” Mary Ann also recommends vinca as an annual for the hot summer months. Diamond Frost euphorbia and Dragon Wing begonias are other favorites for spring, summer and fall. Mary Ann specializes in cacti, succulents, angel wing begonias and ferns. She enjoys planting mixed containers and creating ivy topiaries. “When I was a child, my father grew orchids. Back then, I wasn’t interested in plants. I was more into horses,” she said. “When I married Dunbar, he encouraged me to plant flowers around the house, and one of his aunts introduced me to cacti and succulents.” One of Mary Ann’s most interesting plants is a rat-tail cactus that hangs in a basket from the ceiling of the greenhouse. Its many arms reach to the floor and truly do resemble the tails of giant rats. She also owns an impressive rickrack cactus with trailing zigzag stems, a large column cactus, and a giant macho fern. “I think cacti and succulents are the plants of the future,” she said. “We’re so conscious of water conservation, we may eventually use more plants that don’t need a lot of water and are low maintenance. These plants are like that.” LOCAL CRAFTS Besides abundant plants, Mary Ann’s Greenhouse & Country Things sells Dunbar’s handmade wooden bowls as well as other locally-made crafts. The items are displayed inside the cabin, which was once a shotgun house. The McCurleys say the house had been condemned by the Mississippi Department of Transportation for the 4-laning of Highway 61, so they bought it and had it moved to its present location. The cabin is dominated by an antique woodburning stove that is a great conversation piece. Dunbar’s studio is located to the right of the cabin. A retired veterinarian, he has converted his veterinary clinic into a workshop to house his pieces of wood, woodworking equipment and bowls. SATISFYING WORK “You won’t get rich in a hurry doing what I do, it’s mainly a good hobby,” Mary Ann said. “If I specialized in one type of plant, I might be able to make a living doing this. But I love every type of plant, especially the unusual ones, so I diversify. My customers seem to enjoy having a wide variety from which to choose.” Mary Ann says working long hours with plants can be exhausting if the work is done properly. But it can also be very relaxing and rewarding. “I feel good when one of my plants, especially a cactus, produces lots of blooms,” she said. “And it’s gratifying to hear compliments about my plants or their containers.” Mary Ann says that working with plants also makes her feel closer to God. “Since I hand-water my plants, I spend a lot of time dragging a hose around. That gives me a good chance to commune with God and pray for the people on my prayer list,” she said. Mary Ann’s Greenhouse and Country Gifts is open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or later, depending on the time of year. In the spring, it’s open until dark. Mary Ann also sells or rents plants for special occasions such as parties and weddings. For more information, you may call Mary Ann McCurley at 601.888.4420. FC CUSTOMER BASE Located as it is on Highway 61 between Natchez and Woodville, Mary Ann’s Greenhouse & Country Things attracts both locals and tourists. Her busiest times of the year are March through June and October through December. Mary Ann says she tries to offer plants that most people can afford and that they will be successful growing. She studies the market to see which plants are popular and in demand. She also attends greenhouse conferences and reads greenhouse magazines. Mary Ann sells most of her plants in packs, flats and 4-inch pots. Most other plants come in 4-inch or larger containers. To most of the plants in the larger containers, she adds a slow-release fertilizer and a systemic insecticide that is nontoxic to people and animals. MARCH/APRIL MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 23 Carrollton: By Glynda Phillips A quaint, historic town, Carrollton has managed to preserve its 19th century appearance and heritage even as it has remained an energetic agricultural town that benefits from a close proximity to the Mississippi Delta. When you visit Carrollton’s courthouse square, you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. Many of the businesses are housed in buildings dating back to the 1800s. In fact, the town of Carrollton was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of the largest registered historic districts in the state with 66 units. On the square, you will find a coffee shop named Miss Sippy’s. Stop by and enjoy sandwiches made with fresh homemade bread. Also on the