Mississippi Farm Country

A PUBLICATION OF MISSISSIPPI FARM BUREAU FEDERATION • MSFB.ORG

TheFarmingDream

VOLUME 92 NO. 4

JULY/AUGUST 2016

14

Volume 92 Number 4July/August 2016

Mississippi Farm Country(ISSN 1529-9600) magazine is

published bimonthly by theMississippi Farm Bureau® Federation.

Farm Bureau members receive this publication as part of their membership

benefit. Periodicals postage is paid at Jackson, MS and at additional mailing offices.

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

EDITORIAL AND BUSINESS OFFICES6311 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211

601-977-4153

EDITOR — Glynda Phillips

ADVERTISINGAngela Ellis

1-800-227-8244 ext. [email protected]

FARM BUREAU OFFICERSPresident — Mike McCormickVice President — Donald Gant

Vice President — Ted Kendall IVVice President — Reggie Magee

Treasurer — Billy DavisCorporate Secretary — Kent Bloodworth

FARM BUREAU DIRECTORSCarla Taylor, PrentissMatt Ormon, Benton

Jeffrey (Jeff) Hollowell, LafayetteBob Workman, Quitman

Gabriela Brasher, TallahatchieDan L. Bishop, Lee

Scott O’Brian, ClayCraig Canull, Lowndes

David Hayward, GrenadaDott G. Arthur, Leake

William Jones, LauderdalePaul Myrick, Jasper

James R. Ford, SmithJames G. “Jimbo” Newman, Issaquena

Tammy Layton, SimpsonEarl Gay Edwards, Amite

Everett A. “Pud” Stringer, MarionDot Cole, Perry

Clayton Lawrence Jr., GeorgeTom Daniels, Harrison

Betty Mills, MontgomeryDavid Arant Jr., Leflore

HONORARY VICE PRESIDENTLouis J. Breaux III

4 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 5 MEMBER BENEFITS 6 NATIONAL AFFAIRS REPORT 8 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Material in this publication is based on what the editor believes to be reliable information. Neither Mississippi Farm

Bureau Federation nor those individuals or organizations contributing to the MFBF publication assume any liability for

errors that might go undetected in the publication — this includes statements in articles or advertisements that could

lead to erroneous personal or business management decisions.

FARM BUREAU,® FB® and all Farm Bureau logos used in this magazine are registered service marks owned by the

American Farm Bureau Federation. They may not be used in any commercial manner without the prior written consent

of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

FEATURES

C O N T E N T S

july/august 2016

FARM FACTS Shelby and Marlo Beason operate

a small dairy on their Beason Family Farm in Neshoba County. Meet the Beasons in our “Farm Facts: Straight

from a Mississippi Farmer” column.

ABOUT THE COVERTerry Moore is pictured on his Holmes County farm, the realization of a long-held dream.

8 LEGISLATIVE NEWS The 2016 Regular Session of the Missis-sippi Legislature passed a number of bills of interest to Farm Bureau members and Mississippi agriculture. Read about the session inside this issue.

16 RECIPES Each issue, we feature recipes from “Country Cooking, Volume V.” The proceeds from the sale of this cookbook are used to strengthen the Ag in the Classroom program in Mississippi.

22 FARM BUREAU ACTIVITIES

Photo coverage of spring Farm Bureau activities can be

found throughout this issue.

DEPARTMENTS

MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 3

Farm Bureau Proud In recent weeks, as members of our state convention committee tossed around pos-sible themes for our upcoming membership meeting in December, one of the things we talked about was that fantastic American Farm Bureau Federation slogan: “Farm Bureau Proud.” When I hear those words, I always smile. I am so proud to be a Farm Bureau member.

I joined Farm Bureau as a young farmer, aware of its reputation as an effec-tive voice for agriculture. It wasn’t long before I was sit-ting on the board of direc-tors of Jefferson County Farm Bureau, and in more recent years, serving as county president and as a district director. I quickly became a passionate Farm Bureau supporter, and here is why.

Through the years, I have watched Farm Bureau grow and strengthen, both in numbers and influence. Yes, we have had our share of challenges. Hurricane Katrina was one of the worst. But we have also had our share of important victories. Eminent domain reform comes immediately to mind. With these experiences and more, I am proud (Farm Bureau Proud) to say that we have steered the course to become one of the most influential general farm organiza-tions in the state and nation.

Our efforts touch so many areas, from carrying the farmer’s message to the general public to molding the agricultural leaders of tomorrow to championing our farmers and

other members in the halls of the Missis-sippi Legislature and U.S. Congress.

When Farm Bureau speaks, people listen.And if they don’t, they should.Mississippi Farm Bureau is a grassroots

organization with offices in all 82 counties. Our volunteer leaders are familiar with the

needs of local farmers, and they know what it takes to build strong rural commu-nities. In addition to their Farm Bureau membership, our leaders are also active in many other organiza-tions on the local, state and national levels.

Our reach is far; our influence is strong.

FARMERS FEED THE WORLD

During that same convention planning session, we talked about a recent American Farm Bureau Federation survey which dis-covered that while most people relate Farm Bureau to agriculture, they don’t think about us in terms of food and the food industry. This discovery caused more than a little alarm among the state Farm Bureau presi-dents gathered in Washington, D.C., where the results of the survey were disseminated. We looked at each other in dismay.

“Farmers produce the food that feeds the world,” we wanted to shout. “Why don’t you know that?”

As our world population continues to grow — some experts are predicting 9.6 bil-lion people by the year 2050 — who will feed and clothe all of these men, women and

children? The answer is obvious: our nation’s efficient and productive farmers.

