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The Agricultural Ecology Laboratory (AEL) at Mississippi State University (MSU) seeks to increase wildlife benefits and ecosystems services of productive agricultural landscapes in ways that are economically beneficial to landowners. Consistent with the mission of a Land Grant university, we emphasize contemporary problems facing both agricultural producers and wildlife conservationists. We facilitate cooperation among private landowners, government agencies and non-profit organizations to benefit society at large. Specifically, our mission is to fund and conduct applied research to improve management decisions, improve on-farm productivity and profitability, and support science-based policy development at state and federal levels.

Our mission includes these specific objectives:

  • Identify and understand the ecological impacts of US Farm Policy and Conservation Programs on wildlife and ecosystem services
  • Evaluate using native warm-season grasses for biofuel and forage
  • Integrate new ecological knowledge into policy and program development
  • Enable agricultural producers to better manage for both profitability and sustainability
  • Train future professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively work across disciplines in the field of agricultural ecology
  • Enhance understanding of wildlife demographics in managed landscapes
  • Promote conservation of native plant communities and attendant wildlife populations and ecosystem services
  • Foster exemplary stewardship of agricultural landscapes through learning, discovery, and engagement