MDAC DIVISION SPOTLIGHT

Bureau of Plant Industry: Seed Program and State Seed Lab

Director: James Smith

A lab employee prepares seed samples for testing.

MDAC STAFF SPOTLIGHTS

MDAC Chief of Staff Reappointed to the Mississippi Humanities Council Board of Directors

In January, Governor Tate Reeves reappointed Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce Chief-of-Staff Brian Perry to the Mississippi Humanities Council Board of Directors. Perry’s appointment is a four-year term to run concurrent with the governor. Perry was first appointed by Reeves to the council board in 2021 to replace Major General Erik Hearon whose appointment by Governor Phil Bryant had expired. Perry has served as Chief-of-Staff to Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson since 2019.

MDAC Staff Conduct Listening Sessions for Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program

Pictured: RFSI Program Coordinator Peyton Pierce.

MDAC staff members from various divisions conducted five listening sessions for the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program across the state to assist applicants with their grant applications.

The deadline to apply for RFSI’s Infrastructure Grant or Equipment-Only Grant is March 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. CST. All completed applications must be electronically submitted to rfsi@mdac.ms.gov. Learn more at https://www.mdac.ms.gov/rfsi/.

MDAC County Correspondent Attended the Annual Producer Advisory Council Meeting

MDAC County Correspondent Aaron Williams attended the annual meeting of the Coastal Research & Extension Center Producer Advisory Council in Biloxi, MS, on behalf of Genuine MS®.

County Correspondents are farmer liaisons who serve as local contacts in all 82 counties. Local agriculture and commerce issues can be communicated to our County Correspondents, who will then deliver the information to MDAC for responsive action to whatever local issues and/or interests may arise.

MDAC Produce Safety Staff Presented at the Annual Producer Advisory Council Meeting

Pictured (L to R): Juan Silva of Mississippi State University, Brandon Thornton, and Davis Edwards.

Brandon Thornton and Davis Edwards of the MDAC’s Produce Safety Division recently attended the annual Producer Advisory Council Meeting January 25, 2024, held at the Coastal Research & Extension Center in Biloxi, MS. This meeting allows producers and community leaders to communicate concerns, identify needs, express opinions and give feedback to Mississippi State University to better meet their needs. Thornton and Edwards provided information and answered questions about Produce Safety to the growers in attendance.

MDAC's Bureau of Regulatory Services Welcomes Lyndsey Ferguson to its Staff

MDAC's Bureau of Regulatory Services welcomes Lyndsey Ferguson to its team. Lyndsey began training with the Weights & Measures and Fruits & Vegetables Division as an inspector November 1. Following her on-the-job training, Lyndsey will conduct Moisture Meter scale inspections, Universal Product Code (UPC) inspections, fruits/vegetable inspection audits and peanut grading. Lyndsey is very familiar with the farming community and has extensive experience working with the public.

MDAC Staff Participated in Capitol Days

Pictured (L to R): Paige Manning, Katie Sansing, Jonathan McCraw, Jared Vardaman, Commissioner Andy Gipson, Emma Dotson, and Abby Weeks.

Members of the Market Development Division and Commissioner Andy Gipson took part in Capitol Days on January 17 at the Mississippi State Capitol to spread awareness and knowledge about the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. MDAC staff will return for the next Capitol Days on February 15.

MDAC Bureau of Regulatory Services Petroleum Division Names New Division Director, Supervisor

MDAC's Bureau of Regulatory Services Petroleum Division underwent personnel changes. Clay Hammons, former Supervisor of the Division, has been promoted to Division Director. Hammons has worked in the MDAC Petroleum Division since 2006 and has worked diligently to streamline processes for the division. Congratulations to Clay on his new role. Cherry Eaddy is now the Supervisor of the Petroleum Division. Eaddy has worked with the Division as an Inspector in the Starkville area since 2000. 

