Mississippi department of agriculture and commerce (MDAC) objective is to inform mississippians about the harmful environmental and economic impact of cogongrass through education, outreach, and…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded $100,000 to the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce on July 1, 2026, through a cooperative agreement to conduct education, outreach, and treatment activities targeting cogongrass invasive species across Mississippi.

The recipient will identify and map cogongrass infestations on participating landowner properties, coordinate treatment by private contractors using appropriate herbicides, and provide landowner education on identification and control strategies. Contract inspectors will visit properties to confirm cogongrass presence and infestation extent, and deliver training to landowners on herbicide identification and safe application. The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce and Mississippi State University weed scientists will jointly plan and conduct field days and seminars for public and landowner education. Landowners may apply to the program to receive at-home assessments and guidance on effective removal methods.

The period of performance runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with all work performed in Mississippi. This is assistance funding under a cooperative agreement assistance type.

Activities

To participate in the education and outreach program landowners will need to apply to mississippi department of agriculture and commerce representative will identify and map cogongrass spots and work with landowners to hire private contractors to treat the spots with appropriate herbicide according to applicable federal requirements, to diminish the congongrass populations throughout the state of mississippi. Mississippi department of agriculture and commerce and mississippi state university weed scientists plan and participate in cogongrass field days and seminars to educate the public and landowners in the identification and control strategies of cogongrass. Contract inspectors, will make arrangements to visit the landowners and the properties to confirm the presence of cogongrass and the extent of the infestation. Contract inspectors will provide training to the landowners in the identification and the proper use of herbicides to control cogongrass. Deliverables and expected outcomes: the primary objective for mississippi department of agriculture and commerce is to conduct an outreach program to educate residents of mississippi about the spread of cogongrass. This outreach program will give mississippi residents the opportunity to attend field days, seminars, obtain educational materials, and even receive at home assessments about how to properly and effectively remove cogongrass from their property by learning which methods to use and how to do so safely on their own. The bureau will be providing landowners with approved herbicides to control cogongrass. Intended beneficiary(IES): anyone who directly or indirectly benefits from mississippi's forest and natural resources. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: N/a