Willie Mims, a field technician and farm manager at Alcorn State University, is making significant contributions in horticultural science. His journey from a grounds laborer to a recognized presenter at national conferences has earned him recognition from the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), the world’s largest horticultural science society.
Mims recently presented a poster on “Horticulture-based Agroforestry” at the ASHS international conference in New Orleans from July 28 to August 1. Alcorn State is the first institution to establish this new agroforestry system, which incorporates horticultural crops like pecans, blueberries, and other cover crops to prevent forest fires and provide nutritious food.
Mims’ journey at Alcorn began in 2009 as a grounds laborer. His meticulous work caught the attention of Dr. Girish Panicker, who invited Mims to join the Conservation Research Center. Dr. Panicker recognized Mims’ understanding of horticultural methods and his ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to farmers and students.
Even with just a high school diploma, Mims handled complex research work at the same level as research associates with master’s degrees, according to Dr. Panicker. This led Panicker to encourage Mims to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy at the university. Mims has since excelled in his studies while balancing full-time employment.
“Any research project can succeed if that project has people like Willie Mims,” said Dr. Panicker.
Mims attributes his growth to stepping outside his comfort zone. “Once you step outside of that comfort zone and get that nervousness out of the way, that’s when the growth starts,” he said. “Fear holds you back, and that’s what I’ve learned.”
His dedication is fueled by his desire for his children to see a better version of their father and not face the same struggles he did growing up in a single-parent household. Mims explained, “It encouraged me when I was able to get in a position to not let my kids experience what I experienced. That’s why I work so hard. That’s why I take pride in what I do. I want my name on it, I take pride in it, and I want my kids to be able to be proud.”
His oldest daughter is now attending Alcorn State and will be working with the experiment station. “Right now, my goal is to make sure she soaks up all the knowledge and moves way past where I am currently. So that’s my focus right now, so she can have a foundation and live a comfortable life,” Mims shared.
Mims’ impactful work extends beyond the fields of the university. He has presented at various conferences, including the Mississippi Academy of Sciences, where he was recognized for his oral presentation on introducing 102 varieties of melons to the state of Mississippi. He also presented at the annual ASHS conference in Las Vegas, showcasing his research on “The Effect of Composted Animal Waste on Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) Production on a Heavy Soil.” Among 500 undergraduate students, he placed 13th in the poster competition at the conference.
ASHS has recognized Mims’ educational journey, publishing his bio and recommending that other universities adopt a similar education system: “Educate your laborers while working in the farm fields, and that will help them learn the technology and help the community in food production.”
Mims’ story highlights the importance of accessible education in horticulture, a field crucial for addressing challenges such as soil erosion, freshwater shortages, invasive plant species, and food scarcity. His success serves as a testament to the potential within every individual and the transformative power of mentorship and opportunity.
Mims reflects on the impact of his journey, saying, “It means a lot to me because my son wants to be just like me. So it makes me cautious about the things I do. It makes me think about things before I do it because I have people that’s looking up to me. And they got my last name. So I take pride in my last name.”
