The Alcorn State University Extension Program serves as a premiere “Center for Excellence” for small farmers, ranchers and limited-resource audiences. With three locations serving 15, southwest Mississippi counties, the Extension Program is poised to educate and empower citizens throughout the state during times of dynamic change.

Through life-long learning strategies, the Extension Program serves as a proactive, responsive, and collaborative learning organization, committed to the growth and development of its targeted clientele. Extension personnel work to improve agricultural related processes, as well as to strengthen families and communities through the dissemination and application of research-generated knowledge. Leadership techniques, collaborative learning, and organizational strategies are also at the core of the Extension Program’s work.

For more information about the Program, its entities, or its personnel, contact the Extension Office at 601.877.6128.

HISTORY
In 1971, when Alcorn State University first began operating under Public Law 89-106, the University operated extension programs in five counties: Copiah, Lincoln, Claiborne, Jefferson, and Pike. Ten additional counties: Scott, Smith, Simpson, Hinds, Warren, Lawrence, Adams, Wilkinson, Amite, and Walthall were added in 1972.

Formula funds were first made available to operate the Cooperative Extension Program in October of 1971; however, outreach activities at Alcorn State University pre-dated the establishment by nearly 50 years. Extension Programs were developed under the Smith-Lever Act by Alcorn State University and other 1890 Institutions as early as 1921. The 1862 Institution (Mississippi State University) provided supervision and overall administration of the program. The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 made no provisions for the sharing of federal funds with 1890 Institutions. Alcorn State University Extension Program (ASUEP) was revamped in 2002.

PURPOSE
The basic purpose of the Cooperative Extension system is to improve American agriculture and strengthen the nation’s families and communities through dissemination and application of research-generated knowledge and leadership techniques, collaborative learning organization committed to the growth and development.

VISION
The Alcorn State University Extension Program is a premier “Extension Center of Excellence” for limited-resource audiences which is a proactive, responsive, and collaborative learning organization committed to the growth and development of people through life-long learning.

MISSION
To improve the quality of life of limited-resource audiences through education in a time of dynamic change.

LEADERSHIP SPECIALISTS EDUCATORS ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SUPPORT STAFF

The Alcorn State University Extension/Research Farm & Technology Transfer Center was established in the Spring of 1995 with forty-five (45) acres of land leased from North Bolivar County Development Corporation. The Center is proud to be the first off-campus agricultural educational outreach center in Alcorn state University Extension Program’ history devoted to Extension and Research demonstrations. The Extension/Research Farm & Technology Transfer Center is located in Mound Bayou (Bolivar County), Mississippi, and is a low-income rural area the heart of the Mississippi Delta.

This area is where traditional agriculture and off-farm employment do not present a solution to the poverty of many families attempting to make a living from the operation of small family farms. Furthermore, Alcorn State University-Extension Program (ASUEP) has placed special emphasis on the production of sweet potatoes in the area. Hence, research and demonstration previously geared towards sweet potato production and marketing are conducted at the center with participation with scientists from Alcorn State University, Mississippi State University, USDA/ARS research station at Stoneville, Mississippi and local farmers.

Additionally, the outreach center has expanded its focus to emphasize a variety of viable alternative agriculture enterprise solutions using crop rotation demonstration of various types of horticultural crops as well ornamental products.

The center’s purpose is to educate farmers on sustainable horticulture crops emphasizing:
• Soil and crop management, emphasizing cultural operations and efficiency of fertilizer use • Cropping systems for crop intensification and for farm management
• Pest control and management
• Improved cultivars adapted to the specific environment of farm and farmers
• Value added processing, Post harvest handling and marketing strategies

Sustainable Horticulture Production System Planned Program

The planned program goals will be achieved through:
• Research and demonstrations efforts
• Spring/Fall field days
• Implementation of Train the Trainer education programs for farmers
• Implementation of workshops and seminars for farmers
• One-on- one Technical Assistance

STAFF MEMBERS

JOHN COLEMAN – FARM MANAGER
PHONE: 662-741-3375
EMAIL: 
LARRY ALEXANDER – PROGRAM ASSISTANT
PHONE: 662-741-3375
EMAIL: LARRYA
WHITNEY BROWN – TEMPORARY ASSISTANT
PHONE: 662-741-3375
EMAIL: EMAIL

DORIS MILLER – ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
PHONE: 662-741-3375
EMAIL: [email protected]

Vegetable Processing Center

Alcorn State University Extension Program (ASUEP) working closely with (the Quitman County Board of Supervisors, North Delta Mississippi Enterprise Community), the North Delta Produce Growers and Association Mississippi Association of Cooperative has established a fresh vegetable processing facility in Marks (Quitman County), Mississippi, which is the center of the North Delta Mississippi Enterprise Community. Under this agreement, Alcorn State University’s Cooperative Extension Program has provided the leadership in the establishment of a facility.

