Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Farms, Food, Fiber & Fun

Farms, Food, Fiber & Fun was exactly what third grade school classes learned about last week at the Mid-South Fair. All the DeSoto County Mississippi State University Extension Service staff in addition county staff from several surrounding counties were all hands on deck at the Mid-South Fair in Southaven, MS for FARMtastic. 
DeSoto County Extension Agents Lara Angel and Jessica Lindsey helped teach roping and the art of rodeo in Mississippi. They even got to practice their riding and roping skills....Farming is not all work and no play!    
FARMtastic is an agriculture educational event seeking to increase awareness about agriculture, food, fiber, and natural resource systems. Oktibbeha County Extension agent Julie White coordinated the event. The event was sponsored by the Mississippi State University Extension Service incorporation with Mississippi Farm Bureau and other agriculture organizations, in addition to many volunteers.

 A special thank you to our Master Gardeners here in DeSoto County for being able to help! 
 Thank you DeSoto County Master Gardeners! 
FARMtastic took place September 24-27. School groups (3rd graders from DeSoto County in addition to surrounding counties) toured the exhibit Wednesday through Friday by appointment and then it was open to the public Saturday. Through hands on learning activities, third-graders were introduced to agriculture topics including livestock, forestry, agronomy, and horticulture. For more information about this event or anything else related to Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, and 4-H Youth Development please contact our county office at 662-469-8480. 

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

To act, dream, & believe...

After trying to wait patiently the past few weeks I now have an official ID number, email, etc. with Mississippi State University. Here is my new contact information if you ever need to get in touch with your Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent:

Lara Savage Angel
lcs345@msstate.edu 
3260 Highway 51 S.
Hernando, MS 38632
(662) 469-8480

Now that you have my contact information please send me yours. I am collecting contacts for my mailing list that I hope to start in the near future. On the right sidebar of this blog you will find "Mailing List Sign-Up Form". I promise it will only take a few seconds of your time. Thanks!

Sometimes people or processes do not always ACT as fast as we want them to. If we are patient usually we get what we need and want within due timing. We simply must trust, have faith, and BELIEVE. Needless to say I have been waiting for this day, since I first arrived at MSU-ES. I should have simply looked at my wall to get comfort! I have this huge piece of wall art hanging in my office. It says, "To accomplish great things WE must not only ACT but also DREAM not only plan but also BELIEVE." My goal is to keep this inspirational quote at the forefront of my mind in the upcoming weeks, months, and years as I strive to create a Family and Consumer Science program here in DeSoto County. So if you see me I might be going in a thousand different directions. My mind might be wondering off somewhere in the blue, because I might be dreaming of future programs and projects to start here that I know and believe we can make happen here in DeSoto County, Mississippi!

Last, but not least, I wanted to give a big shout out to my Kentucky friends. They are hosting the National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences National Meeting in Lexington, Kentucky this week. While here in Mississippi I am thinking about y'all and wearing my blue in support of UK & NEAFCS! Hope ya'll are having an awesome week.

Now to ACT, DREAM and BELIEVE more...

Monday, September 15, 2014

New Beginnings

My name is Lara Savage Angel. I am the County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences in DeSoto County, Mississippi as of September 1, 2014. I work for Mississippi State University Extension Service. I am excited to be here, and I am ready to serve you!

You might be asking yourself, “What in the world is a County Extension Agent?”, “What is Family and Consumer Sciences?” “Mississippi State University Extension Service--what is that?” Or maybe you are thinking “Who does this lady think she is?” All of these questions are valid, and it is my hope that this blog will help explain these questions. In addition it is my hope that this blog will help answer them. In addition, it is my hope that this blog will provide you with up-to-date, research based information, and upcoming ways on how you can get involved in local educational programs that you can get involved in local educational programs. It is our mission to enable Mississippians to make informed decisions about their economic, social, and cultural well-being.
 
Family and Consumer Sciences Extension builds strong families for Mississippi through programs that educate and help families connect research-based knowledge in the areas of health, home, and family to their everyday lives. We encourage people to be healthy through good nutrition and food safety, to make wise financial decisions, and to balance the demands of life and work. Our programs focus on health, home, and family in order to develop each family's skills to improve their lives, including meal planning, parenting, building relationships, home management, and financial decision-making.
 
The DeSoto County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension program is committed to improving the quality of life for individuals and families resulting in strong families for Mississippi. The "County Extension Agent" is the local face of the university that extends research based information and knowledge in order to change lives locally for a better Mississippi. Currently, I am brand new to Mississippi, so as I am learning the ropes around DeSoto County and the Mississippi State University Extension Service. I have 5 years of experience with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and 2.75 years of experience with UT Extension. In the upcoming weeks and months, it is my plan to build relationships and partners in the community and start a Family and Consumer Science Extension advisory council. This will aid in pinpointing the local needs of our county for future programs and projects. Hopefully, through this blog, I will be able to keep you informed about upcoming programs and events as they occur.
Family and Consumer Science Extension is a small component of a larger system called Mississippi State University Extension Service. Mississippi State University Extension Service provides practical education you can trust, to help Mississippians solve problems and build a better future. We do not try to sell special products. We simply are a source of information and recommendations that are research and evidence based. In addition to Family and Consumer Sciences MSU-ES also offers programs in the areas of 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Horticulture, and Community & Resource Development.
Check out our website at msucares.com. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to leave a comment or contact me at the DeSoto County office at (662)469-8480. Our office is located at 3260 Highway 51 South in Hernando, MS. Stop by and see us sometime!

Official Annoucement of New DeSoto County Extension Agent for FCS

This morning Dr. Joy Anderson, County Coordinator for DeSoto County Extension Service, got the privilege of introducing me, Lara Angel, to the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors. This is one of the many things to be marked off the new agent hiring checklist.  It has been a decade + since this county has been served by a County Extension Agent for FCS. The possibilities are endless now that this announcement is official!