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Throughout April, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) will be sharing educational information through promotional channels to inform and encourage the public to utilize native plants.
The drought took a toll on many Mississippians’ plants — both on farms and in Mississippian's yards — this past year. This Native Plant Month, consider the benefits of utilizing native plant species in landscaping as they occur naturally and thrive in our environment. These plant species also typically do not require as much fertilizer, insect and disease control, or watering as non-native plants growing in the same area, making them a resilient and hearty choice for garden beds or yards.
Mississippi is home to more than 2,700 native plant species which include trees, shrubs, vines, grasses and wildflowers. These native plants flourish in the state’s soils, wetlands, temperatures, precipitation and environmental conditions, making them essential for conserving and protecting our environment. Mississippi native plants are specific to our state; they occur naturally and thrive in our distinct ecosystems and environment. This makes them a low-maintenance, cost-effective option for your garden or yard.
In March 2023, Governor Tate Reeves signed Senate Bill 2137 into law, Miss. Code Ann. § 3-3-69, designating April as “Mississippi Native Plant Month” to preserve the heritage and the importance of native plants for clean air, water and soil stability in the State of Mississippi. During the month of April, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce educates citizens about the importance and history of Mississippi’s native plants and the many benefits they provide to pollinators and to preserve Mississippi’s biological heritage in aiding in the prevention of flooding and erosion and maintaining and preserving the health of Mississippi’s economy and environment.
Many native plants can be found at local nurseries. Find nurseries near you by visiting MDAC’s Directory of Mississippi Certified Nurseries and Nursery Dealers or GenuineMS.com.
To learn more about native plants in Mississippi and their benefits for supporting the state’s ecosystems, visit MDAC’s Mississippi Native Plant Month website.
Andy Gipson
Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce
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Mississippi Egg Marketing Board
President: Dr. Ryn Laster
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Pictured: Mississippi Egg Marketing Board President/Director of Food Safety and Animal Welfare at Cal-Maine Foods Ryn Laster and Mississippi Egg Marketing Board Member/ President of the Mississippi Poultry Association Mark Leggett | |
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The Mississippi Egg Marketing Board's mission is to educate the consumer as to the food value of eggs; disseminate information relating to eggs and the importance of eggs in preserving public health; demonstrate the economic value of eggs; and stress the importance of eggs in the nutrition of children. The Egg Marketing Board participates in many statewide events to promote its mission and provides "Egg"ucational materials to educators and home-school groups.
The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce oversees the collection of license fees and assessment fees for the Mississippi Egg Marketing Board. MDAC also assists in promoting the board's events and mission.
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MDAC Staff Promoted Agency During National Agriculture Week | |
Pictured: Trey Thames and Jenna Fullington. | |
MDAC Mississippi Fairgrounds staff members promoted MDAC and work in agriculture at a career fair for the Rankin County School District. | |
Genuine MS® Director Lane Milton networked at the annual Mississippi Women for Agriculture Conference at the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum and promoted the Genuine Mississippi® program – the very best of everything Grown, Raised, Crafted and Made in Mississippi! | |
Pictured: Ginger Williamson (Timber Commerce Division), Dr. Nicole Hodges (Meat Inspection Division), Jennifer Thompson (Director of Regulatory Services), Brent Bowman (Weights and Measures Division), and Clay Hammons (Petroleum Division) | |
The Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce’s Timber Commerce Division and Bureau of Regulatory Services staff participated in Capitol Days to inform legislators of MDAC's work in the timber industry and the use of weights & measures in the marketplace. | |
MDAC Participated in State Agency Job Fair | |
MDAC staff member Jessica Dykes (Human Resources Division) represented the agency at the 2024 Mississippi State Agency Job Fair. | |
Regulatory Services Staff Awarded for Service | |
Henri Fuselier, Director of the Consumer Protection Division within the Bureau of Regulatory Services was recently awarded for his service as Treasurer of the National Egg Regulatory Officials (NERO). NERO is a committee-structured organization focused on supporting and advocating the egg industry in the United States. | |
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MDAC Bureau of Regulatory Services Hires Staff | |
Pictured: Binjham "Binny" Ezell (Petroleum Division), Joshua "Josh" Pierce (Petroleum Division), Kailee Iwanczyk (Meat Inspection Division), Dakota Noland (Meat Inspection Division), and Dan Parks (Weights & Measures Division) | |
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The Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce’s Bureau of Regulatory Services hired five new staff members.
Ezell and Pierce work in north Mississippi conducting inspections of all fueling devices. Iwanczyk and Noland work in meat slaughter and processing plants and will receive additional training through the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, Inspection Methods Program. Parks will inspect/test scales and measurement equipment used in commerce to ensure compliance with state laws and equity in the marketplace in central Mississippi.
