Articles
Benefits of Warm-Season Grasses and Forbs
Mississippi is home to a variety of native warm-season grasses, legumes, and forbs. Together, they make up the foundation of grassland ecosystems, an important habitat for a variety of wildlife including bobwhite quail, grassland songbirds, cottontail rabbits, and many small mammals and reptiles.
Warm-season grasses are known for their high drought and heat tolerance, good wear recovery, and excellent disease resistance. Read more
Food Plots for Doves
Mourning doves can be found throughout the year in Mississippi, but they become a particular favorite of Mississippi hunters and birdwatchers alike during fall and winter when dedicated food plots produce enough seed for them to gather in large numbers. Dove fields can provide a supplemental source of income for small landowners, requiring as little as 2 to 10 acres. Read more
Growing Mushrooms for Profit
Of all the enterprise opportunities for private landowners, mushroom growing has the potential for the fastest return with the lowest financial investment and minimal space needed. Specialty mushrooms typically sell at wholesale prices of $3 to $6 per pound.
Several specialty type mushrooms are grown and sold in the United States, including oyster, shiitake, maitake, and lion's mane. Shiitake and oyster mushrooms are the best choice for small-scale production, since they don't require a lot of equipment and space. Read more
How to Design a Nature Trail
Creating a nature trail is a great way to attract and benefit from our natural wildlife resources and provide visitors with quiet time away from the demands of everyday life. A properly designed and managed trail can provide a venue for educational, economical and recreational opportunities for many groups of people. The struggle is to find the right balance between providing the greatest benefit for wildlife and maximizing the recreational enjoyment of the people that use the trail. Read more
How to Put On a Wildlife Photography Workshop
The number of recreational wildlife viewers in the United States has increased by 9% since 2001. Almost 72 million people 16 years and older contributed more than $55 billion to the nation’s economy on activities and equipment related to feeding, observing, and photographing wildlife.
Hosting a photography workshop will introduce you to a diversity of individuals, each with varying degrees of expectations for the encounter. Read more
How to Start a Beekeeping Business
Mississippi is home to twelve full-time commercial beekeepers, approximately 35 part-time honey producers, and several hundred hobbyists. This ranks the state twenty-eighth in the nation in honey production, with about 2.25 million pounds of honey produced each year. Read more
Hunting Lease Tips
With hunting season upon us, it’s a good time to review your hunting lease agreement. A well-written lease can make the experience better for both you and your lessee. Make sure the lease is specific to your land, needs, and goals rather than using a generic lease. The more detailed the lease, the better protection it provides for you and your property. Read more
Lazy Acres Farm
Located in Chunky, Mississippi, Lazy Acres offers a variety of seasonal family-friendly activities on the farm. Originally a Christmas tree farm, the Mays have continued to add to the attractions. They now feature an Easter egg hunt, host weddings and birthday parties, hold a Pumpkin Princess pageant, and have an annual hillbilly run in addition to their Christmas tree experience and pumpkin patch. Read more
Liability Waivers
The first steps in reducing your liability are to make sure that you regularly inspect your property, make repairs as needed, post warnings where necessary, and take care to reduce or remove any dangerous conditions. Consider making some rules that will help encourage safety — then be sure you enforce them. Be sure to carry liability insurance for your business as well. Read more