July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Jackson It's Not Easy Being Green Mississippi Museum of Natural Science 10:00 a.m. - Noon Fun Fridays are interactive, hands-on programs offered in June and July. An adult must accompany children. Please call the Museum at 601.354.7303 to confirm an event.
August 14 Picayune Home Landscape Design/Renovation Crosby Arboretum 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Learn the steps for analyzing your property and valuable tips for creating a low-maintenance and attractive landscape design with Pat Drackett, Crosby Arboretum's Senior Curator. Pat will discuss the basics of the landscape design process, and teach how to give your property a quick and inexpensive facelift. An overview of some outstanding plants for the landscape will also be included. Program is free to members and $5 for non-members. Register by August 13. For more information: 601.799.2311 (Wed through Sun)
September 9 - 11 Holly Springs 2011 Hummingbird Migration Celebration Strawberry Plains Audubon Center 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., daily (last program begins at 4 p.m.) Hummingbird Viewing and Banding with the Hummer/Bird Study Group - You may get a chance to release one back into the wild! Guided Wagon Rides and Nature Walks through Strawberry Plains Audubon Center's 2600-acre Nature Sanctuary Kids' Nature Tent Live Animal Shows Special Guest Speakers Resources for Creating a Wildlife-Friendly backyard Native Plant Sale Experts on Conservation, Ecology and Bird Migration Local Artists and Vendors Selling Crafts, Art, Bird Feeders, Gifts, Souvenirs, etc. $15 for adults (13-64 years old) $10 for seniors $10 for people traveling in 12-passenger van or greater (to cut down on parking). Driver admitted free. $5 for children 5-12 years old Children under 5 years old admitted free. 662.252.1155 kboyle@audubon.org
October 21 & 22 Crystal Springs 2011 Fall Flower & Garden Fest Growing for Life Truck Crops Experiment Station The 2011 Fall Flower & Garden Fest will be held Friday and Saturday at the Truck Crops Experiment Station in Crystal Springs. Crystal Springs is about 25 miles south of Jackson. Hours are from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. both days, and food vendors will have food and drinks available. This is the largest home gardening show in the Southeast. Average attendance is 6,000 people over the two-day event. Admission and parking are free. The garden, grounds, seminars and one of the tour wagons are handicapped accessible. For more information contact your local Mississippi County Extension office, or call 601.892-3731.
November 14 - 16 Vicksburg Mississippi Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference and Tradeshow Vicksburg Convention Center The Mississippi Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association will host the Mississippi Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference in conjunction with the Mississippi Agritourism Association and the Gulf South Blueberry Growers Association. The date has been moved up to November in order to better accommodate growers and exhibitors. This event will feature educational programs based on a variety of topics that are important to fruit and vegetable growers along with a trade show. All of which will be held at the Vicksburg Convention Center. Some topics for the Fall 2011 Conference include but are subject to change: * General and Production Sessions: Soil Building, Cover Crops, Marketing, Deer Control, Figs, Blackberries, Peaches, Apples, Mushrooms, Muscadines, Advanced Melon Production, Tomatoes, Diverse Greens, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Niche Veggies, Post Harvest, Pest and Disease Updates, etc. * Organic Sessions: Companion Planting, Biofumigation, Farmscaping for Bug Control, Challenges of Mixed Farms, Organic Animal Feed Production, Composting, etc. * Blueberry Sessions * Agritourism Sessions Workshops include: Insurance, Strawberries, and Plastic Mulch Laying Additional information about the conference and registration can be found at www.msfruitandveg.com.