Farmweek Television Show Script

Script from the November 6, 2009 show

>> FORD - TODAY ON FARMWEEK... MISSISSIPPI’S COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE CALLS ON MISSISSIPPI’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND U-S-D-A FOR HELP BEYOND THAT NORMALLY EXPECTED.

>> SPANN - A WELL-KNOWN ANIMAL SCIENTIST WHO’S ALSO “AUTISTIC” DELIVERED THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT “HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND LECTURE SERIES” SPONSORED BY THE M-S-U UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE.

>> FORD - IN SOUTHERN GARDENING.... YOU’LL VISIT A “HUMMINGBIRD HAVEN” IN RAYMOND, MISSISSIPPI.

>> SPANN - IN THE MARKETS... CHICKEN WINGS CONTINUE TO DEMAND A PRICE PREMIUM... WHILE, COTTON IS EXPECTED TO MOVE SIDEWAYS TO HIGHER. JOHN MICHAEL RILEY HAS ANALYSIS.

>> FORD - IN THE FEATURE SEGMENT TODAY... “MISSISSIPPI WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE.” YOU’LL MEET SOME GRADUATES OF THE PROGRAM WHO SAY IT HAS HELPED THEM TO BE MORE CONFIDENT IN HANDLING FARM MANAGEMENT EVEN WHEN IT INCLUDED CARRYING ON AFTER THE DEATH OF A SPOUSE.

>> SANDRA BERRYHILL, FARMER FRANKLIN COUNTY
"WHEN MY HUSBAND GOT SICK, HE TOLD ME, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO GIVE YOU BUT THIS PLACE. BUT IF YOU TAKE CARE OF THIS PLACE, IT'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU. AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE TRY TO DO, I TELL OUR CHILDREN WE HAVE TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF WHAT WE HAVE, WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO, UM, TO KEEP IT GOING."

(MUSIC)

>>> SPELL LETTER

>> SPANN - GOOD DAY, EVERYONE, I’M LEIGHTON SPANN

>> FORD - AND I’M ARTIS FORD, WELCOME TO FARMWEEK. MISSISSIPPI’S TOP ELECTED AG-OFFICIAL CALLS FOR “ABOVE NORMAL” HELP FOR MISSISSIPPI’S FARMERS.

>> SPANN - ARTIS, DR. LESTER SPELL, MISSISSIPPI’S COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE REQUESTED THE HELP ON MONDAY. HE ADDRESSED IT TO MISSISSIPPI’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

>>>> SS IN A STATEMENT RELEASED BY HIS OFFICE, SPELL CALLED ON THEM “TO SUPPORT LEGISLATIVE MEASURES BEYOND NORMAL U-S-D-A DISASTER PROGRAMS. SPELL SAID MISSISSIPPI FARMERS NEEDED THE ASSISTANCE BECAUSE OF MANY HAVE LOST ALL OR LARGE PORTIONS OF THEIR TO THE RAIN. THE MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS PLACES LOSSES SO FAR AT $485 MILLION DOLLARS. THOSE LOSSES HAVE OCCURRED IN LESS 45-DAYS. OVERALL, THAT ESTIMATED TO BE 30% OF MISSISSIPPI’S CROP VALUE. IT’S ESTIMATED THE SWEET POTATO HAS LOST 64% OF ITS VALUE, COTTON, 48%, SOYBEANS, 44%, PEANUTS, 35%, RICE, 12%

>> FORD - LET’S CHECK ON THE CONDITION OF MISSISSIPPI’S CROPS AS WE ENTER NOVEMBER..... THE HARVEST OF OUR LATE-PLANTED CROP FINALLY GOT IN A WEEK THIS WEEK OF SUNSHINE, BUT MANY ARE STILL “MUDDING” THIS CROP OUT.

THIS REPORT, REFLECTS CONDITIONS AS OF SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, SO IT DOES NOT REFLECT THE PROGRESS MADE THIS WEEK...

