As Independence Day nears this July, I am reminded of the resiliency and patriotism of the American farmer. Our farmers provide food, shelter and fiber to all U.S. citizens, and beyond our borders. Even in the midst of major shortages, record-high diesel prices and inflation, they sacrifice their time, money and efforts to consistently supply the goods needed to sustain life. There is no higher distinction than to be called a ‘farmer.’ So thank a farmer today!

And support our Mississippi farmers, ranchers and ag producers 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.

Happy Fourth everyone!

Andy Gipson

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce

MDAC STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Congratulations to several MDAC Regulatory team members who have recently completed the USDA Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) certification. This certification verifies that fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled and stored to minimize risks of microbial food safety hazards.

We are proud of our staffers and want to recognize Coda Medlin, Tammy Allen and Brandon Thornton. Well done!

Coda Medlin

Moisture Meter Lab

Tammy Allen

Produce Safety

Brandon Thornton

Produce Safety

DIVISION SPOTLIGHT

Petroleum Products Inspection

Director: Michael Blackwell

MDAC's Petroleum Products Inspection Division regulates the motor fuel sold in Mississippi to ensure that those who purchase petroleum products and motor fuels get what they pay for in terms of quality and quantity. This division regulates approximately 2.3 billion gallons of fuel consumed by Mississippians and visitors to the state and conducts annual inspections of the Retail Motor-Fuel Dispensers (RMFD), commonly known as gas pumps, to ensure compliance with all laws and regulations. In addition, all petroleum products sold in the state must be registered with MDAC's Petroleum Products Inspection Division. In FY2021 alone, the Petroleum Division conducted annual inspections of over 56,300 registered devices at retail establishments and over 45,370 individual devices. Also, division inspectors responded to 165 consumer complaints which resulted in corrective action being taken in over 28% of the complaints for non-compliance.

Today, our farmers and consumers alike are facing record high gas prices. The average farm diesel price is up 127% compared to last year and currently costs $52,100 to fill up a 10,000-gallon tank of farm diesel fuel -- more than double the cost compared to last year.

Though some see the MDAC Petroleum Inspection stickers on gas pumps and think MDAC regulates the price of gasoline, the agency does not play a part in setting or changing fuel prices. However, in these difficult times, the public can be assured that the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce's Petroleum Division will continue to secure a fair marketplace within the petroleum industry by inspecting motor fuel at every gas pump and station in the state.

If you think you have received less fuel than you paid for, or you think there is a quality problem with fuel you have purchased, call MDAC's Petroleum Products Inspection Division at 601-359-1101.

MISCELLANOUS NEWS

MDAC Recently Hosted a MS Timber Promotion Inbound Trade Mission and Showcase

This week, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce and the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) hosted timber buyers from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, United Kingdom, Spain and Vietnam.

The trade delegation toured Jones Lumber Company in Natchez, Weyerhaeuser Pearl River Nursery in Hazlehurst and Thomasson Lumber Company in Macon before attending the first-ever Mississippi Timber Products Showcase at the Mississippi Trade Mart. During the showcase, these international trade delegates held business to business meetings and visited with Mississippi timber exporters from around the state.

"I am delighted with the efforts put forward by our agency's Timber Commerce Division to host multiple trade delegates from several countries," said Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. "This historic, cooperative project has brought together stakeholders with the purpose of strengthening Mississippi timber industry and open important international trade markets that were previously underdeveloped for our producers statewide."

MDAC Welcomes New Hires to Several Bureau

of Regulatory Services' Divisions

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce has recently hired three new employees within the Bureau of Regulatory Services' Metrology Lab, Consumer Protection and Meat Inspection divisions.

Erica Griffin of Fayette was hired to begin work in the State Metrology Lab on the campus of Alcorn State University. Erica will train under the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry for three weeklong sessions and then attend NIST Metrology Training in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Erica earned her master’s degree in Urban Forestry from Southern University, Baton Rouge.

