REACH

10/08/2026

We wanted to share some of the newest water professionals from Mississippi State University.

Avery and Kara graduated in Dec 2025 with their Master of Science in Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture. Co-advised by Dr. Brian Davis and Dr. Beth Baker, Kara is now a Biologist with Ducks Unlimited, and Avery is an Environmental Analyst with OPAL Fuels. We think they should be celebrated every week!

10/06/2026

Anytime you have your morning coffee, enjoy a popsicle on a hot day, or buy a new shirt- you're using water. We use water directly when we eat, drink, wash our hands, and take care of plants, and indirectly through goods we purchase and energy we use that require water to produce or generate. Not only do we need water, but the planet does too! (globe emoji)

Water professionals help manage, treat, and protect water infrastructure and water resources. Their efforts are critical to healthy and sustainable communities and environments. It's no wonder they get a full week to celebrate their hard work!

There are so many types of water professionals! If we missed your job, let us know in the comments so we can celebrate with you too!

10/01/2026

Did you know one of the programs our team leads is Mississippi Water Stewards (MSWS)? If you're asking, “what is MSWS?" Keep reading!

🌊Mississippi is home to many rivers, streams, reservoirs, wetlands, and coastal waters. These are valuable resources that make our state special. Mississippi Water Stewards is a MSU Extension Program that builds a community of people who care about protecting these resources and help expand monitoring efforts in their local communities.

🤝Through education and stewardship, we are strengthening Mississippian's understanding of water conservation practices and how to protect the water we depend on.

If your new question is "how do l become a water steward?" Follow us and keep an eye out for future posts!

09/29/2026

A lot of people say the fun part of water quality testing is when you visit the source, and it’s true, we love getting in the field! 🌊

But a lot of the behind the scenes work actually happens in the lab. 🔬

Water stewards can be trained in water chemistry, bacteriological, and biomonitoring methods, giving us a better understanding of what’s happening in our waterways.

Right now, we are working on testing new surveillance methods to help our Water Stewards test for nitrate and phosphate quickly, safely, and accurately. These new tests aim to improve access to supplies and simplify the testing process. 🧑‍🔬

We are excited to continue offering new training opportunities and engaging communities in protecting Mississippi’s waterways! 💧

09/29/2026

Congratulations to our very own Dr. Beth Baker!🎉

09/25/2026

We are hard at work piloting some new monitoring methods to support on-farm research with and . By scouting sites and researching different methods of testing Phosphate and Nitrate concentrations in the water, we are able to bridge rigorous science and outreach 💧🧪🌾

01/13/2026

The 2026 Good Idea Shop Talks kick off next week! Getting ideas from experienced farmers from around the country can be a helpful way to shift perspectives and get ideas for adapting in challenging times while improving soil and water resource use. Registration details are linked below!

A meet-up series is for farmers who want to exchange ideas and advice for troubleshooting on-farm challenges related to improving soil and water resources.