mississippi farm country magazine · pdf filebureau federation board established the land ......

MISSISSIPPI’S LANDAN IMPORTANT RESOURCE

FeaturesCONTENTS MISSISSIPPI FARMCOUNTRY

Volume 85 Number 2March/April 2009

EDITORGlynda Phillips

Graphic Arts CoordinatorDanielle Ginn

Department AssistantAngela Thompson

FARM BUREAU OFFICERSPresident -- David Waide

Vice President - Donald GantVice President - Randy KnightVice President - Reggie Magee

Treasurer - Billy DavisCorporate Secretary - Ilene Sumrall

FARM BUREAU DIRECTORSDr. Jim Perkins, Iuka

Kevin Simpson, AshlandPaul Briscoe, Oxford

Bill Ryan Tabb, ClevelandMike Ferguson, SenatobiaDan L. Bishop, BaldwynL.C. Sanders, HamiltonDoss Brodnax, StarkvilleBetty Mills, Winona

Weldon Harris, KosciuskoKenneth Thompson, Philadelphia

Max Anderson, DecaturJames Ford, TaylorsvilleMark Chaney, VicksburgJeff Mullins, MeadvilleBill Pigott, Tylertown

E.A. “Pud” Stringer, FoxworthWendell Gavin, LaurelTerry B. Estis, LucedaleTom Daniels, GulfportDott Arthur, CarthageBrad Woods, Columbia

HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENTSLouis 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 OFFICES6311 Ridgewood RoadJackson, MS 39211

TELEPHONE601.977.4153

ADVERTISINGCall Paul Hurst at1.800.397.8908

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.

*FARM BUREAU®, FB® and all Farm Bureau Logos used in thismagazine are registered service marks owned by the AmericanFarm Bureau Federation. They may not be used in anycommercial manner without the prior written consent of theAmerican Farm Bureau Federation.

Material in this publication is based on what the editor believesto be reliable information. Neither Mississippi Farm BureauFederation nor those individuals or organizations contributingto the MFBF publication assume any liability for errors that mightgo undetected in the publication - this includes statements inarticles or advertisements that could lead to erroneous personalor business management decisions.

ABOUT THE COVERJ.B. Brown and son Kevin manage their Stone County timberland for deer and otherwildlife. Read their story on pages 8 & 9.

Departments

FeaturesLAND PROGRAM Mississippi’s greatest resource is its land. Come with us as we learn about the MississippiFarm Bureau Federation Land Program and itswork with issues that affect state landowners.

SOLVE THE MYSTERYThis Smith County town hosts a watermelon festival each July. Read the clues and make your guess.

RURAL LIVINGIn this issue, we visit Mary Ann McCurley’sGreenhouse and Country Things in WilkinsonCounty. We also stop by the quaint and historictown of Carrollton.

STATE CONVENTIONCome with us as we look back at the 87th Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation.

Departments4 President’s Message

6 Commodity Update: Poultry

7 Commodity Update: Peanuts

20 Counselor’s Corner

31 FB Member Benefits

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Farmers Never Take Land for Granted

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

his issue of our magazine focuses onthree issues we think are veryimportant to Mississippi’s economy:

land, poultry and peanuts. The first topic we’llexamine is land, something that farmers nevertake for granted.

More than a year ago, the Mississippi FarmBureau Federation board established the LandUse Committee. Everyone in agricultureknows the importance of land in commodityproduction. The Land Use Committee isattempting to identify ways that our land canbe better utilized to the advantage of itsowners and ultimately to the advantage of theconsuming public. This is critical because ofthe escalating cost of production in all areas ofagriculture.

In attempting to utilize the land for its bestand most profitable use, farmers find itnecessary to comply with numerousregulations. All of this will be taken intoaccount as the committee decides the way thatit will administer recommendations on theutilization of agriculture’s greatest resource,our land.

AD VALOREM TAXOne area we are concerned with is the

accelerating ad valorem tax that we areseeing on agricultural land. Back in the1970s, Farm Bureau was active in getting aclassification system in place for all propertyin Mississippi. Farmland carries a 15 percentclassification value based on its use.

Ad valorem tax on row crop property isdetermined by the value our land-grantcollege sees in the production of the variousacreage based on the commodity producedand the input cost. While this is a veryacceptable way of appraising farmland, it

does have its disadvantages. In years like those that we have just seen,

escalating commodity prices will mean taxesincrease in a year when farmers are in atremendous cost-price squeeze. The reasonfor that is the appraisal actually works twoyears in arrears. This is an issue that we, asagriculturists, are going to have to cope within the future because being able to own theland means being able to make a reasonablereturn on the investment.

When we have had the escalation ofcommodity prices that we have seen this pastyear, it is going to distort the economic valuefor tax purposes in a year when the profit isnot going to be there to pay the tax increasethat may be forthcoming.

In addition to utilizing land for commodityproduction, such as the major row crops, wealso have utilization for forests, forestproducts, and all types of livestock operations.Farmers generally attempt to do what is mostprofitable on their land, and this will continueto be the case.

It is the hope of the Land Use Committeethat they will be able to recommend ways toadd value to the commodities that arebeing produced and, hopefully, make landownership a continuing part of the familyfarm.

POULTRY & PEANUTSIn addition to looking at our land use in

the various articles written around thecommittee’s activities, we are also focusingon poultry and peanuts.

Poultry has long been the number onecommodity produced in terms of farm gatevalue in Mississippi. It has meant much toMississippi’s economy in that it has created

numerous jobs off the farm in the processingindustry.

Poultry continues to grow but, indeed, it hasits challenges. The downturn in the economyis affecting individual incomes but, in the longrun, this may have a positive effect on poultrybecause it has been a cheaper proteinsource in our diets for a good number ofyears. Poultry is a wholesome, healthy food.Consumers have learned to enjoy poultryprepared in many different ways.

We are also focusing on the peanut industryand its growth in this state. Peanuts weregrown a number of years ago but, for the mostpart, have been moved from the localitieswhere they were once produced.

Peanuts are very sensitive to having a sandysoil type. Producers who are growing peanutshave found that they are able to produce avery good return in years the weatheris favorable. Peanuts are used in manyAmerican diets and are certainly a veryvaluable protein source.

As well as being an edible commodity,peanuts played a huge role in industrialdevelopment in that the original diesel enginewas designed to run on peanut oil. Whilepeanuts have proven to be more valuable asan edible commodity, the fact that the oil frompeanuts was utilized to run the first dieselengine manufactured also had a majorcontribution in our finding alternative fuels.

I hope you enjoy reading this edition ofMississippi Farm Country. In addition, I hopeyou will take the time to familiarize yourselfwith the various challenges agriculture hasboth in the utilization of its land and withthe two commodities upon which we arefocusing in this issue of our magazine.

T

By David Waide • President, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation

4 M I S S I S S I P P I F A R M C O U N T R Y M A R C H / A P R I L

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MA R C H / A P R I L M I S S I S S I P P I F A R M C O U N T R Y 5

2009 Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors

John Logan

We enjoy poultry food products, but few of us ever think about theitems that are made from poultry byproducts. Fertilizer is one suchproduct.

