Lauderdale County Extension Office

10/15/2026

10/15/2026

If you’ve ever spotted those big, bumpy, lime green balls lying under a tree and wondered what they are… It’s the fruit of an Osage orange tree (Maclura pomifera)!

Also called horse apple, bodock, hedge-apple, bodark, bois-d’arc, bow wood, or naranjo chino, this remarkable tree belongs to the Moraceae (mulberry) family.

Though it produces no sawtimber or pulpwood, Osage-orange has been planted more than almost any other tree in North America. Most of the fence posts that “fenced the West” came from Osage-orange trees.

Also, Native Americans used it for bows, and woodcarvers still prize its bright orange-gold heartwood today.

10/14/2026

Bringing research-based information from our professors on campus to 4-H’ers in our community. Join Lauderdale County 4-H for fun, educational programs like this one.

10/09/2026

With a hurricane brewing in the Gulf, it’s a good time to remind ourselves about how to prepare for natural disasters. Don’t forget to prepare your pets for their basic needs to be met in case of emergency!

Some items to consider for your basic disaster kit for pets:
Kennel
Food and water (and bowls)
Collar and leash
Muzzle
Sanitation items
Medications
First aid kit
Toys or comfort items
Photo of pet

Follow Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Mississippi Board of Animal Health for more info.

10/09/2026

Registration is now open for our fall session of Magnolia Moves! The challenge will officially start Monday, Oct. 12!

Magnolia Moves is an Extension walking and activity program designed to show that physical activity comes in many forms: brisk hiking through the woods, tending your garden, jogging through your neighborhood or dancing to your favorite music.

There is no cost to join this 6-week activity program, you set the pace, and you choose the activities to participate in throughout the six weeks.

Just download the MoveSpring app and it will seamlessly sync with a wide range of wearable devices, including your iPhone, Apple Watch, Apple Health, Android, Google Health Connect, Fitbit, and more. Use organization code MSUEXT at signup.

If you have questions, email [email protected]

Learn more here: https://extension.msstate.edu/magnolia-moves



Sponsored by TrueCare

10/08/2026

RSVP Today! (601) 482-9764

Our annual meeting is October 27. We will have William McKinley, the Deer Program Coordinator with MDWFP, giving a Mississippi deer update. Come out and eat with us and let’s talk about deer hunting. Please RSVP so we can make sure to have enough food.

10/08/2026

We had a very successful Cattlemen’s meeting this week!! Great speakers and good food!

Thank you to our sponsors Parish Tractor Company Meridian, Pro Earth Animal Health, Senator Jeff Tate, and Robinson Builders! We couldn’t make this happen without them!

10/08/2026

Attention poultry owners and producers!! We need YOUR help completing this survey, so we know best how we can help you! It only takes a few minutes!

https://msstate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_esoiRwPSDrfpiEC

10/05/2026

Today we went GREEN for National 4-H Week!
All youth ages 5-18 are welcome to join Lauderdale County 4-H! Give us a call at 601-482-9764 if you have any questions or fill out the form online:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=sNtR7YavokWcl3P7OTXfF1CaZXCueIJIovXcyzV_soRUOUc1NUVDMTlWNDVLNjRSNk9NNDFZQTFBNi4u