Beth H. Baker

Dr. Beth H. Baker is an Associate Extension Professor and Assistant Director of Extension for Environmental Stewardship at Mississippi State University. Her work focuses on water quality, watershed conservation, and sustainable agriculture practices. She holds a PhD in Forest Resources from Mississippi State University, an MS in Biological Sciences, and a BS in Biomedical Sciences from St. Cloud State University.

Her research emphasizes agricultural runoff mitigation, cover crop implementation, and low-technology best management practices like low-grade weirs. She has pioneered studies on tailwater recovery systems and their impact on nutrient recycling, water conservation, and carbon sequestration. Her extension programs, such as the Mississippi Water Stewards initiative, engage communities in biomonitoring and environmental education.

• Key Projects: Catalpa Creek Carbon Climate Collaborative, Redbud-Catalpa Creek watershed case study, Climate-Smart Commodities Pilot Program.
• Impact Areas: Soil health, carbon credits in agriculture, and microbial community dynamics in agricultural drainage systems.

Baker has authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles and numerous extension publications. Her awards include the Soil and Water Conservation Society's Conservation Innovation Award and the MSU Extension Teamwork Award. She mentors graduate students and leads interdisciplinary teams addressing environmental stewardship challenges.

Her lab focuses on bridging science and practice, with ongoing projects evaluating cover crop efficacy, wild pig impacts on water quality, and climate-smart agricultural practices. She collaborates with farmers, policymakers, and communities to advance sustainable land management.