>> SPANN - THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP THAT EXISTS BETWEEN HUMANS AND ANIMALS WAS THE FOCUS OF AN ANNUAL EVENT AT MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY LAST MONTH. THE COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE WELCOMED NOTED ANIMAL SCIENTIST TEMPLE GRANDIN OF COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOR THE HUMAN-ANIMAL-BOND LECTURE SERIES. AT ONE OF SEVERAL APPEARANCES ON OCTOBER 20TH, GRANDIN FOCUSED ON THE TOPIC, “PRINCIPLES OF ANIMAL HANDLING.” SHE TOLD C-V-M STUDENTS AND FACULTY THAT A CALM ANIMAL IS EASIER TO HANDLE, NO MATTER WHAT SIZE IT IS.

>> TEMPLE GRANDIN, PH.D. PROFESSOR OF ANIMAL SCIENCE COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY: “ONCE AN ANIMAL GETS ALL SCARED, AND FEARFUL AND AGITATED, IT TAKES 20 MINUTES FOR THEM TO CALM BACK DOWN. THE SECRET IS DON’T GET THEM ALL EXCITED TO START WITH. NOW I’LL TELL YOU ANOTHER LITTLE SECRET ON LIVESTOCK HANDLING - NON-SLIP FLOORING. AND THAT APPLIES TO EVERYTHING, BOTH LARGE AND SMALL. AN ANIMAL STARTS SLIPPING LIKE THIS, THE ANIMAL STARTS SCAMPING. AND THE DOG ON THE TABLE, FEET SKIDDING ALL AROUND AND PANICKING. NOW THE SECRET IS NOT TO GET THE ANIMAL ALL EXCITED IN THE FIRST PLACE.” GRANDIN IS KNOWN FOR HER SOMETIMES CONTROVERSIAL OPINIONS ON THE PSYCHOLOGY AND HANDLING OF LIVESTOCK. SHE SAYS ANIMALS ARE SENSORY-BASED THINKERS, WITH MEMORIES CONSISTING OF PICTURES, SMELLS AND SOUNDS. HALF OF THE CATTLE IN THE UNITED STATES ARE HANDLED IN A CENTER- TRACK RESTRAINER SYSTEM THAT WAS DESIGNED BY TEMPLE GRANDIN.

>> FORD - ACTIVITY IN OUR GARDENS INCREASES IN EARLY FALL AS RUBY THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS MIGRATE TO THE SOUTH. IN THIS WEEK'S SOUTHERN GARDENING SEGMENT EXTENSION HORTICULTURIST NORMAN WINTER SHOWS US A GARDEN THAT YOU MIGHT CALL A “HUMMINGBIRD HAVEN.”

>> NORMAN WINTER, EXTENSION HORTICULTURIST, MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY. SEVERAL YEARS AGO WE SHOWED YOU THE HUMMINGBIRD HAVEN THAT BELONGS TO S.W. AND NATALIE JORDAN IN RAYMOND MISSISSIPPI. WELL, WE'RE BACK AND SO ARE THE HUMMERS! THE RUBY THROATED HUMMINGBIRD FLIES THOUSANDS OF MILES TO COME TO NORTH AMERICA WHERE THEY BREED, AND OF COURSE FEED. IN THE FALL, THEY TRAVEL BACK TO MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA, WHERE THEY SPEND THE WINTER MONTHS. MRS. JORDAN HAS BEEN FEEDING HUMMINGBIRDS FOR ABOUT 36 YEARS AND HAS PLANTED EXTENSIVELY TO PROVIDE NECTAR RICH FLOWERS FOR THESE DARTING ACROBATS. PLANTS LIKE SALVIAS, CLEOMES, CAPE HONEYSUCKLE AND CUPHEAS ARE SOME OF HER FAVORITES. THE JORDAN HOME HAS MORE HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS THAN YOU MIGHT NORMALLY SEE IN A GARDEN. IN FACT, MRS. JORDAN USES OVER FIVE POUNDS OF SUGAR A DAY IN MAKING HER SPECIAL FORMULA OF HUMMINGBIRD FOOD. HER RECIPE FOR SUCCESS IS 3 AND HALF CUPS OF WATER TO ONE CUP OF SUGAR. THE SOLUTION IS BROUGHT TO A BOIL AND THEN LET COOL. AS YOU CAN TELL BY THE ACTIVITY THE RECIPE WORKS. HUMMINGBIRDS ARE UNIQUE CREATURES WHEN IT COMES TO EATING. WHEN FEEDING, THEY LICK UP TO 13 TIMES A SECOND. THEY EAT EVERY 10 TO 15 MINUTES FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET, AND DEVOUR MORE THAN HALF THEIR WEIGHT IN FOOD. BY PLANTING FLOWERS WITH AN OVERLAPPING SEASON OF BLOOM AND USING HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS, YOU TOO CAN HAVE A HUMMINGBIRD HAVEN LIKE THE JORDANS IN RAYMOND, MISSISSIPPI. I'M NORMAN WINTER FOR SOUTHERN GARDENING.

