July/August-09:Layout 1 - Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation

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By Glynda Phillips Bloom Where You’re Planted Bloom where you’re planted. That’s the meaningful message presented by “Charlie the Peanut,” a new children’s book written by Holmes County farmers, Keath and Alyssa Killebrew. The book’s title character yearns for greener pastures and has his wish come true – through a series of misadventures down on the farm – only to discover that he was much happier in his own backyard. Along with Charlie’s philosophy, the book familiarizes readers with some of the different commodities grown in the Mississippi Delta. Charlie visits fields of cotton, sunflowers, wheat, soybeans and corn. He meets a blue jay, a bumblebee, crows, a scarecrow, an owl, ants and a raccoon. The bright and colorful book is illustrated by Delta State University art student Chris Jenkins. GENERATIONS REMOVED “I’m a psychotherapist, and I have worked with children. I wanted to get across to them that they should be happy where they are in the present moment,” said Alyssa. “But I also wanted to teach them about Mississippi agriculture. “Our children are so removed from farm life,” she said. “When I speak to school children about my book, I take along a picture of a combine and samples of rice, cotton, peanuts and corn. I let students 2 2 M I S S I S S I P P I F A R M C O U N T R Y J U L Y / A U G U S T
touch the samples, and I’m amazed at how many children have never touched a real cotton boll.” Alyssa says the reception the book has received has been phenomenal. Children are always excited to hear her read. She’s made appearances at schools, libraries and bookstores across the state, and she always presents a book to the libraries. She also gives back a portion of the money she receives from sales of the book. Many schools use her book to raise funds for projects. Alyssa receives requests to appear at festivals and other events across the Southeast, and she loves to do so because she is a people person. She has attended peanut festivals in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. She’s been written up in Delta Magazine, Delta Farm Press, The Clarion Ledger and other publications. “People have been very helpful,” she said. “Newspapers have used our press releases. Schools and bookstores have invited us for readings. I’ve sold a lot of books, and I’ve been able to donate a portion of the sales back to schools. So far, Madison-Ridgeland Academy has raised the most money through sales of my book” A LONG WAY Good ol’ Charlie has come a long way from his beginnings as a dream. “My husband had a dream about a peanut named Charlie, and he told me about it the next morning. He said that we needed to write a book,” Alyssa said. “I sat down and wrote the storyline, and he added the farm trivia at the back of the book as well as a recipe for how to make homemade peanut butter.” The Killebrews wondered who would illustrate their book. They found the answer in their own backyard (so to speak). Alyssa shared an office at a regional health center with an art student’s wife. His work covered her walls. Keath and Alyssa Killebrew are pictured with their Great Dane, Charlie, who makes an appearance in the book. “My husband had a dream about a peanut nam ed Charlie, and h e told m e about it th e next morning. He said that we needed to write a book,” Alyssa said. “Chris’ art was so bright and pretty,” Alyssa said. “I asked if she thought he would be interested in illustrating the book. When he said that he was, I was thrilled.” Alyssa drew every picture herself to show him what she wanted on each page, and she left the colors up to him. “The only request I had was that Charlie have a hat and red shoes,” she said. “I also wanted him to be happy. I wanted him to have emotions because, from my work with children, I knew that this would appeal to them.” HOW TO GET A COPY If you are interested in getting a copy of “Charlie the Peanut,” you may find the book at Turnrow Books in Greenwood, Cotton Row Books in Cleveland, Barnes and Noble, Borders and The Olde Tyme Commissary in Jackson. Or you can visit the Web site at www.charliethepeanut.com, where you can order online. FC Keath and Alyssa Killebrew are Holmes County Farm Bureau members. Keath’s family has farmed near Tchula for generations. J U L Y / A U G U S T M I S S I S S I P P I F A R M C O U N T R Y 2 3
Page 1 and 2: MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN MISSISSIPPI
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS 4 26 30 Features MAKING A
Page 5 and 6: to sustain this mass population is
Page 7 and 8: COMMODITY UPDATE Bill Ryan Tabb Pau
Page 9 and 10: Preston’s dad allowed him to sub-
Page 11 and 12: MSU President Mark Keenum, wife Rho
Page 13 and 14: school conduct research through col
Page 15 and 16: Family Farmers By Glynda Phillips T
Page 17 and 18: ADVERTISEMENT
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Page 21: Goat similar to human milk. I bet y
Page 25 and 26: enefit of the whole community. I kn
Page 28: FARM BUREAU EVENTS (Clockwise, from
Page 32 and 33: LARRY BREWER RETIRES Larry Brewer w
Page 34 and 35: www.dougamb.com FLEET VEHICLES FOR

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