I know I have said this a million times before, but it certainly bears repeating. Make sure your friends and neighbors are aware that farmers produce the fiber used to make towels, sheets and clothing; farmers grow the commodities used for so many of the products we depend on daily (such as soaps, cosmetics, inks and cooking oils); farmers grow the timber used to build our homes; and last but certainly not least, farmers grow the vegetables, fruit, meat, milk, eggs, grains and nuts we consume each day.

Quite simply: Farmers feed the world.

POLICY DEVELOPMENTIn conclusion, and speaking of our grass-

roots structure, as we once again begin hold-ing policy development meetings in late summer and early fall, I want to encourage you to take advantage of this unique oppor-tunity to bring your county’s thoughts and concerns to the table.

The policy development meetings move us into the State Resolutions Meeting in November and culminate in the actions taken by the members of our Delegate Body at state convention. It is that grassroots pro-cess I was talking about earlier that surfaces the policies that guide all that we do, and it is the bedrock of our organization.

I appreciate your hard work on behalf of Farm Bureau. Of the many reasons I am proud to be a part of this organization, you are right up there at the very top. You, our dedicated volunteer leaders and staff, make me Farm Bureau Proud. FB

Mike McCormick –President, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation

P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S A G E

4 MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY JULY/AUGUST 2016

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade and investment agreement, concluded in October 2015 by the United States and 11 other countries in the Pacific Rim, has the potential to have a significant, positive impact on U.S. agriculture. Analysis by American Farm Bureau Federation indicates congres-sional passage of the agreement would boost net farm income by $4.4 billion over levels expected if Congress fails to ratify TPP.

Here at home, the TPP agreement is expected to increase cash receipts and net exports from Mississippi by $110.3 million and $52.8 million per year, respectively. It is estimated that the increased marketing opportunities for Mississippi farmers and ranchers will add nearly 400 jobs to the Mississippi economy. Eliminating tariffs and other trade barriers on Mississippi’s agricultural exports to TPP-partner coun-tries will increase trade for a range of Mis-sissippi agricultural products, including poultry, soybeans, pork, beef and processed

food products. Export sales make an impor-tant contribution to Mississippi’s farm econ-omy, with a total in cash receipts of over $7 billion in 2015.

Mississippi’s broiler industry leads all other agricultural industries in the state, with more than $3 billion in cash receipts in 2015. TPP passage is expected to increase poultry cash receipts by $40.3 million per year, which is driven by a $10.8-million-per-year increase in direct exports to TPP countries. Addi-tionally, Mississippi’s soy-bean industry produced almost $1 billion in cash receipts in 2015. TPP passage is expected to increase soybean cash receipts by $16 million per year, which is driven by a $9-million-per-year increase in direct exports to TPP countries.

It is critical to remember that the TPP is

a multi-lateral agreement intended to create high-quality rules and market access across its 12 member countries. However, outside of TPP, other member countries would — and indeed are — already negotiating and implementing bilateral agreements without

waiting for the United States to complete action. While legally TPP would only go into full effect if the United States ratifies the agreement, other countries will move forward with their trade capabilities regardless of whether or not the United States decides to ratify the

agreement. U.S. failure to enact TPP will not see our trade situation stay the same, but will lead to declining net exports and major losses of market share in important markets.

Farm Bureau fully supports the U.S. Con-gress in ratifying this important trade agree-ment critical to U.S. farmers and ranchers.

BY JUSTIN FERGUSON, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation National Affairs Coordinator & Commodity Coordinator for Major Row Crops

Trade Agreement Holds Opportunities for Mississippi Agriculture

National Affairs Report

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The 2016 Regular Session of the Missis-sippi Legislature proved to be an eventful first year of the new four-year term. As is the norm for the first year of a term, the session started very slowly and deliber-ately, but quickly sped into action in early February. This session, for the first time in modern history, the Republican Party held a supermajority in the House of Representa-tives, which gave them the votes necessary to pass tax measures without any support from the Democratic Party.

Another change this session was the appointment of a new agriculture commit-tee chairman in the House of Represen-tatives. Speaker Phillip Gunn appointed Walthall County Farm Bureau President Bill Pigott (R-Tylertown) to serve as the chairman in the House for the next four years. Pigott replaces Rep. Preston Sullivan (D-Okolona). Sen. Billy Hudson (R-Hat-tiesburg) continues to serve as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Farm Bureau continued to maintain a strong working relationship with these and other chairmen throughout the legislative session.

While there were several social laws that dominated the headlines this session, the Legislature passed a number of bills that helped the agriculture community. Senate Bill 2209, authored by Sen. Buck Clarke (R-Hollandale), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, serves as a pro-

tective measure known as the “seed preemp-tion law.” This law, already signed by Gov. Phil Bryant, will prevent local municipalities from preempting state law regarding the reg-ulation of agricultural seed to protect pro-ducers and seedsmen across the state. The Legislature continued its commitment to agriculture by extending the harvest permit to July 1, 2019, through Senate Bill 2532, authored by Sen. Willie Simmons (D-Cleve-land), chairman of the Senate Transporta-tion Committee. The harvest permit allows commodities to be transferred at up to 84,000 pounds for proper axle and length.

While new funding for roads and bridges was a topic of discussion throughout most of the session, no resolution could be reached in time for funding changes this year. Mis-sissippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) President Mike McCormick served on a Mississippi Economic Council transporta-tion task force with other leaders throughout the state. The task force presented a variety of transportation funding options to mem-bers of the Legislature, but ultimately, Sen-ate and House leaders felt that timing was not right for a change this year.

President McCormick and MFBF leaders will continue discussions with the Mississippi Department of Transportation and legislative leaders in search of a solu-tion for inadequate transportation fund-ing to address the deteriorating roads and

bridges across the state. As the majority of Farm Bureau members live in rural Missis-sippi, this is a very important issue for the membership.

