With smith-lever funding, mississippi state university (MSU) extension's goal is to improve the well-being of mississippians in all 82 counties through addressing five critical issues: enhancing the…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Mississippi State University $14.765 million under the Smith-Lever Extension Funding program (CFDA 10.511) on October 1, 2025.

MSU Extension delivers direct and indirect educational programming across all 82 Mississippi counties to improve well-being by addressing five critical issues: enhancing agricultural viability and food security; growing vibrant communities and businesses; advancing youth development through 4-H programming; strengthening family outcomes; and sustaining natural resources and promoting sustainable energy. Direct education methods include virtual and face-to-face workshops, classes, group discussions, one-on-one technical assistance, demonstrations, and field days. Indirect education encompasses social media, publications, public service announcements, videos, mass media, newsletters, and websites.

The award period runs from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2030, with place of performance in Mississippi. MSU Extension's programming model is client-driven and responsive to needs identified through advisory councils, surveys, and research-based assessment.

With smith-lever funding, mississippi state university (MSU) extension's goal is to improve the well-being of mississippians in all 82 counties through addressing five critical issues: enhancing the viability and sustainability of mississippi's agriculture systems to ensure food security, safety, and quality; growing vibrant, successful, and sustainable mississippi communities and businesses; improving the lives of youth through positive 4-H youth development to build mississippi's future; strengthening and sustaining mississippi families to facilitate healthy outcomes and well-being; and sustaining mississippi's natural resources and environment and promoting sustainable energy. MSU extension's goals are to focus on quality services and programs that are client-driven; instill a future-oriented perspective in staff members, advisors, partners, and clients; respond to new or different needs by maintaining flexibility in programming efforts; develop a level of alternative resources to allow for adjustments to changing demands or critical needs expand efforts to help clients compete in a global economy; foster an environment that will enable staff members and volunteers achieve their full potential; and project a positive image that will broaden public understanding of extension's mission, goals, PR ograms, and accomplishments. Therefore, based on the information obtained through formal and informal needs assessment processes (e.g., advisory councils, surveys, research/statistics), MSU extension's primary deliverables are direct and indirect educational methods to reach its clients. Direct education occurs through virtual and face to- face workshops, classes, group discussions, one-on-one technical assistance, demonstrations, field days, and other types of educational presentations and technology transfer. Indirect education methods include social media, reports and publications, public service announcements, videos, mass media, newsletters, websites, and other forms of communication. MSU extension meets the needs of its audiences by leveraging cutting edge technology and innovative teaching methods to serve all mississippians, supporting extension professionals across mississippi, engaging volunteers to extend program reach, and collaborating with partner organizations and agencies. Through practical, research based education offered in multiple formats, our expected outcomes are increased knowledge and skills, improved practices and behaviors, and enhanced conditions for mississippi in agriculture and natural resources; 4-H youth development; family, health, and wellness; and community resource and economic development. Our approach ensures that MSU extension is a leader for positive and meaningful change to ensure benefits for individuals, families, and communities across the state.