MSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

The Food Science Muscle Foods and Sensory Lab started the semester with a descriptive sensory food panel! Students got hands-on experience with the sensory evaluation process, using their senses to assess appearance, aroma, texture and taste. 😋🍴

🌱Happy First Day of Class, !🐾

We kicked off the first day by getting to know some of the students who make the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences so special.

We have the best faculty!

Congratulations to Prakash Jha, assistant professor in Plant and Soil Sciences, on receiving the Soil and Water Management and Conservation Division Young Scholar Award from the Soil Science Society of America (ASA, CSSA, and SSSA)!

The award recognizes early-career scientists making exceptional contributions to soil and water management and conservation. Jha’s research uses remote sensing and crop simulation modeling to help growers make informed crop-management decisions, with research experience spanning countries around the world.

We’re proud to see Jha’s research, collaboration and global impact recognized!

Meet T.J. Evans, manager of the Dairy Plant, where his team produces the Mississippi State University cheese, ice cream and other dairy products that generations of Bulldogs know and love.

For T.J., it’s about more than making great products—it’s about preserving a piece of Mississippi State history and identity.

“I’m not here to make a name for myself. I’m here to make this place better.”

Read more at https://www.msstate.edu/our-people/2026/08/tj-evans

The and Sweetpotato Field Day was a great event for our producers. Thank you to all who attended and to our sponsors.

Sweet Potato Field Day showcases farmer-MSU researcher alliance Contact: Vanessa Beeson STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi’s leading sweet potato producers and the state’s leading sweet potato researchers celebrated the official state vegetable Thursday [Aug. 13] with Mississippi State University’s annual Sweet Potato Field Day. MSU Extension Sweet Potato Spe...

Our students have been busy this summer, earning valuable professional experience through summer internships. Check it out in this episode of Influence.

Influence August 2026 Hear from student interns

Help us inspire the next generation of agriculture and life sciences professionals!

On Friday, September 11, will welcome high school and community college students to Discovery Day: A Departmental and Career Exploration Day.

Discovery Day gives students the chance to explore majors, discover career possibilities, and experience what their future at Mississippi State could look like. In small groups, students will rotate through interactive activities, get a behind-the-scenes look at our diverse programs, and connect one-on-one with industry leaders and stakeholders.

From agriculture and natural resources to environmental sciences and beyond, students will discover career pathways they may not have considered — careers that offer high-tech opportunities, competitive pay, strong job placement and the chance to make a meaningful impact on our world.

For our industry partners, Discovery Day is an opportunity to connect directly with tomorrow’s workforce, showcase your organization and inspire future employees.

Interested in becoming a sponsor or exhibitor? Contact us today to learn more and help us connect students with the possibilities waiting for them in agriculture and life sciences!

From Mississippi State to the national culinary stage!

Louis Chatham, a food science expert and staff member, recently served as a judge for the 2026 National Association of College & University Food Services culinary competition in New Orleans.

With decades of culinary experience—including training from the Culinary Institute of America, restaurant ownership and service as a head chef—Chatham now shares his expertise with MSU graduate students through the Food Science Innovation Hub and Muscle Foods and Sensory Laboratory.

We’re proud to see Chatham representing MSU while helping inspire the next generation of chefs and food scientists.

Congratulations to our faculty and staff awards winners!

Whether you are starting out or leveling up, our One Health graduate programs are designed to boost your impact.

These programs have been established by the MSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Forest Resources, Mississippi State University and the College of Veterinary Medicine through the MSU Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine.

To learn more about our online graduate certificates and Master of Science programs, visit vetmed.msstate.edu/onehealth. Applications for Fall 2026 are due by August 1st.