Dr. Beth H. Baker

Dr. Beth H. Baker

Title

  • Associate Extension Professor

Contact Information

beth.baker@msstate.edu
Office: 662-325-7491
Thompson Hall, Rm 253

Overview

Education

  • Mississippi State University, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Forest Resources
  • St. Cloud State University, Master of Science (MS), Biological Sciences
  • St. Cloud State University, Bachelor of Science (BS), Biomedical Sciences

Research Interests

Water Quality
Watershed Conservation
Conservation Education
Natural Resource Conservation
Agriculture Sustainability
Ecosystem Health & Resilience as it relates to wildlife and fisheries
Aquatic Toxicology

Websites

Publications

Year Publications
2024

Czarnecki, J., Baker, B., Hu, J., Prevost, J. D. 2024. Cover crops and reduced tillage did not alter soil chemistry in first three years. Agrosystems, Geosystems, and Environment

2024

McCrary, A., Brooks, J. P., Smith, R. K., Burger, L. M., Lucore, A., Ramirez Avila, J., Schauwecker, T. J., Czarnecki, J. P., Burger, L. W., Baker, B. H. 2024. Short-term contribution of conservation practice implementation to water quality impairments in small streams. Water 16(2):261.

2023

Contasti, A. L., Firth, A., Baker, B. H., Brooks, J. P., Locke, M. A., Morin, D. J. 2023. Balancing trade-offs in climate smart-agriculture: can on-farm actions store organic carbon and maximize net utility by selling carbon credits?. Decision Analysis 20(4)(4):252-275.

2023

Firth, A. G., Brooks, J. P., Locke, M. A., Morin, D. J., Brown Johnson, A. E., Baker, B. 2023. Soil bacterial community dynamics in plots managed with cover crops and no-till farming in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, USA. Journal of Applied Microbiology lxac051.

2022

Badon, T., Czarnecki, J., Baker, B., Spencer, G. D., Hill, M. J., Lucore, A. E., Krutz, L. J. 2022. Transitioning from conventional to cover crop systems with minimum tillage does not alter nutrient loading. Journal of Environmental Quality 51(5):966-977.

2022

Firth, A. G., Brooks, J. P., Locke, M. A., Morin, D. J., Brown Johnson, A. E., Baker, B. 2022. Dynamics of Soil Organic Carbon and CO2 Flux under Cover Crop and No-Till Management in Soybean Cropping Systems of the Mid-South (USA). Environments lxac051(9(9)):109.

2022

McCrary, A., Burger, L. M., Downey, L. H., Baker, B. 2022. Water Conservation: Extensions Agents’ Perceptions of Issue Importance, Professional Abilities and Landowner Needs. The Journal of Extension 60(1).

2021

Baker, B., Burger, L. M., Czarnecki, J., Schauwecker, T. J., Ramirez Avila, J., McCrary, A., Lucore, A., Burger, L. W. 2021. Watershed conservation: A case study on the Redbud-Catalpa Creek watershed. Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Research Bulletin 1238:20.

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2021

Omer, A., Aldridge, C., Baker, B. 2021. Outflow hydrology of tailwater recovery systems with comparisons to a control catchment. Irrigation and Drainage 70(4):786-796.

2021

Badon, T. B., Prince Czarnecki, J. M., Krutz, L. J., Shockley, J. M., Baker, B. 2021. Cover crop and minimum-tillage effects on yield, irrigation water use, and net returns. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment 4(2):e20158.

2020

Firth, A. G., Baker, B., Gibbs, M., Brooks, J. P., Smith, R., Iglay, R. B., Davis, J. B. 2020. Using cameras to index waterfowl abundance in winter-flooded rice fields. MethodsX 7:101036.

2020

Firth, A. G., Baker, B., Brooks, J. P., Smith, R., Iglay, R. B., Davis, J. B. 2020. Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture: Winter flooding in rice fields increases bird use, fecal matter and soil health, reducing fertilizer requirements. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 300.

2020

Firth, A. G., Baker, B., Brooks, J. P., Smith, R., Iglay, R. B., Davis, J. B. 2020. Investigation of Pathogenic Bacterial Transport by Waterbirds: A Case Study of Flooded and Non-Flooded Rice Systems in Mississippi. Water 12(6).

