Alcorn State University School of AREAS hosts Seminar Series

Alcorn State University School of AREAS hosts Seminar Series

The Alcorn State University School of Agriculture, Research, Extension and Applied Sciences (AREAS) hosted the first installment of its Seminar Series November 18, in the Jesse Morris/ W.C. Boykin Agriculture Building. Students, faculty and staff gathered to hear an overview of the extension programmatic activities, and to participate in a discussion on needs assessment for increased productivity and rural development. The seminar was aimed at providing important information to benefit the farmers and ranchers in central Mississippi.

Dr. Victor Njiti, chair of the Seminar Series Committee, opened the program reminding everyone of the mission of the school of AREAS as well as the importance of its Research and Extension arms. Dr. Michael Ezekwe, director, Swine Development Center, delivered the purpose of the seminar and encouraged others to be of assistance to researchers and research teams.

The presenters for the event were Alcorn Extension’s Ralph Arrington, central Mississippi agriculture educator, and Audrey Wilson, southwest agriculture educator.

Arrington enlightened the audience on the research and work being done in the central Mississippi region. Some of the programs he discussed included a mobile farmers market, beef and forage evaluations, agritourism, wildlife management risk management and farm safety, and fence and pest control. These program targets small farmers, students, ag professionals and others interested in agriculture.

“Some goals of these programs are to get the youth more involved in agriculture-based activities, teach individuals to apply the knowledge they have gained for practical purposes within the community, and to provide veterinarians and farmers with access to resources.”

During her presentation, Audrey Wilson explained the different research programs implemented by Extension faculty in Amite, Franklin, Lincoln and Walthall counties. Their programs provide youth, as well as at-risk teens, an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the animal side of agriculture.

The program concluded with Dr. Wesley Whittaker’s, interim dean of research, remarks and refreshments.

For more information on the Seminar Series lectures and other research-based events in the School of AREAS, contact Dr. Wesley Whittaker at (601) 877.6537.