A native of Rolling Fork (Sharkey County) Mississippi, James E. Sardin received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education from Alcorn State University in 1973. He received a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Education in 1987 and a Master of Science degree in Supervision and Administration in 1990, both also from Alcorn State University.
Sardin’s career spans over 40 years in various capacities. He has worked for Ackerman High School as an agricultural instructor; Hinds County Agricultural High School as a teacher and assistant teacher; Hinds Community College, Vicksburg Campus as an agribusiness instructor; Biloxi Public Schools as a vocational director; and the Mississippi Department of Education as Director of the Office of Innovations, Associate State Superintendent of the Office of School Enhancement, and Associate State Superintendent of Vocational Education.
As Associate State Superintendent of Vocational Education, Sardin developed the Agricultural and Environmental Science and Technology (AEST) program, which has been implemented in 52 schools. This program was designed to revamp and modernize the agricultural education programs in Mississippi by introducing advanced technologies and instructional methods to students. Through these efforts, the Mississippi Legislature added a line item for continuous support. The AEST initiative ventured to Alcorn to assist Agriculture Education majors with hands-on experience utilizing AEST classroom and greenhouse funding, with an approximate value of $300,000.
After retirement, Sardin continued to serve in the educational arena with Jobs for Mississippi Graduates (JMG) in the Mississippi Delta and Southwest Mississippi. He also served as District Supervisor of the Delta and South Mississippi, providing leadership to agriculture teachers and the National FFA Organization (formerly Future Farmers of America).
Throughout his career, Sardin has held membership in various organizations and has received numerous awards including those from the National Technical Honor Society (past president) and the National Association of Agricultural Education. He has also received the Lifetime FFA Membership award; Honorary Mississippi FFA Degree; Honorary American FFA Degree; Recognition of Service Award from the Mississippi Department of Education; Member of the Year Award from Mississippi Association of Vocational Educators, and is a Hall of Fame Member of the Mississippi Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers. Sardin also serves as a Master Mason with Seven Star Lodge in Utica, Mississippi.
He was married to the late Faye Sardin and they had three children: Candice, James LaDale and the late Derrick Sardin. He resides in Terry, Mississippi