Multiple changes were made to the tax code this session that will have an impact on all Mississippians. House Bill 1677, authored by Rep. Jeff Smith (R-Colum-bus), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, continues to exempt from sales tax agricultural products grown in this state and cut and first sold from place of production. The major tax reform, known as the Taxpayer Pay Raise Act of 2016 and championed by Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, will phase out the state’s franchise tax, lower the self-employment tax and dissolve the three-percent tax. If this bill is signed into law by Gov. Bryant, it will take several years to realize the tax impli-cations; however, it will mean millions of dollars returned to taxpayers throughout the agricultural community.

While the session came to an end in late April, the Public Policy team at Mississippi Farm Bureau will continue to maintain out-reach with executive and legislative leader-ship to keep them up to speed with issues of importance to the Farm Bureau mem-bership. We look forward to involving the membership over the coming months as we provide educational opportunities to mem-bers of the Legislature and their staffs.

BY CAMILLE SCALES YOUNG AND CHRIS CHAMPION Cornerstone Government Affairs/MFBF Public Policy Department

Legislative Update★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

How Mississippi Agriculture Fared

The 26th Annual Delta Rice Tasting Luncheon, sponsored by Delta Rice Promotions Inc., will be held Sept. 16 at the Delta State University-Walter Sillers Coliseum in Cleveland from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The luncheon will feature over 300 rice dishes.

Around 1,000 people from various states and some-times other countries attend this event.

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased from the Extension office of Bolivar County by calling (662) 843-8371. Tickets will also be on sale at the door.

Delta Rice Tasting Luncheon FB


MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 9JULY/AUGUST 2016


Holmes County cattleman Terry Moore grew up on a farm near Ackerman and dreamed of one day owning his own beef cattle operation. Through the years, with a lot of hard work and with expert advice from his local Extension office and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), he has realized his dream.

Today, Terry owns 150 acres of farm-land near Goodman, where he has a cow-calf operation and timber. He annu-ally runs 48 head of Angus, Brangus and Charlois/Angus-cross mama cows and sells calves when they are 450 to 500 pounds at auction sales in Winona and Kosciusko. He is working with experts to improve his stand of hardwood trees.

Terry Moore’s farm is beautiful, but he will quickly tell you he still has goals to achieve. One of the most important of them is making sure other people know they can realize their farming dreams, too.

ENCOURAGING OTHERSLast October, Terry hosted a Grazing

Field Day on his farm that was attended by some 68 people from Holmes, Attala, Win-ston and Carroll counties. The field day was sponsored by the USDA-NRCS and its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) as well as the Winston County Self Help Cooperative in Louisville.

“I talked with the group, and eyes were opened as to what could be done. It rained, so the group will come back, and I will take them around the farm in a wagon for a closer look,” he said. “I look forward to showing them some of the things I’ve done around here.”

Terry has implemented many conserva-tion practices on his farm to improve water quality, reduce erosion and enhance forage

growth. NRCS programs have helped him add fencing and cross-fencing so that his cattle operation is more organized and effi-cient. The EQIP program has helped him with erosion control, including drain pipes and a diversion ditch. NRCS programs have assisted him in adding three watering ponds for his cattle.

“Even though the cows had plenty of water, the experts said I had to have the ponds so the cows wouldn’t walk off their weight trying to get to water. The NRCS has done a lot to help me,” Terry said.

FARM INVENTIONSTerry grew up the

youngest of nine chil-dren on a row crop farm.

“We grew a little cotton but mainly corn and soybeans,” he said. “There were hogs, cows and a huge truck garden for food.

“I enjoyed the lifestyle, and as an adult, I wanted to move back to the country so I could have some cows, raise my sons, ride horses and hunt,” he said. “I worked as a maintenance machinist for most of my life, but I always had cows whenever I could, and I began to slowly buy land and build the farm that I dreamed of.”

In addition to the farm, Terry, who is retired from Delphi Packard in Clinton, now owns Moore’s Welding and Ironworks near Goodman, which makes wrought iron doors, fences and gates, both fancy and plain, plus other items such as barbecue grills. His wife and youngest son work with him.

Terry’s ability to work with his hands has helped him invent equipment he uses

around the farm, including a diversion pole that keeps cows out of the creek but is set back far enough away from the creek bed to keep it from being washed away. He also rigged a cable to a drill affixed to the back of a tractor with a frontend loader. When the

tractor moves, the cable moves and pushes the drill down into drought-hardened ground that is virtually impenetrable otherwise. He invented a mobile hay trough that can be moved around the fields.

“I was raised around welders and around anvils and a forge,” he said. “My dad did it the old way. He worked for the railroad, and he would bring home picks and shovels to sharpen. I

learned to weld from him, and it fascinated me the things you could make.”

MORE INFORMATIONFor help with your own farming endeav-

ors, contact your local Extension office, the NRCS, or contact the Winston County Self Help Cooperative at (601) 291-2704 or email [email protected]. The website is www.wcshc.com.

Terry is a graduate of Holmes Community College. The Moores are longtime members of Holmes County Farm Bureau. Terry’s wife, Jenette, is retired from Farm Bureau Tech in Jackson, a division of Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company. The Moores’ old-est son is the director of Information Technol-ogy at Mississippi Valley State University. They have three grandsons and two granddaughters.

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

TERRY MOORE’S FARM IS BEAUTIFUL, BUT HE WILL

QUICKLY TELL YOU HE STILL HAS GOALS TO ACHIEVE.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPOR-TANT OF THEM IS MAKING

SURE OTHER PEOPLE KNOW THEY CAN REALIZE THEIR FARMING DREAMS, TOO.

R E A L I Z I N G A

DREAM


ewayne Smith of Dewayne SmithFarms in Greene County is spreading the word to Mississippi farmers that meat goats, specifically the Kiko breed, can provide a reliable additional stream of income for a diversified farm.