Farmers put to good use the manure that is cleaned from the houseswhere the birds are grown. Poultry litter is used as a fertilizer orfertilizer supplement, and it is perhaps one of the best and least tappedresources that we have on our farms today.

Another product that comes from poultry is paint. We often don’tthink about the utilization of poultry products in paints, but this is acommon use. Many vaccines also use egg resources to create aninjectable medication.

One of the most commonly thought of uses of poultry lies in the useof feathers for insulating material. Perhaps the most common is theinsulating material in down jackets.

It may surprise people that one of the most heavily exportedpoultry products is chicken paws (or feet). Chicken paws are valued bymany Asian countries where they are used in soups and stews.

INDUSTRIES BENEFITFarmers, processing facilities and supermarkets benefit from the

growing, processing and sales of poultry products. Here are some otherindustries 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.

POULTRY STILL NO. 1Poultry remains Mississippi’s No. 1 agricultural commodity with a

2008 estimated production value of $2.3 billion. Mississippi ranksfourth in U.S. broiler production and 13th in egg production.

The Mississippi poultry industry is concentrated in the south centralarea of the state, while most of the nation’s broilers are produced in thesouthern part of the United States. Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama,Georgia and Arkansas are all leading meat-producing states forchicken. California is still the leading state in egg production.

For more information about our state’s poultry industry, visit theMississippi Poultry Association’s Web site at www.mspoultry.org.

Information sources for this article include the Mississippi FarmBureau Federation, American Egg Board, American Meat Institute,Mississippi Poultry Association and Mississippi State UniversityExtension Service.

POULTRYJack Alexander

COMMODITY UPDATE


Paints, Vaccines, Down JacketsJohn Logan, MFBF Poultry Advisory Committee ChairJack Alexander, MFBF Commodity Coordinator for Poultry

Each year, Americans consume some 86.6 lbs. of chicken, 16.4 pounds of turkeyand 250 eggs per person. Chicken and turkey are wholesome and nutritious, andeggs are high in protein and full of essential vitamins and minerals.

MAGNOLIA BEEF AND POULTRY EXPOMake plans to attend the 2009 Magnolia Beef and Poultry Expoto be held April 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Smith County AgComplex in Raleigh. The expo will feature educational seminars and a trade showfeaturing agricultural equipment and other valuable informationfor beef and poultry producers.This event is sponsored by Mississippi State University ExtensionService; Jasper, Newton, Rankin, Scott, Simpson and Smithcounties; and Community Bank. For details, contact your local Extension office or CommunityBank.

For the seventh consecutive year, peanut acreage increased in the stateof Mississippi. According to Farm Service Agency (FSA) records,planted acreage was up from 18,000 to 20,800 acres in 2008, and anotherincrease is expected again in 2009. George County still ranks first intotal production, but the northeastern portion of the state is seeing thelargest increase in acres.

Several factors have contributed to this increase in the state. First,profit potential is higher for peanuts than many of our other crops.Peanuts work well in a rotation with cotton or corn, and they are a moredrought tolerant crop. Also, peanuts require less fertilizer than othercrops. These factors, coupled with the strong contract prices offered forthe past two seasons, have allowed this increase in Mississippi peanutproduction.

The year 2008 also saw the addition of Mississippi’s second peanutbuying point. This facility is located near Aberdeen, and it handled some8,000 acres of peanuts in its first year of operation. This facility allowedgrowers a local point to sell their peanutsand avoid the high cost of trucking peanutsto traditional growing areas.

This season did see its share of challengesfor peanut producers. Insects are seldom aproblem in peanuts; however, this seasonsaw approximately 50 percent of the acresreceiving an insecticide application, andsome received multiple applications.

Disease pressure was also higher thisseason than in the past. Tropical weatherpatterns that moved across the stateduring the late summer contributed to thisproblem. Leaf spot was found in most fieldsthis season, even in areas that had notexperienced this problem in the past. Wetconditions also contributed to higher thannormal white mold pressure across most ofthe state.

Harvest began in mid-September in SouthMississippi and by early October in NorthMississippi. For the most part, harvest wentsmoothly. Some areas were hampered byrepeated rainfall, and an estimated 400 acres

were abandoned. Even with the problems encountered this year, producers still har-

vested a record crop. Yield estimates for the state are 4,000 pounds peracre, significantly higher than our 5-year average of 3,600 pounds, andgrades were strong as well.

For those who are considering growing peanuts in 2009, there aresome things to keep in mind. Peanuts are not for everybody. We have tokeep peanuts on sandy or loamy-type soils. Peanuts are more laborintensive than some of our other crops, especially at harvest time, andpeanuts must be rotated. It is recommended that a field be planted topeanuts only one year out of three. Tighter rotation intervals will reduceyields and increase disease potential.

This article was written by Michael S. Howell, Area Agronomist, Mis-sissippi State University Extension Service.

Peanut Production in Mississippi

Clayton LawrencePEANUTS

Greg Shows

COMMODITY UPDATE

M i s s i s s i p p i H o r s e P a r kA True Success Story

C e l e b r a t i n g 1 0 Y e a r s A Partnership of Mississippi State University, the City of Starkville and Oktibbeha County.

662-325-9350 - 716 East Poorhouse Road - Starkville, MSw w w . m i s s i s s i p p i h o r s e p a r k . m s u c a r e s . c o m

By: Clayton Lawrence, MFBF Peanut Advisory Committee ChairGreg Shows, MFBF Commodity Coordinator for Peanuts


By Glynda PhillipsA growing number of Mississippi landowners are managing their timberland

for wildlife and recreational purposes. Some want better hunting, fishing andviewing opportunities for friends and family members, while others are interestedin operating fee-based hunting and fishing enterprises.

J.B. Brown says he began working with experts to develop a wildlife managementplan for his Stone County timberland because he was frustrated with the lack ofwhite-tailed deer to be found there. The longleaf and slash pine timber hadn’t beenactively managed for wildlife in a long time, and the region’s lower coastal plainsoils tend to be a less productive wildlife habitat when compared to the state’s morefertile soils.

“Our property was just a barren wasteland and our white-tailed deer populationwas pathetic when we began managing it eight years ago,” Brown said. “We hadmaybe 15 deer on about 2,400 acres of timberland, and the deer weren’t any kind ofsize.

“We like to hunt, but we also enjoy watching our wildlife. We knew that a healthylongleaf pine ecosystem would support a number of wildlife species, and that’s whatwe wanted.”

Luckily, J.B. had a strong ally in his son, Kevin, who has helped him every step ofthe way.

“This means as much to me as it does to my father. I enjoy hunting and fishing andso 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 ofabundant, healthy wildlife.”

THE PLANThe Browns teamed up with experts at Mississippi State University and the

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to develop a plan tailoredto their land and area of the state. Their program began with a participation in theMississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks’ Deer ManagementAssistance Program (D-MAP).

The men made the decision to erect 10-foot-tall fences to completely enclose all2,400 acres of property, which is owned by the Browns and their neighbors,


LAND & WILDLIFE MANAGEMENTA labor of love

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businessmen John and Jack White and retiredsurgeon Dr. Stanton Shuler. The reasoningbehind the tall fences is to keep the deer frommoving in and out of the area.

