September is National Rice Month and the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is proud to recognize our incredible rice farmers. Mississippi is ranked #6 in the nation in rice production, earning $135 million in 2023!

118,000 acres of rice were harvested across 221 Mississippi farms last year alone, with Bolivar County producing the most rice statewide. Rice is a popular and versatile food that packs a serious nutritional punch. Find all kinds of rice recipes to try this month at USArice.com.

I encourage all Mississippians to support our farmers, and particularly our rice producers, this month by shopping locally. Visit GenuineMS.com to learn where you can find all things grown, raised, crafted and made right here in the Magnolia State. Shop at your local farmers market for all your fresh produce needs; visit msfarmersmarket.com to find a farmers market near you. Don't forget to check out the Mississippi Farm Marketplace to advertise your crops for sale or to find local crops to purchase. And thank a farmer today for providing for our communities, our state and our great nation!

MDAC DIVISION SPOTLIGHT

Market Development Division

Director: Paige Manning

MDAC's Market Development Division is dedicated to promoting and heightening the public’s awareness of Mississippi ‘s agriculture commodities and the farmers and ranchers who produce them. This is accomplished through participation in trade shows, conferences and fairs, international trade, presentations to schools and civic organizations, promotion of local farmers markets, contact with other agricultural organizations and commodity groups, and various other communication outlets. Also, the division oversees the Mississippi Market Bulletin, the Genuine MS® Program, Agritourism Registration Program, Certified Farmers Market Programs, Livestock Market News for the State of Mississippi, and Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

Through its Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the Market Development Division has just launched a new podcast series called Freshly Picked which spotlights specialty crops in Mississippi! Each episode focuses on a different agricultural commodity and features special guests with expertise on growing, maintaining and serving specialty crops.

In a relaxed, conversational format, each podcast episode will include specialty crop farmers, experts, entrepreneurs and/or chefs as they tell the stories behind their farms, businesses and the unique products they offer. Listeners can find new episodes every Thursday throughout the fall season at msfreshlypicked.com, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or other major platforms.

MDAC STAFF SPOTLIGHTS

MDAC Regulatory Inspectors Receive Their CDLs

Congratulations to MDAC's own Jason Bell and Drew Villar! As part of the agency's continued cross-training efforts, these Weights and Measures Division Intermediate inspectors earned their Commercial Drivers License (CDL). Both Jason (right) and Drew (left) attended the CDL class offered at Holmes Community College, as part of the college's work force development program. Both are now qualified to assist with testing and certifying heavy scales, typically found at livestock barns, poultry feed and live haul facilities, truck stops and rail scales.

MDAC's Bureau of Regulatory Services Receives New Vehicles for Inspectors

Pictured (L-R): Greg Gholston, Weights & Measures Division Supervisor; Brent Bowman, Weights & Measures Division Director; Jason Bell, Weights & Measures Intermediate Scale Inspector; Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson; and Jennifer Thompson, Bureau Director of Regulatory Services.

MDAC's Bureau of Regulatory Services received several new vehicles in an effort to replace its antiquated fleet. In the Weights and Measures Division, 1-ton dual wheel vehicles are an upgrade to the previously used 1-ton van. These vehicles carry over 4,000 lbs and are used to check scales taking weighments of 50-500 lbs, often found at feed stores and coops. The new trucks will be outfitted with work bodies that will accommodate all of the equipment and provide inspectors a safer ride by isolating the weights from the driver, reducing the risk of injury to our staff.

The Consumer Protection Division is responsible for ensuring food quality and safety and fairness and equity in the retail marketplace by checking scales in grocery stores, conducting retail food sanitation inspections in grocery stores and convenience stores where food is prepared, and conducting Country of Origin Labeling inspections. The division received two new vehicles to aid in the inspection process.

The Meat Inspection Division, responsible for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Services, received five new vehicles, which will replace vehicles with over 200,000 miles. This division is responsible for ensuring that the meat and poultry products offered for sale in Mississippi are safe, wholesome, unadulterated and accurately labeled. The division employees 38 and is the largest division in MDAC's Bureau of Regulatory Services.

MDAC Staff Certify Students in Hunter's Education and Youth Trapping Corps

On August 27, MDAC staff traveled to Neshoba Central High School to certify students from Neshoba Central FFA in Hunter’s Education and demonstrate use of a wild hog trap. State Representative Scott Bounds and Neshoba County School District Superintendent Josh Perkins were also in attendance. The students are participating in MDAC’s Wild Hog Control Program Youth Trapping Corps and will use their trap to assist private landowners in the battle against wild hogs. If you would like to learn more about the Youth Trapping Corps, please contact Youth Trapping Corps Coordinator Peyton Pierce at 601-421-4469 or Peyton@mdac.ms.gov.