“It doesn’t matter if you have a big opera-tion or a small operation, a growing demand exists, especially among certain ethnic com-munities, for meat goats,” he said. “Some of these communities also eat lamb, so sheep are a nice addition, too.

According to Extension experts, any breed and type of goat, including dairy goats, can be used for meat. During the last 20 years, Mississippi producers have cross-bred Boer and Kiko breeds with native goats to increase muscle mass and parasite resis-tance. Dewayne favors the Kiko breed from New Zealand. He says it is one of the most parasite-resistant goat breeds and also has good mothering instincts.

“All you need to get started with goats is a few acres and some inexpensive stockyard goats,” he said. “I started out six years ago raising commercial stockyard goats, and a friend of mine told me about the Kiko breed. I got a Kiko billy, mated it with a commer-cial doe and started from there. The 50 per-cent and 75 percent crosses sold nicely. The 100 percent purebred New Zealands that can trace their bloodline all of the way to New Zealand sell for a lot more.”

On the day of this interview, Dewayne and I visited five small farms in his area, including farms owned by two of his chil-dren and one cousin, where meat goats

were supplementing incomes and helping kids show livestock.

“Small ruminant farming is becoming an important segment of Mississippi agriculture. I don’t think some of the ag surveys sent out are returned, so some of our ag agencies might not realize just how many Mississippi farmers are growing small ruminants,” he said.

“In just the five miles on either side of me, we have eight producers with 400-plus sheep and goats.”

HATTIESBURG MARKETThree years ago, Dewayne

decided his area of the state needed a market closer to home.

“I traveled to Georgia and met with the Southeast Kiko Goat Association,” he said.

“I told them I wanted to have a meat goat sale in Hattiesburg. I pointed out that if we could have a sale and get farmers to see with their own eyes the type of prices these goats get they would be sold on them.

“At our first sale, we sold 105 goats that brought right at $50,000,” he said. “At the second sale, we sold 114 goats at about $107,000. Similar auctions in Georgia, Ten-nessee, Illinois and Oklahoma mirror these types of figures or are higher. We are looking forward to our third sale in the second week of November.”

Dewayne says he likes to speak out at every opportunity to encourage folks to try raising meat goats. He works with the Greene County Cooperating Agriculturists group,

which shares information about sustainable production, marketing and merchandising of livestock and other agricultural products. The group formed a hands-on club for children who want to learn to raise livestock.

“If you have two or three acres and 10 stockyard nanny goats, you could average 15 babies that first year and get about $150 a baby. That’s about $2,250, and a nice addi-

tional income,” Dewayne said. “It is also a good start. As you breed your goats with the more expensive higher-quality billies, you begin get-ting more for them.”

Dwayne wants to encour-age farmers to raise small ruminants and to encourage more youths to show goats through the 4-H program.

His own grandchildren show and tend to their animals daily. Dewayne’s grand-children include Shelby, Cassidy, Hannah, McKenzie, Randy, Levi and Chloe.

FALL ROUNDUP If you are interested in raising small

ruminants, Dewayne urges you to attend the Southeast Kiko Goat Association Fall Roundup and Sale at the Forrest County Multipurpose Center in Hattiesburg the first weekend in November. There is no cost for the seminars.

For more information about raising meat goats or about the fall sale, call your local Extension office. You may also call Dewayne Smith at (601)394-8763.


D

“IN JUST THE FIVE MILES ON EITHER

SIDE OF ME, WE HAVE EIGHT PRODUCERS

WITH 400-PLUS SHEEP AND GOATS.”

DEWAYNE SMITH

MISSISSIPPI’S MEAT GOAT INDUSTRY

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FarmFacts: S T R A I G H T F R O M A M I S S I S S I P P I FA R M E R

God’s Plan for Me by Marlo Beason

My name is Marlo Beason, and I am co-owner of Beason Family Farm. Growing up, I always thought I knew what I wanted, but fortunately, God had other plans for me. I have enjoyable memories of my grandpar-ents gardening and having cows. That was about the extent of the farming around me. As a youth then young adult, I was a high-maintenance fashion-police cheerleader with a little country in me. I never dreamed that my bachelor’s degree in business and marketing was going to be used to sell milk. (I had a dress shop in mind.) I’m so glad that God knew better.

My husband, Shelby, and I have three kids, Cole, Micaela and Landon. We live in Neshoba County, where we have a small dairy operation, beef cows and do custom hay harvesting. I can’t imagine any better

place to raise kids than on the farm. In the words of a character from a recent movie:

“The outside of an animal is good for the inside of a child.”

My husband had shown Jerseys in 4-H and loved the Jersey breed. They are some of the prettiest and most docile dairy cows that also produce milk with a higher pro-tein and fat content. Our kids had begun showing Jerseys in 4-H, so we played with the idea of starting a dairy for a couple of years before we took the plunge. We started building the dairy barn in March 2012, and by September 2012, we were selling milk.

Our small dairy operation consists of a cow coming in the back of the barn and a finished product leaving the front of the barn. We milk the cows, process, bottle and distribute … all on our farm. We milk only

registered Jer-sey cows that are primarily grassfed. We milk the cows twice a day every day, rain or shine, even on Christmas! Cows do not take a day off.