>> FORD - NORMAN SAYS WHETHER YOU ARE TRYING TO ATTRACT HUMMINGBIRDS OR BUTTERFLIES THE RULE IS THE SAME, “NO PESTICIDES.” TIME NOW FOR THE MARKETS WITH LEIGHTON SPANN. BEFORE THAT.... IN OUR FEATURE SEGMENT TODAY... SEE HOW THE “MISSISSIPPI WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE” PROGRAM HAS HELPED THREE FARM WOMEN INCREASE THEIR AGRIBUSINESS SKILLS.

>> FORD - TIME FOR THE MARKETS WITH LEIGHTON. AND THE PRIVATE PREDICTIONS ABOUT TUESDAY’S CROP REPORT ARE ROLLING OUT.

>> SPANN - INFORMA CUT BOTH CORN AND SOYBEAN PRODUCTION IN THE U.S. F-C STONE, MEANWHILE, REDUCED CORN, BUT RAISED SOYBEAN PRODUCTION. WE’LL ALL GET THE U.S.D.A. NUMBERS ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH. IN THIS SEGMENT... COTTON PRICES SEEM TO FLIP-FLOP ALL WEEK. U.S. PORK EXPORTS MAY IMPROVE. WHILE DEMAND CONTINUES STRONG FOR CHICKEN WINGS. COTTON PRICES HAVE MOVED FROM POSITIVE TO NEGATIVE, BACK TO POSITIVE TERRITORY AS THIS WEEK WENT ALONG. CROP PROGRESS NUMBERS, THE WEAKER DOLLAR AND STRONGER STOCK MARKET HAVE ALL BEEN SUPPORTIVE. BUT OUTSIDE MARKETS AND FUND ACTIVITY HAVE BEEN NEGATIVE TO PRICES. EXTENSION ECONOMIST JOHN MICHAEL RILEY IS HERE TO PUT IT ALL IN PERSPECTIVE. THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY IS REFLECTED IN THE THIRD QUARTER NUMBERS FROM EQUIPMENT MAKER CASE- I-H. PARENT COMPANY CASE-NEW HOLLAND REPORTS AG EQUIPMENT SALES WERE DOWN 23-PERCENT COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD IN 2008. AND CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT SALES WERE EVEN WORSE, DOWN 56-PERCENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER. MEANWHILE, LUMBER MANUFACTURING CONTINUES TO DEAL WITH BOTH WEATHER AND MARKET ISSUES THESE DAYS. THIS MEANS SOME MILLS OPEN FOR AWHILE AS OTHERS CLOSE FOR AWHILE. THE WOOD- WIRE REPORTS SHUQUALAK LUMBER IN EAST MISSISSIPPI HAS RESUMED LIMITED PRODUCTION, WHILE TRYING TO BUILD-UP LOG INVENTORY. IN NORTH CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI HANKINS LUMBER HAS ANNOUNCED IT IS TAKING DOWN ITS SAWMILL AND PLANER IN GRENADA UNTIL MARCH DUE TO MARKET CONDITIONS. A LOOK AT OUR TRIVIA QUESTION BRINGS US TO THE HALF-WAY POINT OF THE MARKETS. WHAT 2 MISSISSIPPI COUNTIES ARE IN THE “TOP 10" AS FAR AS U.S. BROILER PRODUCTION ? HERE ARE THE CHOICES - YOU PICK TWO... JEFFERSON DAVIS... SCOTT... CHOCTAW... AND SMITH... THE CORRECT ANSWERS ARE COMING UP...