square are Merganza, a unique gift shop; the Carroll County Farm Bureau; the Carroll County Market, a restaurant that offers food and live entertainment; Scott Petroleum; and various government offices, including the Superintendent of Education, Tax Assessor and Carroll County Extension Service. Sitting at the southwest corner of the square is Merrill Museum. Housed in a building that is believed to have been built in 1834, it is the oldest brick structure in town. Down through the years, the building has served as a store, post office, courtroom (during the construction of the courthouse), furniture and coffin manufacturing site, and dry cleaner’s. Carrollton is one of two seats of Carroll County government – the other is Vaiden. The Carroll County Courthouse is Carrollton’s second courthouse as the first one burned in 1875. The present structure, which is Georgian in style, was designed by James Harris, who also designed Malmaison, the grand home of Greenwood Leflore, a prominent planter, Choctaw leader and Mississippi senator. Also on the square is the now-empty J.J. Gee and Son Mercantile building, dating back to1900. Wessie Gee, who married a descendant, has won awards and recognition for her historic preservation work. Her own home includes the original smokehouse, henhouse, barn and separate kitchen, which has been refurbished and is rented. Off the square, you will find Peppercorn Grill, Natalie’s Park, Coach’s Antiques, the Old Carrollton Cemetery, and the Kimbrough Cemetery. A Q ua int, H is to ric To w n Carroll County Courthouse Photo by David Morgan Stained glass window in Carrollton Baptist Church EARLY HISTORY In its early years and with its gently rolling hills, Carrollton became a resort community for wealthy Delta planters wanting to escape the mosquitoes and intense heat of the long Delta summers. Many of the planters built grand homes and many of those homes still stand. Among them are Stanhope, Shaderest, the James A. Young House, The Oaks, and Cotesworth, built in the 1840s by J.Z. George. The town of Carrollton has always benefited from its status as a county seat. Around the turn of the century, it was the home of 20 full-time lawyers. One of those lawyers was the renowned J.Z. George. George is famous for having served as Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court from 1879-1881 and as a United States Senator from 1881-1897. He also wrote the current Mississippi Constitution in 1890 and was known as the Father of the Department of Agriculture. The J.Z. George Law Office, circa 1938, still stands on Washington Street, north of the courthouse. It is a white clapboard building that is being refurbished to serve as a private residence. Other renowned town citizens have included the relatives of Republican 24 MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY MARCH/APRIL presidential candidate John McCain; the Billups family of Billups Oil; the Holman family of Jitney Jungle fame; and Elizabeth Spencer, an award-winning writer. Family members of retired U.S. Senator Trent Lott also once called Carrollton home. Incorporated in 1936, Carrollton is named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Maryland, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Today, the town boasts approximately 228 citizens. THE MCCAIN CONNECTION U.S. Senator John McCain’s grandparents were prominent Carroll County residents, and his great-grandfather, John Sidney McCain (known locally as “JS”), was a Carrollton sheriff and supervisor. McCain’s grandfather and father were both four-star admirals, the only time in history that has happened with a father and son. Merrill Museum is the proud home of the McCain Collection, which includes memorabilia from Sen. McCain’s father, grandfather and great-uncles. HISTORIC BUILDINGS Carrollton boasts a lovingly-restored log community house built by the Workman’s Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1930s. Back then and still today, the center is used by the citizens of Carrollton. The town is also home to five historic churches. These include Carrollton Baptist Church, Carrollton Grace Episcopal Church, Carrollton United Methodist Church, Carrollton Presbyterian Church, and Bear Marsh M.B. Church. If you are interested in getting to know Carrollton, several walking tours are available. You may obtain maps at Miss Sippy’s, The Carroll County Market, and the Carroll County Extension Service. THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY This year marks the 175th anniversary of Carroll County. The town of Carrollton will play an active role in the