MDAC DIVISION SPOTLIGHT

Agriculture Workforce Education, Outreach, and Development

Director: Dr. Gayle Clark

Pictured: Children visit the Mississippi Poultry Association booth featuring an egg incubator.

MDAC STAFF SPOTLIGHTS

Hayes Patrick, Deputy Commissioner of MDAC, spoke with 150 high school and college students about agricultural career paths during Hinds Community College's Ag Expo Day on October 26.

Rachel Bone, Education and Volunteer Coordinator at the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum has been awarded the Outstanding Informal Science Teacher of the Year award by the Mississippi Science Teachers Association (MSTA).

MSTA is a non-profit organization that seeks to connect teachers with valued information and opportunities. They support formal and informal science education within Mississippi by placing increased value on the connections between science, teaching, education, resources, professional development, collaboration, industry and business. Nominations were collected from both formal and informal science educators across the state.

Rachel has been an educator since 2007 in both the classroom and non-traditional settings. She strives to expand her knowledge of cross-curricular activities to make agricultural education more relevant to urban students as well as to museum guests of all ages and backgrounds.

MDAC Maintenance/Grounds Technician Richard Park was recently presented the Seven Seals Award for his continued support of the Mississippi National Guard and Reserve. The Seven Seals Award is the broadest and most inclusive award given by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and is presented at the discretion of the state chair or by ESGR senior leadership. The Seven Seals Award is presented in recognition of significant individual achievement, initiative or support that promotes and advances the ESGR mission. Presenting the award is Connie Myers, Employer Outreach Director for Mississippi ESGR.

Timber Commerce Liason Ginger Williamson recently spoke about the timber industry and its many career opportunities to the Careers class of Dr. Karla Turner Bailey who is an Agriculture Science Instructor at Hinds Community College.

Farmers Market Nutrition Program Coordinator Purvie Green recently spoke at the Mississippi Hunger Summit in Oxford, Mississippi, October 20, 2023.

He presented on issues that affect food insecurity in Mississippi, the programs that MDAC administers (Farmers Market Nutrition Program, Local Food Purchase Cooperative Assistance Program and Resilient Food System Infrastructure Grant Program) and how these collaborative efforts can assist farmers in addressing food insecurity in the state directly.

The Mississippi Hunger Summit is an inclusive gathering open to representatives from food pantries and nonprofits offering feeding programs within the Community Foundation service area. Several state agencies, officials, academics and other stakeholders who are dedicated to addressing the issue of food insecurity were in attendance.

Food insecurity has become increasingly pressing as the rising cost of groceries drives more Mississippians to seek assistance from food pantries. The central goal of the 2023 summit was to establish vital connections between food pantries and potential resources that can better serve their communities. It encourages participants to explore innovative approaches that go beyond the traditional pantry model.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson Addresses State Economic Leaders Sharing Solutions for Mississippi’s Future

Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson addressed state economic leaders at Mississippi Hobnob hosted by the Mississippi Economic Council.

Commissioner Gipson highlighted successes and challenges to agriculture and commerce, while providing seven practical solutions for the Future of Mississippi.

“I and our team at MDAC believe in getting things done; we have a proven record of doing just that,” said Commissioner Gipson.

Commissioner Gipson outlined some key successes of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) during his administration. Highlighted MDAC successes included:

• MDAC consolidated the Mississippi State Fairgrounds and Mississippi Farmers Market into a single agency resulting in more efficient operations utilizing less taxpayer dollars.
• The Mississippi State Fairgrounds continues to hold successful and safe Mississippi State Fairs.
• The Mississippi State Fairgrounds hosted multiple back-to-back record-breaking Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeos.
• Processing capacity for beef and pork has tripled due to investments in the construction of new and expansion of existing local meat processing facilities in the state.
• Access to local foods has expanded through the Genuine MS® program, development of new local food initiatives and the expansion of farmers markets to almost every Mississippi county.
• Markets for Mississippi’s agricultural goods and forestry products have increased as a result of MDAC’s international trade efforts and strong partnership with the Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA).
• Inbound and outbound trade missions hosted by MDAC’s recently-created Timber Market Development division have resulted in the creation of new market opportunities for Mississippi’s tree farmers and forestry industry.
• MDAC launched the nation’s first Wild Hog Control Program led by a state agricultural agency, which includes the nation’s first student-led youth trapping program.
• MDAC has executed strategic capital improvements at the State Fairgrounds and the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum.

Commissioner Gipson also addressed current significant challenges facing America including the suffering national economy; supply chain and inflation impacts on food supply; energy depletion; changing weather patterns causing drought and historically low levels of the Mississippi River; labor shortages and brain drain; healthcare crisis; and moral decay, while emphasizing the need for planning for the future.

Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson Announces November 2023 Wild Hog Control Program Application Period

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson announced that the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) will be accepting a new round of applications for its Wild Hog Control Program (WHCP) beginning November 1, 2023. The application period will close on November 15. Landowners and property managers in 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.

“I am proud of the assistance that we offer to farmers and land managers through the Wild Hog Control Program,” said Commissioner Gipson. “Now that most crops have been harvested across the state, farmers normally have more time to devote to battling this nuisance animal. I encourage anyone that is experiencing a problem with wild hogs to submit a trap application this November.”

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. One trap per 500 acres is recommended, depending on landscape and land use. 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.

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.

The Mississippi Farmers Market Hosted

the Halloween Extravaganza

The Mississippi Farmers Market and Genuine MS® successfully hosted the Halloween Extravaganza October 28, 2023.

Visitors enjoyed complimentary bags of popcorn, multiple food truck options, pumpkin painting and a decorated wagon for photo opportunities in their costumes.

Commissioner Andy Gipson Recaps Success of 2023 Mississippi State Fair

Pictured: Commissioner Gipson and his wife, Leslie Gipson, attend the fair.

The 2023 Mississippi State Fair concluded Sunday, October 15.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson released the following statement on the success of the 164th State Fair.

“The 164th Mississippi State Fair is in the books, and I am proud to report the 2023 State Fair was a success. The 11-day fair is the state's largest agriculture event with an economic impact of nearly $50 million annually. Fairgoers from across the state enjoyed new attractions such as the Mississippi State Fair Idol competition and Taste of Dixie National Rodeo along with many traditional favorites like the Biscuit Booth, livestock shows, and of course, the fair food.

Fair attendance and revenue were up this year, despite a couple days of much-needed rain that had less attendance. Considering we have one less fair day than prior to 2022, we are very pleased with the increased attendance that was driven in part by higher concert attendance. We drew large lunch crowds during the weekdays. We estimate the total fair attendance, which accounts for non-paid admissions, to be nearly 526,000.

We accomplished our goal of hosting a safe State Fair. For the second year, we implemented the new stringent security model that included policies such as a youth curfew to ensure a peaceful, family-friendly, fun and secure Mississippi State Fair for fairgoers. There were no major incidents to report. Any issues that arose were handled by law enforcement quickly. We could not have accomplished this without the support of multiple state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies.

I want to personally thank all of our law enforcement partners: Mississippi Highway Patrol, Mississippi State Capitol Police, Department of Homeland Security, State Fire Marshal’s Office, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau, Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Police Department, Pearl Police Department, Florence Police Department and private security officers.

I also want to thank the Director of the Mississippi State Fairgrounds Michael Lasseter and the staff at the Fairgrounds for their dedicated effort to make this the best Mississippi State Fair. I hope to see everyone October 3-13, 2024, for the 165th Mississippi State Fair.”

Bureau of Plant Industry Representatives Conduct Agricultural Blitz Inspection Near Alabama Border

Recently, the Alabama/Mississippi Pest Risk Committee conducted an agricultural blitz inspection at the Interstate 10 eastbound weigh station to assess materials traveling through both states that could be a potential risk.

The team conducted 53 vehicle inspections with no violations of agricultural products found. Among the vehicles checked, there were several plant material trucks that required phytosanitary inspection certificates for boxwood blight, Japanese Beetle, and Camellia flower blight.

The agencies represented included Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, United States Department of Agriculture Plant Protection Quarantine, Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Department of Homeland Security, and others.

Commissioner Gipson Commends the Greater Grenada Partnership for their Efforts in Mississippi Timber Business Expansion

Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson congratulates the Greater Grenada Partnership (GGP) for securing the largest capital investment industrial project in the organization’s history with a timber-related business.

“I applaud the effort of the Greater Grenada Partnership in bringing Highland Timber, LLC to the state of Mississippi,” Commissioner Gipson said. “Timber is the leading agricultural commodity in over half of Mississippi counties and is the third largest commodity in the state, so I am excited to hear of further growth in our timber industry.”

GGP CEO Matthew Harrison announced October 9, 2023, its strategic partnership with Highland Grenada, LLC, an affiliate of Highland Pellets, LLC. Highland Pellets is a Pine Bluff-based wood pellet producer that supplies sustainably sourced, renewable, biomass for export where it is used as fuel for renewable base load electricity production at a converted coal power plant.

This facility will bring positive impacts to Mississippi by utilizing residual wood waste from sawmills; aid the forestry economy including truckers, railways, loggers and landowners; and promote responsible forest management to ensure healthy forests for future generations.

