Explaining a recent grain bin safety course, Calhoun County Extension agent Trent Barnett provides insights into life-saving partnerships during last month's Producer Advisory Council meeting. The MSU Extension Service and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station host agricultural producers every February at the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Verona. Producers break into small groups based on commodity interest to express they needs and to hear about recent research and recommendations. This year, they also heard about important partnerships to serve producers. PHOTO: Kevin Hudson | MSU Extension Service
DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Chiquita Johnson
The Jefferson County office may have just two people staffing it, but office associate Chiquita Johnson can wear many hats. “I do whatever it takes to fulfill our clients’ needs,” she said. “Over the years I’ve learned that my main role is to be a support system for the office, but I’ve also had to learn everyone else’s role.” Chiquita works to get clients the resources they need, and if those resources aren’t available in Jefferson County, she finds out who offers those resources.
DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Jennifer Ashworth
In her role in the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, Jennifer Ashworth is the liaison between clients and doctors. She wants to make sure that the clients are well informed while they are waiting for their pets. Many patients are referred to the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine by other veterinarians in private practices. Jennifer works to maintain a healthy relationship with referral veterinarians and the MSU Vet School.
University Press of Mississippi reps discuss publishing projects with MSU scholars
Mississippi State faculty, staff and students learned about the state’s largest publisher and only not-for-profit press during a campus presentation by University Press of Mississippi representatives last week. Deborah Lee, professor and associate dean of MSU Libraries, said the session provided important information about how research goes from being a research project to becoming part of the scholarly record through publication at a university press. “As a librarian, I am interested in both my own research projects and in helping MSU faculty and students succeed in their research,” she said.
MSU Extension assists with disaster responses
The tornado in Lowndes County and widespread flooding in north Mississippi have triggered a variety of helpful “boots on the ground” to provide needed care and guidance. When communities need help coping with a disaster, the Mississippi State University Extension Service is available in all 82 counties. Jane Parish, head of the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Verona, said Extension agents are making agricultural disaster assessments and assisting with the Lowndes County volunteer reception center.
New TigerShark unmanned aircraft expands capabilities of Raspet Flight Research Laboratory
Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory is expanding its vast unmanned aerial systems research and support capabilities with the acquisition of two of the latest TigerShark XP3 aircraft. According to Raspet Lab Director Dallas Brooks, these UAS will “allow our team to carry more equipment, fly at higher altitudes and for a longer period of time, which increases our ability to meet the needs of our federal research partners, as well as to directly support Mississippians in times of emergency.” The TigerShark can carry nearly 100 pounds of payload, or equipment, almost tripling Raspet’s capacity to carry specialized devices.
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