STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Joe Street, who retired in summer 2015, dedicated his 35-year career with Mississippi State University to research and education for the advancement of agriculture and preservation of natural resources.

His service continues through an endowed gift that supports other dedicated MSU Extension Service leaders and personnel.

The gift, a contribution from Street and his wife, Susan, along with their daughters Shannon and Lauren, established the Joe E. Street Outstanding Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Award on behalf of the family. The new award recognizes and rewards employees committed to the land-grant university missions of teaching, research and service.

“I’m fortunate to have worked with such talented, knowledgeable people who impacted my life,” Joe Street said. “That’s what the Extension Service is about: people making a difference in the lives of others. That is what made it so rewarding.”

The first recipient of the award is Extension beef specialist Brandi Karisch, who, like Joe Street, is known for her dedication to clients. During her career at MSU, she has developed 132 county, state, regional and national Extension programs focused on improving producer productivity and profitability. Her program development efforts have generated nearly $11 million for Mississippi producers.

Joe Street earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from MSU in 1970 and 1972. After serving a three-year tour of duty with the Army Chemical Corps, Street earned his doctorate from Auburn University in 1980. He began his career at MSU soon afterward. He held several positions before his tenure as Extension associate director.

The long-time MSU faculty member wrote 55 articles for professional and scientific journals, as well as a chapter in the book, “Rice: Origin, History, Technology, and Production.” He served in the Alabama National Guard and the Mississippi National Guard, retiring as lieutenant colonel.

“Joe has been a champion for all aspects of agriculture,” said Extension Director Gary Jackson. “His distinguished work for our university and state has earned many awards and honors throughout the years, all of which were very deserving. We are grateful for his gift, which will allow us to award others who share his passion for service.”

The gift also serves as motivation and inspiration to current and future Extension employees as they aspire to develop innovative solutions and valuable advancements for the state of Mississippi.

“MSU has been such an integral part of our family,” Susan Street said. “It seems only fitting to give back to this great institution in support of excellence in agriculture and natural resources.”

The award will be presented each year during the Extension Annual Conference at MSU. For more information about contributing to or establishing Extension endowments, contact Jud Skelton at 662-325-0643 or jud.skelton@foundation.msstate.edu.

Writer: Addie Mayfield