>> FORD - WE’RE GOING TO PAUSE NOW FOR A BREAK ON FARMWEEK--- COMING UP, WE’LL LOOK AT CALENDAR AND THE REST OF THE MARKETS. LEIGHTON REPORTS CATTLE PRICES MAY FIRM UP IN 2010 WHILE CHICKEN MARKET IS STILL “WINGING IT.”> IN THE FEATURE SEGMENT TODAY— MANY MISSISSIPPI WOMEN ARE VITAL PARTS OF THEIR FAMILIES’ FARM OPERATION. FIND OUT HOW MANY ARE INCREASING THEIR BUSINESS SKILLS EVEN MORE..

>> FORD: BEFORE WE GET BACK TO THE MARKETS, LET’S LOOK AT THE FARMWEEK CALENDAR.... CUT FLOWER GROWERS WANTING TO REACH NEW MARKETS SHOULD CONSIDER ATTENDING A REGIONAL SHORT COURSE IN MEMPHIS. IT TAKES PLACE TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH AND 18TH. THE LOCATION IS HILTON MEMPHIS HOTEL THE COST IS $85 IF YOU PRE-REGISTER AND $125 DOLLARS AT THE DOOR. THE SINGLE DAY COST IS $70. THE “ROLLING THE DICE WITH CUT FLOWERS” THEME WILL COVER CHANGING TRENDS, MARKETING, ORGANIC PRODUCTION AND MANY OTHER TOPICS. WE’LL HAVE LINK TO GET A REGISTRATION FORM ON-LINE.

THE MISSISSIPPI WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE PROGRAM IS OFFERING TWO OF ITS “ADVANCED CLASSES.” THESE ARE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY TAKEN ITS “INTRODUCTORY” SESSIONS. THE FIRST ADVANCED CLASS WILL BE HELD NOVEMBER 17TH AND 18TH AT THE FORREST COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE OFFICE IN HATTIESBURG AT THE FAIRGROUNDS. YOU NEED TO REGISTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR IT. ANOTHER ADVANCED SESSION WILL BE HELD JANUARY 15TH AND 16TH AT MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY IN STARKVILLE. THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE THERE IS JANUARY 5TH. THE 2009 ROW CROP SHORT COURSE WILL TAKE PLACE AT MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY DECEMBER 7-9. ALL MAJOR ROW CROPS WILL BE COVERED. IT TAKES PLACE AT THE BOST CONFERENCE CENTER.>>>> GO TO OUR FARMWEEK WEB SITE AT FARMWEEK.MSUCARES.COM FOR INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER EVENTS. NOW, CHECK OUT THIS “FARMWEEK SNAPSHOT.”

CHINA IS LIFTING ITS BAN ON IMPORTS OF U.S. PORK. AMERICAN HOG PRODUCERS TEMPORARILY LOST THIS IMPORTANT FOREIGN MARKET LAST MAY DUE TO FEARS ABOUT THE H-1-N-1 VIRUS. MARK PEARSON REPORTS.