MDAC Staff Attends NASDA Post Harvest Training

Brandon Thornton, Supervisor within MDAC's Produce Safety Division, recently attended a National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Post Harvest Training in Charlotte, North Carolina. The training was designed to aid inspection staff in the understanding and application of new post-harvest water requirements under the Produce Safety Rule. The conference was attended by multiple regional and state produce program staff.

MDAC Staff Speaks at Chamber of Commerce

Hayes Patrick, Deputy Commissioner at MDAC, was the keynote speaker at the Horn Lake Chamber of Commerce meeting in August. He shared statistics on DeSoto County's agricultural farming and also recounted a personal experience working with and mentoring youth.

MDAC Welcomes New Staff

MDAC is glad to welcome Jordan Proctor to the Petroleum Inspection Division! Jordan will be responsible for working the East Central area of the state to ensure that when Mississippians purchase fuel they actually receive what they are paying for. Jordan will maintain the inspection of approximately 5,000 devices. Jordan is originally from Georgia but has resided in Mississippi since 2020.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

Commissioner Gipson Attends Meeting, Provides Update on Poultry House Ad Valorem Tax Increase

Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson met with poultry producers, members of County Boards of Supervisors, economic developers and bankers in Waynesboro last week at the invitation of Representative Shane Barnett to provide an update on a pending ad valorem tax increase as it impacts Mississippi poultry houses. Commissioner Gipson offered a short-term solution for counties currently updating tax valuations and discussed the need for a permanent legislative solution.

“The Mississippi Department of Agriculture has been working diligently on this issue since I was first informed of the issue on August 2. This comes at the worst possible time for our farmers. This ad valorem tax increase coupled with record inflationary pressures farmers are currently facing would be highly detrimental to our farmers, forcing some out of business while others could take years to recover,” said Commissioner Gipson.

Commissioner Gipson discussed recent guidance by the Mississippi Department of Revenue which provides for a short-term solution for counties currently in the process of updating tax valuations for 2024. These counties have the option to request a one-year delay in the proposed increases which would allow time for a legislative solution. County Boards of Supervisors may contact the Department of Revenue to reschedule their implementation for the next calendar year. Commissioner Gipson urged counties requesting the delay to act quickly to ensure county budget deadlines are met.

“While counties do have a short-term solution, work must begin now to find a long-term solution, or we will find ourselves in the same situation in the future. The ability for counties to delay one year gives time for the Legislature to address this ad valorem tax issue in the 2025 Regular Session. We will be working closely with our Legislators to find a permanent resolution to help the farmers on this major issue during the 2025 Session,” said Commissioner Gipson.

New Mississippi Agriculture Youth Council Class Holds First Meeting

Pictured (L-R): Claire Rizzo of Bolivar County; Hannah Hill of Tippah County; Emma Creel of Kemper County; Micah Osborn of Leflore County; Bryce Bratcher of Oktibbeha County; Kayleigh Rose Myers of Itawamba County; Emma Grace Putnam of Sunflower County; Grey Cruse of Lee County; Commissioner Andy Gipson; Sloan Walker of Leflore County; John Clayton Kitchens of Lauderdale County; Layton Varner of Rankin County; Alana Whitehead of Winston County; Azion Leflore of Rankin County; and Gracyn Foster of Jones County.

The 2024 - 2025 class of the Mississippi Agriculture Youth Council (MAYC) held its inaugural meeting in Jackson on Wednesday, August 28. Fourteen students from across Mississippi came together to hear from Commissioner Gipson, as well as other officials with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Mississippi Board of Animal Health and the National Agricultural Law Center.

“It was a pleasure to meet with this year’s Ag Youth Council,” said Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson. “These bright students are Mississippi’s future, and our agency is dedicated to providing these potential leaders with an understanding of the vast opportunities and overall importance of our state’s largest industry, agriculture. With an ever-increasing demand for a trained and experienced workforce, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce will continue to play an active role in developing the next generation of leaders in agriculture.”

During their meeting, MAYC students learned about various aspects of Mississippi’s agriculture industry including regulatory services, marketing and public relations, timber commerce, and veterinary medicine. Council members also engaged in discussions with National Agricultural Law Center Director Harrison Pittman regarding important policy issues impacting agriculture at the state and national levels.

