- August 2021
Agricultural Technician
MAFES
R.R. Foil Plant Science Research Center
Years in position: 2
Years at MSU: 2
As an agricultural technician, Brandon Mast is part of the support team for more than 20 research scientists at the R.R. Foil Plant Science Research Center on MSU’s main campus in Starkville.
He spends his days on the 550 acres of tillage research plots located at the center, which is also called North Farm. He assists with planting, harvesting, and managing various crops including, corn, cotton, soybeans, rice, sweet potatoes, and turf. He also helps maintain the center’s irrigation lines and roadways and assists in greenhouse maintenance.
Mast said he loves it.
“My favorite thing about this job is that I get to work outside and do field work with tractors,” he said.
But the job is not for the faint of heart.
“Anyone who does this job needs to come in with the mindset to work hard and do the job well,” he said. “We work with many different study plots, and we have to be precise in each plot with whatever we are doing.
“If you have a good work ethic, the ability to operate machinery, and can handle hours that can change daily, you’ll do fine in this job,” Mast said.
