Alumnus Magazine | Summer 2020

Discoveries
States-of-Emergency
MSU agriculture, forestry, Extension and veterinary medicine
units help Magnolia State manage overlapping crises
By Vanessa Beeson, Nathan Gregory and Melody Thurlow
As a global pandemic bore down on
the world this spring, Mississippi
had its share of unique challenges.
In addition to the novel virus that causes
COVID-19, Mississippi also grappled with
the threats it faces every March and April,
namely severe weather that spurs tornadoes
and plenty of rain.
As a land-grant university, MSU bolsters
two of the state’s largest economic drivers—
agriculture and forestry. Research, extension
and teaching in the MSU Division of
Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine
support these two industries, which accounted
for $7.2 billion in total farm-gate value, with
an additional $15.5 billion value added to the
Mississippi economy indirectly in 2019.
Reuben Moore, the division’s interim
vice president, said that each unit within the
division played a distinctive role responding
to COVID-19 and carrying out essential tasks
that keep the state of Mississippi thriving.
“Our programming affects all
Mississippians—whether it be the food
supply, sustainable natural resources or
animal welfare—we’re here to ensure a
better quality of life for everyone in our
state. This is illustrated most often when
10 SUMMER 2020
our state is faced with uncertainty,” Moore
said. “Despite closures or crises, our
faculty strives to maintain continuity in
agricultural and forestry research along with
advancing knowledge through educational
programming. Our scientists are planting
research plots to address critical issues faced
by farmers and assisting those serving on
the front lines, particularly in a state of
emergency.”
He continued, “Even when many of
our researchers were working from home,
our agronomic, animal science, forestry,
fisheries, veterinary medicine and poultry
science professionals spent time with animals
and in fields or with clients who need our
professional expertise. We are here to educate
and serve the people of Mississippi, both
today and into the future.”
MSU Extension Service
Before the first cases of the coronavirus
in Mississippi were confirmed, health and
communications specialists with the MSU
Extension Service began working with the
Office of Agricultural Communications
to produce videos and news articles
addressing COVID-19 concerns ranging
from sanitization to talking with children
about the virus to coping with stress. They
also developed publications and digital
educational materials on business strategies,
finances, meal planning and resources for
local governments.
State leaders and health professionals were
already trying to contain the COVID-19
pandemic in the Magnolia State’s borders
when a worst-case scenario of overlapping
crises came to pass on Easter Sunday.
Widespread tornadoes in the southern half
of the state on Sunday, April 12, caused 14
fatalities, many injuries and catastrophic
destruction to residential, commercial and
agricultural property.
With Mississippi under two states of
emergency, the MSU Extension Service
became an integral part of the response.
MSU Extension is written into the
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency’s
Comprehensive Emergency Management
Plan as an essential agency.
Extension personnel are placed on standby
to assist MEMA, as well as the Mississippi
State Department of Health, Mississippi
Department of Agriculture and Commerce,
and the Mississippi Board of Animal Health,
when a state of emergency is declared. The
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