October is Agritourism Month.

Agritourism is more than just a visit to a farm. It's an educational journey that showcases the hard work, dedication and innovation of our farmers and producers. It provides an interactive and immersive experience for individuals and families, allowing them to witness the farm-to-table process firsthand. From orchards and vineyards to dairy farms and pumpkin patches, our state's agritourism destinations offer an array of engaging activities suitable for all ages.

Agritourism can be beneficial for farmers and landowners by promoting product diversification, increasing demand for products and boosting direct marketing and sales.

By engaging in agritourism, we not only support our local farmers but also strengthen our communities. We foster a greater understanding of the agricultural industry and the vital role it plays in our daily lives. Through guided tours, workshops, tastings and other engaging activities, we cultivate a sense of appreciation for the hardworking individuals who feed our state and nation.

Andy Gipson

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce

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Download our Mississippi Agritourism app to find an agritourism venue near you!

Agritourism can benefit local economies by drawing consumers to the community, improving the region's attractiveness as a tourism destination, providing employment opportunities, and increasing visibility and revenues of local businesses and other retail establishments. Agritourism generates approximately $150 million annually in the state and now is one of the fastest-growing tourism markets.

Agritourism Website

MDAC DIVISION SPOTLIGHT

Bureau of Regulatory Services

Grain Dealers and Warehouses

Director: Gene Robertson

Credit: Mississippi State University Extension

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce’s (MDAC) Bureau of Regulatory Services Grain Dealers and Warehouses license dealers who purchase grain directly from producers pursuant to the Mississippi Grain Dealers Law. MDAC also licenses grain warehouses pursuant to the Grain Warehouse Law of Mississippi, unless the warehouse is licensed under the United States Warehouse Act.

There are currently 43 licensed grain dealers and 10 licensed grain warehouses.

Grain Dealers and Warehouses Website

MDAC STAFF SPOTLIGHTS

Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson appointed Hayes Patrick as Deputy Commissioner of MDAC on September 1.

Patrick served as executive director of the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum from 2019-2023 and most recently served as MDAC’s director of administration where he oversaw the agency’s budgeting and accounting, personnel, fleet and property management. In his new role, Patrick serves as liaison between MDAC and other state agencies, working closely with state legislators and overseeing daily operations of the agency.

Patrick said, “It’s an honor serving the state in this role and stewarding the great work being done at the Department of Ag and Commerce under Commissioner Gipson’s strong conservative leadership. It’s no surprise that this agency has an immensely dedicated and hard-working team because we serve some of the hardest working folks in the state – our farmers.”

Pictured: Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson and Theresa Love Executive Director of the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum.

Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson

named Theresa Love as Executive Director of the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum.

Love has accumulated 26 years of experience working for MDAC, with a significant portion of her career dedicated to the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum. Throughout her tenure at the museum, she has fulfilled various roles within education and volunteer services, as well as holding the deputy director, and more recently, acting director, positions.

“I am grateful for this valuable opportunity,” said Love. “The museum has an exceptional team, and I strive to nurture the remarkable legacy of this establishment to educate and captivate guests about the rich agricultural history of Mississippi. With an abundance of available resources at our fingertips, my intention is to make the utmost use of them to foster an enthusiastic interest among our younger generation, urging them to explore and pursue careers in the field of agriculture.”

The Regulatory Services Bureau is proud to welcome Nicole Hodges, D.V.M, Ph.D., as the MDAC Meat Inspection Division Director. Dr. Hodges, recently transferred to the MDAC from the MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks where she served as Exotic Species Program Coordinator. As Director of the Department’s Meat Inspection Program, Dr. Hodges will oversee the inspection services to establishments that prepare meat and poultry food products for entry into intrastate commerce and to some establishments that engage in interstate commerce.