Roger Davis of Sunflower County has recently joined the Consumer Protection Division. Roger has extensive knowledge in grocery sales and has served as food service operations director at MDOC. Following his on-the-job training, Roger will conduct retail food sanitation inspections, UPC inspections, scale inspections and COOL audits in northwest Mississippi.

Tyler Strahan of Lucedale has been hired to fill a position in Meat Inspection and is assigned to the Cutting Edge Meat Company in Leakesville. Tyler is a graduate of George County High School. Our Meat Inspection Division ensures that the meat processed at state facilities is safe for consumption.

Welcome aboard all!

Erica Griffin

State Metrology Lab

(Weights & Measures)

Roger Davis

Consumer Protection

Tyler Strahan

Meat Inspection

New Law Prohibits Live Transportation

of Wild Hogs

In Mississippi, wild hogs are legally classified as a “nuisance” animal. Wild hogs are non-native, nuisance animals and cause more than $60 million dollars in property damage across the state each year. They cause substantial damage to row crops, pastures and forestlands; carry diseases that are harmful to humans and other animals; and eat the eggs and young of many wildlife species. Costs associated with this invasive species across the United States exceeds $1 billion annually. Landowners, leaseholders and their designated agents may trap and hunt wild hogs year-round in Mississippi to combat this destructive animal.

During the 2022 Regular Session, the Mississippi Legislature passed House Bill 1065 as another measure to fight wild hogs. House Bill 1065 states “No person may transport on public roads or off of the property of record where captured or relocate within the state any live feral hog, wild swine or Russian Boar.” The new law will prohibit all live transportation of wild hogs on public roads. A violation will be punishable by a fine not less than $2,000 nor more than $5,000. The violator will also have to forfeit all hunting, trapping and fishing privileges for a period of not less than 12 consecutive months from the date of conviction. To report a transportation violation, call the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks at 1-800-BE-SMART (1-800-237-6278).

Through its Wild Hog Control Program, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) offers traps to land 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 trap application period will open later this summer.

Visit www.mdac.ms.gov/whcp to learn more about MDAC's Wild Hog Control Program.

MPB Screens MSU Miniseries 'On the Farm'

In conjuction with Mental Health Awareness Month, the Missississippi State University (MSU) Extension Service released a miniseries in June highlighting the high-risk, uncertain nature of farming and its affects on families.

The award-winning miniseries premiered on Mississippi Public Broadcasting and can be found online at www.onthefarm.life.

Nathan Gregory, with MSU Extension, wrote, "In addition to featuring growers’ stories, the film highlights resources and organizations that can assist farmers in crisis."

Regarding the film, MSU Extension Health Specialist David Buys said, "As symbols of independence and the rewards of hard work, few things are more American than the family farm, but family-owned farms in the U.S. have been struggling to survive, and farmers are just as much at risk. Farmers have experienced high suicide rates, addiction, depression and stress-related illness, all made worse because the problems often remain hidden."

He continued, "Our goal in producing this film is that viewers more confidently know that, while life is difficult for farmers, there is hope for recovery from the hard times. And I hope the film helps persuade growers to acknowledge mental health issues they may face and not ignore them."

Read the full article and find resources on the 'On the Farm' miniseries here: link.

MDAC Representative Attends Association of

Food and Drug Officials Conference

MDAC's own Henri Fuselier, Director of Consumer Protection, recently attended the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) Conferenece in Glendale, Arizona. The AFDO is a regulatory organization that connects food and medical-products safety stakeholders and impacts the regulatory environment by shaping sound, science-based rules, law, regulations, and sharing best practices that protect public health.

The conference concentrated on food safety, sanitation issues, outbreaks in bacteria and outbreaks in poultry. All areas relative to Food Sanitation Inspections are conducted by the Consumer Protection Division. In FY2021, MDAC's Consumer Protection inspectors conducted 4,405 total inspections of businesses statewide, which includes retail scale inspections, retail food inspections, items for net weight, disposition of garbage inspections and UPC price verification inspections.

To learn more about this division, visit mdac.ms.gov/consumer-protection.

