Mississippi USDA Natural Resources Conservation (NRCS) State Conservationist Kurt Readus announces Janeiro (J.J.) Smith, as the new Assistant State Conservationist for Easement, effective June 16th.
J.J. Smith started his career with the NRCS in 2002 as a Soil Conservation Technician in Rolling Fork, Mississippi. Over the years, he has held various positions including Program Assistant for Area 4 (Mississippi Delta), Soil Conservationist in Sharkey, Issaquena, Lowndes, and Jefferson Counties, Acting District Conservationist in Sharkey, Issaquena, and Jefferson, Area Soil Conservationist in the Pearl Area office, Area Resource Conservationist, and Natural Resources Specialist for the Easement Program. He was also assigned to the Emergency Watershed Protection Program for Floodplain Easements and served as the Acting Assistant State Conservationist for Field Offices in Pearl.
Born in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, J.J. Smith comes from a family of educators. He attended Hinds Agricultural High School before earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Alcorn State University in 2001. His decision to pursue a career in Agronomy led him to the NRCS.
J.J. is married to his wife Melisa and they have two sons. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, reading, cooking, doing small home improvement projects, and spending time with friends and family.