anniversary celebration, which will culminate in a Pioneer Day event to be held sometime this fall. As part of the Pioneer Day celebration, antique farm equipment will be displayed and Mississippi State University Extension Service area agronomist Ernie Flint will talk about agriculture and its great contribution to the growth of the county. Plans currently also include demonstrations of sorghum making, quilting and open-fire cooking, the crafting of wooden shingles and how to play dulcimers and other old instruments. An old-fashioned post office is planned so you can get a letter canceled with a special commemorative stamp. For more information about Carrollton and the Carroll County Anniversary Celebration, contact the Carroll County Extension Service at 662-237-6926 or a Carroll County Development Association board member. FC (Top right) Merrill Museum; (Center) Captain Ray House; (Bottom) Carrollton Community House MARCH/APRIL MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 25 TH 7 8 ANNUAL MEETING As State Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award winners, row crop farmers Preston and Amy Arrington of Inverness in Region 8 will receive 100 hours use of a John Deere tractor. Making the presentation is Shelton Echols of John Deere. Katie Vanderslice was crowned Miss Farm Bureau-Mississippi. She represented Jones County. Lindy Lewis of Lincoln County was selected Miss Farm Bureau-Mississippi alternate. Vanderslice received a $2,000 scholarship and Lewis received a $1,000 scholarship. Monte Ladner of Carthage was presented the Ag Ambassador Award. This award was created to recognize individuals who have gone beyond their normal range of activities in promoting Mississippi agriculture. The award isn’t presented every year – only when Farm Bureau feels that it has been earned. As winner of the Young Farmers and Ranchers State Discussion Meet, Amanda Edwards of Starkville received a Yamaha Big Bear 4-wheeler from Got Gear Motorsports, LLC, compliments of Southern Farm Bureau (SFB) Life Insurance Company. Making the presentation is Randy Johns of SFB Life Insurance Company. 26 Regional Director Arrington Rhett received the Mississippi Pennies donation from the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Program for the Palmer Home for Children in Columbus. He is pictured with State Women’s Committee Chair Dott Arthur. MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY MARCH/APRIL Dr. Will McCarty of Starkville was presented the Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor Farm Bureau bestows on an individual. The award is reserved for someone who has truly made a difference in the lives of Mississippi farmers. McCarty, who retired from the Mississippi State University Extension Service after 28 years of service, is one of the foremost experts on cotton in the nation. State Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award winners Preston and Amy Arrington of Inverness received a new Dodge truck, compliments of Southern Farm Bureau (SFB) Casualty Insurance Company. Making the presentation are Robert Jarratt, right, and Rod Moore of SFB Casualty Insurance Company. State talent winners and alternates include, front row (from left), Jessica Harthcock of Holmes County, Talent I winner; Anna Kate McEllhiney of Tishomingo County, Talent I alternate; and Belinda McNair, Harrison County, Talent II alternate. Back row (from left), are Kayla Patterson, Jones County, Talent II alternate; Drew Herring, Scott County, Talent III winner and Alex Goldman, Lauderdale County, Talent II winner. MARCH/APRIL Jennifer Lott, Child Life Coordinator, Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children in Jackson, is pictured with Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation State Women’s Committee Chair Dott Arthur receiving gifts collected by the Women’s Program for the hospital’s Santa Bag Program. MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 27 Rep. David Norquist, Dist. 28, of Cleveland (pictured left) and Sen. Doug Davis, Dist. 1, of Hernando received the Friend of Agriculture Award for their work in supporting and strengthening state agriculture. (Right) Safety Conference attendees enjoyed a presentation by Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Senior Safety Specialist John Hubbard. Dr. David Schweikhardt talked about “The Financial Crisis and Agriculture” during the Farm Bureau Issues Conference. 