The Mississippi State University Extension Service is hosting several agriculture-related programs during the next couple of weeks, so I wanted to use today’s column to make everyone aware. 

Since forestry is Warren County’s No. 1 agricultural crop, let me begin by mentioning the Applied Tree Improvement Course set for 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 10. This distance-education program will originate from The Franklin Center at Mississippi State University and be broadcast to three Extension offices in southwest Mississippi — Carthage, Mendenhall and Fayette. 

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.

Cost is $35 for individuals and $50 for couples, and the fee includes a notebook and lunch. Couples will share a notebook. The registration deadline is Friday. Space is limited, so register early. 

According to Dr. Steve Dicke, Extension area forester, this is a timely program as forestland owners consider what kind of tree seedlings to plant. This course also provides 4.5 CFE credits for foresters and loggers.

The Applied Tree Improvement Course offers an outstanding lineup of subjects and speakers:

• Hardwood tree improvement — Tom Byram, director, Western Gulf Tree Improvement Program, Texas Forest Service.

If you go

• Applied Tree Improvement Course — 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dec. 10; broadcast from MSU to the Leake County Extension office in Carthage, the Simpson County Extension office in Mendenhall and the Jefferson County Extension office in Fayette; $35 per person, $50 per couple; 601-636-5442 for details.

• The Making of Pepper-Jack Cheese Smoked Sausage — Noon-1 p.m. Thursday at Warren County Extension office, 1100-C Grove St; free; 601-636-5442.

• Mississippi Syrup Producers and Processors Association — 6 p.m. Thursday at the Extension office; 601-636-5442.

• Row Crop Short Course —  Dec. 7-9 at Mississippi State University; 601-636-5442.

• Use of biotechnology in forestry — Dana Nelson, research geneticist/project leader, Southern Institute of Forest Genetics, USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station Cooperative.

• Pine tree improvement — Steve McKeand, director, Tree Improvement Program, North Carolina State University.

• Short rotation woody crops for biomass production — Randy Rousseau, associate Extension/Research professor, Department of Forestry, Mississippi State University.

The final Quick Bites program for 2009 will be in the Warren County Extension office from noon until 1 p.m. Thursday. Dr. James Martin, assistant professor of animal and dairy food science at MSU, will present The Making of Pepper-Jack Cheese Smoked Sausage. 

Participants will see how the sausage is made. I spoke with Dr. Martin by telephone last week, and he encourages venison sausage makers to attend this program. Martin’s program is sure to provide some very useful tips on making all types of sausage.

This past summer, Bob Owens shared with me some of his homemade cane syrup. I enjoyed his handiwork, but was honestly not aware that anyone in Warren County was still making syrup. Since there might be others besides Owens still cooking the sweet Southern staple, or perhaps individuals curious about getting involved in producing or processing sorghum or cane syrup, the Warren County Extension office will serve as a host site for the Mississippi Syrup Producers and Processors Association meeting, set for 6 p.m. Thursday.  Interested individuals are asked to register by calling the Extension office by Thursday. 

Cotton, corn and soybean farmers are reminded of the Row Crop Short Course being held on the MSU campus Dec. 7-9. The three-day event features university crop specialists from several Southeastern states, as well as other recognized agricultural professionals. A detailed agenda for the short course is available at the Extension office.