The men also began select cutting timberand building fire lanes and access roads be-cause deer, turkey and quail like both spaceand cover. In addition, they used prescribedburning to control hardwood competition.This lets in sunlight to encourage other forageplants to become established.

Property owners should consult with ex-perts before attempting to use the prescribedburning process. The Browns took courses atMississippi State University to get their li-censes in prescribed burning.

As yet another step in the process, theBrowns planted 10-acre (or less) food plots ofsoybeans, clover, milo, wheat, ryegrass andcorn, checker-boarding the plots throughoutthe property. Soybeans and clover are goodsources of protein to help deer build muscle.Corn provides carbohydrates which fatten upthe animals for the winter months. The cloverprovides cover and nesting habitat for quailand turkey. Quail eat insects on the clover andalso eat the milo.

“We plant a lot of Alyce clover, chufas,LAS1 and Cherokee clover, Roundup-Readysoybeans and Egyptian wheat,” J.B. said. “Iwant natural food for my wildlife, not proteinpellets. This brings the body weight up andensures that I won’t give my animals contam-inated pellets. You hear about pellets beingcontaminated sometimes, and I don’t want totake that chance with my wildlife.”

The men erected special 8-foot-tall fencesaround their soybean fields. The bottom halfof the fence is fixed, while the top part ishinged so that the fence can be raised tokeep deer out until the soybeans are 12”-18”tall, then lowered so the deer have access tosoybeans all through the summer.

HURRICANE KATRINAHurricane Katrina dealt Stone County

timberland owners a devastating blow in2005, and the Browns say they’ve beenplaying catch-up ever since in terms of clear-ing out downed trees. But finally, in recentmonths, they have been able to proceed withtheir land management plan. They are readyto do more prescribed burning and to planthardwood corridors on the farm’s low areas.

The Browns are lucky to have a creek ontheir property, Juniper Creek, as well as

numerous ponds. Some of the ponds are riceponds for geese and ducks.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOWJ.B. says if you are interested in managing

your timberland for wildlife and if you want toopen your property for recreational purposes,you need to keep in mind the following:

WORK WITH EXPERTS “Get in touch withexperts like Chris McDonald, Larry Castleand William McKinley of the MississippiDepartment of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parksand Dr. John Hodges, a forester at MississippiState University. Call landowners like me whohave experience with this.”

REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS “Don’t gointo this expecting immediate results,” hesaid. “It takes about five years and involvesa lot of time and hard work. We also used alot of our own money. We took advantageof some Natural Resources ConservationService (NRCS) programs, but we fundedmost of the improvements ourselves.”

LARGE ACREAGE “The larger the acreage,the easier it is to manage,” he said. “Smalleracreage is more management intensive.”

LIABILITY COVERAGE “There are a lot ofliability issues when you invite people ontoyour land to enjoy either wildlife viewingor hunting,” he said. “On hunts, we havesomeone with our visitors at all times. We alsotry to keep our deer population in check so itdoesn’t prove to be dangerous to visitors. Forthat purpose, we hunt our does more thanour bucks.”

THIS CAN WORK “If you intend to openyour land for fee-based hunting, this canwork,” he said. “We haven’t gotten around todoing that yet – and we may never do it. Weenjoy our wildlife and want to keep it amongfriends and family.”

J.B. emphasizes the importance of workingwith experts in managing your timberland forwildlife.

“When you work with experts, you bring tothe table different minds, areas of expertiseand divergent views, and you come up with aplan that will make your land work for youand your area of the state,” he said.

“Remember, this can bring in extra income

if you work hard enough and if that’s whatyou want,” he said. “If you don’t want a fee-based operation then a good land managementplan can give you and your family years ofpersonal satisfaction and enjoyment.”

J.B. Brown is a member of the MississippiFarm Bureau Federation Land Program. Formore information about the Land Program,contact Land Program Coordinator DougErvin at 601.551.5311.

J.B. Brown is chair of the Mississippi FarmBureau Federation Forestry AdvisoryCommittee. He is president of Stone CountyFarm Bureau and is president of theAmerican Farm Bureau Federation ForestryAdvisory Committee.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?To receive help in managing your timber-land for wildlife and recreational purposes,contact the following organizations:

• Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation –Contact MFBF Land Program Coordina-tor Doug Ervin at 601.551.5311

• Mississippi Forestry Commission –MFC has offices in each county.

• Mississippi Department of Wildlife,Fisheries and Parks – Call 601.432.2400or the Biologist of the Day at601.432.2199

• Natural Resources Conservation Service– Call your county office or contact Natural Resource Specialist DecundaBozeman at 601.965.4139, ext. 120

• Mississippi State University ExtensionService/MSU Natural Resource Enterprises Department-Contact Dr. Daryl Jones at 662.325.5769.

Private consultants are also available tobe of assistance to landowners. Any of theorganizations listed here can put you intouch with a consultant to fit your needs.


1 0 M I S S I S S I P P I F A R M C O U N T R Y M A R C H / A P R I L

LAND: OUR GREATEST RESOURCEBy Doug Ervin

MFBF Land Program Coordinator

Land is Mississippi’s single greatest resource. It provides wildlifehabitat, an abundance of food, fiber and timber, mineral and oilresources, and a wide range of opportunities for outdoor recreation.Farm Bureau members depend on the land to provide for their familiesand to provide goods and services for families in urban areas.

The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Land Program isdesigned to give Mississippi landowners an opportunity to discuss andrecommend solutions to problems that directly affect their land andoften 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 theMFBF Land Program by forming land use committees in theirrespective counties. County committees are greatly needed to addressnot only local concerns but statewide land use issues as well.

WORKING FOR LANDOWNERSThis past year, the MFBF Land Use Committee was involved in

several facets of the land industry, including mineral rights, landliability issues, private property rights, taxes, eminent domain,agritourism, recreational uses of land and consulting landowners onways to improve idle land.

The committee was also involved in several policy issues designed toprotect your private property rights. Eminent domain is an ongoing processbut an issue that MFBF feels is very important for our landowners. Inaddition, we worked with our Legislature to strengthen trespassing lawssuch as ATV trespassing in public waterways, which passed.

Each year, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation partners withorganizations such as the Mississippi State University NaturalResource Enterprises Department to host statewide workshopsdesigned to help landowners better utilize their assets. Theseworkshops provide information on hunting leases, agritourismopportunities, bird watching and other great uses for your property.

ABUNDANT LAND RESOURCESFrom the Delta to the Black Prairie and from the red clay hills to the

Gulf Coast, Mississippians can experience wide open spaces, densehardwood forests, rolling pastures, wetlands and wilderness, all withina few miles of our most urban areas.

Mississippi’s land area, some 30,020,000 total acres, is some of themost diverse and fascinating in the country.

The most recent land use survey conducted by the USDA estimatesthat 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 thereare 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 benefitprovided to Mississippi’s landowners is an overwhelming sense ofpride in land ownership.

For more information, contact MFBF Land Program CoordinatorDoug Ervin at 601-551-5311 or email [email protected].