Pearl River County Man Arrested in Multi-Agency Agricultural Theft Investigation

On Monday, August 26, 2024, Mark Deon Inman Jr. of Pearl River County turned himself into Pearl River County Jail, on two warrants for felony false pretense.

A multi-agency investigation began in 2021 when Windy Hills Beefmaster Ranch in Poplarville reported a livestock theft to the Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau (MALTB). Inman, a former employee at Windy Hills Beefmaster Ranch, faces charges for selling the ranch's livestock while pretending to operate on its behalf but keeping the proceeds from those sales for himself.

MALTB Director Dean Barnard says, “This is an ongoing investigation, with more charges expected. Thank you to the Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau, Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department and the 15th Circuit District Attorney Hal Kittrell’s Office for all the time they have dedicated to this case.”

MATLB Investigators Recover Stolen Ag Equipment, Make Arrest in Jones County

The Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau (MALTB) recovered a stolen tractor, attachments and lawnmower in Jones County. The stolen agricultural equipment is valued at a combined $65,000.

On August 10, 2024, MALTB was contacted about the possible location of a Kubota MX6000 tractor and front-end loader, Land Pride pallet forks, Land Pride rotary cutter, Woods box blade and a Bad Boy 60" zero-turn lawn mower stolen from a Jones County farm on August 9 and 10.

All of the items were recovered on August 11, 2024, approximately two miles from the farm they were stolen from. MALTB investigators identified and arrested Marc Herrington of Laurel as a suspect in the theft. Herrington was then taken to the Jones County Adult Detention Center. He has been charged with four counts of Grand Larceny.

Learn More

Commissioner Andy Gipson Expresses Solar Farm Concerns at Public Service Commission Summit

At the recent Solar Summit held by the Mississippi Public Service Commission, Agricutlure Commissioner Andy Gipson expressed serious concerns regarding the long-term impact of so-called “solar farms” being deployed in massive scale on Mississippi farmland throughout the state.

While acknowledging the demand for solar power as part of Mississippi’s statewide energy generation, Commissioner Gipson discussed recent international and federal polices driving up artificial financial incentives to convert farmland into thousands of acres of solar panels.

“I don’t blame the farmers. I respect and fight for the property rights of landowners. I do blame the failed policies and the false economy put into place by the Biden-Harris Administration. Farmers are our true conservationists. They are currently facing tremendous inflationary and regulatory pressures, making it challenging to stay in business, and those pressures are resulting in the expanded solar footprint across rural Mississippi,” said Commissioner Gipson.

Multiple issues need to be addressed at a statewide level regarding proposed projects. Commissioner Gipson called for a statewide permitting process to ensure the environmental habitat as well as the economic value of Mississippi farmland are not harmed and added inflationary pressures are not put on farmers.

Commissioner Gipson thanked members of the Public Service Commission, Chairman Chris Brown, Commissioner De’Keither Stamps and Commissioner Wayne Carr for holding the summit and for their efforts to find a long-term solution for the State of Mississippi.

"I look forward to working with members of the Public Service Commission and the Mississippi Legislature to make sure Mississippi’s energy supply is efficient and reliable and does not result in adverse consequences to agriculture and our rural way of life,” said Commissioner Gipson.

Watch FULL Summit

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mississippi Farmers Market Hosts MS Peanut Boil

The Mississippi Farmers Market will host the annual Mississippi Peanut Boil on Saturday, September 14, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Market will feature complimentary bags of boiled peanuts from Rogers Farms in Collins, while supplies last. Vendors will offer various peanut treats in addition to its usual variety of variety of beef, poultry, pork and lamb cuts; dairy products such as milk and cheeses; eggs; honey; coffee; jams and jellies; breads and other baked goods; sauces and dressings; canned foods; flowers and plants; and seasonal produce.

Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum Hosts "Sip and See" Event

The Brandon Garden Club, Richland-Florence Garden Club and Keep Mississippi Beautiful, along with the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, are hosting the "Sip and See" event Thursday, September 26, from 5:00 - 7:00pm on the museum grounds. Guests can enjoy lemonade and cookies as they peruse the beautifully renovated gardens with on-site docents and learn about exciting future projects. This event is open to the public for any and all with an interest in flowers and gardening!

RSVP to Sheila Everett by September 20 to attend. Contact Everett at reverett4@comcast.net or 601-291-8859.

165th Mississippi State Fair

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW to the #MSSTATEFAIR coming to Jackson October 3-14! Did you know that if you buy your tickets online, you save $2 off the original ticket price? Purchasing advance tickets is a great way to save time AND money! Find tickets, daily schedules and more info now at msstatefair.com.