>> MARK PEARSON REPORTING
“PRIOR TO THE BAN, CHINA WAS THE FASTEST GROWING MARKET FOR U.S. PORK EXPORTS AND HAD PURCHASED 560 MILLION DOLLARS TO 700 MILLION DOLLARS OF PORK PRODUCTS IN 2008. THE BAN CLOSED THE MARKET FOR AMERICAN PORK IN CHINA AND COST THE INDUSTRY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS A WEEK. NO DATE HAS BEEN SET FOR LIFTING THE BAN BUT SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE TOM VILSACK HAILED IT AS A VICTORY NONE THE LESS, AND SAID CHINA’S INTENT TO REMOVE ITS H-1-N-1 RELATED BAN ON U.S. PORK MARKS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN COOPERATION BETWEEN THE COUNTRIES ON AGRICULTURE ISSUES. SINCE THE VIRAL OUTBREAK, AS MANY AS 16 NATIONS HAVE BANNED AMERICAN PORK.”

>>> L.S./CHICKEN WINGS
MOVING TO POULTRY, CHICKEN WINGS CONTINUE TO SELL FOR MORE THAN BONELESS, SKINLESS BREAST MEAT -

>>>> SS in WHICH IS TRADITIONALLY THE HIGHEST-PRICED PART OF THE BIRD. IT IS, ACCORDING TO INDUSTRY ANALYSTS, AN UNEXPECTED TREND, BUT ONE NOT EXPECTED TO END RIGHT AWAY. THE NATIONAL CHICKEN COUNCIL REPORTS THAT IN THE NORTHEAST U.S., WINGS ARE SELLING AT A 43-CENT PREMIUM TO BREAST MEAT.

>>> L.S./CATTLE ANALY.
IN THE BEEF SECTOR, ANALYSTS SEEM TO THINK PRICES WILL BE FIRMING-UP IN 2010 AS THE ECONOMY RECOVERS. THERE IS NOW A SMALLER NATIONAL HERD, AND SOME INDICATION THAT DEMAND FOR BEEF IS PICKING-UP.

>>>> SOT/VIDEO
>>>TOMM PFITZENMAIER
SUMMIT COMMODITIES
“YOU KNOW THIS G-D-P NUMBER IS A LITTLE INDICATOR THAT MAYBE THINGS ARE STARTING TO IMPROVE A LITTLE BIT. AND THAT’S WHAT WE NEED TO HAVE HAPPEN. IT’S NOT GONNA BE THAT GREAT THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS BECAUSE YOU GOT THE HAM AND TURKEY AND ALL THAT COMPETITION OVER THE NEXT 60 DAYS OR SO, BUT AFTER THAT I THINK YOU COULD START TO SEE THINGS FIRM-UP A LITTLE ON THE BEEF SIDE.”

>>> L.S./TRIVIA ANSWER
WE CLOSE THE MARKETS WITH OUR DOUBLE ANSWER TO THE TRIVIA QUESTION.

>>>> SS in “B” AND “D” ARE CORRECT. BOTH SCOTT AND SMITH COUNTIES IN MISSISSIPPI ARE IN THE TOP TEN U.S. COUNTIES AS FAR AS BROILER PRODUCTION.

>>> WOMEN IN AG
>> TAYLOR - IN THE FEATURE SEGMENT TODAY, A PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR FARM WOMEN IS INSPIRING PARTICIPANTS TO STEP UP TO THE FORE-FRONT IN THEIR AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS. “MISSISSIPPI WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE” HAS A VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN WHO WISH TO GAIN BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE, INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY, OR EVEN START A BUSINESS. WOMEN IN THE PROGRAM TESTIFY THAT THEY FEEL QUALIFIED NOW TO ASSIST THEIR SPOUSES AND BUSINESS PARTNERS. THEY CLAIM THEY HAVE LEARNED VALUE OF INDEPENDENCE, IN CASE THEY MUST BECOME THE PRIMARY OPERATORS OF THEIR FARMS OR ENTERPRISES.

>>>> TAKE PKG
>> REPORTER: AMY TAYLOR
FARM WOMEN IN WITH A PASSION TO SUCCEED ARE INCREASING THEIR BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THROUGH THE MISSISSIPPI WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE PROGRAM. PARTICIPANTS LIKE DELEAN ROBERTSON, SANDRA BERRYHILL AND JAN HOLLEY CLAIM THE PROGRAM HELPS MAXIMIZE THEIR ROLES IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, WHICH HAS BECOME CRITICAL TO THEIR SUCCESS. OLLEY SAYS M-W-I-A HAS BEEN A VALUABLE TOOL SINCE STARTING AN AGRI-TOURISM BUSINESS ON HER ROW CROP FARM IN FULTON.