MFBF Land Use Committee

CALENDAR OFEVENTS March 27 Women’s Leadership

ConferenceJackson

April 1-3 Mississippi Womenin AgricultureHilton Hotel Jackson

April 2 Magnolia Beef and Poultry ExpoSmith Cty. Ag ComplexRaleigh

April 4 Legislative SessionEnds

June 9 Ag in the ClassroomWorkshopTupelo

June 10 Ag in the ClassroomWorkshopCollins

June 11 Ag in the ClassroomWorkshopJackson

M A R C H / A P R I L M I S S I S S I P P I F A R M C O U N T R Y 11

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ADDING INCOME TOT IMBERLAND

ight years ago, Adams County landowner WalterDavis decided to open a commercial hunting andfishing operation on 4,000 acres of his property inAdams County and two adjoining Louisiana parishes.He says the venture, which he calls Clayton FarmsHunting Club, not only offers quality hunting and fish-ing opportunities for its 25 members, but providesDavis 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 hardwork 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 sup-port wildlife, and you must actively manage the wildlife. Davis preci-sion levels a portion of his land and irrigates it in order to grow rice forthe duck hunting facet of his operation. He says irrigation is a veryimportant aspect of both waterfowl and wild game management. Inaddition, he plants corn and soybean food plots to support deer anddove populations.

• Don’t Rush the Process – Davis says he waited three years beforeopening the duck hunting operation in order to allow time for the ducksto become imprinted so they would return to the sites each year. Hesays his patience paid off.

• Be Prepared to Offer “Free” Hunting – Davis says he gave thehunting away for free the first year to see if it would work. He waspleased to see that it possessed the potential to succeed. He nowoffers hunting for an annual “fee” instead of for “free.”

• Little Touches Are Important – The little touches can make thebiggest difference. For example, Davis gives all members of ClaytonFarms Hunting Club identification tags and maps of the property,things that make them feel valued and a real part of the club. He alsoprovides members with keys to the hunting lodge and cabins.

• The Internet Is Important – Davis says he can’t overstate theimportance of using the Internet. Having a Web site to advertise yourhunting or fishing enterprise is very important. He has three.

• Liability Insurance – Landowners involved in commercial huntingor fishing enterprises must have good liability insurance coverage.Also, if you don’t have business management skills, you shouldconsider taking business courses and/or consult with a business expert.

• A Beautiful Hunting Lodge – Davis says a beautiful lodge is veryimportant to a quality hunting and fishing operation. He says thenecessary 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 theMississippi cities of Jackson and McComb and the Louisiana cities ofAlexandria, 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 atime as county president, Davis says he values his affiliation with FarmBureau and especially his association with Mississippi Farm BureauFederation President David Waide.

“Farm Bureau is a great organization, and David Waide is a fineman,” 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 forhis efforts in getting turtle legislation introduced into Congress throughthe American Farm Bureau Federation. He says that piece oflegislation has proven to be very important to our nation’scommercial turtle industry.

Davis also appreciates Farm Bureau’s efforts in the area of landmanagement. He believes a good land management program is theway of the future for Mississippi farmers and rural property owners.

For more information about the Mississippi Farm BureauFederation (MFBF) Land Program, contact MFBF Land ProgramCoordinator Doug Ervin at 601.551.5311.

By Glynda Phillips

E


ississippi farmers are good stewards of the land. Their livelihoods depend uponhealthy soil and abundant, clean water.

As our state’s largest general farm organization, the Mississippi Farm BureauFederation (MFBF) offers programs designed to help farmers and other rurallandowners address the unique opportunities and challenges of land ownership.

The organization also joins with other ag organizations in developing programsthat promote environmental stewardship. Delta F.A.R.M. is one such program.

By Glynda PhillipsM

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 naturalresource issues and environmental concerns. The programspotlights the many positive things Delta farmers do for theenvironment, and targets areas that need improvement.

Each year, farmers enrolled in Delta F.A.R.M. agree toparticipate in a private environmental assessment. They use thefeedback they receive to improve their stewardship practices.

A Mississippi Farm BureauFederation regional managerparticipates in the privateassessment aspect of the program,along with representatives fromthe Delta F.A.R.M. staff andMississippi State University(MSU) Extension Service.

Other Delta F.A.R.M.partners include Delta Council,Careful by Nature, DeltaWildlife, Mississippi Associationof Conservation Districts,Mississippi Department of Agand Commerce, MississippiDepartment of Wildlife, Fisheriesand Parks, the MississippiHealth Department, U.S.Department of Agriculture-ARS-FSA-NRCS, the U.S. Environ-mental Protection Agency, YMDJoint Water Management District,National Farm-A-Syst, and

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 acresinto the program and 10 years of service to the landowners,farmers, allied ag industry and the natural resources ofNorthwest Mississippi.

CONSERVATION IMPORTANTMississippi Farm Bureau Federation Northern District Vice

President Donald Gant, a Bolivar County row crop farmer since1970, is a longtime Delta F.A.R.M. member. He appreciates theprogram’s efforts to improve environmental stewardship.

“Land and water are important to farmers everywhere,” Gant

said. “We have some of the most fertile land in the state andplenty of good, available water. With the cost of growing a cropand the way irrigation can save it during a drought, youunderstand the value of both. You don’t want to abuse orwaste either.”

Gant uses Best Management Practices (BMPs) on his rice,soybean, wheat and corn fields to reduce soil erosion andcontrol water runoff. These BMPs include no-till productionmethods, precision leveling, grass filter strips around

ditches, pads around fields,and overfall pipes.

And speaking of no-till, Gantsays he has some ground thathasn’t been turned since 1981.

“It makes a better cropnow than it did 28 years ago,”he said.

FARM BUREAU CARESGant takes time from

his busy farming scheduleto actively participate inthe Mississippi Farm BureauFederation. He believes inthe organization’s effortsto help state farmers andrural Mississippians.

Gant has served as a countyFarm Bureau president andAmerican Farm Bureau ricechairman and has servedon many other committees.

Currently, he’s beginning his second two-year term as a federa-tion vice president, representing the northern region of the state.

“Farm Bureau is a great organization with many great countyleaders,” he said. “It is always looking for ways to further thecause of farmers and rural Mississippians. Farm Bureau andprograms like Delta F.A.R.M. make the lives of Mississippi’sfarmers and rural residents a whole lot easier.”

Donald Gant is chairman of the MFBF CommunicationCommittee and a member of Delta Council. He is chairman ofthe board of directors of the Mississippi Rice Promotion Boardand a deacon and treasurer at his church. Gant’s wife Lil is chairof the Bolivar County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee.

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Land and water are important to farmers everywhere



As a kid, going to my grandmother’s house (father’s side) was thelongest 3-hour trip ever. Daddy always took The Trace, which wouldhave been a peaceful drive for him if he hadn’t had a backseat driverand three restless children along for the ride. But pulling into mygrandmother’s driveway was always worth the torture of that longfamily road trip.

Nanny and Pawpaw had chickens. Everywhere. And lots of them.The chickens had a coop but preferred to spend most of the dayavoiding the cats while scratchingaround in the dirt. There was abarn with a big hayloft and a tractorto play on and a porch swingor rocking chair for when yougot tired.

My grandparents had the bestfood to ever cross a table. Andevery bit of it came from their yard!They could garden like nobody’sbusiness. My Nanny could haveended world hunger if someone hadonly given her 40 acres, a bag ofSevin® dust and a half-moon hoe.