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Ag Commissioner Gipson, Rankin County and City of Brandon Officials Broke Ground on New Genuine Mississippi Agricultural Complex in Conjunction with National Ag Day | |
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Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson, along with Rankin County and City of Brandon officials, broke ground on the new Genuine Mississippi Agricultural Market Complex, located off Highway 18 in Brandon. Commissioner Gipson was joined by Pastor Gene Henderson; Supervisor Steve Gaines, President of the Rankin County Board of Supervisors; Noel Daniels, President of Rankin First; and Mayor Butch Lee, City of Brandon.
In conjunction with celebrating National Agriculture Day and recognizing the importance of agriculture to the State of Mississippi, Commissioner Gipson discussed the vision to support local farmers emphasizing the groundbreaking was about having a vision – a vision for the State of Mississippi to become the epicenter of food production, storage and distribution in the southeastern United States. The Genuine Mississippi Agricultural Market Complex is Phase 1 of the Mississippi Strategic Agriculture Facilities Expansion (S.A.F.E.) Plan announced in July 2023. The Complex will be Mississippi’s first-ever local food supply, storage and distribution hub.
“Today is a day we will always remember as a state and as a country when we had the vision to plan ahead for our local food supply. Food security is national security. America’s strength internationally is driven in large measure by our strength to produce not only food for our people here in Mississippi but also for people around the world,” said Commissioner Gipson. “This vision is about growing markets for our local farmers, making new opportunities for our local farmers at the same time as we bring new opportunities for local consumers who want fresh local food.”
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Defining vision as ‘the ability to see the invisible,’ Commissioner Gipson challenged attendees to see the vision for the Market Complex by ‘seeing’ the challenges, solutions and opportunities. Commissioner Gipson outlined the challenges of the local food supply chain including the supply chain shortages resulting from the Covid pandemic; fewer number of farmers today; foreign interests in purchasing farmland; weather-related events such as storms and drought; and federal regulation overreach. Emphasizing farmers being the answer to the challenges, Commissioner Gipson offered solutions including supporting and strengthening local food supply systems, growing markets for local farmers, enhancing existing markets and the innovative creation of new markets for local food through programs such as Genuine MS®.
Commissioner Gipson highlighted four economic development opportunities: expanding workforce development opportunities for 4-H and FFA students; the opportunity for Mississippi to become the epicenter of food production with the predicted shift of food production from the west to the southeast U.S. due to water shortages; the ability for the Genuine Mississippi Agricultural Market Complex to become a destination for consumers to experience Mississippi’s agricultural products and for farmers to market their products; and growing international trade opportunities.
Commissioner Gipson thanked partners Rankin County Board of Supervisors, Rankin First, and the City of Brandon for their leadership and support of this project.
“No one can question the commitment of the Rankin County Board of Supervisors to support and promote agriculture and the well-being of the farm families of Rankin County and our region. Commissioner Gipson's desire to bring an agriculture-focused, economic development and tourism project to the heart of Rankin County is a testimony to the leadership of this great county who have made every effort to prepare Rankin County for success. I am excited most of all for the next generations of farm families who will call Rankin County home. The Genuine Mississippi Agricultural Market Complex will afford our families with any number of opportunities not currently available to them. We are grateful for this opportunity to partner with Commissioner Gipson, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and the City of Brandon in this great effort,” said Supervisor Gaines.
The Market Complex will feature not only fresh local products such as poultry, beef, pork, blueberries, sweet potatoes, watermelons, peas and beans, tomatoes, muscadines, rice, peanuts, pecans, dairy, catfish and more – but also frozen and dried products that can be stored and distributed and sold to consumers throughout the year. The Market Complex will also provide real world Training and Workforce Development opportunities for Mississippi’s 4-H and FFA youth interested in exploring available agricultural and commerce career paths.
“Rankin First is pleased to participate in the Genuine Mississippi Market Complex project. It will be a wonderful addition to our County and spur additional economic and tourism development. We look forward to welcoming visitors from all over our great State and the United States as they come to this unique one-of-a-kind marketplace complex,” said President Daniels.
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The Genuine Mississippi Market Complex will be located on Mississippi Highway 18 near the front door of future economic development for Rankin County. This Market Complex will be unlike any other existing development in the State of Mississippi. It will feature the full farm-to-table experience for retail consumers whether shopping for fresh farm-raised produce in season, high quality meat products such as beef, chicken, pork and catfish, or frozen or dried products for cooking at home. Visitors will also be able to sit down at a table to enjoy a delicious fresh-cooked meal of Genuine MS® products.