>>JAN HOLLEY, ROW CROP FARMER, FULTON, MS
"WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE HAS MEANT A LOT TO ME IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. IT HAS GIVEN ME THE SELF-CONFIDENCE THAT I NEEDED TO TAKE AN IDEA THAT I HAD IN MY HEAD AND DEVELOP IT INTO THE BUSINESS OF AGRI-TOURISM THAT WE NOW HAVE ON OUR FARM. NOT ONLY HAS IT GIVEN ME THE SELF CONFIDENCE THAT I NEEDED, BUT IT HAS GIVEN ME A NETWORK OF PEOPLE THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DRAW ON."

>> REPORTER:
M-W-I-A PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN TO INTERACT THROUGH ITS EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS, SEMINARS AND AN ANNUAL STATE CONFERENCE. PROGRAM COORDINATOR SONIA HANCOCK SAYS WOMEN CAN LEARN FROM A VARIETY OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TOPICS.

>> SONIA HANCOCK, COORDINATOR MS WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE
"WE DO COVER INFORMATION ON HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SO INDIVIDUALS CAN LEARN TO WORK BETTER WITH THEIR EMPLOYEES AND MAYBE THE BUSINESS ASSOCIATES. WE ALSO INCLUDE HOW TO PREPARE FOR BORROWING MONEY FROM A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, RISK MANAGEMENT, HOW TO DEAL WITH THE MANY RISKS THAT WE ENCOUNTER IN A FARMING OPERATION, ESTATE PLANNING. THE WOMEN IN AG PROGRAM IS HELD DUE TO A GRANT THAT WE WERE AWARDED THROUGH U-S-D-A, IT COMES THROUGH THE SOUTHERN RISK EDUCATION CENTER THROUGH MISSISSIPPI STATE AND SOUTHERN RURAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER. "

>> REPORTER:
WOMEN CLAIM THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN MISSISSIPPI WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE HELPS THEM PREPARE FOR THE EXPECTED AND THE UNEXPECTED CIRCUMSTANCES. SANDRA BERRYHILL, OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, SAYS SHE IS BETTER ABLE TO RUN HER FARM AND TAKE CARE OF HER SEVEN CHILDREN AFTER HER HUSBAND PASSED AWAY 3 YEARS AGO. BERRYHILL TALKS ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE WITH THE PROGRAM.

>> SANDRA BERRYHILL, FARMER FRANKLIN COUNTY
"THEY TAUGHT US A LOT ABOUT HOW TO MAKE LOANS, HOW TO KEEP RECORDS, HOW TO MANAGE YOUR CREDIT SCORE, WE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT FARM CREDIT. ESTATE PLANNING. WHETHER YOU HAVE CHILDREN, OR IF YOU DON'T, YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT FARM SUCCESSION, BECAUSE SOMEBODY IS GOING TO END UP WITH YOUR PLACE, AND YOU NEED TO MAKE PLANS FOR THAT, YOU KNOW IF YOU WANT YOUR PLACE TO CONTINUE AS A FARM. WHEN I FIRST STARTED HAVING TO MAKE DECISIONS I WOULD SECOND GUESS MYSELF A LOT. BUT ONCE I WENT TO THE WOMEN IN AG CONFERENCE, I KNEW I HAD THE TOOLS TO MAKE THE GOOD DECISIONS. AND I JUST BECAME A LOT MORE CONFIDENT WHEN I WENT TO SELL TIMBER."