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

The 59th Annual Dixie National Livestock Show & Rodeo Rides into Jackson

Join cowboys, cowgirls, 4-H and FFA members, rodeo queens, and spectators at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds this month for the largest professional rodeo east of the Mississippi River: The Dixie National Rodeo!

-Dixie National Equine and Livestock Shows - January 5 – February 18, 2024

-The Dixie National Parade is February 10, 2024, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

-Kids Day is February 13, 2024, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Dixie National Rodeo performances are as follows:

• Friday, February 9, at 7:00 p.m. – Conner Smith and Colin Stough
• Saturday, February 10, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – Tracy Byrd
• Sunday, February 11, at 2:00 p.m. – Chris Cagle
• Wednesday, February 14, at 7:00 p.m. – Megan Moroney
• Thursday, February 15, at 7:00 p.m. – Sammy Kershaw
• Friday, February 16, at 7:00 p.m. – Corey Kent
• Saturday, February 17, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – Parmalee

Opinion Column: Agriculture Holds Key to Mississippi Workforce Challenges

By: Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson

Most everyone seems to understand that workforce development is crucial in addressing Mississippi’s labor challenges. Most everyone accepts that reaching our youth, training them and keeping them in Mississippi is key to our success when it comes to workforce development. As Ag Commissioner, I believe that Mississippi’s existing 4-H and FFA programs, including our junior livestock programs, hold huge potential to tackle the workforce development needs of Mississippi. These ag-based programs represent the very best youth development and workforce development programs we have in Mississippi.

In a recent opinion column, Lt. Governor Hosemann addressed the critical need to raise the labor force participation rate in Mississippi. I wholeheartedly agree with the Lt. Governor’s assessment. I also agree with his sentiment that the best investment we can make is in the brain of a child. The benefits of this type of investment reach much further than the individuals themselves because the youth of today are our future leaders and they will be the backbone of tomorrow’s workforce. 

Today’s labor challenges are nothing new in the world of agriculture. Agriculture is the number one industry in the state with a farm gate value of more than $8.7 billion in 2023. With agriculture as the single largest employer of our state’s workforce either directly or indirectly, it makes sense we tackle the labor challenges with a focus on the agriculture workforce in the state.

As the Dixie National Jr. Round-Up Livestock Shows managed by the MSU Extension Service illustrate, thousands of 4-H and FFA youths from every corner of the state participate in one of the many livestock shows. Preparing for this competition is a year-long process, and it is not for the faint of heart. Our young people learn the true spirit of hard work, sacrifice and determination. They are often early to rise and late to bed caring for their animals through the summer heat and the cold of winter.

The values instilled in our Junior Livestock participants during their time in the barns and show arena cannot be matched. From an early age, they learn about the wise investment of time and commitment to seeing the job through until it’s done – of actually doing the work and bringing the project to fruition. These same skills are the skills taught by 4-H and FFA. They are not only raising animals; they are also building a resume stacked with a variety of soft and technical skills.

The Livestock Shows are the reason our Dixie National Rodeo exists today. One of the most coveted honors for Mississippi’s youth livestock exhibitors is participating in the Junior Sale of Champions. The hard work and dedication required to compete far surpasses that required for a number of other youth activities. I will say it again: these youth are our future leaders. The skills and lessons learned will not just impact their generation; it will impact Mississippi’s future generations to come. 

The time has come to demonstrate our support by investing in the types of programs and facilities that will continue to grow the excellent workforce development initiative that is Mississippi 4-H and FFA. How do we do that? 

First, your Department of Agriculture and Commerce has already invested by initiating youth internships through our MS Ag Works program to help connect young people to actual work experience and job opportunities in the private and public sectors. For upcoming youth internship opportunities, visit www.mdac.ms.gov/ms-agworks/.

