Alcorn state university, founded in 1871, is the nation's first 1890 hbcu land-grant university, located in lorman, mississippi

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Alcorn State University $7,369,382 on October 1, 2025, under the Payments to 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Tuskegee University program (CFDA 10.205), a formula grant supporting agricultural research at 1890 land-grant institutions.

Alcorn State University will conduct agricultural research and extension services addressing soil and water quality degradation and mitigation, crop breeding and genetic improvement, vegetable and fruit production and storage, animal nutrition and feed research, irrigation management, pest diagnostic and management technologies, specialty crop evaluation for small farm integration, biotechnology adoption including genome editing, and robotics and artificial intelligence applications in production systems. The university will also deliver zoonotic disease research and public health education, along with workforce development and student mentoring programs recruiting from high schools and community colleges. Expected deliverables include detailed research reports, new germplasm and cultivars, improved processing and storage methods, and crop performance data. Research activities will be conducted on- and off-campus by faculty, staff, and students. Performance period runs from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027, with place of performance in Lorman, Mississippi. Under the Payments to 1890 Land-Grant Colleges program, funds must be fully expended in the fiscal year of appropriation, though up to 100 percent may be carried over for up to one year following appropriation without prior approval. Recipients must submit a plan of work to NIFA for approval and comply with annual reporting requirements on accomplishments and results.

IT provides a wide range of agricultural research and extension services to the communities IT serves. Research at alcorn spans diverse fields including agronomy, plant breeding, pathology, entomology, mycology, virology, soil and environmental sciences, animal science, plant biotechnology, biofuels, bioprocessing, agricultural economics, agribusiness, agricultural mechanics, and smart agriculture technologies. A key component of this mission also involves expanding awareness of agriculture while recruiting, training, and mentoring students from high schools and community colleges, thereby contributing to workforce development and preparing skilled professionals for the agricultural sector. The proposed research program addresses critical issues such as soil and water quality degradation and mitigation; use of cover crops and organic fertilizers; crop breeding and genetic improvement; vegetable and fruit production, processing, and storage; evaluation of novel biofertilizers such as biochars for crop productions; animal nutrition and feed research; soil surveys; and irrigation management to improve crop potential and resource conservation. Additional focus areas include development and application of pest diagnostic and management technologies, evaluation of specialty crops for small farm integration and economic impact, education programs to strengthen rural communities, adoption of novel biotechnology (including genome editing for yield and quality improvement), application of robotics and artificial intelligence in production systems, zoonotic disease research, and public health education. Research activities will be conducted on- and off-campus by faculty, staff, and students. Expected deliverables include detailed research reports, new germplasm and cultivars, improved processing and storage methods, crop performance data, findings on animal and human health through modified diets, enhanced soil and water management practices, diagnostic toolkits for pest management, integration of specialty crops into small farm operations, adoption of robotics and AI technologies, educational materials for outreach, and increased public awareness of zoonotic diseases. Dissemination will occur through extension programs, outreach services, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed publications. This integrated effort will benefit alcorn state university, surrounding communities, the state of mississippi, the agricultural industry, and the general public by advancing sustainable agriculture, supporting small farmers, strengthening the agricultural workforce, and improving community resilience.