“We are encouraged by the continued growth and development of the Hwy 18 corridor in the City of Brandon,” said Mayor Lee. “Commissioner Gipson’s vision and dedication to locate the Genuine MS Agricultural Complex closer to Rankin County consumers is greatly appreciated. Along with benefiting our area farmers, the benefits of convenient access to farm fresh foods positively effects the health and wellness of all residents in Brandon and Rankin County.”
Additionally, the Genuine Mississippi Market Complex will include commercial wholesale food storage and processing components operated by the private sector for distribution to other retail locations including local grocery stores, restaurants and farmers markets. The overall site development will be overseen by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce with input and private investments from the agricultural industry and private sector partners.
Officials expect the first phase of the development to be initiated by the private sector within the year and anticipate completion of the project over the next two to four years. To view the groundbreaking ceremony in its entirety, visit https://youtu.be/GVRZo-IV-o4.
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Feeding the Economy Annual Report Details Mississippi’s Agricultural Impact | |
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The 2024 Feeding the Economy report was recently released detailing the significant impact of America’s food and agriculture sector to the economy, including a total economic output of $80.5 billion in the state of Mississippi. The report’s findings show America’s food and agriculture sector as a thriving, integral component of the U.S. economy with economic output growing by more than a trillion dollars since the 2023 report.
“Agriculture is an economic driver for Mississippi, and it is the backbone of the economies for small communities across the state. The Feeding the Economy report highlights the significant economic impact of Mississippi’s agriculture industry, including its economic contributions to other sectors of the food supply chain,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “The numbers are quite impressive and show the importance of our continued efforts to create new market opportunities for agricultural products and grow the agricultural economy even more.”
The study highlights Mississippi’s strong agriculture industry, which provides 429,077 total jobs with 217,895 being direct-related jobs. Additionally, the industry accounts for $7.16 billion paid in direct wages and $18.18 billion in total wages. More than $1.02 billion of agricultural goods were exported from Mississippi ports. Overall, the food and agriculture industries resulted in a direct output of $34.15 billion and a total output of $80.5 billion.
The 2024 Food and Agriculture Industries Economic Impact Study estimates the economic contributions made by the food industry to the U.S. economy. For the study, the food industry includes any business involved in food agriculture, food manufacturing, food wholesaling and food retailing. The study measures the number of jobs in food and agriculture related industries, the wages paid to employees, the value added and total output. In addition, the report measures the economic impact of the suppliers that support the food and agriculture industries, as well as those industries supported by the induced spending of direct and supplier industries.
Visit https://feedingtheeconomy.com/ to view the full report.
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Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson Announced Promotional Partnership Between MDAC and Jackson State University | |
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Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson announced a promotional partnership between the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) and Jackson State University (JSU). Commissioner Gipson was joined by JSU President Marcus Thompson, Ph.D. and JSU’s Student Government Association Vice President Morgan Graves.
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Several inspectors from Regulatory Services attended the press conference at JSU.
Pictured, L-R: Larry Veal, Gary Cushman, Jason Bell, Gene Robertson, Jamarcus Davis, Clay Hammons, Jennifer Thompson, Commissioner Andy Gipson, JSU’s SGA Vice President Morgan Graves, JSU President Marcus Thompson PhD, Henri Fuselier, Brent Bowman, Jefferson Anderson, and Joe Cotten.
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Mississippi Egg Marketing Board Presented Mustard Seed Easter Eggs to First Lady Reeves | |
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The Mississippi Egg Marketing Board presented 12 eggs created by The Mustard Seed ‘Seedsters’ to First Lady Elee Reeves. The Board worked with The Mustard Seed, a Christian community for adults with developmental disabilities, to craft the eggs.
Twelve Mustard Seed community members were given the opportunity to decorate an egg representative of Mississippi. The theme for this year’s egg presentation was “Mississippi Creatures Great and Small” and included Wood Duck Swimming in a Pond with Cattails by artist Jerry Dearing; Honey Bee with Flowers by artist Nia Reed; Deer in a Cotton Field by artist Will Gibbes; Beaver in a Lake with Trees by artist Matthew Davis; Mississippi’s Butterfly Under the Sunshine by artist John Carl McKeller; Redbird and Sunflowers by artist Kristy LaDue; Bottlenose Dolphin in the Mississippi Gulf Coast by artist Jacob Gulland; Opossum and Owl Under a Starry Night Sky by artist Russell Cobb; Catfish and Riverboat on the Mississippi River by artist Gabrielle Chambers; Black Bear and Pink Flowers in the Mississippi Delta by artist Kate Dickens; Bald Eagle in Pine Trees by artist Logan Chew; and Alligator in the Mississippi Natchez Cyprus Swamp by artist Caroline Wilkerson.
