In today’s column I will definitely get around to mentioning a couple of correlations with this being Thanksgiving week, but first allow me to promote an educational program we have coming up on biomass and bio-energy on Dec. 11 in the Extension office.

Ever since the price of a barrel of crude got up to $150 and a gallon of gasoline hovered around $4 a gallon, many have wondered about possible alternatives to current fuel sources. What if forestland owners right here in the Southeastern United States and in Warren County could be the next major suppliers of energy? It’s possible, and a few of our Mississippi State University professors will soon explain how and why.

Drs. James Henderson, David Jones and Randy Rousseau will be featured speakers for an interactive video short course on Dec. 11. These forestry and forest products experts will discuss the following topics beginning at 1 p.m.:

* Energy needs for the future and renewable fuels

* Forest biomass and bio-energy

* Forestry management for biomass and bio-energy production

* Forest biomass and bio-energy economics and policy

* Harvesting and utilization of forest biomass

* Forest sustainability in the production of biomass

For generations, we have considered our forest products ideal raw materials for lumber and paper. Wouldn’t it be interesting if future uses of forest products were primarily for energy with lumber and paper secondary uses? 

I invite our forestland owners and those involved in the forestry industry to register for this short course by contacting the Extension Service office no later than Dec. 5. Seating is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Now for a few correlations with this week being Thanksgiving week — we are about in the middle of what is known as National Farm-City Week, which officially began Friday and will continue through Thursday. What is Farm-City Week, you ask?  Farm-City Week is a week dedicated to enhancing the linkage between farm families and urban residents. In summary, the National Farm-City Council supplies organizations such as our local Farm Bureau Women’s Committee Chaired by Jo Brister with educational materials to teach urban children about the people who grow their food. Even in a rural state like Mississippi, many children would not have a good understanding of how or where their food is produced without special efforts to link food supplies with farms and farmers. 

Today is also the first day of National Family Week. The observance of National Family Week began 40 years ago when Mr. Sam Wiley, a teacher and administrator from Indianapolis, Ind., organized the campaign to emphasize the importance of family to ensure well-rounded and healthy children. This week, Mississippians will join thousands of people across the country as they celebrate the connections they have with their families and communities. Certainly this is a great week to recognize the value of families and the importance of family values.

Reminder: The Warren County Extension office will be closed Thursday and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving.

John C. Coccaro is county Extension director. Write to him at 1100-C Grove St., Vicksburg, MS 39180 or call 601-636-5442. E-mail him at jcoccaro@ext.msstate.edu