28 The 2008 outstanding county Farm Bureau women’s programs, along with the respective county women’s committee chairs, include, back row (from left), Region 1 – Bolivar County - Lil Gant; Region 5 - Walthall County - Sheila Conerly; Region 7- Jackson County - Debbie Hackler; Region 3 – Smith County - Sue Rodgers; Region 4 - Monroe County - Nita Jackson. Front row (from left) are Region 2 - Itawamba County - Jan Holley; Region 6 - Jasper County - Grace Sims; and Region 8 - Carroll County - Betty Taylor. MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY MARCH/APRIL State Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award winners Preston and Amy Arrington Rick Krause, Sr., Director of Regulatory of Inverness will receive 300 hours use of a Kubota tractor. Making the presentation is Cheri Relations with the American Farm Bureau Federation, was the featured speaker during the Parker of Kubota Tractor. Environmental Conference. Outstanding county Farm Bureau programs, represented by the respective county president, include (from left): Region 2 – Tishomingo County, Jim Perkins; Region 8 – Madison County, Laverne Wilder; Region 7 – Forrest County, Charles McMahan; Region 3 – Simpson County, Thomas McAlpin; Region 1 – Bolivar County, Lamar Andrews; Region 5 – Walthall County, Bill Pigott; Region 6 – Leake County, Jimmie Arthur; and Region 4 – Montgomery County, Betty Mills. Walthall and Bolivar counties tied for the President’s Award, which recognizes the most outstanding program in the state. Young Farmers and Ranchers State Discussion Meet winner Amanda Edwards of Starkville received $850, compliments of Federal Land Bank Associations of Mississippi. Making the presentation is Joe Hayman, CEO of Southern Ag Credit (formerly Land Bank South). She also received $500, compliments of Dodge. MARCH/APRIL Simpson County cattle, poultry and timber farmer Maurice Layton of Mendenhall was awarded the Excellence in Leadership Award. A longtime county volunteer leader who also served on the state board, Layton was cited for making a significant contribution to Farm Bureau and agriculture in Mississippi. MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 29 Jane Jenkins Herlong, center, entertained during the Women’s Breakfast and the Worship Service. She is pictured with State Women’s Committee Vice Chair Shelby Williams, left, and State Women’s Committee Chair Dott Arthur. The Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) silent and live auctions raised money for the YF&R Foundation, which funds six scholarships. Jimmie D. Arthur of Leake County was recognized upon his retirement as a state director after 14 cumulative years of service to the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation. Deniese Swindoll of DeSoto County is the newly-elected Chair of the Region 1 Women’s Committee. She is pictured with Shelby Williams, Vice Chair of the State Women’s Committee, and Dott Arthur, Chair of the State Women’s Committee. U.S. Congressman Travis Childers, District 1, addressed the opening General Session. He is pictured with MFBF President David Waide and MFBF Northern District Vice President Donald Gant. 30 MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY MARCH/APRIL Have you heard? about the many benefits of your Farm Bureau membership? You may not know that when you pay your annual membership fee, it includes many valuable member benefits. Highlighted below are a few of our benefits. To see a complete list, visit our Web site at www.msfb.com. Take advantage of these benefits available to Farm Bureau members ONLY. If you are not a member, joining is simple. Contact the Farm Bureau office in the county where you live, pay your membership dues, and start enjoying these benefits today! ® www.msfb.com THE FT RE WAR D P R OG RA M Members can offer a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone committing theft, arson or vandalism against their property. G RAI NG ER D IS COUN TS Save 10 percent off industrial products. FREE FREIGHT on Grainger.com Members receive a 10% discount on all apparel and embroidery. Call 1.800.419.1097 or go to the special Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Web site. Farm Bureau members ® save 10% at Lands’ End. Shop online: ces.landsend.com/FB or call: 800.419.1097 MARCH/APRIL Lands’ End offers outfitting ideas that fit the way you work. And smart incentives or awards that last long after the event ends. We’ll add your Farm Bureau logo to the items you want. Or send you undecorated apparel. The choice is yours.You’ll always save 10 % on product & logo fees. Plus there’s no minimum to buy. MEMBERS Save 10% CALL 1-800-419-1097 http://ces.landsend.com/MSFB MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 31 WASHINGTON