Director’s Message

Summer 2026 Update

Summer is nearly here, and the temperatures are heating up the Mississippi fields. Growers are facing drought conditions almost everywhere in the state, and Extension specialists and agents are here to offer support however we can.

As June begins, we’ve just wrapped up the Delta Mid-Season Row Crop Update. Last week, our annual Mississippi Assessors and Collectors Association Summer Conference brought elected officials to Biloxi to learn the latest about how best to serve the public in those roles.

Some of the most exciting—and fun—summer programming Extension provides is for 4-H’ers. The 2026 4-H Club Congress just finished, and 4-H STEAM Day, short for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, will be held June 26. 4-H Project Achievement Days and 4-H summer camps are being held regionally throughout June and July.

Agricultural field days and production updates will be delivered during June and July, including Agriculture and Natural Resource Educational Trainings on June 4, 14, and 16 held, respectively, in Raymond, Stoneville, and Macon. Summer Field Day at the Truck Crops Experiment Station will be June 16, Vegetable Field Day is coming up July 8, and Watermelon Field Day will be held July 22.

We also continue ServSafe and Commercial Pesticide professional trainings throughout the summer, and Cooking Matters nutrition programs carry on statewide.

Click here to get the most up-to-date info about Extension’s summer programming.

Extension is here to connect with and serve the people of Mississippi, and we’re grateful to have the chance to work with so many different people from all walks of life. This digital magazine, Extension Matters, gives us the chance to tell the best stories of our clients’ successes, so keep checking in to see how we empower Mississippians from all walks of life through education based in research.

Whether it’s an Extension program in agriculture, natural resources, government and community development, 4-H youth development, or family, health, and wellness, Extension education is making a positive difference in people’s lives.

Hail State,

Angus Catchot,
Director, Mississippi State University Extension Service