2020

Allred, S., Shao, W., Jones, J. H., Schilling, M. W., Baker, B., Allen, P. J. 2020. Effects of acute environmental and handling exposure on physiology and fillet quality of market-sized Channel Catfish. Aquaculture Research 51:1854-1866.

2020

Brooks, J. P., Smith, R. K., Aldridge, C., Chaney, B., Omer, A. R., Dentinger, J., Street, G. M., Baker, B. 2020. A preliminary investigation of Feral Hog (Sus scrofa) impacts on water quality. Water Research 49(1):27-37.

2019

Faust, D. R., Kroger, R., Baker, B. H., Brooks, J. P., Cox, M. S., Rush, S. A. 2019. Investigating the role of organic carbon amendments and microbial denitrification gene abundance in nitrogen removal from experimental agricultural drainage ditches with low‐grade weirs. Water Environment Research 92(6):899-910.

2019

Omer, A. R., Baker, B. 2019. Water quality improvements from implementation of tailwater recovery systems. Sustainable Water Resources Management 5(2):703-713.

2019

Mischke, C. C., Wise, D. J., Tucker, C., Griffin, M. J., Baker, B., Greenway, T. E., Byars, T. S., Tiwari, A. 2019. Copper sulfate pre-treatment for snail control reduces channel catfish fry survival. North American Journal of Aquaculture 81(2):160-168.

2019

Aldridge, C., Baker, B., Omer, A. R. 2019. Investigation of short-term effects of winter cover crops on compaction and total soil carbon in a long-term no-till agricultural system. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 74(1):77-84.

2018

Omer, A. R., Moore, M. T., Krutz, L. J., Kroger, R., Czarnecki, J., Baker, B., Allen, P. J. 2018. Potential for recycling of suspended solids and nutrients by irrigation of tailwater from tailwater recovery systems. Water Science and Technology: Water Supply 18(4):1396-1405.

2018

Baker, B., Brooks, J. P., Deng, D. D., Smith, R. K., Kroger, R., Czarnecki, J. 2018. Effects of Low-Grade Weirs on Soil Microbial Communities in Agricultural Drainage Ditches. Journal of Environmental Quality 47(5):1155-1162.

2018

Omer, A. R., Miranda, L., Moore, M. T., Krutz, L. J., Czarnecki, J., Kroger, R., Baker, B., Hogue, J. A., Allen, P. J. 2018. Reduction of solids and nutrient loss from agricultural lands by tailwater recovery systems. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 73:282-295.

2018

Faust, D. R., Kroger, R., Omer, A. R., Hogue, J. A., Baker, B., Czarnecki, J., Moore, M. T., Rush, S. A. 2018. Nitrogen and organic carbon contents of agricultural drainage ditches of the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 73(2):179-188.

2018

Baker, B., Czarnecki, J., Omer, A. R., Aldridge, C. A., Kroger, R., Prevost, J. D. 2018. Nutrient and sediment runoff from agricultural landscapes with varying suites of conservation practices in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 73(1):75-85.

2017

Omer, A. R., Moore, M. T., Krutz, L. J., Kroger, R., Czarnecki, J., Baker, B., Allen, P. J. 2017. Representation of solid and nutrient concentrations in irrigation water from tailwater-recovery systems by surface water grab samples. Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering 143(11):06017013.

2016

Baker, B., Kröger, R., Prevost, J. D., Pierce, T., Ramirez Avila, J., Czarnecki, J., Faust, D., Flora, C. 2016. A field-scale investigation of nutrient and sediment reduction efficiencies of a low-technology best management practice: Low-grade weirs. Ecological Engineering 91:240-248.

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2016

Omer, A. R., Prince Czarnecki, J. M., Baker, B. H., Hogue, J. A. 2016. Characterizing Nitrogen Outflow from Pre-Harvest Rice Field Drain Events. Agricultural Water Management 165:44-49.

2015

Baker, B. H., Kroger, R., Brooks, J. P., Smith, R. K., Prince Czarnecki, J. M. 2015. Investigation of denitrifying microbial communities within an agricultural drainage system fitted with low-grade weirs. Water Research 87:193-201.

2014

Littlejohn, K. A., Baker, B., Kröger, R., Ramirez Avila, J. 2014. Effectiveness of low-grade weirs for nutrient removal in an agricultural landscape in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Agricultural Water Management 131:79-86.