Nanny lived to be 93 on friedchicken, cathead biscuits, and realvegetables that were boiled slowwith lots of bacon fat.

After my father sat on the porchfor awhile, visiting, watching thegrass grow, and letting his foodsettle, he’d take me walking withhim. When you are eight or nineyears old, 56 acres seems like allthe land in the world. And to myfather it really was.

We would walk past the old barn,and he’d tell me how he had to milkthe cow every morning and carrythe milk back to the house. He’dshow me where they kept Jack, amule so mean that he’d kill a calf ifhe ever got close to one. Jack sentme 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 awhole other story.

As we walked over the hill, my father would show me where he andhis brothers grew cotton. I’d have to use my imagination because atthat time the ground was covered with tiny pine saplings, lastingreminders of a tornado a few years back.

On all of these walks, we’d go by and inspect the “new pond,” whichdidn’t look very new to me, and I was well into my teens before I everrealized where the old pond was located. The back pasture looked

endless back then, and we almost never failed to jump a covey of quailcrossing it.

As we headed back to the house, I would get the sense that myfather was telling these old stories more to himself than to me, as areminder of years gone by.

There is an attachment to the land that you grow up on that’sdifferent from any other. You can move off it, but you can neverleave 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 yougo back and walk the land whereyou grew up, the briars, chiggers,cockleburs and ticks aren’t a nuisance.They just come with the territory.

That’s why farmers and ranchers arethe greatest stewards of the land. Theyare business partners with the land,working together to scratch out a living.A good landowner never gives the landwhat it doesn’t need and always givesback what he’s taken from it.

I went back recently, and the placedoesn’t seem nearly as big as Iremember it. What took hours to walkacross as a kid is now just a short hikefrom fence line to fence line. The porchis much smaller, the coop is overgrownand falling in, and there is no signof the outhouse except a few rosebushes that mark the spot. The oldbarn is still standing, a testament tofine craftsmanship.

I stood there and imagined Pawpawwalking behind a team of mules andNanny cutting sage grass to make anew broom. I imagined Daddy, hisbrothers and sister picking cottonacross the road to earn money for

school clothes, and I saw the chickens strutting around the backyardand the cats napping under the porch.

I will always have good memories of the old home place, but Iremember it more for what it means to my father than to me. He has areal connection to it.

As I got into my truck to drive home, I couldn’t help thinking that Iwould miss those visits with Nanny and Pawpaw and those long walkswith 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 familyroad trip ever again!

The Old Home PlaceBy Andy Whittington/Environmental Programs Coordinator

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

Our mystery town is located in southwestern Smith County in the south central region of the state. It is known for the watermelon festivalthat 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’sreputation for growing sweet, delicious watermelons was established.

Name this town.

SAWMILLS & RAILROADThis 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 HOLLOWOur 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 largefamilies. Most of the Sullivans remained in the hollow and soon gained a reputation for feuding amongst themselves and with other nearbyclans. 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 thatWilliam C. “Wild Bill” Sullivan and his oldest brother Neece, two of Tom’s grandsons, stuck his head between the rails of a fence and placeda beehive on his bottom. The bees stung him repeatedly before Wild Bill and Neece finally let him go.


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.

“Oh, those tales are so wrong,” said Jane Sullivan Martin. Jane isa descendant of Tom Sullivan and one of the oldest livingSullivans. “I don’t know how they got started. Our family has hadits share of progressive farmers, ministers, musicians and teachers.”

The father of Louisiana Governor Huey P. Long was born inSullivan’s Hollow, where his grandfather, John Murphy Long, livedfor many years.

The original home of Tom Sullivan stands today and is used forfamily reunions. Made of hewn logs, it is said to be one of theoldest in the area. The historic log house contains many modernamenities and, according to Jane, is definitely NOT haunted assome of the local schoolchildren maintain.

MORE CLUESAround the turn of the century, our mystery town was known for

the very fine Smith County Agricultural High School built there in1913. This high school produced outstanding men’s and women’sbasketball teams in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.

The 1927-28 men’s basketball team in particular was said to havesome of the finest basketball players in the history of Smith County.The team won the state championship and went on to participateunsuccessfully (some say because of illnesses) in the national highschool basketball tournament.

A landmark in this mystery town is the Hamburger House, whichat one time was nationally known. Established in 1950 by Curtis andFredna Glisson, the present building was built in the early 1960s.

The Hamburger House is now owned and operated by Jerry andMerle Brewer. It is located at the four-way stop at the intersectionof Highway 28 and Highway 35. Stop by and experience theold-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 withthis article.

CORRECT GUESSESMail guesses to Solve the Mystery, Mississippi Farm Country,

P. O. Box 1972, Jackson, MS 39215. You may also send e-mailguesses to [email protected].

Please remember to include your name and address on the entry.Visit our Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Web site atwww.msfb.com.

When all correct guesses have been received, we will randomlydraw 20 names. These 20 names will receive a prize and will beplaced in the hat twice.

At the end of the year, a winner will be drawn from all correctsubmissions. The winner will receive a Weekend Bed and BreakfastTrip, courtesy of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation.

Families may submit only one entry. Federation staff membersand 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.


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 inthis new era of (financial) reckoning,with consumers tapped out, governmentcoffers lean and banks paralyzed by fear,many economists have concluded that theappropriate medicine is a fresh dose of thevery course that delivered the disarray: Spendwithout limit. Print money today, fret aboutthe consequences tomorrow. Otherwise,invite a loss of jobs and business failures thatcould cripple the nation for years.” Suddenly,it’s 1932 again.

It is difficult enough to accept that theAmerican economy teeters on the brink offailure, but even more perplexing to consideris what the present recovery plan may create.The legal implications for taxpayers, whichno one yet seems to be considering, are assignificant as the massive funds which do notseem to abate the escalating problems.

It brings to mind a story about two men whowere approaching each other on a bridge overa fast-moving river. As they came closer, onenoticed that the other had a rope coiled over hisshoulder with one end tied around his waistand the other end in his hand. As theyconverged, the rope holder threw the end inhis hand to the surprised second man whoinstinctively grabbed it, whereupon theother quickly jumped over the side of thebridge shouting, “Hold on, don’t let go.” Andas he descended, he repeated, “Hold on orI’ll drown.”

Put yourself in the holder’s shoes, it’s moreappropriate than it may seem. The holder isthe American taxpayer supporting those whoare too big or too important to fall, never mindthat they got where they are as a result of theirown action or inaction, stupidity or greed.

The $700-plus billion-dollar initial“bailout” has been used to buy huge amountsof “equity positions” in failing or threatenedfinancial institutions. Equity positions incorporations, in contrast to debt or securedpositions, mean ownership and traditionallyconsist of stock, either common stock, which

denotes control through voting rights, orpreferred stock, which usually means priorityin the payment of profits in the form ofdividends but may also include voting rights.Voting rights include the right to control,usually by a majority that can elect directorswho, in turn, can select the officers whomanage the corporation.

Preferred stock is also commonlyredeemable and upon satisfaction of theterms and conditions upon which it wasissued, the corporation can buy it back fromits owners at an agreed price.

