Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center

05/15/2026

05/15/2026

A big round of applause to our Coastal Resilience Specialist, Andrew Medhurst, on earning his Master of Public Policy and Administration from Mississippi State University! 🎓👏

Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to serving coastal communities are truly inspiring. We are so proud of this incredible accomplishment and excited to see all the great things ahead for you.

Congratulations, Andrew! 👏

Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center Mississippi Sound Estuary Program

05/08/2026

Happy birthday to us!! Today is our birthday, and we're turning 112 years old! Since 1914, we've been connecting, educating and empowering Mississippi communities.

However, we realize we still might be "new" to some people!

Here are some commonly asked questions about us...

Q: What is MSU Extension?
The Extension Service is the statewide, community-based education agency of Mississippi State University. We provide useful, practical education based on the best university research to help Mississippians improve their businesses, strengthen their communities, and live healthier lives.

Our main goal has remained the same for more than 100 years—we connect, educate and empower Mississippi communities.

Agriculture, natural resources, family, health and wellness, government and community development and 4-H youth development are our priorities.

Q: Where are you located?
We are headquartered at the Bost Extension Center on the MSU campus in Starkville AND we have Extension offices in ALL 82 counties. We also have four regional MSU Research and Extension Centers.

Q: How do you get all of your knowledge and resources to people?
Local Extension agents and staff receive training in a wide range of subjects and are ready to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with clients through programs, field days, workshops, consultations, etc. Our on-campus faculty provide training and support, too!

Our goal is to deliver research-proven information to all Mississippians, through face-to-face events and by using digital and print methods. If you have a question, we probably know the answer! If we don’t, we know whom to ask!

Our website is a great resource, too! Visit here: extension.msstate.edu

Q: How do you contact Extension?
You can email, call, or visit in-person with your local Extension agent! Find yours here: http://extension.msstate.edu/county-offices (Each county office is also on Facebook!)

Education. Outreach. Service. We are Extension!

05/01/2026

MSU Extension Head Start expands to Hancock County

Extension Matters Volume 12 Number 1 What’s New in Extension Jamila Taylor, Head Start and Early Head Start Director for the Mississippi State University Extension Service. MSU Extension Head Start expands to Hancock CountyCompiled by Leah Bowers | Photos by Kevin HudsonCommitted to high-quality c...

04/30/2026

Bring the whole family out and join the FUN! All materials provided and everyone leaves with a unique work of art and a beautiful plant to enjoy.
Use the following link to register for this program:
https://reg.extension.msstate.edu/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0081-0004-696840d6dee340e19789ca5ee3173f15

04/30/2026

You can prune azaleas immediately after they have finished their spring bloom period. It is okay to wait until all the azaleas in your landscape have finished blooming to prune them all at once. The best method is to use hand-held pruners and only remove one-third of the overall plant.

For in-depth pruning information, read this Extension publication: https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/pruning-landscape-plants

04/24/2026

Price Impacts of Tariffs on U.S. Imports of Farmed, Peeled, and Frozen Warmwater Shrimp

Abstract
This newsletter examines the monthly selected U.S. shrimp imports and calculated duties from January 2023 to January 2026.
The average shrimp import prices are imputed from the values and volumes of selected shrimp imports.
This newsletter explores the impacts on the imputed average prices of selected U.S. shrimp imports by calculated duties and selected economic factors.
https://extension.msstate.edu/newsletters/mississippi-marketmaker/2026/price-impacts-tariffs-on-us-imports-farmed-peeled-and-frozen-warmwater-shrimp.

04/23/2026

04/16/2026

Mississippi is home to numerous butterflies! Butterflies are pollinators, meaning they move pollen from one flower to another, fertilizing plants so they can reproduce. They’re both beautiful AND beneficial!

BUTTERFLY LIFE CYCLE
A butterfly’s life begins as an egg laid on a host plant. Usually, the eggs are laid on the bottoms of the leaves and can vary widely in shape, form, size, and color. Within 2 weeks, the tiny eggs hatch and tiny caterpillars emerge. The larva consumes the host plant’s leaves and will shed its skin as it grows. In about a month, the larva is ready to form a chrysalis (pupa). After a few weeks, the magical transformation takes place and an adult butterfly emerges. Most adult butterflies live for only a short time. Some species mate and live for just a few days; others are known to live over a year.

FOOD
Generally, there are two types of plants that you must have in your garden for butterflies. One type is a nectar plant; adult butterflies feed on these nectar plants. The second plant is a larval host plant; the immature stage (larva) feeds on this plant. When you plan a butterfly garden, you should plan for both types of plants. You can view our list of recommended nectar and larval plants on our website.

SHELTER
Butterflies need shelter from wind and rain, and a roosting place for the night. Shrub foliage is often used for protection and sleeping quarters. Create a butterfly shelter area by constructing a simple log pile in a corner of the back yard. Simply stack cut logs anywhere from 3 to 5 feet high. Be careful—this provides butterfly shelter but will also provide shelter for other wildlife.