Jimmy Avery received his undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi, his MS from Delta State and PhD at Louisiana State University. He joined Mississippi State University as Extension Professor and Extension Aquaculture Leader in 1999 and is housed at the Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center. Since 2012, Dr. Avery has also served as director of the USDA NIFA Southern Regional Aquaculture Center.
Much of Dr. Avery’s outreach effort has been focused on national issues affecting the US farm-raised catfish industry. He has had leadership roles in the Technical Team advising government and industry on the USDA FSIS Catfish Inspection Program, national Extension Team providing training for the USDA Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers Program, and Chair of the Southern Extension and Research Activities – Information Exchange Group for Aquaculture.