>> REPORTER:
BERRYHILL EMPHASIZES THAT BEING PREPARED TO BECOME THE PRIMARY DECISION-MAKER OF A BUSINESS OR FARM IS CRUCIAL BECAUSE THE UNEXPECTED CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE. IN ADDITION TO BECOMING WELL-PREPARED, SONIA HANCOCK CLAIMS INTEREST HAS GROWN IN USING COMPUTER PROGRAMS AND OTHER TECHNOLOGIES FOR BUSINESS.

>>SONIA HANCOCK, COORDINATOR
MS WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE
"WE HAVE OFFERED QUICKBOOKS RECORD KEEPING PROGRAM. AND THEY'RE WANTING TO USE THE TECHNOLOGY OF RECORD KEEPING PROGRAMS ON THE COMPUTER. IN ADDITION TO THAT, THEY ARE WANTING TO LEARN TO DO WEB PAGES AND EVEN BLOGGING TO PROMOTE THEIR AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS."

>> REPORTER:
DELEAN ROBERTSON OF PIKE COUNTY TESTIFIES THAT USING UPDATED TECHNOLOGY IS EXTREMELY USEFUL IN MANAGING HER POULTRY FARM.

>> DELEAN ROBERTSON, POULTRY FARMER PIKE COUNTY
"IT WAS WHAT I NEED TO HELP OUR FARM BECOME MORE PRODUCTIVE AND TO KNOW, TO KNOW, WHAT AREAS WE CAN IMPROVE IN AND TO KEEP TRACK MORE OF WHAT WE'RE DOING, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE'RE MAKING IMPROVEMENTS, WHEN WE'RE HAVING BREAK DOWNS, YOU KNOW, TO KEEP INVENTORY, IT WILL LET ME KNOW WHAT I HAVE ON HAND AND WHEN I NEED TO RE ORDER THINGS."

>> REPORTER:
ROBERTSON SAYS SHE NOW FEELS MORE QUALIFIED TO SUPPORT HER HUSBAND AND LEND HER INPUT ON MANAGING THE FARM. JAN HOLLEY SAYS BEING AROUND WOMEN WITH SIMILAR INTERESTS HELPS BOOST HER CREATIVITY AND MAKE USE OF WHAT SHE CALLS HER PACK-RAT TENDENCIES.

>> JAN HOLLEY, ROW CROP FARMER FULTON, MS
"I THINK IT GAVE ME PERMISSION TO BE THE PERSON THAT I HAD INSIDE. I WILL GO SOME PLACE ELSE OR VISIT SOME PLACE ELSE OR TALK TO ANOTHER WOMAN WHO HAS USED A SIMILAR IDEA. AND SO I CAN COME BACK HOME AND I CAN USE ALL OF MY STACKED THINGS THAT I HAVE FOUND HERE AND THERE AND I CAN UH, PUT YOU KNOW, MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF THEM"

>> REPORTER:
HOLLEY EXPLAINS THAT BEING PART OF A SIX-GENERATION FARM HAS FOSTERED PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO USE WHAT SHE HAS LEARNED TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE FOR THE BUSINESS. DELEAN ROBERTSON SAYS BEING AROUND WOMEN OPENS MORE DOORS FOR COMMUNICATING AND GATHERING INFORMATION.
>> DELEAN ROBERTSON, POULTRY FARMER PIKE COUNTY
"WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WITH EACH OTHER, MEN TEND TO , YOU KNOW, THEY SAY VERY FEW WORDS, SO YOU DON'T GET MUCH INFORMATION.
IT SEEMS YOU CAN GET MORE INFORMATION FROM OTHER WOMEN."
>> REPORTER:
ROBERTSON SAYS BECOMING A KNOWLEDGEABLE BUSINESS WOMAN AND PRODUCER HAS BEEN A REWARDING EXPERIENCE.
>> DELEAN ROBERTSON, POULTRY FARMER PIKE COUNTY
"IT'S JUST VERY FULFILLING TO KNOW THAT YOU CAN WORK WITH YOUR HANDS TO PRODUCE SOMETHING, TO MAKE SOMETHING GROW, TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. IT'S SUPPLYING A NEED IN OUR ECONOMY, AND IN OUR SOCIETY. AND IT'S JUST, IT'S VERY REWARDING."