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Extension Publications

Year Publications
2024

Hill, M., Entsminger, E. D., Baker, B. 2024. Climate-Smart Commodities (CSC) Pilot Program Overview. Mississippi State University Extension, Mississippi State, Mississippi. Publication P3991.

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2024

Entsminger, E. D., Baker, B. 2024. 319 Watershed Success Story: Owl Creek Watershed. Mississippi State University Extension, Mississippi State, Mississippi. Publication P4022.

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2023

Baker, B., Gnoose, M., Burger, L. M. 2023. Mississippi Water Stewards: Youth Biomonitoring Manual. Mississippi State University Extension Service

2023

Hill, M., Baker, B., Czarnecki, J. 2023. Adding RIGOR to On-Farm Trials: Simple steps to data-driven decision making. MSU Extension Service

2022

Baker, B. 2022. Mississippi Water Stewards: Biomonitoring. Mississippi State University Extension Service P3754.

2021

Baker, B., Logan, K., Sparks, E. L., Banks, T. 2021. Mississippi Water Stewards: Water Chemistry Monitoring. Mississippi State University Extension Service P3481.

2021

Sartain, M., James, J., Rodolfich, A., Chenier, K., Sparks, E. L., Baker, B. 2021. 2020 Mississippi Coastal Cleanup Program Summary. Mississippi State University Extension Service Publication 3588.

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2020

Baker, B., Burger, L. M., Lucore, A., Hamid, K. 2020. Water Science and Stewardship. Mississippi State University Extension Service P3423.

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2020

Baker, B., Logan, K., Sparks, E. L. 2020. Mississippi Water Stewards: Bacteriological Monitoring. Mississippi State University Extension Service P3496.

2019

Sartain, A., Sparks, E. L., Baker, B. 2019. Mississippi Coastal Cleanup Summary 2018. Mississippi State University Extension Service P3312.

2018

Baker, B., Omer, A. R. 2018. Tailwater Recovery and On-Farm Storage Reservoir: Water Savings. Mississippi State University Extension Service P3272.

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2018

Omer, A. R., Baker, B. 2018. Tailwater Recovery (TWR) and On-Farm Storage (OFS) Reservoir: Economic Considerations. Mississippi State University Extension Service P3206.

2018

Omer, A. R., Baker, B. 2018. Tailwater Recovery and On-Farm Storage Reservoir: Nutrient Runoff Mitigation and Reuse Potential. Mississippi State University Extension Service P3263.

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2018

Baker, B., Aldridge, C., Omer, A. R. 2018. Assessing and Protecting Water Quality in the Home and Community. Mississippi State University Extension Service P3242.

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2018

Sparks, E. L., Sartain, A., Baker, B. 2018. Mississippi Coastal Cleanup Summary 2017. Mississippi State University Extension Service P3188.

2017

Baker, B., Omer, A., Oldham, J. L., Burger, L. M. 2017. Natural Resource Conservation in Agriculture. Mississippi State University Extension Service P3050.

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2017

Aldridge, C., Baker, B. 2017. Watersheds: Role, Importance, & Stewardship. Mississippi State University Extension Service P3082.

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2017

Baker, B., Omer, A. R., Aldridge, C. 2017. Water: Sink to Sea. Mississippi State University Extension Service P3074.

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2017

Omer, A. R., Baker, B. 2017. Tailwater Recovery and On-Farm Storage Resevoir: System Overview. Mississippi State University Extension Service P3125.

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2017

Baker, B., Wessel, C., Sparks, E. L. 2017. Citizen’s guide to protecting the Mississippi Gulf Coast from marine debris. Mississippi State University Extension Service P3113.

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Graduate Students

  • Frances Podrebarac

Awards & Honors

  • Outstanding Extension Grantsmanship
    MSU Extension
  • Rosalind and Rodney Foil Teamwork Award
    Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine
  • Superior Extension Faculty
    Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine
  • Mentor of the Year
    Mississippi State University Graduate Student Association
  • College of Forest Resources 2019 Extension/Outreach Award
    College of Forest Resources
  • Dr. Bruce Leopold Award for Excellence in Extension Programming
    Mississippi State University Extension Service
  • Dr. Joe E. Street Outstanding Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Award
    Mississippi State University Extension Service
  • Dr. Charles R. & Jane Foster Aiken Outstanding Extension Communication Award
    Mississippi State University Extension Service

Society Memberships