What are the taxpayers buying? If so, willdividends be paid? If so, how much and howoften? Will it be redeemed? If so, when? Whatif the recipient continues to lose money? Willit be necessary for further capital infusionsto protect the current investment? If thecorporation fails, what will be the govern-ment’s position in a liquidation? How do thetaxpayers get repaid? This involves hundredsof billions of dollars – trillions have evenbeen mentioned.

Banks have been granted over $170 billionin Troubled Asset Relief Program funds.Many more billions have been granted toinsurance companies, auto manufacturers andothers considered too big or important to fail,including the two giant mortgage companiesknown as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Inall, more than $350 billion was spent in2008 on the financial institutions reliefprogram. Congress must approve the releaseof the remaining $350 billion, and the newadministration is mentioning a new programof perhaps $800 billion more.

No doubt, the alternative of letting theeconomy run its course, find its ownbottom and let pure capitalism and a freemarketplace provide the answers does notseem desirable either, though some argue it isthe only real cure.

Not many today recall actual experiences inthe Great Depression, which began in 1929.Those who did never forgot and worried thatit would happen again. Franklin D. Roosevelttook office in early 1933 and launched what

was probably the largest government financialinitiative in the world in the last 300 years torevive an economy. The Works ProgressAdministration, the Civilian ConservationCorps., Bank Holidays, the Federal DepositInsurance Corporation and Social Securitywere a few components of the New Deal, butnot until the economic boom of industrialactivity in World War II did the nation fullyrecover. 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 thisgovernment largesse is coming from. U.S.Treasury printing presses must be working24-hour shifts to print up all this money.Moreover, some of it is going to parties whodo not really need it to survive. Actually, thereare many, many others that are in direneed, farmers, small businesses, familycorporations, mainstream America, who arenot even considered for a bailout no matterhow hard they have worked, scrimped andsaved only to fall victim to the disaster.

Contrast this to corporate bigwigs who reapmillions in buyouts for bankrupting hugecorporations or collect enormous fees formaking what anyone with any common senseknows are bad loans. Somehow, that situationor flying multi-million-dollar private jets toWashington for handouts does not invoke thesympathy of the Okies of the 1930s or thebreadlines and soup kitchens of that era.

It seems that the masters of the financialuniverse have left the common peopleholding the rope, warning them to not let go.Reality appears to be absent. Experts are notable to evaluate the benefits, if any, of theprograms to date. Perhaps the famous comiccharacter Pogo got it right: “We have met theenemy and it is us!” Sam E. Scott is general counsel for Mississippi

Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) and practiceslaw in the law firm of Samuel E. Scott, PLLC, inJackson. The foregoing information is general innature and is not intended as nor should be con-sidered specific legal advice, nor to be consideredas MFBF’s position or opinion.



ary Ann McCurley has a green thumb. And a sunburned nose.And nails that are often brown with dirt. A devoted gardener, shespends much of her time inside a humid greenhouse or outdoorsbeneath a hot sun, carefully planting, watering, pruningand weeding.

Mary Ann is so good with plants she’s managed to turn an in-teresting hobby into a modest business, which she calls MaryAnn’s Greenhouse & Country Things. In addition to plants, shesells handmade crafts.

M

Mary Ann’s Greenhouse& Country Things

By Glynda Phillips

VARIETY OF PLANTSTo get an idea of the types of plants Mary Ann offers, you might

want to tour the large greenhouse located behind the rustic cabin thatserves as her gift shop. You can also wander past attractive gardensand hanging baskets displayed on either side of the cabin. Or you maysimply want to browse through the potted plants and hanging basketsthat 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 areanurseries. She also sells a few pass-along plants that she’s collectedand propagated down through the years.

When I first visited Mary Ann last June, she had plenty of summerplants for sale. When I visited again in November, she was primarilyselling pansies, violas, Proven Winners Fall Magic plants, and orna-mental 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 wellfor spring and early summer.”

Mary Ann also recommends vinca as an annual for the hot summermonths. Diamond Frost euphorbia and Dragon Wing begonias areother favorites for spring, summer and fall.

Mary Ann specializes in cacti, succulents, angel wing begoniasand ferns. She enjoys planting mixed containers and creating ivytopiaries.

“When I was a child, my father grew orchids. Back then, I wasn’tinterested in plants. I was more into horses,” she said. “When Imarried 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 thathangs in a basket from the ceiling of the greenhouse. Its many armsreach to the floor and truly do resemble the tails of giant rats. She alsoowns an impressive rickrack cactus with trailing zigzag stems, a largecolumn 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 usemore plants that don’t need a lot of water and are low maintenance.These plants are like that.”

CUSTOMER BASELocated as it is on Highway 61 between Natchez and Woodville,

Mary Ann’s Greenhouse & Country Things attracts both locals andtourists. Her busiest times of the year are March through June andOctober through December.

Mary Ann says she tries to offer plants that most people can affordand that they will be successful growing. She studies the market to seewhich plants are popular and in demand. She also attends greenhouseconferences 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 theplants in the larger containers, she adds a slow-release fertilizer anda systemic insecticide that is nontoxic to people and animals.

LOCAL CRAFTSBesides abundant plants, Mary Ann’s Greenhouse & Country Things

sells Dunbar’s handmade wooden bowls as well as other locally-madecrafts. The items are displayed inside the cabin, which was once ashotgun house.

The McCurleys say the house had been condemned by theMississippi Department of Transportation for the 4-laning of Highway61, so they bought it and had it moved to its present location. The cabinis dominated by an antique woodburning stove that is a greatconversation piece.

Dunbar’s studio is located to the right of the cabin. A retiredveterinarian, he has converted his veterinary clinic into a workshopto 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 mightbe 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 enjoyhaving a wide variety from which to choose.”

Mary Ann says working long hours with plants can be exhaustingif the work is done properly. But it can also be very relaxing andrewarding.

“I feel good when one of my plants, especially a cactus, produceslots of blooms,” she said. “And it’s gratifying to hear complimentsabout my plants or their containers.”

Mary Ann says that working with plants also makes her feel closerto God.

“Since I hand-water my plants, I spend a lot of time dragging a hosearound. That gives me a good chance to commune with God and prayfor the people on my prayer list,” she said.

Mary Ann’s Greenhouse and Country Gifts is open Monday throughSaturday, 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 plantsfor special occasions such as parties and weddings. For more information, you may call Mary Ann McCurley at 601.888.4420.

MA R C H / A P R I L M I S S I S S I P P I F A R M C O U N T R Y 2 3

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Photo by

Dav

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A quaint, historic town, Carrollton has managed to preserve its 19th centuryappearance and heritage even as it has remained an energetic agricultural townthat benefits from a close proximity to the Mississippi Delta.

When you visit Carrollton’s courthouse square, you feel as though you’vestepped back in time. Many of the businesses are housed in buildings dating backto the 1800s. In fact, the town of Carrollton was placed on the National Registerof Historic Places as one of the largest registered historic districts in the state with66 units.

On the square, you will find a coffee shop named Miss Sippy’s. Stop by andenjoy sandwiches made with fresh homemade bread. Also on the square areMerganza, a unique gift shop; the Carroll County Farm Bureau; the Carroll CountyMarket, a restaurant that offers food and live entertainment; Scott Petroleum; andvarious government offices, including the Superintendent of Education, TaxAssessor and Carroll County Extension Service.

