Mississippi Water and Energy Conference set next month at the MSU Mill

Contact: Mary Pollitz

STARKVILLE, Miss.—The Mississippi Water and Energy Conference Oct. 28-30 will examine the growing importance of addressing water as a critical resource tied to national security, economic development and environmental sustainability.

Presented by Mississippi State’s Water Resources Research Institute in partnership with the university’s Office of Research and Economic Development, the event takes place at The Mill at MSU Conference Center.

“As a society, we’re facing complex water management issues that no one group can solve alone,” said Jason Barrett, associate extension professor and WRRI interim director. “By serving as a tool for information transfer, the conference will help us learn practices and strategies to drive change and build a more secure future.”

Narcisa Pricope, MSU’s associate vice president for research and conference co-organizer, is steering the agenda toward actionable strategies that fuse water stewardship with statewide energy resilience.

“Water is the hidden currency of energy security—when we manage it wisely, our grids, industries and communities gain the stability they need to thrive,” she said.

This year’s conference will explore the strategic role of water in national security, economic competitiveness, and environmental sustainability, with sessions addressing energy infrastructure and water reliability, agricultural and industrial water use, climate resilience and watershed management, and policy and governance.

Organizers are branching out this year to include more regional and national speakers and draw a broader range of participants—from agricultural experts and watershed monitors to municipal leaders and water system managers.

The 2025 lineup includes leading innovators and representatives from the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Mississippi Power, Southern Power, Tennessee Valley Authority, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey, national labs and private industry.

The conference also provides a platform for students to showcase their research, receive feedback and engage in competitions that highlight innovative approaches to water and energy problems.

MSU’s WRRI is a leader in addressing critical water and land use challenges. Collaborating with leading water resources officials, the institute develops innovative research solutions that benefit Mississippi, the region and the nation. Learn more about the institute at www.wrri.msstate.edu.

Conference registration is open and will remain available through the first day of the event, with early bird discounts available until Oct. 1. For full registration details, visit https://www.mafes.msstate.edu/workshops/conference/. Companies, academic departments, government agencies and other organizations interested in supporting, attending or presenting at the event are encouraged to explore opportunities at www.mafes.msstate.edu/workshops/conference/sponsor-registration.php.

Attendees can book lodging from a discounted block of rooms reserved at The Courtyard Starkville at The Mill. A special rate is available through Sept. 28, and reservations can be made at www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1752156703739&key=GRP&app=resvlink.

Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.