The Division inspects all establishments engaged in the slaughtering of food animals and poultry, except for those plants operating under federal inspection. Under Hodges direction, the Division also inspects the further processing of meat, meat-food products, poultry, and poultry food products and their preparation for consumer items. These products are also inspected throughout formulation, packaging, labeling, and distribution to retail outlets. This assurance is becoming more critical as more food products are intended to be consumed with little or no further preparation at home.

Congratulations to Jessica Schaub for passing her bar examination! Schaub has been working closely with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) legal team while attending Mississippi College Law School and will move into a full-time role to be a fully practicing Legal Counsel. Before law school, she grew up in Decatur, MS, and attended the University of Mississippi where she received her bachelor's degree in Integrated Marketing Communications.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

Commissioner Gipson Cuts the Ribbon to Kick Off the 164th Mississippi State Fair

Commissioner Gipson cut the ribbon Thursday, October 5, 2023 to open the gates of the 164th Mississippi State Fair. Brandon High School's cheer team, dance team and band were present for the ceremony.

Watch The Ribbon Cutting

Visit the Mississippi State Fairgrounds for the 164th Mississippi State Fair

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson and the Mississippi State Fairgrounds invite the public to experience new attractions at the 164th Mississippi State Fair and remind fairgoers of several items to “Know Before You Go.” The 2023 Mississippi State Fair takes place October 5-15 at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Gate admission is $5.00 per person, and parking is $5.00 per car. Children ages 5 and under will be admitted free of charge. The public can purchase advance admission tickets at the Coliseum Box Office until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 5.
All concert tickets purchased in advance include same-day general admission to the fairgrounds. Concert and entertainment tickets can be purchased in advance at www.ticketmaster.com and the Coliseum Box Office.
Fair admission is free every weekday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., except on Monday, October 9, Columbus Day.
Beginning at 9:00 p.m., any guest under the age of eighteen (18) seeking admission to the Fairgrounds must be accompanied by a legal adult (21 or older). Any guest may be asked to show official proof of age to be admitted after 9:00 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring identification.
When entering the Midway, all guests will proceed through one of several entry security points utilizing a metal detector.
All bags are subject to search. The maximum bag size that will be accepted into the Fair is 12”x12”x6”.
No outside food or beverage allowed.
No marketing, soliciting, political, or vending items allowed unless and as authorized under Fairground regulations.
Pursuant to state law, the legal carry of firearms by all lawful adults is recognized on the Mississippi Fairgrounds.
No animals (other than service animals or as authorized by Fair management for Fair activities), banners, fireworks/explosives, or laser pointers allowed.

MS State Fair Website

Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson Encourages Farmers and Ranchers to Report Drought Damages

The state of Mississippi is experiencing drought conditions due to the high temperatures and little to no rainfall. According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, 70 percent of the state is experiencing severe to exceptional drought conditions.

A number of agricultural crops and livestock have been impacted by the drought.

“It’s the worst drought we’ve seen in a long, long time. The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is monitoring the conditions and keeping in close contact with our partners at USDA to evaluate the situation and determine which programs will be made available to those in affected areas,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson.

A USDA Secretarial Disaster Declaration has named several counties as Disaster Designation Areas. Farmers in these counties and their contiguous counties are eligible to be considered for USDA emergency loan assistance. Producers in many counties are eligible to apply for USDA’s Livestock Forage Disaster Program, which assists producers suffering grazing losses on native or improved pastureland due to a qualifying drought. Farmers are encouraged to contact their local USDA offices for additional information on these programs, including eligible counties.

“Having timely and accurate information on how this drought is impacting our farmers is crucial and can make a difference in the availability of assistance programs. I highly encourage all farmers and ranchers affected to please contact your local USDA county office to report drought impacts and crop damage as well as reporting to the U.S. Drought Monitor,” said Commissioner Gipson. “Producers not registered with USDA should begin that process as soon as possible so you don’t miss important deadline dates. Crop insurance policyholders are encouraged to reach out to their providers for further guidance.”