D.C. LEADERSHIP TRIP Second-year members of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers State Committee visit Washington D.C. each year. This year’s participants included Amanda Woods, Brad Woods, Josh Miller, Melanie Miller, Kyle Jeffreys, Heather Dolan, Jody Dolan and Brent Kitchens. . MEMBERSHIP DRAWING KEENUM IS MSU PRESIDENT Dr. Mark Keenum became the 19th President of Mississippi State University (MSU) on Jan. 5, 2009, following a distinguished public service career. Dr. Keenum most recently served as U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary, providing leadership and oversight for the Farm Service Agency, the Risk Management Agency and the Foreign Agricultural Service. Prior to that, he served as U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran’s Chief of Staff, after having served for a time as Sen. Cochran’s Legislative Assistant for Agriculture and Natural Resources. Early in his career, Dr. Keenum worked with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. Upon receiving his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from MSU in 1988, he began teaching and serving as an economist in the MSU Department of Agricultural Economics. From 1997 through 2006, he served as an Agricultural Economics adjunct professor, teaching an annual seminar course on agricultural legislative policy. “Farm Bureau is excited about having Dr. Mark Keenum as president of Mississippi State,” said Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation President David Waide. “We look forward to working with him as he leads our state’s largest land-grant institution. We will continue to endeavor to see that ag budgets are adequately funded because this means more to rural Mississippi than any other single influencing factor.” Mark is married to the former Rhonda Newman and they have four children. 32 Eight Farm Bureau members, representing one winner from each of Farm Bureau’s eight regions, were selected in a random drawing to receive a $250 check. The drawing included the names of all members whose dues had been paid by the Oct. 31 deadline. Winners include: Region 1 – Ronald Aldridge, Oxford, Lafayette County; Region 2 – Patrick Goad, Corinth, Alcorn County; Region 3 – Norman R. Wendling, Brandon, Rankin County; Region 4 – Atwell Washington, Houlka, Chickasaw County; Region 5 – B & G Equipment of Magnolia Inc., Magnolia in Pike County; Region 6 – Zayne Mayers, Meridian in Lauderdale County; Region 7 – Roy M. Vinot, Kiln in Hancock County; Region 8 – Herbert Goss, Vaiden in Carroll County. INFORMATION PROGRAM RECOGNIZED The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Public Relations/Information program received the Award of Excellence during the 90th Annual Meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation held in San Antonio, Texas, in January. The Award of Excellence is presented to outstanding programs serving Farm Bureau members during the previous year. T-SHIRT WILL BENEFIT FOUNDATION A special T-shirt is being sold by the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Program to benefit the YF&R Foundation. The foundation funds six scholarships that are awarded annually to students with agrelated majors. The T-shirt carries the message: Agriculture: Feeding and Clothing the World Since the Beginning of Time. It sells for $12. For more information, contact Nancy Britt at 1.800.227.8244, ext. 4230 MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY MARCH/APRIL Charles and Jo Ann Cleveland are pictured with family members at the retirement reception held at the MFBF Building. CHARLES CLEVELAND RETIRES; BILLY DAVIS FILLS POSITION Charles Cleveland Billy Davis Charles Cleveland recently retired after 37 years of service to the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF). Longtime field auditor Billy Davis was tapped to succeed him as of Jan. 1, 2009. Cleveland, who began his tenure as an accountant in 1971, most recently served as the federation’s Chief Financial Officer and as Director of the Accounting and Administrative Department. He was also Treasurer of the MFBF Board of Directors. Davis has worked in the Accounting and Administration Department for 18½ years. He will fill all of Cleveland’s former positions. A graduate of Mississippi State University with a BS degree in Accounting, Davis is also a Certified Public Accountant. An accomplished musician, Davis performed at one time with the Mississippi Wind Symphony and as a member of the Capital City Stage Band. He is a native of Crystal Springs and served for 13 years in the Mississippi Army National Guard. Davis