Experiment Station

The Alcorn Experiment Station (AES) was jointly established by Alcorn State University and Mississippi State University as a branch of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station by Act of the State Legislation in 1970. This Station has sought to serve the needs of non-served and under-served limited resource farmers and rural residents in southwest Mississippi. The studies on small fruits, vegetables, herbs and medicinal plants at the Station are therefore designed to discover new knowledge and to identify solutions to problems confronting agricultural productivity in Southwest Mississippi and particular and the State of Mississippi in general. To further enhance income opportunities and quality of life of producers and consumers in Mississippi, scientists are encouraging producers to consider adding value to harvested crops. Taking the lead in this effort, scientists at the Station have developed native wines from harvested muscadine, blueberry, sweetpotato, sorrel, pineapple and pear; hot pepper sauce from harvested peppers; meat an fish seasoning from harvested herbs. Findings from the initial studies with medicinal plants are instrumental to the formation of Mississippi Natural Product Association which has commercialized some shiitake mushroom products, echinacea and other medicinal plants. Additionally, new studies at the Experiment  Station include investigating noni plants, vegetable soybean, tomatoes, and onions for yield potential and quality of processed products.