Sitting at the southwest corner of the square is Merrill Museum. Housed in abuilding that is believed to have been built in 1834, it is the oldest brick structurein town. Down through the years, the building has served as a store, post office,courtroom (during the construction of the courthouse), furniture and coffinmanufacturing site, and dry cleaner’s.

Carrollton is one of two seats of Carroll County government – the other isVaiden. The Carroll County Courthouse is Carrollton’s second courthouse as thefirst one burned in 1875. The present structure, which is Georgian in style, wasdesigned by James Harris, who also designed Malmaison, the grand home ofGreenwood 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 awardsand recognition for her historic preservation work. Her own home includes theoriginal smokehouse, henhouse, barn and separate kitchen, which has beenrefurbished 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.

EARLY HISTORYIn its early years and with its gently rolling hills, Carrollton became a resort

community for wealthy Delta planters wanting to escape the mosquitoes andintense heat of the long Delta summers. Many of the planters built grand homesand many of those homes still stand. Among them are Stanhope, Shaderest,the James A. Young House, The Oaks, and Cotesworth, built in the 1840s byJ.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 ofthose lawyers was the renowned J.Z. George.

George is famous for having served as Chief Justice of the Mississippi SupremeCourt from 1879-1881 and as a United States Senator from 1881-1897. He alsowrote the current Mississippi Constitution in 1890 and was known as the Father ofthe Department of Agriculture.

The J.Z. George Law Office, circa 1938, still stands on Washington Street, northof the courthouse. It is a white clapboard building that is being refurbished to serveas a private residence.

Other renowned town citizens have included the relatives of Republican

By Glynda Phillips


Carrollton:A Quaint, Historic Town

Stained glass window in Carrollton Baptist Church

Carroll County Courthouse


presidential candidate JohnMcCain; the Billups familyof Billups Oil; the Holman

family of Jitney Jungle fame; andElizabeth Spencer, an award-winningwriter. Family members of retired U.S.Senator Trent Lott also once calledCarrollton home.

Incorporated in 1936, Carrollton isnamed for Charles Carroll of Carrollton,Maryland, a signer of the Declaration ofIndependence. Today, the town boastsapproximately 228 citizens.

THE MCCAIN CONNECTIONU.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 wereboth four-star admirals, the only time in history that has happened with a fatherand son.

Merrill Museum is the proud home of the McCain Collection, which includesmemorabilia from Sen. McCain’s father, grandfather and great-uncles.

HISTORIC BUILDINGSCarrollton boasts a lovingly-restored log community house built by the

Workman’s Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1930s. Back then and stilltoday, the center is used by the citizens of Carrollton.

The town is also home to five historic churches. These include CarrolltonBaptist Church, Carrollton Grace Episcopal Church, Carrollton United MethodistChurch, Carrollton Presbyterian Church, and Bear Marsh M.B. Church.

If you are interested in getting to know Carrollton, several walking tours areavailable. You may obtain maps at Miss Sippy’s, The Carroll County Market, andthe Carroll County Extension Service.

THE 175TH ANNIVERSARYThis year marks the 175th anniversary of Carroll County. The town of

Carrollton will play an active role in the anniversary celebration, which willculminate in a Pioneer Day event to be held sometime this fall.

As part of the Pioneer Day celebration, antique farm equipment will be displayedand Mississippi State University Extension Service area agronomist Ernie Flint willtalk about agriculture and its great contribution to the growth of the county.

Plans currently also include demonstrations of sorghum making, quilting andopen-fire cooking, the crafting of wooden shingles and how to play dulcimersand other old instruments. An old-fashioned post office is planned so you can geta letter canceled with a special commemorative stamp.

For more information about Carrollton and the Carroll County AnniversaryCelebration, contact the Carroll County Extension Service at 662-237-6926 or aCarroll County Development Association board member.

(Top right) Merrill Museum; (Center) Captain Ray House; (Bottom) Carrollton Community House

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87TH ANNUAL MEETING

Katie Vanderslice was crowned Miss Farm Bureau-Mississippi.She represented Jones County. Lindy Lewis of Lincoln Countywas selected Miss Farm Bureau-Mississippi alternate.Vanderslice received a $2,000 scholarship and Lewis received a$1,000 scholarship.

As winner of the Young Farmers and Ranchers State Discussion Meet,Amanda Edwards of Starkville received a Yamaha Big Bear 4-wheelerfrom Got Gear Motorsports, LLC, compliments of Southern FarmBureau (SFB) Life Insurance Company. Making the presentation isRandy Johns of SFB Life Insurance Company.

As State Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award winners,row crop farmers Preston and Amy Arrington of Inverness in Region 8will receive 100 hours use of a John Deere tractor. Making thepresentation is Shelton Echols of John Deere.

Monte Ladner of Carthage was presented the Ag Ambassador Award.This award was created to recognize individuals who have gonebeyond their normal range of activities in promoting Mississippiagriculture. The award isn’t presented every year – only when FarmBureau feels that it has been earned.

Regional Director Arrington Rhett received the Mississippi Penniesdonation from the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Women’sProgram for the Palmer Home for Children in Columbus. He ispictured with State Women’s Committee Chair Dott Arthur.


Dr. Will McCarty of Starkville was presented the DistinguishedService Award, the highest honor Farm Bureau bestows on anindividual. The award is reserved for someone who has trulymade a difference in the lives of Mississippi farmers. McCarty,who retired from the Mississippi State University ExtensionService after 28 years of service, is one of the foremost experts oncotton in the nation.

State Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award winners Prestonand Amy Arrington of Inverness received a new Dodge truck, complimentsof Southern Farm Bureau (SFB) Casualty Insurance Company. Making thepresentation are Robert Jarratt, right, and Rod Moore of SFB CasualtyInsurance Company.

State talent winners and alternates include, front row (from left), Jessica Harthcock ofHolmes County, Talent I winner; Anna Kate McEllhiney of Tishomingo County, Talent Ialternate; and Belinda McNair, Harrison County, Talent II alternate. Back row (fromleft), are Kayla Patterson, Jones County, Talent II alternate; Drew Herring, Scott County,Talent III winner and Alex Goldman, Lauderdale County, Talent II winner.


Jennifer Lott, Child Life Coordinator, Blair E. BatsonHospital for Children in Jackson, is pictured withMississippi Farm Bureau Federation State Women’sCommittee Chair Dott Arthur receiving gifts collectedby the Women’s Program for the hospital’s SantaBag Program.

The 2008 outstanding county Farm Bureau women’s programs, along with the respective countywomen’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; Re-gion 3 – Smith County - Sue Rodgers; Region 4 - Monroe County - Nita Jackson. Front row (fromleft) are Region 2 - Itawamba County - Jan Holley; Region 6 - Jasper County - Grace Sims; andRegion 8 - Carroll County - Betty Taylor.

Dr. David Schweikhardt talked about“The Financial Crisis and Agriculture”during the Farm Bureau Issues Conference.


Rep. David Norquist, Dist. 28, of Cleveland(pictured left) and Sen. Doug Davis, Dist. 1, ofHernando received the Friend of AgricultureAward for their work in supporting andstrengthening state agriculture.

