Kemper County Extension Office

06/18/2026

The upcoming workshop has been canceled due to low registration.

06/18/2026

Our homemakers enjoyed a hands-on canning workshop led by our friend Fran Brock, Extension Agent in Oktibbeha County. Attendees spent the day learning safe canning techniques while making delicious homemade Habanero -Apricot Jelly.

06/15/2026

🌟 HappyHealthy Staff Spotlight 🌟
Meet Mary Bennamon, a Nutrition Educator serving Kemper and Lauderdale Counties! Mary has worked in nutrition education for over 20 years and enjoys connecting with people in her communities. She says her programs are well loved and appreciates the relationships she has built over time with participants and families.
Mary’s journey into nutrition education began when a coworker encouraged her to attend a training, where she discovered how much she enjoyed the program. That moment led to a career where she has been able to meet new people, form lasting connections, and make a difference in the lives of others.
One of Mary’s favorite lessons to teach focuses on the digestive system, where she helps youth better understand how their bodies use the food they eat. She enjoys seeing participants learn from both successes and mistakes, and one memorable moment for her was working with a foster grandparent group where participants learned by observing real-life examples.
Mary believes healthy living should begin early in life and values helping participants build habits that support long-term health. She enjoys simple, home-style meals like baked chicken, cabbage, and macaroni and cheese, and encourages others to feel confident preparing meals at home.
Outside of work, Mary enjoys taking time to relax, whether that’s sitting in her recliner or spending time with others. She looks forward to continuing her work by reaching even more adults and helping her community build healthier lifestyles.
💚 “Healthy living should start early in life.”

06/13/2026

We recently hosted another Happy Hour Self-Care Program focused on Sun Safety. Extension Agent Malikah Jones shared important facts about sun exposure and practical tips for staying safe during the summer months.
Participants also enjoyed making Americana-themed junk hats, reinforcing the importance of protecting your head and face from the sun while spending time outdoors.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for an afternoon of learning, creativity, and self-care!

06/13/2026

Kemper County 4-H Club Congress Recap 🍀
Kemper County 4-H was well represented at this year's 4-H Club Congress! We are proud of all five of our participants who represented our county with excellence, leadership, and determination throughout the event.
A special congratulations to Angel Slaughter, who earned 1st Place in Consumer Judging, and Kaydence Arnold, who received 1st Place in Dairy Foods Visual Presentation! These accomplishments reflect the hard work, preparation, and dedication of our 4-H youth.
We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our volunteers, Jake Bohannon and Margaretta Campbell, for their support and for accompanying our group. Volunteers are the backbone of 4-H, and their willingness to invest their time and talents helps make opportunities like Club Congress possible.
Programs like 4-H help build productive, responsible, and confident young people by developing leadership skills, encouraging citizenship, and providing hands-on learning experiences that prepare youth for future success.
Congratulations again to all of our participants for representing Kemper County 4-H so well! 🍀💚

06/12/2026

The Kemper County Forestry Association held an informative meeting. Participants received forestry industry updates from Dave Godwin with the Mississippi Forestry Association and forest management insights from Jack Harrison of HJM Forest Resource Management Services.
A special thank you to MSU Extension Forestry Specialist Dr. Brady Self for serving as our guest speaker. Dr. Self shared valuable information on herbicide management, focusing on the "3 W's" of herbicide use; Why, When, and What, helping landowners make informed decisions for effective forest vegetation management.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to another successful forestry meeting.

06/11/2026

The Kemper County Cattlemen’s Association recently hosted an informative meeting featuring several outstanding speakers.
Charles Hailey provided an update on current cattle market trends and industry outlook.
Shelby Sledge shared news and updates from the Mississippi Cattlemen's Association.
Stan Tate of Trinity Farm Solutions presented valuable information on liquid lime and fertilizer solutions.
Thank you to our sponsors, speakers and all who attended.

06/09/2026