Clay County Extension Office

08/12/2026

08/12/2026

Master Gardener registration is officially OPEN!!! If you have any questions about registration, contact your county's MSU Extension office! Find yours here: https://extension.msstate.edu/county-offices

Wait, what's a Master Gardener??? It's a great way to learn more about plants, make friends with similar interests and volunteer in the community!!

Take the leap and sign up: https://extension.msstate.edu/community/leadership/master-gardener

08/07/2026

A great day at our Multi-County Soybean & Corn Variety Tour yesterday! We appreciate everyone who came out to hear about the latest corn and soybean varieties, as well as production practices. Thank you to our specialists, seed suppliers, growers, and many others who helped make this event a success!

08/05/2026

Here’s your veggie planting guide for August! Some of the vegetables you can plant in your garden this month include...

Snap Beans (pole)
Lima Beans (bush & pole)
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Southern Peas
Peppers
Summer Squash
Tomato (plants)

Planting times will vary by area.

Read our Mississippi Vegetable Gardener’s Guide for TONS of great info: https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/mississippi-vegetable-gardeners-guide

Contact your county’s Extension agent for localized guidance! Find yours here:
https://extension.msstate.edu/county-offices

08/04/2026

Help spread the word to all Mississippians about the fall online Master Gardener training. Registration opens August 12th. Contact your county Extension office for details. Must be at least 18 years of age to register.

07/08/2026

Our Master Gardner neighbors in Monroe have so great events coming up!

07/08/2026

While backyard chickens are more tolerant of summer heat than commercial chickens that are grown in controlled settings, backyard chickens can overheat when temperatures reach extreme levels.

With feels-like temperatures reaching above 100 degrees some days already, we’re there, Mississippi! So, if you have backyard chickens, these tips from MSU Extension backyard poultry specialist Jessica Wells can help keep your feathered friends cool this summer:

Provide shade. Be sure your chickens have some form of shade throughout the day, whether they are in a coop or allowed to free range.

Provide fresh, cool water daily. Water that is cooler than the air temperature helps lower their body temperature. It is okay to change the water throughout the day to keep it cool and clean. Do not add ice.

Add ventilation. Opening or adding windows to the coop along with fans or misters can help keep the air temperature cooler.

Frozen treats can also help keep chickens cool but be cautious with these. When it gets hot, chickens will choose to eat less so make sure they are still eating their regular, balanced diet. Any treats you give should also be nutritionally valuable. Feeding a balanced diet early in the morning when temperatures are not as extreme helps ensure chickens get the right amount of nutrients through their regular diet.

Freezing cut-up fruits and vegetables in water-filled ice trays is an acceptable treat for chickens.

Learn more here: https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/poultry-beginnings-raise-your-own-backyard-chickens

07/08/2026

Here's your veggie planting guide for July! Some of the vegetables you can plant in your garden this month include...

Snap pole beans
Lima bush and pole beans
Corn
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Okra
Southern peas
Peppers (plants)
Sweet potatoes (plants)
Winter squash (pumpkins)
Summer squash
Tomatoes (plants)

Planting times will vary by area.

Read our Mississippi Vegetable Gardener’s Guide for TONS of great info: https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/mississippi-vegetable-gardeners-guide

Contact your county’s Extension agent for localized guidance! Find yours here: https://extension.msstate.edu/county-offices

07/07/2026

2026 Master Gardener online training will be conducted from October 1st through December 10th. The registration period will be from August 12th through September 9th.

On Wednesday July 22nd, many MSU Extension offices will be hosting interest meetings for the Master Gardener program. Contact your local Extension office to find out where you can attend a session to learn more about becoming a Master Gardener!

We'd love for you to be a part of our community of horticultural enthusiasts who love to apply what they know through volunteer projects in communities throughout Mississippi! Join us!

07/03/2026

UPDATE: Calving School is now full. The link below will add you to the waiting list.

Join us for our third annual Calving School August 21 in Starkville!

Register here: https://reg.extension.msstate.edu/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0081-0004-6bd85acd8095473cb3140d98db9fc2ac