Distinguished Alumni

Mr. James Darnell Rowe (Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering, Technology and Business 1980 and Master of Science in Agriculture 1987) learned the importance of family, farming, hard work, and giving back to the community at a young age. He began farming at six years old on his family's farm in Prairie, Mississippi and still farms today.

After graduation, Rowe farmed full-time, then became assistant county supervisor for the USDA Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) in Louisville, Mississippi. He dedicated weekends and time off to the farm while earning his master's degree.

In 2018, Rowe retired as a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) economics team coordinator. He spent 34 years at the agency where he discovered a passion for mentoring early career employees and MSU graduates. As a farmer, economist, and regulation expert, many in agriculture relied on him as a key resource.

Rowe, along with his five siblings who all attended MSU, initiated the James and Betty Rowe Endowed Scholarship, inspiring others to give back in similar ways.

Since retirement, Rowe continues to farm and be involved in all aspects of agriculture, specifically those challenges faced by small and limited-resource farmers. James and his wife Carol reside in Stafford, Virginia and have one son who is an MSU agribusiness graduate.