The primary goal of this agreement is to increase awareness and knowledge to prevent the introduction or spread of HI GH-consequence pests into and throughout the united states, through high-risk…

Mississippi State University received a $122,000 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025), effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. The award supports educational outreach and awareness initiatives designed to prevent the introduction and spread of high-consequence pests into and throughout the United States, with particular focus on high-risk pathways and areas within Mississippi.

The university will deliver year-round outreach and educational activities targeting the Mississippi agricultural community and citizens of all ages from elementary school through adulthood. Key deliverables include conducting multiple outreach events throughout the state, maintaining comprehensive attendance records and event documentation in a database for archival research and year-over-year performance analysis, administering exit surveys at select events to assess participant experience, and developing new educational handouts, visual aids, and booth designs based on survey feedback. These products and services are designed to increase awareness and knowledge regarding pest prevention and biosecurity across diverse audience groups throughout the state.

Activities

These methods are designed to provide education and information to all key audience groups located in mississippi. Deliverables and expected outcomes: outreach activities will be conducted throughout the year. A complete list of all outreach and educational events will be kept and used to access coverage within the state. Attendance numbers will be acquired and maintained for each event and kept in a database for archival research and year over year performance analysis. The use of exit surveys will be conducted at some events to assess overall experience and ways to improve. New educational handouts, visual aids, and booth designs will be created based on these surveys. Intended beneficiary(IES): mississippi agricultural community and citizens of all ages throughout the state from elementary school through adulthood for out-reach and education. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: N/a