A second way is by investing in upgraded facilities at our county and State level to provide our young people the workforce facilities that will spur youth involvement and grow interest in the 4-H and FFA programs. Originally geared toward large farm animals like cattle, hogs and horses, the programs today also provide plenty of avenues for kids in suburban, or even urban areas, to participate with the addition of our Rabbit and Chicken Shows. Now every young person in Mississippi can get involved, learn basic workforce skills and experience this excellent youth development opportunity. We also need to rebuild our State livestock facilities constructed on the State Fairgrounds over 75 years ago which are quickly becoming unsafe and in desperate need of replacement.

Third, in addition to workforce facility investments, an emphasis on careers in agriculture should be brought back to our schools. Our extension agents and agriculture teachers work tirelessly, committed to growing the next generation of agriculture leaders. Agriculture education should be made a priority at the school level with dedicated funding support through the State Department of Education. We know through experience such as our MDAC Wild Hog Youth Trapping Corps that youth who are taught about agricultural work opportunities are eager to get involved. When they get involved, they learn workforce skills.

There was a time not that long ago that almost every kid was a “farm kid” with hard work and ethics instilled from farm life. That is not the case today, but in Mississippi, every kid can have the opportunity to be a farm kid through 4-H and FFA. When they plug in, they learn core values taught on the farm that will take them far in life no matter their chosen career path. I encourage our Mississippi Legislature to support our youth and the longstanding traditions of the 4-H and FFA by making these strategic investments that will enhance workforce development and labor participation and will truly serve the people of Mississippi for the next 100 years.

MDAC Now Accepting Applications for

Specialty Crop Block Grant

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson announced the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) is now accepting proposals for the 2024 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. 

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and authorized by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill). The purpose of the program is to enhance the competitiveness of Mississippi’s specialty crop industry by leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops; expanding availability and access to specialty crops; and addressing local, regional and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers.  

Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. Specialty crops are an important part of Mississippi’s agriculture, accounting for more than $205 million of our state’s agriculture industry last year.  

Past project examples include increasing awareness and consumption of specialty crops to school-aged children through garden grants; developing and implementing promotional and marketing campaigns to educate the public on the benefits of buying and consuming locally-grown specialty crops; improving food safety through Good Agricultural Practices; evaluating management strategies to improve health of honey bee colonies; evaluating potential new crops for viable production in the state; grower training and educational workshops on improving specialty crop production and increasing marketing opportunities; evaluating grafting techniques in tomatoes for improving plant disease resistance, productivity and quality; evaluating native Christmas trees for increased production in Mississippi; and high tunnel research trials on a variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs. 

Eligible applicants include producer groups and associations, non-profits, colleges and universities. Funding will not be awarded to projects that solely benefit a particular commercial product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution or individual. Single organizations, institutions and individuals are encouraged to participate as project partners. Applications must be submitted to MDAC by Wednesday, March 20, 2024. To obtain an application, visit the ‘Alerts and Announcements’ section at www.mdac.ms.gov, call Susan Lawrence at (601) 213-7542, or email susan@mdac.ms.gov.  

Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson Announces February 2024 Wild Hog Control Program Application Period

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson announced that the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) is accepting a new round of applications for its Wild Hog Control Program (WHCP). The application period will close on Thursday, February 15. All Mississippi counties are eligible for the application period.

In Mississippi alone, wild hogs cause more than $60 million in damages annually. Through the WHCP, MDAC provides “smart” wild hog traps to landowners and managers for the control of wild hogs on private agricultural and forestry lands in Mississippi. MDAC provides the training necessary to use the “smart” traps and technical guidance regarding the most effective methods to trap and control wild hogs on private lands.

“The next trapping period will coincide with the upcoming crop planting season. I urge farmers that have experienced historical agricultural loss from wild hogs to submit an application,” said Commissioner Gipson. “We want to work with farmers and their neighbors to prevent crop loss by supplying the correct trapping equipment and technical guidance on how to successfully trap wild hogs.”

