Lectures, Lore and Lessons: Mississippi at the Bicentennial Series Kicks off Sept. 14 with Professors Talk on State Agriculture Industry

University Libraries' Special Collections at The University of Southern Mississippi is concluding its celebration of Mississippi's Bicentennial with three lectures during the fall semester.

Dr. Joseph Weinberg, assistant professor of political science at The University of Southern Mississippi, will present Cotton, Catfish and Cochran: Mississippi's Place in U.S. Agricultural Policy, a lecture focused on Mississippi's agricultural policy Thursday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. in the university's Cook Library Art Gallery on the Hattiesburg campus. Dr. Weinberg's talk is the first of University Libraries fall series “Lectures, Lore and Lessons: Mississippi at the Bicentennial.”

The series will continue with programs on Mississippi's military history Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Hattiesburg Public Library, and conclude Thursday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. in the Cook Library Art Gallery with a panel discussion about desegregation.

In his talk, Weinberg will discuss how the agricultural interests of the state have been influenced by the federal government and how, in turn, these interests have shaped U.S. agricultural policy. Much of this relationship is defined by the legacy of prominent Mississippi legislators such as John Stennis, Jamie Whitten, and now Thad Cochran, and the lecture will examine how their presence has impacted Mississippi and what the future holds for its biggest industry.

"I hope the audience will take away some understanding of how we have been a powerful force in U.S. political history, and how our federal representatives take care of our agriculture interests," Dr. Weinberg said.

A native of Asheville, N.C., Weinberg and spent five years working on agriculture policy for the U.S. House of Representatives. After a myriad of “agricultural adventures” at North Carolina State University, Weinberg received his Ph.D. in International Relations from UNC-Chapel Hill, and has been an assistant professor of political science at Southern Miss since 2012. His primary research interests are international agriculture trade policy and United States farm policy.

Lectures, Lore and Lessons: Mississippi at the Bicentennial aims to present a multifaceted view of Mississippi's first 200 years. To achieve its goals of bringing history to life, Special Collections has partnered with numerous individuals and entities at the University and in the Hattiesburg community. Partners include Camp Shelby's Armed Forces Museum, the Hattiesburg Public Library, and the USM Department of History.

This official bicentennial project was made possible by a grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council, through support from the Mississippi Development Authority. For additional information, contact Jennifer Brannock at jennifer.brannockFREEMississippi or 601.266.4347.