The Cooperative Extension Program will also work closely with the North Delta Produce Growers Association into other areas to include farmers in all of the targeted counties in the North Delta Mississippi Enterprises Community, which is a federal rural designation. This facility will serve as a value-added processing, assembly-line and temporary storage facility for fresh vegetable that are either ready for immediate consumption or prepared for additional processing.

This facility will be used to assist farmers in vegetable production practices through demonstrations, workshops and seminars. The facility will also be used to educate farmers on sanitation, post harvest handling techniques and also help to expand marketing opportunities for present and prospective vegetable farmers in the North Delta.

The purpose of the center is to establish a vegetable processing and packing facility that will allow small farmers in the North Delta area to produce commercial vegetables in order to diversify their farm operation and to improve their marketing potentials.

The potential vegetable market outlets include the casinos, state institutions and wholesale/retail produce clients in Memphis, Chicago, St. Louis and other produce outlets within 300 to 500 miles of Marks, Mississippi.

Sustainable Horticulture Systems Planned Program

The knowledge area of the planned program if as follows:
• Food technologies – Educational workshops seminars and demonstrations activities conducted at the Mark processing facility to:
• Establish a value-added processing, assembly and temporary storage facility for fresh
vegetables that is either ready for immediate consumption or prepared for additional processing.
• Conduct an on-going training program for members of the cooperative engaged in the commercial vegetable production program.
• Introduce small farmers to the latest technology available in alternative agricultural enterprise.

ASUEP STAFF MEMBERS:
TERRANCE EMERSON-PROGRAM ASSISTANT
PHONE: 601-326-2531
EMAIL: [email protected]
PERCY BALDWIN-FACILITY MANAGER
PHONE: 662-326-2531
EMAIL: [email protected]

The Small Farm Incubator Center is located in Preston, Mississippi. The Center has established in 1997 as a permanent teaching laboratory and educational training site for small and/or limited- resource farmers in surrounding counties who are wishing to farm but have limited farming experience.

The Center provides an opportunity for small farmers that are interested in the production of horticultural crops, livestock production (i.e. pasture poultry) and agro forestry to acquire hands-on training under the guidance of a horticulture or animal science specialist.

The purpose of the Center is to increase the number and success of limited-resource individual interested in becoming farmers, but who do not have land, and provide an opportunity to move them to an inventory farm.

Individuals selected to engage in the incubator program are required to participate in a comprehensive training program. The extent of the training will be based upon individuals’ past farming experiences. Selected farmers will be assigned an economic tract of land up to 3 acres of land based upon his/her labor and the personal interest, rent-free, for an extended period of time.

The program’s personnel work closely with each individual farmer in developing his/her production and marketing plan. The Center provides the farming equipment but the farmers are responsible for all their production supplies and implementing production practices under the supervision of the Center’s staff. During their training period, they will be evaluated annually. At the end of the three -or -five -year period, successful farmers will be given an opportunity to purchase a farm at a reasonable price.

The ultimate goals of the Small Farm Incubator Program are:

Increase the number of small limited- resource farmers(minority) by making inventory farmland available a farm demonstration site to interested individuals who have demonstrated an interest in farming and to gain the knowledge and skills to produce alternative agriculture enterprises.
• To provide training to individuals who want to farm, but have limited or no experience in farming.
SUSTAINABLE HORTICULTURE SYSTEM PLANNED PROGRAM:
Research findings translated from various knowledge areas identified in the Joint Extension and Research Plan- of- Work will be demonstrated at the Small Incubator Center. The knowledge area of the planned program is as follows:
• Conduct educational session for small farmers on post- harvest handling and sanitation of horticultural crops, soil, plant, water and nutrient relationships, plant management systems, and weeds affecting plants.
• Provide training on marketing techniques/outlets.

ASUEP Staff Members
James Garner Ph.D – Farm Manager
662-773-7128
[email protected]

Leroy Hickman – Assistant Farm Manager
662-773-7128
[email protected]

Charles Hickman – Program Assistant
662-773-7128
[email protected]

Mamie Crosby – Program Assistant
662-773-7128
[email protected]

John Hickman – Temporary Assistant
662-773-7128
[email protected]

The Alcorn State University School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences is proud to announce the introduction of a new facility on the Lorman campus. The Product Development Center, a state of the art laboratory incubator facility, will be used to develop, enhance and promote the products of local farmers and entrepreneurs in surrounding communities, as well as those created by the University, preparing them for mass production and launching into the public eye.

With jointly-marketed products ranging from hot sauce, pepper sauce, jellies, jams and marinades to items like lip balm, hand creams, and soap, the Center is poised to create a diverse impact on entrepreneurship in the surrounding region.

Funded by the state of Mississippi as well as the United States Department of Agriculture, the Center will also collaborate with other entities like Canemount Plantation, The Chamber, and the Old Country Store to develop and sell products.

The Center is located outside of the front gate near the University’s main entrance. For more information, contact Mr. Anthony Reed at [email protected] or 601.877.2305.

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CONTACT

1000 ASU Dr 479
Extension & Research Complex
Alcorn State, MS 39096
601-877-6128
601-877-6694 (Fax)

Please report broken links to [email protected]