Establishing agronomic and pest management practices for vegetable, specialty crops, and fruit growers while improving pollinator health -- to evaluate vegetables, small fruits, and various…

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service awarded a Cooperative Agreement valued at $1,379,117.96 to Mississippi State University on September 22, 2025, under the Agricultural Research Basic and Applied Research program (CFDA 10.001). The award funds evaluation of vegetable, small fruit, and specialty crop cultivars for local adaptation along the Gulf Coast under pest and agronomic management practices that are pollinator-friendly and economically viable to growers. Performance occurs at Mississippi State University in Mississippi, with a period of performance through September 21, 2028. The program supports research and development conducted in cooperation with the Agricultural Research Service's in-house research programs, with peer review determining priority for award negotiation. Record retention requirements extend three years from submission of the final expenditure report.

Establishing agronomic and pest management practices for vegetable, specialty crops, and fruit growers while improving pollinator health -- to evaluate vegetables, small fruits, and various specialty crop cultivars for local adaptation along the gulf coast under different pest and agronomic management practices that are pollinator friendly as well as economically viable to the grower.