>> REPORTER:
ROBERTSON SAYS HER EXPERIENCE WITH M-W-I-A WILL BE USEFUL IN THE FUTURE AS SHE EXPANDS HER FARM INTO MORE FACETS OF AGRICULTURE. SANDRA BERRYHILL SAYS SHE HAS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE A GOOD STEWARD TO THE LAND.

>> REPORTER:
BERRYHILL CLAIMS THAT TEACHING THESE PRINCIPLES TO YOUNGER GENERATIONS WILL HELP ENSURE THE VALUE OF AGRICULTURE IN THE FUTURE. SONIA HANCOCK ENCOURAGES ANY WOMAN INTERESTED IN AGRICULTURE TO GET INVOLVED IN THE MISSISSIPPI WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE PROGRAM.

>> SONIA HANCOCK, COORDINATOR MS WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE
"IF YOU'RE A LADY, YOU'RE INTERESTED IN AGRICULTURE, NO MATTER THE ROLE YOU PLAY IN THE FIELD, BE IT A WIFE, A DAUGHTER, AN OWNER, YOU'LL LEARN A LOT OF INFORMATION IN ADDITION TO BEING ABLE TO NETWORK WITH WOMEN THAT HAVE THE SAME INTERESTS."

>> REPORTER:
PARTICIPANTS SAY BUSINESS PARTNERS AND SPOUSES ARE ALSO GRATEFUL TO MISSISSIPPI WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE FOR HELPING THEM PLAY GREATER ROLES AND ADD DIVERSITY TO THE INDUSTRY. I'M AMY TAYLOR, REPORTING.

>> TAYLOR
GO TO OUR FARMWEEK WEB SITE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS STORY AGAIN. THAT’S FARMWEEK-DOT-MSU-CARES-DOT-COM. WE’LL HAVE THE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE MISSISSIPPI WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE PROGRAM OFFERED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE.

>>>> CHANGE SS
THE PROGRAM HAS SEVERAL INSTRUCTIONAL SESSIONS COMING UP. ADVANCED FARM BUSINESS CLASSES WILL BE HELD NOVEMBER 17TH AND 18TH AT THE FORREST COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE IN HATTIESBURG. ANOTHER ADVANCED SESSION WILL BE HELD JANUARY 15TH AND 16TH AT MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY’S CAMPUS IN STARKVILLE.

>>>> CHANGE SS
COME JANUARY, “NX-LEVEL ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAINING WILL BE OFFERED THROUGH THE EXTENSION SERVICE’S DISTANCE EDUCATION NETWORK AT AN OFFICE NEAR YOU. IT WILL ALSO BE OFFERED ON THURSDAY NIGHTS AT THE FORREST COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE IN HATTIESBURG

>>>> CHANGE SS
THIS MARCH 11TH AND 12TH MISSISSIPPI WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL STATE CONFERENCE AT MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY IN STARKVILLE.

>>> PAD / PROMO
>> FORD - WE'RE AT THE END OF FARMWEEK FOR THIS WEEK... ON OUR NEXT SHOW,
MANY LANDOWNERS WITH “OFF-FARM INCOME” USUALLY PLANT TREES...

>> SPANN - NEXT WEEK, YOU’LL MEET A MISSISSIPPI MAN WHO SAYS CATTLE ARE A BETTER DEAL. “SHAWN MERCER” OF RICHTON SAYS “STOCKER COWS” DELIVER HIM A BETTER RATE OF RETURN THAN PINE TREES.

>> FORD - IN SOUTHERN GARDENING... HUMMINGBIRDS-TWO...THE SEQUEL! FIND OUT WHAT TO PLANT TO ATTRACT HUMMINGBIRDS TO YOUR HOME. FOR THE REST OF THE FARMWEEK CREW, I'M ARTIS FORD...

>> SPANN - AND I’M LEIGHTON SPANN. THANKS FOR WATCHING AND WE’LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.