Points of Pride

With sixteen branch experiment stations and research units located throughout the state, MAFES takes great pride in the following research and outreach efforts:

Agricultural Science Research
With current expenditures nearly $82 million, the National Science Foundation ranks MSU fifth among all institutions for agricultural science research, and second for federally-funded agricultural research expenditures.

Display Garden
The Truck Crops Experiment Station in Crystal Springs is the 2005 All-America Selections Display Garden Exemplary Education Category II award winner. The station has been an All-America trial and display garden since 1990.

Biofuel Production
MAFES is leading the University’s efforts in biofuel production through the Sustainable Energy Center. We are working on fuels derived from soybeans, corn, wood chips, grasses, sewage, and experimental crops.

MAFES Turf
About 80 percent of the university's patent income is from turfgrass patented by MAFES. The Rose Bowl field, the Arizona Diamondbacks field, and several prestigious golf courses are covered with this turf.

Genomics
MAFES scientists are leading the new effort in genomics at Mississippi State. At this point, Mississippi State University is at the cutting edge in this field.

Aquaculture
Channel catfish production, with its associated service industries, contributes more than $2 billion to Mississippi’s economy each year. Its value is expected to increase as per capita consumption of fish continues to grow. MAFES scientists work to make this industry more efficient with the highest quality results.

Farm Production
The value of Mississippi farm production in 2005 was an estimated $6.3 billion, an all-time high for the state.   The farm and forestry sector accounts for 27% of the state’s employment opportunities.