Local Student Wins Big at Southern University's 2024 Livestock Show

Jh'Rhianna Dyson
Photo Courtesy: Charity M. Schaffer, Ph.D.

Congratulations to Jh’Rhianna Dyson on winning Grand Champion in the Beef Breeding and Commercial Heifers division at Southern University’s  81^st Annual Livestock and Poultry Show on February 29, 2024. Jh’Rhianna Dyson, daughter of Ms. Konisha Brumfield, and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ricky and Elaine Brumfield of Kentwood, LA. She is a first-grade student at Spring Creek Elementary school, and this was her very first time as an exhibitor in a livestock show. 

Jh’Rhianna was trained by her grandfather, Mr. Ricky Brumfield, owner and operator of Brumfield’s Mobile Bull and 2024 Southern University Livestock Show Trailblazer honoree. She is excited about her big win and about showing next year. Jh’Rhianna, we are all so proud of you! 

Submitted by: Charity M. Schaffer, Ph.D.

Assistant Area Agent for Youth Development/4-H St. Helena/Tangipahoa

Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center

L.S. Spears shares knowledge of history, civil rights, and farm life in St. Helena Parish

L.S. Spears
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Spears and his wife Mrs. Arizola Ernest . They both had so much wisdom and knowledge to share. I could have sat and talked with them for hours.  I didn't want to  overstay my welcome. They are now in their nineties and doing well. Since COVID prevented me from visiting their home, I often wondered how they were doing. During the past two weeks, I've been documenting syrup making at the Womack Mill in St. Helena. 

I met his nephew, Byron Parks. Byron needed to process four loads of sugarcane into syrup. In our conversation, Byron mentioned that Mr. Spears was his uncle's wife and that she was doing well. "There is one thing to keep in mind in rural communities: you should always establish who your family is. That's one of the most frequently asked questions." 

I didn't get to the mill the next day, so I contacted Byron by phone about some photographs he sent me. He told me that Mr. Spears was at Womack Mill. The thought of seeing him made me want to get into my car and drive to the mill. We both enjoyed hearing each other's voices when Byron put him on the phone. The following day, I planned to meet with him. Eddie Ponds was invited to join me on this trip for a few interviews for The Drum Newspaper. 

Mr. Spears at Womack Mill
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

 My eyes were delighted  to see Mr. Spears driving and getting around very well for a man who had just turned ninety-six. We noticed that he dressed as if he was going somewhere else other then the syrup mill the moment he stepped out of the truck. Very neat with his shoes matching his belt and you could smell his cologne. Eddie Ponds and I took out our cameras and started taking pictures and interviewing him. He was born in 1926 in St. Helena Parish to Carter Spears and Leona Rankins Spears.  According to the 1940 United States Federal Census, he had six siblings; Myrtis Spears, Hazel Spears, Reba Spears, Inez Spears, Arnell Spears, Fennel Spears,  and Carter Spears, Jr.  

His first words were that he was still bush hauling on his tractor around his house. Although Mr. Spear did other public work to support his family, he grew up on a farm. In addition to driving a truck, he also worked in construction. He talked about how hard it was back then in St. Helena Parish and the racism they encountered. "We used to sit around and sing gospel hymns in the evenings when people would come over to our house," said Mr. Spears. We had a good old time just talking and singing he said. Whenever the people were ready to go home, we would walk them half way home and talk. He laughed when he thought about them turning around and walking back with them. 

There were times when the old folks would pray so hard in the house that you thought God was just around the corner. In those days, times were hard, but they were good as well. He said things have changed now. During his season of making syrup, he would make two to three hundred cans. Our meat was kept in a smokehouse. There is no comparison between meat today and the meat we had in the past. 

The civil rights movement was one of the topics I asked him about. They protested for equal rights in schools, he said. As a civil rights leader in St. Helena, his mother-in-law Pearl and her sister Martha Thomas were very active. In fact, Andrew Young and other members of The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) attended Pearl's funeral. It was some hard time he said. 

Their ties to the Land and Agriculture is in their DNA

Field Day
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

My maternal grandfather comes from a long line of farmers in the East Flordia Parishes, Louisiana. Several weekends ago my grandkids and I took a morning tour of one the local farms on the Northern end of Tangipahoa Parish, along with people from around other parishes.  Craig and Shannon Coleman were the hosts for this years field day event. Thier kids and family members helped them to make this event a success.

Everyone signed in and put their name tags on, some grabbed a fresh hot cup of coffee freshly brewed and fresh donuts. The homemade fresh cookies were a special treat for everyone, thanks to the cookie baker.  Some folk sampled fresh greens right out of the garden. I wanted to sample the taste of the uncooked purple mustards, but I forgot to go back and get it. One lady said she tasted them and they were tender and sweet. She wanted to learn more about the purple mustards so she can plant some in her garden.

Women and men gathered to share their knowledge of their subject of interest. Conversations about the different types of grass they grow and the health benefit for their livestock.  How many acres it takes to raise one cow? Planting and harvesting the produce can be heard as we travel along the beautiful back countryside.  All the kids were enjoying the ride and watching the tiny

The girls walking in the pasture
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

dog run behind us as we drove along. When we got to the cow pasture, they watched the cattle come up for food for a minute and they took off running and playing like kids will do. Looking at them running and playing under the beautiful blue skies and rolling hills of pastures were photo taking moments for me. 

The weather was just beautiful for this tour. I sit there watching and engaging in conversations here and there. Riding-along brought back so many beautiful childhood memories for me. Growing up in Amite, Louisiana near several family members that were farmers. My maternal great uncle Palmer Harrell farmed right across the road where I lived. My family lived on heir property that was purchased by my great-grandmother Emma Mead Harrell in 1896 and 1902,   grandmother Emma was a farmer. So being around all the farmers, cattlemen, and cattlewomen were very exciting and educational for me. 

Our first stop was the cattle pastures to see the Angus livestock. The owners of livestock shared information and asked questions to learn new about techniques of agriculture.  Some of the farmers met for the first time and others knew each other through agriculture. I interviewed several of the farmers and most of them grew up on a farm and they still have a very deep passion for farming. I know it's in their DNA because after living in the New Orleans for thirty-four years, I returned to the country where I can appreciate having my garden, growing oranges, blueberries, and pears and being connected to mother nature. The beautiful sound of the birds sing in the morning is my alarm clock. The smell of freshness in the air and on a clear night I can see the beautiful stars. 

Trail Ride

As a child growing up in the country, we had the supermarket right outdoors. We had black walnut trees, pecan trees, fig trees, peach trees, natural spring water, herbs, produce, chickens, and my grandfather had a horse named Frank. 

I can truly understand the passion for it. Walking in the footstep of my uncle Palmer who taught me how important the soil is to our very existence. Two things a man can't live without,  food and water. The taste of fresh and especially organic produce is music to my body, my cells, and health.  Fresh herbs and vegetables with vibrant colors are the medication we all need to live a healthy life. This is one of the best prescriptions that can be prescribed. Everyone can grow fresh herbs and produce, no matter where you live. If you live in a city, try planting in flower pots. You will be surprised what a flower pot can yield.

I have a greater respect and appreciation for our local farmers who take pride in growing our food. People understand the importance of lawyers, doctors, engineers, and other occupations. "How often do we think about our local farmers? " More people should support the local farmers in their areas.  The taste of fresh produce from the rich soil to your kitchen tables would be a special treat for you and your family.  I look forward to the next event and I gladly signed my name on their communication list.