Clarion-Ledger, Aug. 12, 2007 Flora, Mississippi is one of five possible sites for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility, according to a Sunday, Aug. 12 story in the Mississippi Clarion-Ledger. The site would possibly study Foot and Mouth disease, classical swine fever, African swine fever, Rift Valley fever, contagious bovine pleuroneumonia, and othrs. Universities involved with the research include. University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, Jackson State University, University of Southern Mississippi, Tougaloo College, Tulane University, Iowa State University and University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.