Lorin Harvey

Lorin Harvey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at Mississippi State University and serves as the Extension Sweet Potato Specialist. He leads research and extension efforts at the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station’s Pontotoc Ridge-Flatwoods Branch Station, advancing sweet potato production for Mississippi growers through applied field research and outreach.

His educational background includes a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University, where he specialized in sorghum breeding, reflecting his deep roots in crop science and agricultural innovation.

Dr. Harvey's research centers on solving practical challenges for sweet potato producers, emphasizing variety development, sustainable farming practices, and knowledge transfer via Extension services. His work bridges academic research with real-world agricultural needs, ensuring scientific findings directly benefit Mississippi's farming community. This applied approach extends to collaborations like the development of sweet potato dog treats with colleagues at the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center.

He actively mentors graduate students and, alongside his spouse Kelsey Harvey, has secured over $18 million in research funding since joining MSU in 2020, significantly advancing agricultural science in the region.

Dr. Harvey relies on close collaboration with MAFES research unit staff at the Pontotoc Ridge-Flatwoods Branch Station and partners across MSU's agricultural network, including the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center, to execute fieldwork and extension programming.