Alcorn State University Model State Program 2025

Commodities

Practices

The Mississippi Sustainable Agriculture Model Plan of Work is a team effort led by the State Sustainable Agriculture Committee. This group includes members from both 1862 and 1890 Extension Organizations, government agencies, NGOs, and farmers. Alcorn State University is committed to continuing and improving these partnerships to support sustainable farming through education and outreach. The program provides training for Extension agents, NRCS field staff, agriculture professionals, farmers, and landowners. These trainings cover important topics such as soil health, pest control, community gardening, and farm-to-table connections, especially for underserved communities in Mississippi. Training will be offered in different formats, including workshops, field trips, demonstrations, conferences, and publications. Various media platforms will help reach different audiences. To strengthen training, materials from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program will be used. Participants will also be encouraged to attend national and regional conferences for professional growth. Some training sessions may be co-hosted by Mississippi's two land-grant universities. A team will evaluate the program using a structured model to measure success. The goal is to increase knowledge and confidence among agriculture professionals so they can better support small and resource-limited farmers in Mississippi's underserved communities.

Sustainable agriculture is often linked with environmental and organic practices, as well as limited resource farming. However, it goes beyond these aspects and includes economically viable practices, enhances quality of life, and benefits the community. Despite the benefits, some farmers face challenges due to a lack of accessible information on sustainable practices and insufficient support from local agricultural agents. To address this, one training objective is to educate 20-30 Extension educators on sustainable agricultural production practices, aligning with the mission of the S-SARE program.

Demonstrating economically viable and environmentally sound practices is crucial for adoption by farmers. Target audiences for this training include educators, researchers, commodity organizations, agri-business leaders, community leaders, and the general public. The State Sustainable Agriculture Committee, recognizing the critical needs of the state, has identified specific training topics. Collaboration among universities, conservation services, agricultural agencies, and various organizations in Mississippi ensures a comprehensive approach.

The program aims to reach Extension agents, mentor farmers, Extension specialists, and NRCS field staff through five hands-on training workshops. Participants will gain knowledge in both economic and ecological aspects, empowering them to make informed decisions. Educational resources developed by professionals will be utilized during workshops. The overarching goal is to disseminate research-based information on sustainable production strategies, enhancing the ability of small-to-mid-size farms to compete and thrive in 2024-25. The ASU MSP project focuses on training key stakeholders to increase knowledge in sustainable agriculture for small farm production practices.