We get started at 7:30 a.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. Each milking, from cleanup to finish, takes about two hours. We pas-teurize and bottle between milkings daily. Our products are sold in approximately 35 locations. Our deliveries are Monday-Friday. We stop at most all locations once a week and some places twice a week. We produce whole milk, reduced-fat milk, chocolate milk, buttermilk and cream. We serve restaurants and grocery stores in the central part of the state, delivering as far west as Jackson, as far east as Meridian, as far north as Starkville and as far south as


Magee, with a lot of places in between. I think people need to realize that

agriculture is essential, and being part of a great organization like Farm Bureau helps us to educate the public. I’ve never under-stood why athletes, movie stars and music artists are so celebrated when we have troops defending our country and farmers providing our food. Secretary of Agricul-ture Tom Vilsack said it better than anyone else at the national Farm Bureau conven-tion, explaining how he was three genera-tions removed from the farm. If you were to explain the word farmer in one word, it would be “freedom.” In other words, farm-ers provide food security so people can choose to follow their individual dreams to be whatever they want to be. This is a cause for celebration.

Our dairy operation not only provides for us financially but also rewards us spir-itually and emotionally. The smiles and expressions on kids’ faces as they realize where milk comes from as they watch it pump through the glass lines, hearing a child say their field trip to the farm is bet-ter than Disney World, having parents tell us that their child only drinks our milk, or having an elderly person explain that our milk reminds them of how good milk tasted when they were growing up tells us we are supported and appreciated. It’s the little things that make our hard work meaningful.

It has been a challenge with a lot of hard work while facing the skepticism of people looking at us like we are crazy. We may be a little crazy, but it has worked for us. We

went from eight cows to 35 cows in milk, with a total herd of 70, including young heifers and dry cows. Thirteen hundred gallons of milk are produced and distrib-uted weekly. Now, almost four years later, we feel so blessed.

Our business is called Beason Family Farm for a reason. It takes a family work-ing together — kids, parents and siblings

— helping out when needed. I just wish my grandparents could be here now enjoying this farm life with me.

The Farm Families of Mississippi (FFM) Agriculture Promotion Campaign was created to educate the public about the agriculture industry. For more information, contact Greg Gibson at (601) 977-4154.

Our dairy operation not only provides for us financially but also rewards us spiritually and emotionally. — Marlo Beason

Marlo and Shelby Beason with children, Micaela, Landon and Cole.

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Eggplant Parmesan

3 lg. eggs3 T. water¾ c. Italian seasoned breadcrumbs2 T. grated Parmesan cheese1 lg. eggplant, peeled and cut into ½-inch slices3 T. olive oil¼ c. grated Parmesan cheese, divided1 (8-oz.) pkg. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided3 c. pasta sauce

Whisk together eggs and 3 tablespoons water until blended. Combine bread-crumbs and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. Dip eggplant slices into egg mix-ture; dredge in breadcrumb mixture. Cook eggplant in three batches in 1 tablespoon hot oil (per batch) in a large skillet over medium heat for 4 minutes on each side or until tender. Arrange 1/3 eggplant in a single layer in a lightly greased 11x7-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese and ½ c. mozzarella

tomato slices in buttermilk mixture; dredge in flour mixture. Heat oil in a heavy skillet to 350 degrees. Fry tomatoes 2½ minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately.

Peggy MageeJefferson Davis County

Hot Squash Casserole

1 (10½-oz.) pkg. frozen yellow squash or 3 c. fresh½ med. green pepper, chopped1 med. onion, chopped1 (4-oz.) jar Cheese WhizTortilla chips1 (11-oz.) jar Ro-Tel tomatoes

Cook vegetables until tender. Drain and mash. Add cheese and tomatoes. Place in 2-quart buttered casserole. Sprinkle broken tortilla chips on top. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until bubbly.

Pam JonesHinds County

cheese. Repeat layer twice. Spoon 3 cups pasta sauce over top and bake covered at 375 degrees for 35 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese and ½ cup mozzarella cheese. Bake 10 minute or until cheese melts. Serves 4 to 6.

Carolyn TurnerJones County

Fried Green Tomatoes

1 ½ c. self-rising flour, divided2 lg. eggs1 tsp. black pepper, divided2 c. vegetable oil1 ½ c. buttermilk1 tsp. salt, divided3 green tomatoes, each cut into 4 slices

Whisk together 1 tablespoon flour, but-termilk, eggs, ½ teaspoon salt and ½ tea-spoon pepper in a small bowl. Stir together remaining flour, ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper in a shallow bowl. Dip

Recipese

COUNTRY COOKING, VOLUME V: These recipes

are from “Country Cooking, Volume V,” now available

at most county offices. The cost is $20. If you order a

cookbook from the state office, you will pay $20 plus

postage. • For more information, contact Pam Jones

at (601) 977-4854.

JULY/AUGUST 201616 MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY

CALENDAR of EVENTS JUNE 20 Beef/Dairy/Swine Summer Commodity Meeting MFBF Building, Jackson

JULY 6 Cotton Summer Commodity Meeting Grenada Extension Office, Grenada

JULY 7 Peanut Summer Commodity Meeting Larry’s Fish House, Itta Bena

JULY 8 Forage Summer Commodity Meeting MFBF Building, Jackson

JULY 8-9 YF&R MSU Weekend

JULY 15 Sweet Potato Summer Commodity Meeting Calhoun County Multipurpose Building Pittsboro

JULY 19 Rice Summer Commodity Meeting DREC, Stoneville

JULY 20 Soybean/Corn, Wheat & Feed Grains Summer Commodity Meeting Crystal Grill, Greenwood

JULY 25-28 Youth Safety Seminar Gray Center, Canton

SEPT. 16 Delta Rice Tasting Luncheon Delta State University, Cleveland

OCT. 13 & 14 Women’s Ag Tour

Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) is happy to wel-come Kevin Brown back into our Farm Bureau family. Kevin, who worked with us as a regional manager in the past, will be working with Matt Bayles in Region 5 and with the MFBF Public Policy Department, helping with grassroots policy development. In addi-tion to his regional manager duties, Matt will now have an expanded role developing special projects for the Federation.

