Adams County Extension Office

Cogongrass is one of the most invasive plants in the world. It is an aggressive, fast-growing grass species that has established throughout the state but is most dense in southern Mississippi.

Though cogongrass was introduced for soil stabilization and forage, animals tend to lose weight rather than gain weight when consuming it. It is a threat to timber stands and protected and endangered wildlife. Its litter is highly flammable, which can lead to wildfires in pastures, rights-of-way, forest stands, and other disturbed areas where it readily establishes and spreads.

How do I identify cogongrass?

Bright green leaves in spring and summer; straw-colored or silvery-tan leaves in late fall and winter.

Leaves are up to 6 feet long and 1 inch wide with serrated margins and off-center midribs, which can vary significantly.

Leaves arise from underground horizontal stems (rhizomes) that are white, segmented, and covered with reddish-brown scales. Rhizomes are very sharp, so be careful when handling cogongrass specimens.

Flowers are light maroon before opening, then whitish-silver, fluffy, and 2 to 8 inches long; seeds disperse long and short distances in fluffy, white clumps in the wind from late March to mid-June.

Leaf collar (ligule) may be hairy with overlapping leaf sheaths, giving a round appearance.

Plants do not arise from a dense clump, though there may be some thatch around the base.

How do I prevent or control cogongrass?

It is very difficult to prevent and control cogongrass since it's one of the most invasive plants in the world.

To prevent establishment, avoid soil disturbance, maintain native ground cover, clean equipment before it enters the site, and prevent the spread of contaminated soil.

Control may be achieved through a two-step process using glyphosate and imazapyr over several years. Since cogongrass likes fire, prescribed burning can stimulate its growth and spread.

What should I do if I find cogongrass?

Contact the Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) area forester in the county you found the cogongrass to report the location. Website: https://www.mfc.ms.gov/cogongrass-control-program/cogongrass-control-program-application/

🚨Important announcement 🚨 CHANGE of VENUE!

The 2026 Summer Field Day has been moved to the Copiah County Extension Office Conference Room by the Fairgrounds.
The address is: 2040 W Gallman Rd, Hazlehurst, MS 39083

Full announcement:
We have been monitoring the weather, and it looks like Tuesday could be pretty wet with potential thunderstorms. To help keep everyone dry and safe, we are changing the venue for our Annual Summer Field Day this year. Instead of being held at the Truck Crops Experiment Station, we are moving it to the Copiah County Extension Office Conference Room by the Fairgrounds.
The address is: 2040 W Gallman Rd, Hazlehurst, MS 39083
We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, June 16th. Registration will open at 7:45 AM (there's no need to arrive before 7:45 AM). The program will begin at 8:10 AM.
If you know someone who registered for this event, please make sure they are aware of the venue change.

Adams County 4-H will celebrate 250th years of America event for youth 8-18(as of Jan 1). Open to the first 15 youth to register. Email [email protected] or call 601-445-8201 to register by Thursday, July 2, 2026.

Adams County Extension (MSU) and Alcorn State Extension (ASU) will be conducting a Youth Container Gardening Workshop on Monday, June 29, 2026, at the Adams County Extension Office (75 A Carthage Point Road, Natchez). The event will take place between 10a.m. -12 p.m. and is open to all youth (5-18 years-of-age as of January 1st). Participants will learn about Agricultural careers, MyPlate, and How to grow vegetables. They will also get to take a plant home. The event is free and is open to the first 25 youth who sign up.

For more information and to sign up, contact Jason Jones at the Adams County Extension Office at 601-445-8201 or email [email protected] to register. Deadline to sign up is Monday , June 22, 2026.

Summer means it’s time for our Cattle Over Coffee webinars!

Join us in June and July to hear from experts on a variety of topics. All webinars start at 11 AM with the exception of June 16 which will start at 10 AM. This is a free learning opportunity.

June 16: Economics with Dr. Josh Maples
June 23: Heifer Development with Dr. Genevieve D'Souza
June 30: Farm Direct Beef with Dr. Brandi Karisch
July 16: Parasites with Dr. Christine Navarre
July 21: New World Screwworm with Dr. Carla Huston
July 30: Mineral Nutrition with Dr. Barbara Reis

Register here: extension.msstate.edu/beef

Adams County 4-H had a Celebration for all of their 4-H members, 4-H volunteers, and 4-H parents on June 11, 2026. The event was held to help celebrate all the participants 4-H accomplishments . Also, Alcorn State Extension conducted an “Ice Cream in a Bag Demonstration”at the event, that taught everyone how to make ice cream.

Adams County Extension Office’s phones are currently not working. Please call 662-769-9899 for assistance.

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Daylilies are hardy and easy to care for! And if you live in Mississippi, you can plant these now in the month of June.

They prefer full sun to partial shade and can thrive in a variety of soil types, although well-drained soil is ideal. They work well in perennial borders, mixed flower beds and as a ground cover on slopes. Daylilies are drought-tolerant once established.

The only thing we don’t like about daylilies is that each individual flower lasts only for a day --hence the name “daylily.” But the fact that the plants produce multiple blooms over several weeks provides an extended period of color.

It’s important to note that daylilies do not grow from bulbs but from bare roots. These roots store essential nutrients and energy, enabling the plants to endure harsh conditions and regrow each year.

When planted in the right conditions, daylilies can bloom year after year with minimal care!

Several Adams County Master Gardeners were recognized at the Adams County Master Gardeners’ meeting on June 4, 2026. The volunteer members were recognized for their years of volunteer service. Princess Prudence Hernandez(25 years ), Mimi Puddister (5 years), Larry Stewart (25 years), Joanne King(25 years), Julie Riley(15 years), Kelly Parks(25 years), and Sharon West(20 years). Not pictured (Tevah Cardneaux- 20 years, Monroe Sago - 10 years, Van Hawkins(10 years, Noreen Pyron- 15 years).

Congrats to all the members!