Federal Cooperative Agreement Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) awarded a $100,000 Cooperative Agreement to the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, to implement a statewide cogongrass management and education program. MDAC will conduct an integrated outreach initiative designed to inform Mississippi landowners and residents about the environmental and economic impacts of cogongrass, an invasive species threatening the state's agricultural and natural resources. The program will deliver field days, seminars, educational materials, and on-site property assessments to equip participants with identification skills and control methodologies for cogongrass management.

Under this agreement, MDAC will partner with Mississippi State University weed scientists and employ contract inspectors to identify and map cogongrass infestations on participating landowner properties, verify infestation extent, and facilitate treatment through licensed private contractors using federally compliant herbicide protocols. Participating landowners will receive direct training on proper herbicide application and safe control practices, enabling them to manage cogongrass removal independently on their properties. These coordinated efforts aim to systematically reduce cogongrass populations throughout Mississippi while building landowner capacity for long-term invasive species management.