Martin Gets MSU Extension Post

Martin

STARKVILLE, Miss. — The Mississippi State University Extension Service has appointed Steve Martin as its interim associate director for agriculture and natural resources.

Since 2012, Martin has served as the head of the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Verona, where he administers research programs at four branch experiment stations: Northeast Mississippi in Verona, North Mississippi in Holly Springs, Pontotoc Ridge-Flatwoods in Pontotoc and Prairie in Prairie.

Martin will continue his existing responsibilities while filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Joe Street.

Before his current position, Martin was head of the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville for four years. From 2000 to 2008, he was an Extension agricultural economist in Stoneville. Prior to his university career, Martin worked for Bryan Foods in West Point, Mississippi.

Gary Jackson, director of the MSU Extension Service, said Martin’s familiarity with agriculture in different areas of the state will serve him well in the interim associate director position.

“Steve has leadership experience and strong ties to agriculture in both the Delta and the hills,” Jackson said. “His background in agricultural economics and expertise in commodities marketing will be an asset to the state’s producers. I appreciate his willingness to shoulder the responsibilities inherent in both roles while we organize a national search for the next associate director.”