The Mississippi State University Extension Service has the Mississippi Hay Directory available for those in need of purchasing hay. The Hay Directory is available online at https://extension.msstate.edu/content/mississippi-hay-directory. Producers can report drought information to the U.S. Drought Monitor at https://bit.ly/Drought2023.

Commissioner Gipson Announces Entertainment Lineup for 2024 Dixie National Rodeo

Officials Also Discuss Preparations and Details Ahead of the 2023 Mississippi State Fair

Recently, Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson announced the entertainment lineup for the upcoming 59th annual Dixie National Rodeo, which runs February 9-17, 2024. Tickets went officially on sale Friday, September 29.

“We are excited to announce this year’s entertainment lineup for the annual Dixie National Rodeo,” said Commissioner Gipson. “Tickets will go on sale tomorrow [Friday 9/29], and as we’ve seen shows sell out quickly in years past, I encourage the public to purchase their tickets in advance.”

Dixie National Rodeo performances are as follows:
Friday, February 9, at 7:00 p.m. – Jameson Rodgers
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

In addition, Commissioner Gipson and State Fairgrounds officials provided further details and addressed security policies ahead of the upcoming Mississippi State Fair. Commissioner Gipson was joined by

Michael Lasseter, director of the Mississippi State Fairgrounds; Jimmy Herzog, chief of security for the Mississippi State Fairgrounds; Colonel Randy Ginn, director of the Mississippi Highway Patrol; Chief Bo

Luckey, Mississippi State Capitol Police; Sheriff Tyree Jones, Hinds County Sheriff’s Office; Captain Mark Hodges, Jackson Police Department; and other law enforcement officers.

Click "read more" to purchase Dixie National Rodeo tickets or to learn about specific security policies and Mississippi State Fair details:

MDAC welcomes USDA-FAS Fellows from across Africa to Mississippi

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce was proud to welcome USDA-FAS Fellows from across Africa to central Mississippi September 28. The group toured the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, Mississippi Farmers Market, Genuine MS® Store, and several Fairgrounds buildings.

Foreign Purchase of Farmland Study Committee Holds Second Meeting

The Study Committee on Foreign Purchase of Farmland in Mississippi held its second meeting at the State Capitol on September 27.

“A great deal of what I do these days is listening and talking to people, and I can tell the sentiment of the people of Mississippi is that this is a major issue that needs to be addressed,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “There’s nothing I talk about that gets more of a response from the people of this state than this issue. Something as simple as keeping American agriculture, American.”

The Study Committee welcomed Staff Attorney Micah Brown of the National Agriculture Law Center (NALC) to its second meeting as a presenter. The NALC is a non-partisan source of objective, scholarly

and authoritative agricultural and food law research and information. In his presentation, Brown highlighted Southern state laws and regulations relating to foreign land ownership.

The next meeting for the Committee will be October 19, 2023, in Room 113 in the Capitol. Committee Chairman, Commissioner Andy Gipson, asks that those who wish to speak at the next meeting submit a request containing their questions or concerns along with proposed remarks in advance so it may be added to the meeting agenda. Requests must be submitted via farmland@mdac.ms.gov by October 12, 2023, for

consideration.

The Mississippi Farmers Market Hosts

the Great Mississippi Peanut Boil

The Mississippi Farmers Market and Genuine MS® successfully hosted the Great Mississippi Peanut Boil September 30, 2023. This was a themed market to promote Mississippi peanuts!

Visitors enjoyed complimentary bags of boiled peanuts, roasted peanuts from the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association and a wide selection of peanut-themed goods from the market's vendors.

Commissioner Gipson welcomed Consul General of India, Atlanta to Mississippi

Pictured: Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson gives Genuine MS® honey, pottery and tea to Consul General of India, Atlanta Dr. Swati Vijay Kulkarnin as a gift.

