How Mississippi State University Extension Works
Extension is Mississippi State University's link to every county in the state. It describes itself as the off-campus educational arm of the university, working with the USDA and with Alcorn State University, the state's 1890 land-grant school. If you show livestock, grow a garden, run a farm or just want to know whether your canning recipe is safe, your county office is usually the first call.
An Office in All 82 Counties
Extension has offices in all 82 Mississippi counties, and you can find yours through the county Extension offices page. MSU's engagement page says the offices are usually in courthouses, post offices or other local government buildings, and that Extension works with local boards of supervisors, the USDA and Alcorn State. It counts about 700 university employees, including 138 faculty, working from campuses and Research and Extension Centers.
The state office mailing address is 130 Bost Drive, Mississippi State, MS 39762. The 2026 Extension overview names Angus L. Catchot Jr. as director.
What Extension Covers
Extension's work falls into four program areas, per the Extension overview:
- Agriculture and Natural Resources: soil testing, crop and natural resource management, and budget planning
- 4-H Youth Development: leadership, STEM, civic engagement and life skills
- Community and Economic Development: strategic planning, tourism and government training
- Family, Health and Wellness: nutrition, health, financial literacy and parenting support
The same overview lists specialized certifications, volunteer opportunities and emergency preparedness training. A 2024 Statewide Needs Assessment Survey is linked from the about page.
Help for Farmers and Landowners
Agriculture and natural resources help starts with your county agent. Soil testing is the service the Extension overview names most directly, so ask your office how to collect and submit a sample. Fees and turnaround times are not published in the overview, so ask before you dig.
The Extension website also carries publications, events and expert advice, which is useful when the office is closed and the cow is not.
4-H and Youth Livestock
4-H is the youth program, and in Mississippi the county Extension office is where many livestock projects begin. For the State Fair and the Dixie National Junior Round-Up, the 2026-27 general rules require these steps:
- Exhibitors must live in Mississippi and belong to a 4-H club or FFA chapter.
- Exhibitors must be at least 8 and not yet 19 on January 1 of the show year, unless still enrolled in high school.
- Entries go to the county Extension office by September 1, 2026 for the State Fair and December 1, 2026 for the Dixie National.
- The county agent or agricultural education teacher verifies how long you have had the animal.
- Market and commercial animals need an 840 USDA EID ear tag bought through the State 4-H Livestock Office.
- Exhibitors and their parents or guardians must complete the Mississippi Youth Livestock Producer Quality Assurance Program and sign the Code of Conduct Agreement, MSU Extension Form 1152.
Extension also organizes the shows themselves. A March 2026 Department of Agriculture and Commerce release credits MSU Extension with running the Dixie National Junior Round-Up alongside fairgrounds staff, and reports that 1,152 4-H and FFA members exhibited 1,759 head of livestock there in 2026.
4-H Contests and Newsletters
Beyond the show ring, county 4-H clubs feed state contests. The June 2025 4-H Animal Lines newsletter reported a March 8 livestock judging contest in Starkville, a March 28 dairy judging contest at the MSU Bearden Dairy, and horse contests, with Tippah, Jones, Greene, Covington and Union counties among the winners. The same newsletter is where Extension posts validation and classification dates, quality assurance deadlines and health rules for the fall State Fair, so ask your agent to put you on the list.
Horse projects have their own safety publication, P3304, linked from the about page.
History
The Cooperative Extension Service was created when the Smith-Lever Act was signed on May 8, 1914. Mississippi's page credits Extension with helping farmers beat the boll weevil and says early home demonstration clubs improved nutrition and living conditions for rural families.
Practical Tips
- Call your county office before you buy an animal for a 4-H or FFA project, and ask for the ownership and tagging dates.
- Bring a sample, photo or soil bag when you have a crop, pest or garden question.
- Use the county directory to find the office, and ask about events in neighboring counties too.
- Check the Extension publications page for the current premium book before each show season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many counties have an Extension office?
All 82.
How do I find my county office?
Use the county Extension offices directory on the Extension website.
Who runs Mississippi Extension?
Mississippi State University, in partnership with Alcorn State University, the USDA and county governments.
What are the four program areas?
Agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, community and economic development, and family, health and wellness.
Mississippi Listings Covered by This Guide
- State 4-H Horse Championship
Mississippi 4-H state championship horse show in Jackson, qualifying riders for the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 17-20, 2026.
- DeSoto County 4-H Exhibit Day and Judging
4-H members drop off exhibits at the Extension office on Sept 10, with judged entries displayed Sept 14-19 at the DeSoto County Agri-Education Center. Winners advance to the Mississippi State Fair.