Law Interns Currently Serving at MDAC

MDAC Law Interns, Anna Tucker (left) and Jessica Everett (right), pose for a photo at the Ag Museum.

Anna Tucker of Acworth, Georgia, is currently a third-year law student the Univeristy of Mississippi. She is passionate about agriculture and hopes to use her education to represent the agricultural community in the future. Tucker anticipates graduating with her J.D. in 2023.

During her time as an MDAC Law Intern, Tucker assisted with the researching of various legal issues and drafted numerous memos for the legal division, including issues related to constitutional law and interpretation of state agricultural and agency administrative laws.

Jessica Everett of Decatur, Mississippi, is currently a second-year law student at MC Law with hopes to become a lawyer that focuses on agricultural issues and policy. Everett anticipates graduating with her J.D. in May of 2023.

As an MDAC Law Intern, Everett assists with the researching of laws pertaining to regulatory services carried out by MDAC and reviewing proposed legislation for the recent Grain Indemnity Act, as well as assisting with various intellectual property matters, constitutional law issues, updates in compliance with the Administrative Procedures Act and licensure issues related to revocation matters. She is also serving as MDAC’s Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA) intern by assisting with regional trade grants and the promotion of trade market opportunities.

Ag Museum's 'Uncle Story' to Make Monthly Appearance on Tuesdays

The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum's Education Team has recently started a new initiative to teach children about the rich history of Mississippi agriculture with the engaging Uncle Story. Story Time with Uncle Story is an interactive event that will include an agriculture-related story, told by the loveable puppet Uncle Story, followed by a hands-on crafting time.

Uncle Story was recently featured at MPB's Summer Learning Family Fun Day and will make monthly appearances at the Mississippi Ag Museum on the second Tuesday of each month, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Check it out this coming Tuesday, July 12th!

To learn more about Story Time with Uncle Story and the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, visit www.msagmuseum.org.

Fantastic Turnout for MS Agriculture Museum's Annual Pickle Fest

The 2022 Mississippi Pickle Fest, held at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, included a fun-filled day of music, games, contests, vendors and pickle-related contests. Over 80 vendors and 4,000 visitors attended the annual Pickle Fest this year. Congratulations to the 2022 Pickle Eating Contest Winner, Jennifer Warren Gunn, and the 2022 Pickle Jar Packing Contest Winner, Shannon Smith!

Pictured L-R: Jennifer W. Gunn and Shannon Smith.

Mississippi Farmers Market Celebrates

Annual Summer Kick-Off

The Mississippi Farmers Market hosted its annual Summer Kick-Off to celebrate summertime and recognize this planting and growing season for farmers around the state. In addition to the usual farm fresh foods and unique, handcrafted items, shoppers were treated to live music, complimentary popcorn, kid's activities, vendor giveaways and more! Shoppers from far and wide attended this year's Summer Kick-Off.

To learn more about the Mississippi Farmers Market, located at 929 High Street in Jackson, visit www.msfarmersmarket.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

AIFA Championship Game

July 10th at the Mississippi Coliseum.

The undeated Mississippi Raiders are your 2022 Conference Champions! They will play the Carolina Predators in the upcoming American Indoor Football Alliance (AIFA) Championship Game on Sunday, July 10, inside the Mississippi Coliseum at the State Fairgrounds.

Find tickets now at www.mississippiraiders.com.

Summer Day Camps at the Mississippi Ag Museum

The Mississippi Ag Museum

July 18-21, 2022

Join us this year for summer day camp at the Ag Museum! Learn various aspects of designing and managing farmland, and discover ways to run a successful farm. For more information, contact Rachel Bone at rachel@mdac.ms.gov.

STAY TUNED. WORK IN PROGRESS.

The Genuine MS® Store, located inside the Mississippi Farmers Market, is still undergoing renovations, but recently re-opened to public. Support your Mississippi producers and businesses by shopping all things grown, raised, crafted and made within the Genuine MS® Store. Check it out now! The Store is open each Thursday and Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.