“Please join me in welcoming Kevin back home and in congratu-lating Matt on his exciting new role within our organization,” said MFBF President Mike McCormick.

Staff Changes

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“I CAN’T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THE TREMENDOUS

HELP WE HAVE GOTTEN FROM OUR LOCAL MAS-

TER GARDENERS AND THE MANY HOURS THEY HAVE INVESTED IN THE MAGNOLIA BOTANICAL

GARDENS.” SUSAN WORTHEY


Whether you operate a gardening business or simply want to grow fresh flow-ers and vegetables at home, you will find the Magnolia Botanical Gardens in Verona both interesting and informative.

The two-acre garden, located at the Hiram Palmertree North Mississippi Research and Extension Center (NMREC) in Verona, is designed to demonstrate how a variety of flowers and flowering plants per-form with different types of media, fertilizers, herbicides, insects and diseases as well as their aesthetics in different garden settings.

Many of the plants in the Magnolia Botan-ical Gardens are common to Mississippi and the North Mississippi area. However, numer-ous plants are from other countries.

HISTORY “Local consumers and garden centers

wanted a research and demonstration garden, and that’s where the idea for the Magnolia Botanical Gardens originated,” said Susan Worthey, an NMREC horticultural research associate. “The garden is the result of a rec-ommendation made by our local horticul-ture commodity group at the 1996 producer advisory meeting held here at the center.”

Susan says the recommendation for the Magnolia Botanical Gardens marked a shift in the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station’s (MAFES) philosophy from research services exclusively for tradi-tional agriculture, such as row crop and live-stock production. The shift to production and homeowner horticulture and landscape projects laid the foundation of the NMREC Horticulture Unit.

In 1997, Pete Poland of Landscape Services in Tupelo developed a concep-tual plan for the Magnolia Botanical Gardens which divides it into differ-ent rooms, including formal and fra-grant, wildlife, water, annuals, shade and native. Different varieties of trees form a mini-arboretum. One area of

the garden is devoted to Mississippi Medallion winners, and another is devoted to vegetables.

The creation and maintenance of the Magnolia Botanical Gardens is a collabor-ative effort between MAFES and the Mis-sissippi State University Extension Service. Susan emphasizes that work with the garden has involved input not only from researchers and Extension personnel but from consumer groups and Master Gardeners.

“I can’t say enough about the tremendous help we have gotten from our local Master Gardeners and the many hours they have invested in the Magnolia Botanical Gar-dens,” she said “This garden has become a resource used not only by backyard garden-ers, garden stores and landscape businesses, but by Master Gardener groups, civic clubs and area schools.”

DR. SLOAN

Through the years, many people have worked and continue to work with the gar-den, but horticulturist Dr. Crofton Sloan, who retired from the center at the end of April 2016, has been the name most associ-ated with its development.

His excellent work can’t be overstated and has been very much appreciated. Dr. Sloan was with Mississippi State University for 25 years, and he will be greatly missed.

Dr. Casey Barickman will be taking over the responsibilities of the NMREC Horti-culture Unit and will be accompanied by Dr. Jeff Wilson, Thomas Horgan, Susan Worthey and Cameron Tate.

FUTUREAs far as the future of the Magnolia

Botanical Gardens is concerned, Susan says the challenge now is to identify plant mate-rial to trial for the upcoming years.

“Our plans for the future are to monitor what we already have in place and to add to that collection,” she said. “For example, we would like to do a pollinator garden in the wildlife and fragrant areas. We are also planning one-day programs and workshops throughout the year to educate on differ-ent garden topics. We will focus on topics such as vegetable gardening, care and main-tenance of roses, plant pollinators, plant nutrition and sustainable horticulture prac-tices. The trend today is toward all natural and organic, and we are transitioning to that with our vegetables, for sure.”

Susan says the Magnolia Botanical Gar-dens has hosted many tours for various clubs, groups and area schools in the past, and the garden is looking forward to many more.

“It’s nice to have a place where you can learn about different flowers and plants,” she said. “But our garden is also a place where you can come and enjoy a time of quiet reflection as you enjoy nature and the sur-rounding landscape.”

For more information about the Mag-nolia Botanical Gardens, contact the Hiram Palmertree North Mississippi Research and Extension Center at (662) 566-2201.

Research centers and experiment stations across the state have trial gardens with flow-

ers and blooming plants which are a component of that particular area of the state. In addition to the North Mississippi facility, extensive garden-ing efforts can also be found on the Mississippi State University campus and at the Truck Crops Experiment Station in Crystal Springs and the South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station in Poplarville.

From left to right are Dr. Jeff Wilson, Dr. Casey Barickman, Cameron Tate, Susan Worthey and Thomas Horgan.

Magnolia Botan3ical2 Gardens

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For more information about GRAMMY Museum®

Mississippi and its programs, or for information about how to

become a museum member, visit www.grammymuseumms.org.

GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi is one of more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to military personnel and their families this summer in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and the Department of Defense. For more information, visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.


There is so much to see and do at the brand-new 28,000-square-foot GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi in Cleveland, time will slip away before you know it.

The museum, highly interactive and filled with multimedia exhibits, is one of the most technologically-advanced music-themed museums in the South. In addition to the permanent exhibits, which take a look at every aspect of the GRAMMY Award pro-gram and the music industry as a whole, you can learn the history of dance and some new dance moves by moving from one colorful block to another on a big lighted dance floor.

If you are an aspiring songwriter, you will have an opportunity to write and record your very own blues song as you visit a series of interactive pods. And if you hanker to try your skills as a musician, there is a display of musi-cal instruments that you can actually play.