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MDAC Hosted a Catfish Cook-off for Legislators | |
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MDAC hosted a catfish cook-off between members of the Mississippi House of Representatives and the Senate Agriculture Committees at the Mississippi Farmers Market. Special thanks to Pam Wynn and Jason Walker from Superior Catfish for donating the fish for the competition. Congratulations to members of the House Ag Committee on their win. Their team was led by MDAC Deputy Commissioner Hayes Patrick.
The cook-off judges were Crystal Tisme (WAPT), Dr. Jimmy Avery (MSU Extension Service), Shorty Jones (Catfish Producer and Processor), Mike McCall (The Catfish Journal), and Blake Levine (WJTV).
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MDAC Hosted Farmers Market Manager Workshop at Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum | |
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As a part of National Agriculture Week, Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) staff members hosted a Farmers Market Manager Workshop for managers across the state. The workshop featured speakers from Mississippi farmers markets, MDAC, and Mississippi State University.
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Pictured: Farmers Market Manager Workshop attendees, Dr. Nicole Hodges and Katie Sansing | |
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MDAC speakers who presented at the workshop:
Purvie Green – Agriculture Market Programs Coordinator
Katie Sansing – Agritourism Director / Program Specialist
B. Nicole Hodges, DVM., PhD - Meat Inspection Director
Henri Fuselier - Consumer Protection Division Director
Wyatt Eason, Bureau of Plant Industry – Nursery, Apiary, Boll Weevil Programs Coordinator
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Commissioner Gipson Read to Students at
Brandon Elementary School
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Commissioner Andy Gipson read the book "Blaze and the Mountain Lion" to 5th-grade classes at Brandon Elementary School and discussed the importance of agriculture in Mississippi. The classes gifted Commissioner Gipson a painting of a cowboy hat surrounded by magnolia flowers and a drawing of the state of Mississippi.
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Mississippi Farmers Market Tea Party Event | |
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The Mississippi Farmers Market Tea Party is a come-and-go event 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 13. The Market will feature Genuine MS® Grown teas available to purchase from Mississippi tea growers across the state including Pearl River Tea Company, Yazoo Yaupon and Hickory Heal Farm. Also available for shoppers are honey, jams/jellies and flowers. The Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra will perform live music beginning 9:00 a.m. at the event.
This event will be outdoors, weather permitting, in the Market parking lot closest to North Jefferson Street. Seating will be available under tents or inside for patrons to sit themselves and enjoy their purchases. The Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra will perform live music beginning 9:00 a.m. at the event. Keep Mississippi Beautiful will be on site with wildflower seed packets in honor of Mississippi Native Plant Month.
“We are excited to welcome such a unique variety of vendors and community partners at the Market for this event,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “We love tea in Mississippi and this is a great opportunity to promote our Mississippi tea growers. The Mississippi Farmers Market Tea Party is a wonderful event to highlight their hard work and for people to enjoy local flavor.”
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Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum to Host Night on the Town Event
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The Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum will hold its Night on the Town event 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. May 4, 2024. This event is perfect for couples planning a date night or individuals looking for a night out! With the purchase of admission, guests will receive a complimentary drink ticket and heavy hors d’oeuvres presented by the Tasty Side of Agriculture. While here, enjoy a special viewing on the big screen, dance to music, play yard games, and go for a stroll through Small Town, Mississippi. Night on the Town is an outdoor event taking place rain or shine! | |
Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce to Host Inbound Wood Trade Mission | |
2022 Inbound Trade Mission participants tour a lumber yard. | |
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The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) and Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) will host a 2024 Mississippi Inbound Wood Species Trade Mission for wood exporters
June 4-7 in the Mississippi Trade Mart. The registration deadline is March 30, 2024, and the registration fee is $250.00.
As a participant, you will meet with buyers from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Spain, Italy, Poland, Great Britain and Vietnam.
To register or for more information, contact:
Ginger Williamson
MDAC Timber Commerce Liaison
Phone: 601-359-1150
Email: ginger@mdac.ms.gov
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The Mississippi Farmers Market is open
Saturdays from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
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The Genuine MS® Store is open
Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Saturdays 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
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To keep up with daily happenings follow all our social media accounts
| Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce | Mississippi Farmers Market | Mississippi State Fairgrounds | |
Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum | |
[601-359-1100] [121 N Jefferson St, Jackson, MS 39201] [https://www.mdac.ms.gov/] | | | | | |
