The “Freshly Picked” podcast will be all around specialty crops: those highly cultivated fruits, nuts, trees, plants, and flowers we grow in Mississippi. We want to let folks know, through engaging interviews with growers, chefs, horticulturalists, and goods makers that specialty crops are worth seeking out. Each 30-minute Freshly Picked podcast episode will highlight a particular specialty topic, and will contain a fresh mix of interviews, recipes, innovations in agriculture, and more.
Publisher
Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce
On this episode of Freshly Picked, we delve into essential gardening tips and techniques to help you prepare for the upcoming season. Host Claude Nash welcomes Dr. Eddie Smith, a horticulture expert and Mississippi State University Extension Agent, to discuss how to care for your holiday plants and get your garden ready for spring. Dr. Smith shares his insights on rejuvenating poinsettias, Christmas cacti, and amaryllis, as well as how to plan for a successful spring garden with proper soil testing, pruning, and selecting the right plants.
From native plants and their environmental benefits to setting realistic gardening goals, Dr. Smith covers it all. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable advice and inspiration to help your garden flourish. Tune in to learn how to nurture your plants and make the most of your gardening space this spring!
6 Feb 2025
Growing Smarter: How Education and Innovation Shape Mississippi Horticulture
On this episode of Freshly Picked, we explore how horticulture serves as both a science and an art to enrich Mississippi agriculture. Host Claude Nash welcomes two distinguished guests who are leading the way in education and innovation: Dr. Jeff Wilson, assistant horticulture professor and State Master Gardener Coordinator at Mississippi State University, and Bill Rivers, owner of Rivers Nursery in Brandon, MS, a family-owned business thriving since 1979.
Dr. Wilson shares how Master Gardener programs inspire communities, while Bill Rivers highlights the vital role nurseries play in shaping local horticulture. From nurturing personal connections to introducing groundbreaking advancements, they delve into the many ways horticulture builds stronger communities and supports farmers across the state.
Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast or curious about the future of Mississippi agriculture, this episode offers fresh insights, practical tips, and plenty of inspiration to help you grow along with us. Tune in to celebrate the power of plants and the people who cultivate them!
30 Jan 2025
Rooted in Horticulture: Growing Mississippi’s Specialty Crops
On this episode of Freshly Picked, we’re exploring the heart of horticulture—the practice of cultivating plants for food, beauty, and community. Host Claude Nash sits down with two experts in the field: Stephen Porter, General Manager of Williamson Nursery in Summit, MS, and Larry Stephenson of Southern Cultured Orchards and Nursery in Independence, MS.
Stephen and Larry discuss their journeys into the world of specialty crops, sharing tips on everything from growing Southern apples to crafting the perfect graft. Along the way, they highlight the unique ways nurseries support local farmers, build stronger communities, and keep Mississippi’s horticultural traditions thriving.
Whether you’re a seasoned grower or just starting out, you’ll love this lively conversation filled with stories, advice, and a passion for growing the finest fruits in the South. Don’t miss it!
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 50 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
87
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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