MUSEUM EXHIBITSSpecific museum exhibits include:

• GRAMMY Album of the Year• On the Red Carpet (Clothing selected

artists wore on the GRAMMY Red Carpet)

• Great GRAMMY Performances• GRAMMY History• GRAMMY Legends and Recent GRAMMY Winners

• Mississippi Music Table• The History of the Electric Guitar• Iconic Instruments (Instruments used by some of the World’s Leading

Musicians)• Landmark Moments in Music History

On a rotating basis, the museum will present a new exhibit in its temporary exhibit space. At the time of this interview, the exhibit was all about The Beatles. “Ladies and Gentlemen…The Beatles” explores the impact the group’s arrival had on American pop culture in the mid-1960s and includes over 400 pieces of memorabilia. From June 30 through October 16, the exhibit will fea-ture “Pride and Joy: The Texas Blues of Stevie Ray Vaughan.”

WHY A GRAMMY MUSEUM?GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi, which

sits on a 4.5-acre site near the campus of Delta State University, is the result of efforts by the Cleveland Music Foundation and is in association with the GRAMMY Museum® at L.A. Live in Los Angeles, California. There is a national advisory board and a state board. Lucy Janoush of Cleveland serves as president of the state board.

“We decided that Mississippi made sense for a museum like this and one of this cal-iber because our state is the birthplace of the blues and American music,” said Emily Havens, the museum’s executive director.

“We also have so many GRAMMY winners and so many different types of music here. In addition to the blues, we are known for our gospel music, for Jimmie Rodgers and country music and for Elvis Presley and rock and roll.”

Havens says the museum has received a great response since its grand opening in March.

“The grand opening was incredible. We

hosted some 2,000 to 2,500 guests, includ-ing Governor Phil Bryant and many local and national music industry dignitaries,” she said. “Since we opened, we have had visitors from around the state, the nation and the world.”

The mission of GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi is to educate and inspire the next generation of American music innovators.

“About 80 percent of what we do here will be educational,” Emily said. “We will host school field trips and youth music camps. We have a classroom and a soundstage, where we will have visiting musicians perform then conduct question-and-answer sessions so kids and adults can learn from them.

“We will also serve as a venue for wed-dings and receptions, parties and meetings. We have a great retail space for gift buying,” she said. “In addition, we will have public programs and film screenings.”

MORE INFORMATIONThe museum’s exhibits were designed

by Gallagher & Associates and fabricated by Lexington Fabrication. The museum’s exterior was designed by Dale Partners and Eley | Barkley, P. A.

The museum is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Museum admission is $12 for adults; $10 for senior citizens (65 and over); $6 for youth (6-18) and college students (with a valid ID); and it is free to museum members and children under 5.

GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi

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All photos courtesy of GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi — Rory Doyle, photographer. MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY 21

Historic Corinth Depot and Crossroads Museum Alcorn County Courthouse

County Farm Bureau secretaries from across the state partici-pated in the 2016 Secretaries’ Conference held at Table 100 in Flowood. The theme of the event was “Healthy and Happy.” Kath-erine and Margaret King, the King Twin Rappers, talked about the importance of laughter in the workplace. Old-time games were enjoyed outdoors, with Marilyn O’Brient of Winston County try-ing her hand at cornhole. Members of the 2016 Secretary Advisory Committee, who planned the event, include, back row, from left, Barbara Butler, Adams County; Marianne Butler, Monroe County; Bess Varas, Copiah County; and Judy Kelly, Humphreys County; and front row, from left, Christi McElhenney, Newton County; Jan Hood, Panola County; Ranecia Wardlaw, Lafayette County; and Veda Wade, Forrest County. FB

2016 Secretaries’ Conference


County Annual MeetingsBENTON COUNTY FARM BUREAUMonday, Aug. 29, at 6:30 p.m.Hickory Flat Attendance Center —Hickory FlatLadies are asked to bring a dessert. Members must pick up ticket in advance at the county office at no charge. You must have a ticket to enter. NO CARRY OUTS.

CALHOUN COUNTY FARM BUREAUTuesday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m.Multipurpose Building — Pittsboro

DESOTO COUNTY FARM BUREAUTuesday, August 16, at 7:30 a.m.Farm Bureau Office — Hernando

HUMPHREYS COUNTY FARM BUREAUWednesday, July 13, at 9 a.m.Farm Bureau Office — Belzoni

LEAKE COUNTY FARM BUREAUThursday, Sept. 1, at 6:30 p.m.Farm Bureau Office — Carthage

LEE COUNTY FARM BUREAUThursday, Aug. 18, at 6:30 p.m.Farm Bureau Office — Tupelo

LOWNDES COUNTY FARM BUREAUTuesday, Sept. 6, at 6:30 p.m.Farm Bureau Office — Columbus

MARSHALL COUNTY FARM BUREAUThursday, Aug. 4, at 7 p.m.Marshall County Extension Office —Holly Springs

PERRY COUNTY FARM BUREAUThursday, Aug. 4, at 6:30 p.m.Catfish Wagon — Runnelstown

WEBSTER COUNTY FARM BUREAUThursday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m.Farm Bureau Office — Eupora

SEE PAGE 5 FOR A LIST OF OUR FARM BUREAU MEMBER BENEFITS.