Applications must be completed and submitted online at www.mdac.ms.gov/whcp. Submitted applications will be evaluated based on the number of acres available for trapping, historical agricultural losses caused by wild hogs on the property and current trapping efforts on the property. A cooperative application is encouraged for small acreage (i.e., adjoining land managers of small parcels should work together to submit one application). Traps will be available for one-month intervals, dependent upon use and success. One trap per 500 acres is recommended, depending on landscape and land use.

Visit www.mdac.ms.gov/whcp for program guidelines, applications and additional information. Submit questions regarding the WHCP to Chris McDonald at chris@mdac.ms.gov.

Commissioner Andy Gipson Participates in Blessing of First-Ever Safe Haven Baby Box Placed at a Mississippi Hospital

Pictured (L to R): Kaitlyn Kelly, Mississippi R.N. and Activist; Melissa Sullivan, Executive Director of the Simpson County Center for Pregnancy Choices; Commissioner Andy Gipson; and Gregg Gibbes, CEO and Administrator of Simpson General Hospital.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson participated in a blessing ceremony for the first-ever Safe Haven Baby Box to be placed at a Mississippi hospital on January 24, 2024. The Baby Box, located at Simpson General Hospital in Mendenhall, is the first of its kind at an emergency services hospital and health care facility in the state.

“This is the second such box instituted in Mississippi, but the first of its kind at a hospital,” said Commissioner Gipson. “To date, 40 babies have been surrendered to Safe Haven Baby Boxes across the U.S. and this additional Baby Box located in our own backyard is a positive step in the right direction for Mississippians. This unique initiative legally permits a mother in crisis to safely, securely and anonymously surrender their newborn if they are unable to care for them. I pray this Baby Box will be used in a mighty way and that many lives will be rescued.”

The Safe Haven Baby Box at Simpson General Hospital was funded entirely by private donations from the Mendenhall and Simpson County community. The Baby Box is now available 24/7.

MDAC Bureau of Regulatory Services Divisions Participate in Nationwide Price Verification Survey

The Consumer Protection and the Weights & Measures Divisions are actively participating in a nationwide price verification survey. 

The survey is part of the National Conference on Weights and Measures efforts to provide information to the weights and measures community, retail industry and consumer groups. The information provided in the survey results will assist with pricing improvement plans and staff training for retailers. Since administering penalties in fiscal year 2021, the MDAC has collected $485,200 for Universal Product Code (UPC) violations.

The Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau Investigators Recovered Stolen Property

The Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau (MALTB) recovered stolen property, with an estimated value of $66,400, in Sharkey County.



On December 16, 2023, The Sunflower County Sherriff's Office took an initial report of two farm trucks stolen, along with tools and an equipment trailer. The Mississippi Agriculture & Livestock Theft Bureau was then notified of the stolen farm equipment.

MALTB was notified January 9, 2024, that a farmer in Sharkey County had theft of tools and damage to some farm equipment. Evidence and information provided to investigators suggested that one of the stolen trucks from Sunflower County, a 2018 FORD F250, was used in the Sharkey County theft.

Further investigation by MALTB led to the identification of several suspects and the recovery of the stolen trucks and trailer.

To prevent the theft of agricultural equipment and livestock, the MALTB recommends:

• Never leaving keys inside equipment or machinery
• Parking equipment so that it is not visible from the road
• Taking pictures and recording the serial numbers of all equipment
• Registering your livestock brand with the MALTB and branding livestock
• Keeping gates locked
• Installing cameras around your property.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum Hosts Monthly Domestic Saturday Programming

The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum will hold its Spring Farm Days 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on March 7-9, 2024. Enjoy cooking demonstrations by the Mississippi Egg Marketing Board, learn about farmstead life and gardening, and make sure to see the large farm and forestry equipment display! The Museum will also have baby chicks, chickens, and other farm animals.

The Mississippi Farmers Market is open

Saturdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Genuine MS® Store is open

Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Saturdays 8 a.m.-1 p.m.