Cotton & Agriculture
American agriculture has gone from hard labor to hi-tech in the Mississippi Delta. And for today’s farmers, genetic engineering, biological insect control and other modern marvels will soon become commonplace.
Farming represents 16% of our nation’s gross national product and provides one of every six jobs. In the Mississippi Delta, the top four agricultural enterprises are cotton, soybeans, rice and catfish, with wheat, corn and milo acreage increasing in recent years.
Have you ever wanted to understand crop production and the science involved? Explore the research facilities in this region where they start in the laboratory, move to the field, and finish in the world marketplace. You can even bring home your own little bale of cotton for the folks back home or meet a “king prawn” in person.
Delta Conservation and Demonstration Center
422 Feather Farms Road, Metcalfe, MS 38160 • 662-332-8616, Ext. #3
Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Weekends – Open by appointment only.
Established in 1999 as a living, growing, and learning center, this 638-acre facility demonstrates Delta-specific conservation practices in a working farm environment. In addition to learning about Delta crops and vegetation, visitors can also enjoy wildflower plots, antique farm equipment and bird watching.
Jamie Whitten Delta State Research Center
141 Experiment Station Road, Stoneville, MS 38776 662-686-3000
World leader in agricultural research, the Jamie Whitten Research Center is part of the Agricultural Research Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific research agency. Strategically located in the Lower Mississippi Flood Plain, it is situated in one of the most important agricultural regions in the United States. The Research Center is aimed at increasing efficiency in producing and processing agricultural products to the benefit of both farmers and consumers.
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Lauren Farms
655 Napanee Road, Leland, MS 38756 • 662-390-3528
Lauren Farms is nestled in Leland, where the land provides fresh, pure water for producing premium, high quality farm-raised catfish and the lobster-like freshwater prawn. These catfish are protein-rich, low in saturated fat and contain heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. Lauren Farms also sells ready-made sauces inspired by family recipes.
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Little Bales of Cotton
125 East Third Street, Leland, MS • 1-800-748-9112 • 662-686-2372
Open Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Ever seen one of those small souvenir cotton bales and wondered where it came from? Probably from a place called— what else— Little Bales of Cotton! Located in the heart of downtown Leland, MS, this homegrown Delta business turns out hundreds of handmade miniature cotton bales and other cotton-related items every day. You can even step back in the production area and watch as raw cotton fiber is converted into “White Delta Gold.”
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Stoneville: The Heart of America’s Agriculture Research Center
2 Stoneville Road, Stoneville, MS 38776 • 662-686-3000
Open by appointment only.
Home of the USDA gin laboratory, the Stoneville Research Center has produced many technological advances in cotton growing and ginning. The USDA Aquaculture Research Center is important for developing innovations that will ensure the Delta’s leadership in catfish production.
Washington County Farm Tours
Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau • 662-686-3000
Come take an up-close look at Washington County, America’s agriculture research center. As many of these are working facilities, we recommend that you contact Stoneville–The Heart of America’s Agricultural Research Center.