3260 Hwy 51 S, Hernando, MS 38632 | 662-469-8480 | Organizer: MSU Extension DeSoto County Official event details - DeSoto County Livestock Sweetheart, Princess and Ambassador Applications
DeSoto County 4-H youth apply through the Extension office for Livestock Sweetheart, Princess and Ambassador titles in dairy, goat and lamb divisions, contested at the Mississippi State Fair in Jackson Oct 8-18, 2026.
3260 Hwy 51 S, Hernando, MS 38632 | 662-469-8480 | Organizer: MSU Extension DeSoto County Official event details - Adams County MSU Extension Office
Serves Natchez and the river parishes side of southwest Mississippi with 4-H, row-crop, forestry and horticulture help.
75A Carthage Point Road, Natchez, MS 39120 | 601-445-8201 - Alcorn County MSU Extension Office
Corinth-based office for northeast Mississippi growers, cattle producers and 4-H clubs in Alcorn County.
2200 Levee Rd., Corinth, MS 38835 | 662-286-7755 - Alcorn State University Extension Program
Land-grant Extension program of Alcorn State University's College of Agriculture, serving small and limited-resource farmers.
Lorman, MS Website - Amite County MSU Extension Office
Liberty office supporting Amite County cattle, timber and vegetable producers and its 4-H youth clubs.
185 Irene Street, Liberty, MS 39645 | 601-657-8937 - Attala County Cooperative
Attala County Cooperative in Kosciusko is a farm supply co-op selling feed, seed, fertilizer, chemicals and petroleum products to growers and ranchers. It is at 447 Highway 12 East; phone (662) 289-3741.
447 Highway 12 E, Kosciusko, MS 39090 | (662) 289-3741 - Attala County MSU Extension Office
Fairground Road office in Kosciusko offering livestock, forestry and 4-H programs for Attala County families.
715 Fairground Rd., Kosciusko, MS 39090 | 662-289-5431 - Benton County MSU Extension Office
Ashland office handling Benton County crop, pasture and 4-H youth education requests.
382 Ripley Ave., Ashland, MS 38603 | 662-224-6330 - Bolivar County MSU Extension Office
Cleveland office for Delta row-crop growers in Bolivar County, from cotton and rice to soybeans, plus 4-H.
406 North Martin Luther King Drive, Cleveland, MS 38732 | 662-843-8361 - Calhoun County MSU Extension Office
Pittsboro office assisting Calhoun County farmers, gardeners and 4-H members.
121 Parker St., Pittsboro, MS 38951 | 662-412-3177 - Carroll County MSU Extension Office
Carrollton office on East Washington Street serving Carroll County hill and Delta-edge farms and 4-H clubs.
105 B East Washington Street, Carrollton, MS 38917 | 662-237-6926 - Chickasaw County MSU Extension Office
Houston office in Suite 4 on Lee Horn Drive covering Chickasaw County dairy, beef, row crops and youth programs.
415 Lee Horn Dr., Suite 4, Houston, MS 38851 | 662-456-4269 - Choctaw County MSU Extension Office
Courthouse annex office in Ackerman for Choctaw County producers, timber owners and 4-H.
Harmon Circle - Courthouse Annex, Ackerman, MS 39735 | 662-285-6337 - Claiborne County MSU Extension Office
Port Gibson office on Market Street offering Claiborne County agriculture and 4-H programming.
510 Market Street, Port Gibson, MS 39150 | 601-437-5011 - Clarke County Co-op
Clarke County Co-op in Quitman supplies feed, seed, fertilizer, chemicals and petroleum products for farms in the county. The store is at 205 West Donald Street; phone (601) 776-2131.
205 West Donald Street, Quitman, MS 39355 | (601) 776-2131 - Clarke County MSU Extension Office
Quitman office on Westwood Avenue serving Clarke County poultry, cattle and timber producers and 4-H.
101 Westwood Avenue, Quitman, MS 39355 | 601-776-3951 - Clay County MSU Extension Office
West Point office on West Broad Street for Clay County prairie cattle and row-crop farms and 4-H clubs.
420 West Broad Street, West Point, MS 39773 | 662-494-5371 - Coahoma County MSU Extension Office
Clarksdale office on East Second Street helping Coahoma County Delta farms and 4-H members.
503 East Second Street, Clarksdale, MS 38614 | 662-624-3070 - Copiah County MSU Extension Office
Hazlehurst office on Gallman Road serving Copiah County vegetable, cattle and timber growers and 4-H.
2040 W Gallman Road, Hazlehurst, MS 39083 | 601-892-1809 - Covington County MSU Extension Office
Industrial Park Drive office in Collins supporting Covington County poultry, beef and forestry landowners and 4-H.
68 Industrial Park Drive, Collins, MS 39428 | 601-765-8252 - DeSoto County MSU Extension Office
Hernando office on Highway 51 South running DeSoto County 4-H, horticulture and Master Gardener work near Memphis.