Speakers at the 2016 Women’s Leadership Conference addressed issues of interest to farm women. Speakers pictured here, along with a photo of conference attendees, include 2016 Farm Bureau Ambassador Jessica Smith, author Vaughn Wilson and Dr. C. W. “Bill” Herndon Jr., associate vice president and professor at Mississippi State University (MSU). Also on the program were Parker Evans, Young Farmers & Ranchers Program; Teacher of the Year Tiffany Lyles; Farm Woman of the Year Christine Fielder; Outstanding Achievement Award recipients; MFBF Training Coordinator Merlene Partridge; Theresa Hand and Anna McCain, MSU Extension Service; and Susan Head, Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. FB

Women’s Leadership Conference


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Young Farmers &

Ranchers Conference

This year’s Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Leadership and Advocacy Conference, held in Memphis at the historic Pea-body Hotel, proved to be the biggest to date, with 200 participants registered. Conference attendees learned how to tell their agricultural story effectively and gained insight into the importance of Memphis as a transportation hub for moving agri-cultural products around the nation and the world. Pictured are state and national YF&R Achievement Award winners Wil-liam and Cala Tabb of Webster County, who were presented their national award, a new truck, courtesy of Chevrolet; speaker Ally-son Perry, senior project manager, Center for Food Integrity; and a group of young farm-ers participating in the conference. Plans are already being made for next year’s confer-ence to be held in Natchez on Feb. 24-26. We would like to extend a special thanks to supporters of this year’s event: First South Farm Credit, DuPont Pioneer, Dow Agro-Sciences, Peoples Bank, Horizon Ag, Tippah County Farm Bureau, Bayer CropScience, Sanders Inc., Nutrena and Purina.


Women’s Day at the Capitol

State Women’s Committee members served refreshments in the Capitol rotunda and visited with members of the House and Senate ag committees during their annual Women’s Day at the Capitol event. Pictured are Senate Ag Committee Chair Billy Hudson with Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation President Mike McCormick and members of the State Women’s Committee as well as House Ag Committee Chair and Vice Chair Bill Pigott (standing) and Vince Mangold, respectively. FB


In Memoriam — Marvin GlassMarvin Albert Glass, the father of Sandra Waide, wife of past Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation President David Waide, died at his residence in West Point on Sunday, April 10. He was 102 years old. A graveside service for family members only was held at Cedar Bluff Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery.

Marvin was born the year before World War I broke out and came of age during the Great Depression. He attended Arkansas State University and served the U.S. Navy in World War II. After WWII, he joined the Army National Guard and was called into service during the Korean Conflict.

Among his many endeavors, Marvin owned a service station; homesteaded for a time near Cody, Wyoming; worked for CA East-ern Airways in Columbus, Mississippi, and Mission, Texas; managed Henry Clay Hotel and owned the John Bryan Real Estate Company. Later in life, he worked for the United States Postal Service, where he retired. Along the way, Marvin had a small farm and raised cattle. He also regularly grew a big vegetable garden.

Marvin’s interests and hobbies were many and varied. He raised and bred parakeets at one time and kept exotic pets, including

peacocks, at another. Marvin served as an election commissioner and was affiliated with the Mississippi State Archaeology Program, going on digs in Israel and mission trips to Honduras.

Last, but certainly not least, Marvin repaired clocks. He was fea-tured in a past issue of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation mem-bership publication, where he talked about collecting antiques and, in particular, collecting and repairing antique clocks. Many other journalists wrote (and filmed) stories about his expertise in this area.

Marvin and his late wife, Mary Emma, were married for 72 years. Marvin is survived by his daughters, Sandra Waide (David) of

West Point and Linda Raff (Michael) of Jackson; special daughters, Mary Beth Moody (Roland) of Norcross, Georgia, and Mary Caro-lyn Ellis of West Point; and special son, Joe Rodgers (Carolyn) of Fort Worth, Texas, as well as one niece and nephew, 12 grandchil-dren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to:Cedar Bluff Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery, c/o Anna Sims, 911 Henryville Rd., Cedar Bluff, MS 39741.

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Grain Bin Safety Workshop

The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Safety Program held a Grain Bin Workshop in early April at the Mississippi Delta Community College Capps Tech-nology Center located on Highway 82 at Indianola. The workshop included a segment for farmers and farm employees and a segment for emergency first responders. With grant funds from the Monsanto Company, the MFBF Safety Program built a Mobile Grain Bin Simulator that is now available for county Farm Bureaus and fire departments throughout the state and in the surrounding states of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. For more information, contact Angela Ellis at (601) 977-4242 or [email protected]. FB

Ag Mags Available

This issue of our Ag Mag children’s newsletter features the soybean industry. You can order Ag Mags for your local classroom or ag promotion events from our Ag in the Classroom program.

Dairy, corn, poultry, horticulture, cotton, peanut, honey bee, soil, beef and soybean editions are now available. Contact Pam Jones at [email protected] or (601) 977-4854. FB


Equine MSEA Scholarship Mississippi State University’s (MSU)

“SaddleUp” Scholarship was awarded in Starkville for academic year 2016/2017 to Sydney McConnell, daughter of Mark and Susan McConnell of Bran-don. Sydney received the $2,000 in cer-emonies held at the annual Animal and Dairy Science Banquet on the MSU campus. Sydney is a junior pursuing a major in Veterinary Medicine. She is a graduate of Northwest Rankin High School. Pictured, from left to right, are James Rasberry, president of the Missis-sippi State Equine Association (MSEA), Sydney McConnell, Amanda Rasberry Crawford and Terry Crawford of Kos-ciusko. Rasberry is president of Attala County Farm Bureau.

Women’sAg Tour

The two-day Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Women’s Ag Tour will be held Oct. 13 and 14 in Hinds, Madison, Claiborne, Copiah and Adams counties. If you would like to participate, contact your county Farm Bureau or the MFBF Women’s Program at (601) 977-4854.

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BACK FRONT

Afghan lap throws with the Ag in the Classroom artwork (the same as the T-shirts) are now available for $40 from the state office. The throws are maroon and are 51 inches by 38 inches in size. • For more information, contact Pam Jones at [email protected] or (601) 977-4854.

Lap Throws

AITC T-Shirts for SaleContact Pam Jones at [email protected]

or (601) 977-4854 FB FB


Documents

Mississippi Farm Country