and his wife Tammy have three children, Caleb, 12, Will, 10, and Elayna, 9. “Charles Cleveland played an important role in the growth and development of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, and we will miss him,” said MFBF President David Waide. “But we know that he is leaving his responsibilities in very capable hands. Billy Davis will do a tremendous job in his new role with our organization, and we wish him well.” E/B3@4C@</13 C<7BA ?C/:74G 4=@ B63 <3E 4323@/: B/F 1@327B 7\b]ROg¸aSQ]\][geWaS^c`QVOaSaO`S[]`SW[^]`bO\bbVO\SdS`EWbVbVSaYg`]QYSbW\U^`WQS]TT]aaWZTcSZa V][S]e\S`aO`]c\RbVSe]`ZRVOdST]c\RbVObEObS`4c`\OQSWaOa[O`bQV]WQSEObS`4c`\OQSUS]bVS`[OZ Q][T]`bagabS[acaSbVST`SS`S\SeOPZSS\S`UgT]c\RW\g]c`]e\POQYgO`Rb]^`]dWRSaOdW\Uac^b]% ]\VSObW\UQ]]ZW\UO\RV]beObS`4]`[]`SW\T]`[ObW]\O\RO\O\OZgaWa]TaOdW\Ua^]bS\bWOZQ]\bOQbg]c` Z]QOZEObS`4c`\OQSRSOZS`7b¸a[]\SgW\bVSPO\Y G=C@:=1/:E/B3@4C@</1323/:3@A 1]`W\bV 6O`PW\6SObW\U/17\Q &&&$&'!$# 6ObbWSaPc`U 01¸a6SObW\U/W`AVSSb;SbOZE]`Ya7\Q &%%'' '&$ $&'$% =ZWdS0`O\QV /W`6SObAS`dWQS1]7\Q $$ &!&&&& 5cZT^]`b E]]Ra6bU/1AS`dWQS7\Q &% '&'# ;S`WRWO\ AO\RS`a6bU/1 $$'!"#" >SO`Z 1][T]`b2SaWU\a7\Q $'! %### dWaWb ca Ob eObS`Tc`\OQSQ][ EObS`4c`\OQS Wa O `SUWabS`SR b`ORS[O`Y ]T EObS`4c`\OQS 7\bS`\ObW]\OZ7\Q0OaSRc^]\/@7! #$5:6>>O`b:]OR@ObW\Ua MARCH/APRIL MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 33 FLEET VEHICLES FOR SALE First on the Market, Best in the Field. OUTSIDE WOODBURNING FURNACE · All stainless steel construction · No smoke, ashes or wood trash in your home · 12 hour burn · 10 to 100 feet from your home · Heats home and household hot water · 25-year warranty · Connects to your existing central duct or hydronic system · Units from 120,000 to 250,000 BTU’s · Financing Available · Dealer Inquiries Welcome “Since 1976” Hardy Manufacturing Company, Inc. Philadelphia, MS 39350 www.hardyheater.com 1-800-542-7395 2 SEAT BIKE DRIVES LIKE A CAR • Easy to Pedal • Multi-Speed • 1, 2 & 4 Seaters • Optional Electric Motor www.dougamb.com FREE BROCHURE 1-800-974-6233 Ext. 32486 • www.4wc.com/ 32486 Dept. 32486 • 125 Rhoades Lane Hendersonville, Tennessee 37075 Members of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation are a part of one of the most influential organizations in the world. If you are interested in purchasing a used federation vehicle, please visit our Web site at www.msfb.com for more information. Click on About Us link, then click the Fleet Vehicles for Sale on the drop down menu or contact Merlene Partridge at 1.800.227.8244, ext. 4233. These vehicles are late model, usually one two years old. NADA retail, wholesale, and loan values are used to calculate price. We are committed to providing the finest-quality steel buildings at the lowest possible price. Call for a FREE quote today! 30’ x 50’ x 10’ ......... $9,269 40’ x 80’ x 12’ .......... $17,695 70’ x 100’ x 16’ ........ $39,997 1.800.643.5555 www.heritagebuildings.com 34 MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY MARCH/APRIL CHOIR ROBES C H APTER 12 (Fam ily Farm er*)BAN K R U PTC Y EXPERT TAILORING Stop Foreclosures& R epossessions R eschedule L and & Equipm entPaym ents M odify L oan Term s Str eam line Y ourO perati on Elim inateC ertain D ebts G L EN N H .WIL LIA M S,P.A . A tto rney atL aw 201 N orthPearm an A venue C leveland,M S 38732 662-843-3797 662-843-3799 Fax gw m slaw @ cableone.net C alltoday fora free phone consultati on! * U nder recentam endm entstothe Bankruptcy C ode,certain fisherm an now qualify asfam ily farm ers. & UP Finest fabrics including permanent press and wash & wear. Superior quality. Free color catalog and fabric swatches on request. GUARANTEED SATISFACTION Call Toll Free: 1-800-826-8612 www.rcgown.com P.O. Box 8988-F Jacksonville, FL 32211 ™ © 2009 Gorilla Glue Company SG6HD2 Farm Bureau offers many benefits that you may not know about. For more information, see page 31. Start taking advantage of the valuable benefits offered by your Farm Bureau membership! 3595 $ ® FOR THE TOUGHEST JOBS ON PLANET EARTH. 1-800-966-3458 WWW.GORILLATOUGH.COM AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS ONLY Farms, Businesses Construction 33 yrs experience 931-242-3949 PLAY GOSPEL MUSIC #1. PLAY GOSPEL SONGS BY EAR. Piano, keyboard. Add chords to music. 10 easy lessons. $12.95 #2. LEARN GOSPEL MUSIC! Chording, runs, fill-ins. $12.95. Both $23. Guaranteed. DAVIDSONS MUSIC, 6727 M Metcalf, Shawnee Mission, KS 66204 www.davidsonsmusic.com. Free catalog available. MARCH/APRIL MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 35
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