(Right) Safety Conference attendees enjoyeda presentation by Mississippi FarmBureau Federation Senior Safety SpecialistJohn Hubbard.

State Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award winners Preston and Amy Arringtonof Inverness will receive 300 hours use of a Kubota tractor. Making the presentation is CheriParker of Kubota Tractor.

Rick Krause, Sr., Director of RegulatoryRelations with the American Farm BureauFederation, was the featured speaker during theEnvironmental Conference.

Outstanding county Farm Bureauprograms, represented by the respectivecounty president, include (from left):Region 2 – Tishomingo County, JimPerkins; Region 8 – Madison County,Laverne Wilder; Region 7 – ForrestCounty, Charles McMahan; Region 3 –Simpson County, Thomas McAlpin;Region 1 – Bolivar County, LamarAndrews; 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 thePresident’s Award, which recognizes themost outstanding program in the state.

Young Farmers and Ranchers State Discussion Meet winnerAmanda Edwards of Starkville received $850, complimentsof Federal Land Bank Associations of Mississippi. Makingthe presentation is Joe Hayman, CEO of Southern AgCredit (formerly Land Bank South). She also received $500,compliments of Dodge.

Simpson County cattle, poultry and timber farmer Maurice Layton ofMendenhall was awarded the Excellence in Leadership Award. A longtimecounty volunteer leader who also served on the state board, Layton wascited for making a significant contribution to Farm Bureau and agriculturein Mississippi.


The Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) silent and live auctions raisedmoney for the YF&R Foundation, which funds six scholarships.

Jane Jenkins Herlong, center, entertained during the Women’s Breakfast andthe Worship Service. She is pictured with State Women’s Committee ViceChair Shelby Williams, left, and State Women’s Committee Chair Dott Arthur.

Jimmie D. Arthur of Leake County was recognized upon his retirement as astate director after 14 cumulative years of service to the Mississippi FarmBureau Federation.

Deniese Swindoll of DeSoto County is the newly-elected Chair of theRegion 1 Women’s Committee. She is pictured with Shelby Williams, ViceChair of the State Women’s Committee, and Dott Arthur, Chair of the StateWomen’s Committee.

U.S. Congressman Travis Childers, District 1, addressed the opening General Session. He is pictured with MFBF President David Waide and MFBF NorthernDistrict Vice President Donald Gant.3 0 M I S S I S S I P P I F A R M C O U N T R Y M A R C H / A P R I L

Have you heard?about the many benefits of your Farm Bureau membership?You may not know that when you pay your annual membership fee, itincludes many valuable member benefits. Highlighted below are a few ofour benefits. To see a complete list, visit our Web site at www.msfb.com.Take advantage of these benefits available to Farm Bureau® membersONLY. If you are not a member, joining is simple. Contact the FarmBureau office in the county where you live, pay your membership dues,and start enjoying these benefits today!

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. MEMBERSHIP DRAWING

Eight Farm Bureau members, representing one winner fromeach of Farm Bureau’s eight regions, were selected in a ran-dom drawing to receive a $250 check. The drawing includedthe names of all members whose dues had been paid by theOct. 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; Region4 – Atwell Washington, Houlka, Chickasaw County; Region 5 – B & G Equip-ment of Magnolia Inc., Magnolia in Pike County; Region 6 – Zayne Mayers,Meridian in Lauderdale County; Region 7 – Roy M. Vinot, Kiln in HancockCounty; Region 8 – Herbert Goss, Vaiden in Carroll County.

INFORMATION PROGRAM RECOGNIZEDThe Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Public Relations/Information pro-

gram received the Award of Excellence during the 90th Annual Meeting of theAmerican Farm Bureau Federation held in San Antonio, Texas, in January.

The Award of Excellence is presented to outstanding programs servingFarm Bureau members during the previous year.

T-SHIRT WILL BENEFIT FOUNDATION

A special T-shirt is being soldby the Mississippi Farm BureauFederation Young Farmers andRanchers (YF&R) Program tobenefit the YF&R Foundation.The foundation funds sixscholarships that are awardedannually to students with ag-related majors.

The T-shirt carries themessage: Agriculture: Feedingand Clothing the World Since theBeginning of Time. It sells for$12.

For more information, contactNancy Britt at 1.800.227.8244, ext. 4230

WASHINGTON D.C. LEADERSHIP TRIPSecond-year members of the Mississippi Farm BureauFederation Young Farmers and Ranchers State Committee visitWashington D.C. each year. This year’s participants includedAmanda Woods, Brad Woods, Josh Miller, Melanie Miller,Kyle Jeffreys, Heather Dolan, Jody Dolan and Brent Kitchens.


KEENUM IS MSU PRESIDENT

Dr. Mark Keenum became the19th President of Mississippi StateUniversity (MSU) on Jan. 5, 2009,following a distinguished publicservice career.

Dr. Keenum most recentlyserved as U.S. Department ofAgriculture Under Secretary,providing leadership and oversight

for the Farm Service Agency, the Risk Management Agencyand the Foreign Agricultural Service. Prior to that, he servedas U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran’s Chief of Staff, after havingserved for a time as Sen. Cochran’s Legislative Assistant forAgriculture and Natural Resources.

Early in his career, Dr. Keenum worked with theMississippi State University Extension Service and theMississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.Upon receiving his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economicsfrom MSU in 1988, he began teaching and serving as aneconomist in the MSU Department of AgriculturalEconomics. From 1997 through 2006, he served as anAgricultural Economics adjunct professor, teaching anannual seminar course on agricultural legislative policy.

“Farm Bureau is excited about having Dr. Mark Keenumas president of Mississippi State,” said Mississippi FarmBureau Federation President David Waide. “We lookforward to working with him as he leads our state’s largestland-grant institution. We will continue to endeavor tosee that ag budgets are adequately funded because thismeans more to rural Mississippi than any other singleinfluencing factor.”

Mark is married to the former Rhonda Newman and theyhave four children.

CHARLES CLEVELAND RETIRES;BILLY DAVIS FILLS POSITION

Charles Cleveland recently retired after 37years of service to the Mississippi Farm BureauFederation (MFBF). Longtime field auditorBilly Davis was tapped to succeed him as of Jan.1, 2009.

Cleveland, who began his tenure as anaccountant in 1971, most recently served as thefederation’s Chief Financial Officer and asDirector of the Accounting and AdministrativeDepartment. He was also Treasurer of the MFBFBoard of Directors.

Davis has worked in the Accounting andAdministration Department for 18½ years. Hewill fill all of Cleveland’s former positions. Agraduate of Mississippi State University with aBS degree in Accounting, Davis is also aCertified Public Accountant.

An accomplished musician, Davis performedat one time with the Mississippi Wind Symphonyand as a member of the Capital City Stage Band.He is a native of Crystal Springs and served for13 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 inthe growth and development of the MississippiFarm Bureau Federation, and we will miss him,”said MFBF President David Waide. “But weknow that he is leaving his responsibilities in verycapable hands. Billy Davis will do a tremendousjob in his new role with our organization, and wewish him well.”


Charles Cleveland Billy Davis

Charles and Jo Ann Cleveland are pictured withfamily members at the retirement reception heldat the MFBF Building.

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