Commissioner Andy Gipson welcomed Consul General of India, Atlanta Dr. Swati Vijay Kulkarnin to the State of Mississippi September 21, 2023, to discuss trade and other partnership opportunities.

Commissioner Gipson Cuts Ribbon at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum’s 40th Birthday Celebration

Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson cut

the ceremonial ribbon commemorating the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum’s 40 years of educating the public on the importance of agriculture. He, along with other museum officials, replicated the grand opening ceremony lead by former Agriculture Commissioner Jim Buck Ross on the opening day of the museum, on September 20, 1983.

“This is a historic moment as we gather today to celebrate the 40th birthday of the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum. Forty years ago, when I was in kindergarten, I walked across the bridge for the

very first time when the museum opened in 1983,” said Commissioner Gipson. “This museum is and will continue to be a great testament and legacy for Mississippi’s agricultural and forestry industries. This

museum would not exist if it weren’t for the vision of former Commissioner Jim Buck Ross. Millions of people have walked through the gates being a part of the great experience of the Mississippi Agriculture

and Forestry Museum since its opening.”

Commissioner Gipson addressed upcoming plans for museum improvements. “I am proud to announce today that the next phase of our renovations will include upgrading, renovating and preserving the 1897

Church in Small Town, Mississippi. The public can support this and other efforts by becoming a member of the museum,” said Commissioner Gipson.

MALTB Investigators Recover Stolen Property

The recovery of equipment with an approximate value of $4,000 occurred in Shelby County, Tennessee.

On Friday, September 1, a Coahoma County farmer reported a trailer loaded with a tote container of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) and pumping system to the MALTB. The next day, Saturday, September 2, leads were developed, and a possible suspect was identified. Early Sunday morning, MALTB investigators along with Shelby County Deputies located the stolen items at a residence in Shelby County,

Tennessee. Investigators were able to recover the stolen items.

The Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau (MALTB), the law enforcement division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, recovered a stolen 20-

foot trailer in Madison County on August 31 during an ongoing investigation that began in June.

MALTB Website

The Four Museums Present Mississippi Science Fest

The Mississippi Science Fest was hosted by the four museums in the Lefleur Museum District including the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Mississippi Children's Museum and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum.

The joint event took place September 14-16 and was awarded "Signature Event of the Southeast" by the Southeast Tourism Society.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mississippi Egg Marketing Board to Host Events at the Mississippi State Fair

The Mississippi Egg Marketing Board will be serving a variety of breakfast muffins beginning at 9:00 a.m. October 11, 2023, during Senior American Day at the 2023 MS State Fair. Visitors can expect to be treated to great entertainment, door prizes, and giveaways from an array of vendors, all located inside the Mississippi Coliseum. The Mississippi Egg Marketing board will also have recipes available and canvas tote bags free to the first 500 visitors.

The Mississippi Egg Marketing Board is a proud sponsor of the Mississippi 4-H State Fair Omelet Cookoff. Students from around the state will compete at 9:00 a.m. October 14, 2023, in the Trade Mart building for prize money totaling $225.00. In addition to the prize money, all participants receive a gift bag, which includes all tools necessary for omelet making.

Ag Museum's Pumpkin Adventure open

October 11-14, 18-21 & 25-28

The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum "Pumpkin Adventure" will include a hayride around the grounds of the museum which will drop you off for a milk and cookie snack. On your way out, stop by the pumpkin patch and choose your very own pumpkin to take home with you!

Groups of 10 or more MUST make a reservation by phone.

For more information call 601.432.4500 or email us at msagmuseum@mdac.ms.gov

Learn More

Mississippi Farmers Market to Host Great Halloween Extravaganza

Mark your calendars for the Halloween Extravaganza October 28, 8am-1pm at the Mississippi Farmers Market.

Join them for complimentary popcorn and pumpkin painting, strike a pose in your Halloween costume, choose from a variety of food trucks, and shop the market for unique vendors!

MS Farmers Market Website