MSU faculty member appointed to EPA Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee
STARKVILLE, Miss.— Sources from a press release say that Mississippi State’s Whitney Crow is a new appointee to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee, giving the state’s agriculture sector a voice in national discussions about environmental policy and its impact on farmers and rural areas.
Crow, an associate professor in MSU’s Department of Agricultural Science and Plant Protection, is one of 21 new members appointed to the federal advisory committee providing independent policy advice and recommendations to the EPA administrator on these issues.
“Mississippi State University’s faculty are widely recognized for their expertise in many different fields that support our farmers, ranchers and rural communities, and that certainly includes Dr. Crow and her work,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “I know she will provide exceptional knowledge and insight as a member of this important national advisory committee.”
Crow’s expertise includes agricultural pest management and crop production, areas that closely align with several of the committee’s priorities, including technical assistance for rural communities, precision pesticide application and reduced chemical use in agriculture, and balancing agricultural conservation and nutrient pollution reduction with the long-term viability of farming operations.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee and bring the perspective of Mississippi agriculture to this national conversation,” Crow said. “As researchers and educators, we have a responsibility to understand the challenges producers face and to help develop solutions that are both environmentally responsible and practical. I look forward to working with fellow committee members to provide meaningful, science-based insight to the EPA.”
In addition to her research and Extension responsibilities, Crow is president of MSU’s Robert Holland Faculty Senate for the 2026-2027 academic year. She has mentored numerous graduate students during her career and coordinates MSU’s Annual Row Crop Short Course, which brings agricultural producers and industry professionals together for information on topics including weed management, plant pathology, entomology, soil fertility and agronomy.
The FRRCC’s new members were selected from more than 90 applicants following a call for nominations issued by the EPA in 2025. These include representatives from academia, agriculture and allied industries, nongovernmental organizations, and state, local and tribal governments from across the country.
“The members of the FRRCC bring real-world knowledge and firsthand experience from across the country. Their insights will be instrumental in helping the EPA develop practical, commonsense solutions that enhance our rural communities and support viable farming operations,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said.
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