The Mississippi Small Farm and Agribusiness Center (MSFAC) promotes, enhances and facilitates the development and growth of small farms, alternative enterprises, and agribusinesses in Mississippi. In 1988, it was established as the Mississippi Small Farm Development Center through an act of Mississippi State legislature and renamed in 2013. Services include identification of marketing opportunities, food safety, enterprise selection, financial resource acquisition, production technology, harvesting and post-harvesting handling methods, value added product development, organizational development and new industry nurturing.

There are 34,988 farms in Mississippi, a decrease from 37,500 farms in comparison to the number of farms reported in the 2012 Agriculture Census. Of the total farms in Mississippi, 29,629 have annual gross farm revenues less than $50,000; 10,652 have farm income less than $50,000; and 20,184 have farm losses ranging from less than $1,000 to more than $50,000 (Census of Agriculture, 2017). MSFAC provides services directly to approximately 600 farmers and indirectly to several thousand. The Center is vital to sustaining existing farm operations and developing new, beginning farmers and ranchers by employing a holistic agribusiness model.

Alcorn State University Mississippi Small Farm and Agribusiness Center is committed to growing small farmers through technical assistance, thereby, enhancing the capacity and sustainability of new farmers and ranchers with a holistic agribusiness approach.

Center Staff

Elizabeth Myles, Ph.D.
Associate Director
Office: (601) 877-3947
Email: [email protected]

Velma Oliver, M.S.

Farm Management/Loan Specialist
Small Farm Loan Program
Office: 601-877-6570
Fax: 601-877-3942
Email: [email protected]

Patrina Leonard, M.S.
Outreach Coordinator
Office: (601) 877-6207
Fax: (601) 877-3931
Email: [email protected]

Felicia Hamilton
Administrative Assistant
Office: (601) 877-6207
Fax: (601) 877-3931
Email: fhamilton@alcorn.edu

Aundrea Coleman
Project Assistant
Office: (601) 877-6449
Fax: (601) 877-3931
Email: aundreac@alcorn.edu