MAFES — RESEARCH IS OUR BUSINESS

Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) operates a statewide laboratory based at Mississippi State University with research facilities at four Research and Extension Centers and encompassing a total of 16 branch locations. There are approximately 160 full-time equivalent scientists employed in the 13 Mississippi State University departments and the off-campus sites.

MAFES is committed to the traditional land-grant mission of advancing the production of food and fiber, protecting the natural resources, and improving the quality of life of all Mississippians. MAFES' ongoing focus on environmental issues, social issues, economic development, and improved nutrition, food safety, and human health directly benefits all citizens. Mississippi's experiment station continues its emphasis on developing new products and processes, improving plant and animal production systems, and conducting fundamental research with potential to enhance a wide range of commodities. Mississippi homeowners are benefited by the research in pest management, turf grass, floriculture, urban forestry, and ornamental plants.

MAFES was established through passage of the Hatch Act of 1887 and subsequent state legislation enacted in 1888 for the expressed purpose of conducting scientific research in agriculture, forestry and related sciences. Thus, funds supporting this research program derive from both federal and state appropriations with the federal funds administered through the USDA, Cooperative State Research Service (CSRS).

To accomplish its mission, MAFES cooperates with other universities, government agencies, businesses, commodity groups and other agricultural stakeholders -- locally, regionally, and nationally. Through competitive grants and contracts with its research partners, MAFES has led MSU to rank in the top 10 in the nation's agricultural funding.