Visit https://timber.mdac.ms.gov/ to learn more about the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce’s Timber Commerce Division.

Wild Hog Control Program Specialists Train

Youth Trapping Corp Members Statewide

The Youth Trapping Corps is a program beneath the Wild Hog Control Program that was designed to educate and professionally develop student members of agriculture-based organizations, such as FFA, on the impact of nuisance animals on agriculture and the importance of wild hog management. The first-of-its-kind program provides FFA students around the state the opportunity to offer wild hog trapping services while gaining valuable skills and work-based learning experiences.

MALTB Investigators Recover Stolen Property

The Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau (MALTB) recovered a stolen skid steer, with an estimated value of $50,000, in Hinds County.

On October 15, 2023, MALTB investigators started an investigation after receiving anonymous information of possible stolen equipment. Three days later, investigators located and recovered a stolen 2018 Model 289D Caterpillar Skid Steer. The skid steer had been reported stolen from Hinds County in the City of Jackson in July 2022. The property recovered was valued at an estimated $50,000.

MALTB Director Dean Barnard praised investigators for their quick action and recovery of the equipment and thanked the anonymous caller for providing the information. “We encourage anyone who might have information of stolen agricultural equipment to please contact your local law enforcement, Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS, or our MALTB tip line at 1-800-678-2660. All callers can remain anonymous,” said Barnard.

Ag Museum Hosted Pumpkin Adventure

The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum had over 5,000 guests attend its event Pumpkin Adventure during the month of October.

Event attendees enjoyed a hayride around the grounds of the Ag Museum, a milk and cookie snack and took home a pumpkin of their choosing.

Foreign Purchase of Farmland Study Committee Held its Third Meeting

The Study Committee on Foreign Purchase of Farmland in Mississippi held its third meeting at the State Capitol on October 19. The Mississippi Legislature created this Study Committee through House Bill 280, 2023 Legislative Session, for the purpose of studying the purchasing, acquiring, leasing or holding an interest in agricultural land by foreign governments.

“We’ve covered a lot of ground in this Committee, and I want to commend all committee members for your involvement and participation. Foreign ownership of land is a very important topic, and there are many things we must consider. Some good questions have been posed, and we have had information from various viewpoints submitted. I am looking forward to compiling this information into a report for the Legislature,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson.

The Study Committee welcomed Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward by phone to discuss recent developments with the Arkansas Act 636. Representative Becky Currie also provided input. Testimonies were heard from Mississippi Forestry Association Executive Director Casey Anderson, American First Policy Institute Director for the China Policy Initiative Adam Savit and Mississippi Realtor Owen McIntosh. The Committee also reviewed comments submitted by the public.

The final meeting for the Committee will be November 9, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 113 in the Capitol. Visit www.mdac.ms.gov/farmland for more information about the Study Committee including meeting proceedings and USDA foreign ownership information. Public comments are welcome via email and can be submitted at farmland@mdac.ms.gov through November 9, 2023.

The Mississippi Egg Marketing Board at

Senior American Day

The Mississippi Egg Marketing Board assisted with Senior American Day during the 164th Mississippi State Fair. Guests were treated to breakfast muffins prepared by Zoe Price and Caked with Grace. Visitors also received a canvas tote bag, compliments of the Mississippi Egg Marketing Board and the American Egg Board.

Mississippi Egg Marketing Board, Mississippi Poultry Association and Mississippi Beef Council Announce the Winners of the 2023 Mississippi State Fair Omelet Cookoff

4-H Participants from Itawamba, Madison, Rankin Win Top Awards

UPCOMING EVENTS

Shop the Genuine MS® pop-up store

at Mistletoe Marketplace November 2-4

The Genuine MS® pop-up store is at Mistletoe Marketplace in the Mississippi Trade Mart this weekend with new products specially curated to be the perfect Christmas gifts.

Ag Museum's Annual Harvest Fest to occur

November 7-11

The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum's annual Harvest Fest will take place on November 7-11, 2023, as Small Town Mississippi comes to life each day from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Admission is $8 for the event.

Live demonstrations throughout the museum grounds will give visitors a glimpse of Mississippi’s past and show the impact agriculture has made on our lives. Demonstrations will include the operation of the Cotton Gin, Saw Mill, Cane Mill, Print Shop and Blacksmith Shop.

Wagon, Train, and Carousel Rides will be available each day for $1 per rider. The General Store will be open for snacks and souvenirs.

Reservations are recommended for groups but not required.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 601.432.4500 or email us at msagmuseum@mdac.ms.gov.

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.