Hey, folks! I’m Drew Wilson, and today, I want to share about my life as an Extension agent. I've been with Extension for 9 years now, and I guess the old Mark Twain saying rings true: “Find a job you enjoy doing and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Each day brings new challenges and opportunities to grow. I thrive on tackling the unique questions our clients throw my way and providing solutions that make a real impact. One program I'm particularly passionate about is our On-Farm Irrigation Demonstration program. The alluvial aquifer that feeds our MS Delta irrigation is declining, which means we need to find ways to help mitigate that decline through reducing our water usage and removal rates in row crop irrigation. This program equips Extension agents with the knowledge and the tools to educate producers on research-based mitigation techniques through on-farm demonstration plots. When I'm not working, I love spending time outdoors—vegetable gardening, hunting, fishing—or cheering on my favorite MSU sports teams. But most importantly, spending time with my family. Thanks for reading about my life as an Extension agent. Reach out to me or any of my colleagues if we can be of help to you! #TakingCareOfWhatMatters #MSUext (fb)

What’s the difference between a carpenter bee and a bumble bee? A lot. They look similar, but they are very different. Let's learn more in honor of #WorldBeeDay... Carpenter bees The most commonly occurring species in Mississippi is the eastern carpenter bee. Both males and females have a smooth, shiny body. But males of this species have white faces, while females have black faces. Males have no sting. Females can sting but usually don’t. Females lead busy lives, building nests, gathering pollen, and laying eggs. Males are often seen flying about and hovering in mid-air to pass the time. You may see the entrance holes to their nests anywhere on your property where you have wood, such as decks, eaves, fences, and barns. Nesting galleries can be more than a foot long. Most of the time these galleries are harmless. However, if there are several galleries in one piece of wood, it can weaken that area and put the structure at risk. If you find yourself in this situation, you can learn more about methods for treating the galleries from this Extension publication: https://ow.ly/oxoa50VVVUM Bumble bees Bumble bees are large with hairy bodies. They can be either black and yellow or black and white. They build their nests in the ground like yellowjackets, where dozens of bees can live. They are not aggressive unless their nest is disturbed. But bumble bees have a painful sting, and dozens of bees may attack if they sense the nest is threatened. They can be very aggressive in this situation. So, before you mow or do other types of lawn care, you may want to inspect your yard for nests. Both carpenter bees and bumble bees are important pollinators, and experts recommend only using control methods to prevent structural damage by carpenter bees or prevent stinging incidents by bumble bees. If you’d like to attract more beneficial bees or support our bee pollinators, check out this Extension publication: https://ow.ly/eC1X50VVVUN If you do disturb a bumble bee nest and get stung, watch for an allergic reaction. These reactions are rare. However, get medical attention right away if you have any of these symptoms: swelling of the mouth, tightness in the throat, difficulty breathing, dizziness, fainting, vomiting, hives, or a rapid heartbeat. #MSUext (fb)