STONEVILLE -- Mississippi State University’s largest agricultural research center will get a new leader Nov. 16.

Jeff Johnson, whose research interests include water policy, farm management and natural resources management, will be the head of the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville.

Jeff Johnson

“Dr. Jeff Johnson is a well-known agricultural economist who has administrative experience at the Texas Tech and Texas A&M university systems,” said Gary Jackson, director of the MSU Extension Service. “He is highly respected by his peers, and he understands how to seek and obtain internal and external resources for research and Extension faculty, staff and agents.

“Dr. Johnson also has an extensive record as a collaborator and team builder. He will bring to the Delta center a wealth of knowledge about water resources and row crop commodities,” he said.

Johnson’s background positions him to address the unique needs of Mississippi’s Delta region.

“Dr. Johnson is a leader with a wealth of experience in agricultural production, water conservation and working with commodity and community groups,” said George Hopper, director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “His leadership will be a valuable asset to the entire Delta region through our work with producers, agricultural industries and communities.”

Johnson currently has a joint appointment as an associate professor at Texas Tech University and associate professor at Texas A&M Agrilife Research in Lubbock. He received a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s in agricultural economics, both from Texas A&M University. He received a master’s in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College and his doctorate from Texas Tech University.