3260 Hwy 51 S. -DeSoto County Ext. Office, Hernando, MS 38632 | 662-469-8480 - Forrest County MSU Extension Office
Sullivan Drive office in Hattiesburg offering Forrest County 4-H, horticulture and home-grounds guidance.
952 Sullivan Drive, Hattiesburg, MS 39401 | 601-545-6083 - Franklin County MSU Extension Office
Meadville office on Walnut Street serving Franklin County timber, cattle and 4-H families.
20 Walnut Street, Meadville, MS 39653 | 601-384-2349 - George County MSU Extension Office
Lucedale office on Highway 198 East for George County cattle, forestry and 4-H members.
7128 Highway 198 East, Lucedale, MS 39452 | 601-947-4223 - Greene County MSU Extension Office
Leakesville office on Oak Street assisting Greene County forestry owners, cattle producers and 4-H clubs.
#414 Oak Street, Leakesville, MS 39451 | 601-394-2702 - Grenada County MSU Extension Office
Fairground Road office in Grenada serving Grenada County farmers, small-livestock owners and 4-H.
1240 Fairground Road, Suite E, Grenada, MS 38901 | 662-226-2061 - Hancock County MSU Extension Office
Mississippi State University Extension office for Hancock County at 856 Suite B, Hwy 90 in Bay St. Louis; the local home of 4-H youth programs, livestock and crop advice, and horticulture help.
856 Suite B, Hwy 90, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 | 228-467-5456 Website - Harrison County MSU Extension Office
Point of contact in Gulfport for Harrison County farmers and 4-H families: MSU Extension agents at 9229 Highway 49 handle livestock shows, forage questions, and youth clubs.
9229 Highway 49, Gulfport, MS 39502 | 228-865-4227 Website - Hinds County 4-H and Livestock Classification at Raymond
Raymond is one of four stops for classification and DNA hair collection of State Fair junior livestock exhibits, September 14-16, 2026. Held each year; the most recent dates were September 14-16, 2026.
1500 Raymond Lake Rd., Raymond, MS 39154 | 601-857-3242 - Hinds County MSU Extension Office
The Hinds County MSU Extension office, 1500 Raymond Lake Rd., Raymond, supports local producers, 4-H clubs, and junior livestock exhibitors through its county agents.
1500 Raymond Lake Rd., Raymond, MS 39154 | 601-857-3242 - Holmes County MSU Extension Office
Holmes County residents bring crop, cattle, garden, and 4-H questions to this MSU Extension office on 299 1/2 Yazoo Street in Lexington.
299 1/2 Yazoo Street, Lexington, MS 39095 | 662-834-2795 - Humphreys County MSU Extension Office
Mississippi State University Extension office for Humphreys County at 16463 US Hwy 49, Suite A in Belzoni; the local home of 4-H youth programs, livestock and crop advice, and horticulture help.
16463 US Hwy 49, Suite A, Belzoni, MS 39038 | 662-247-2915 - Issaquena County MSU Extension Office
Point of contact in Mayersville for Issaquena County farmers and 4-H families: MSU Extension agents at 129 Court Street handle livestock shows, forage questions, and youth clubs.
129 Court Street, Mayersville, MS 39113 | 662-873-2322 - Itawamba County MSU Extension Office
The Itawamba County MSU Extension office, 605 A South Cummings Street, Fulton, supports local producers, 4-H clubs, and junior livestock exhibitors through its county agents.
605 A South Cummings Street, Fulton, MS 38843 | 662-862-3201 - Jackson County MSU Extension Office
Jackson County residents bring crop, cattle, garden, and 4-H questions to this MSU Extension office on 4111 Amonett Street, Suite E in Pascagoula.
4111 Amonett Street, Suite E, Pascagoula, MS 39568 | 228-769-3047 Website - Jasper Cooperative
Jasper Cooperative at Stringer makes feed and sells bulk and bagged fertilizer, chemicals, fuel, grains, fencing, horse tack, seed and animal health products. Find it at 34 County Road 17; phone (601) 428-4968.
34 County Road 17, Stringer, MS 39481 | (601) 428-4968 - Jasper County MSU Extension Office
Mississippi State University Extension office for Jasper County at 37 B West 8th Avenue in Bay Springs; the local home of 4-H youth programs, livestock and crop advice, and horticulture help.
37 B West 8th Avenue, Bay Springs, MS 39422 | 601-764-2314 - Jeff Davis Farmers Cooperative
Jeff Davis Farmers Cooperative has served Prentiss and Jefferson Davis County since 1950, stocking fertilizer, seed, herbicides, fungicides, gates, hand tools and pet and poultry supplies. Call (601) 792-5776.
1909 Columbia Avenue, Prentiss, MS 39474 | (601) 792-5776
Plus 56 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Mississippi directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.