National Ag Day

3-22-22

National Ag Day is a day to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture. Every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless others across America join together to recognize the contributions of agriculture.

Agriculture provides everything we eat, and almost everything we use and wear on a daily basis. Agriculture is particularly important in our schools, where students may only be exposed to agriculture if they enroll in related vocational training. Each American farmer feeds more than 165 people which is a dramatic increase from 25 people in the 1960s. American agriculture is doing more as the world population soars, and there is an even greater demand for the food and fiber produced in the United States. The Agriculture Council of America is encouraging young people to consider career opportunities in agriculture.

MDAC’s Bureau of Regulatory Services inspectors work to ensure that Mississippians receive the goods they are paying for in terms of quantity and quality. Every time a consumer uses a scale for weighing produce at the grocery store or buys gas at the pump, they can be assured they are getting the exact quantity paid for. MDAC inspectors make routine inspections on all types of commercial weighing devices including railroad scales, vehicle scales, livestock scales, hopper scales, floor scales, bench scales and those used to weigh precious metals and stones like gold, silver and diamonds.

Inspectors conduct package inspections to verify the net contents of packaged commodities and price verification inspections in businesses that utilize UPC scanning systems. In addition, the Bureau investigates complaints involving weighing and measuring devices. In 2021, MDAC’s Bureau of Regulatory Services tested 11,431 scales and conducted 1,038 UPC inspections across the state. 

In 2021, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce began partnering with universities to promote the schools within the state through MDAC's Bureau of Regulatory Services. This school colors of the selected university each year is used on the various inspection stickers. This year Mississippi State University was chosen.

Division Spotlight: Produce Safety Division

The Produce Safety Division provides food safety assurance for consumers of fresh fruit and vegetables which are grown in the State of Mississippi. The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce’s Produce Safety Division implements the Produce Safety Rule in Mississippi. It also provides Outreach and On Farm Readiness Reviews to farmers prior to an operation having an inspection. In FY 2021, there were over 31 farm inspections made by the division. The outreach team works to increase awareness of the Produce Safety Rule as well as help growers prepare their operations for compliance. In FY 2021, the division identified 23 new farms to grow and sell produce under the rule. All outreach services, with the exception of our required training, are free to growers in Mississippi. There were five trainings last year with over 62 growers.

(Pictured second from left is MDAC's Vivian Purvis)

The Fruits and Vegetables Inspection Division recently hosted several inspectors from the Missouri Department of Agriculture for training. Over the course of three days, inspectors with the Missouri Department of Agriculture observed multiple packing, storage and distribution center inspections across the state of Mississippi. MDAC Inspectors demonstrated the importance of United States Department of Agriculture Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP). These federal third-party food safety audits require produce suppliers to verify that fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled and stored in the safest manner.

2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Request for Applications

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is now accepting applications for the 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

Projects funded through this program must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and cannot benefit one particular commercial product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, farm, or individual (Funds cannot be awarded to create or expand a specialty crop farm or operation). 

Specialty crops include commonly recognized fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops (including floriculture). 

Applications must be submitted to MDAC by March 31, 2022. No late applications will be accepted.

The application and detailed information about the grant is included below and is available on our website: mdac.ms.gov, under Alerts and Announcements. For more information, contact Susan Lawrence at (601) 213-7542 or susan@mdac.ms.gov.

Please forward to any potential applicants. Thank you for your time and let me know if you have any questions!

Request for Applications (PDF)

Application Template (word document)

Specialty Crop Block Grant (MDAC website)

Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program



MDAC is now accepting proposals from potential partners and collaborators for the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP).

The FSMIP grant provides an opportunity to explore and research ways to improve market opportunities for food and agricultural products in the US and around the world.

The purpose of the program is to assist in exploring new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of the U.S. agricultural marketing system. 

Applications must be received by MDAC by 5:00 p.m. on April 15, 2022.

Request for Applications (PDF)



Federal State Marketing Improvement Program (MDAC website)

April

Mississippi Mudbug Festival

April 27- May 1, 2022

Mississippi Fairgrounds

Jackson, MS

Coming to the Mississippi Mudbug Festival this year is Laine Hardy, Blue Oyster Cult and Bobby Rush. The festival is April 27th to May 1st. The Mississippi Fairgrounds will be the place to eat the best crawfish, ride the best carnival rides, and listen to some awesome live music! Admission is free, parking is $10, and concert tickets are $5 on Friday and Sunday and $10 on Saturday.

The 57th Dixie National Rodeo marked a record breaking year with ticket sales, new attractions, and families from all over the United States participating in livestock shows. During the 2022 Dixie National Rodeo a brand new well on the fairgrounds was turned on to service water to the Mississippi Coliseum, the Equine Center, and the livestock barns. Click here to read more.

The Mississippi Farmers Market is open Saturdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Genuine MS® Store is open

Thursday and Friday 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

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