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It's springtime in Mississippi, and our farmers are gearing up for another planting season. And this year, we will celebrate National Ag Day on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.


Agriculture is Mississippi's largest industry, and those who work within the industry continue to provide food, fiber and shelter to the rest of the population, day in and day out. In 2022, the state's 34,700 farms produced more than $9.7 billion in farm-gate value of ag and forestry commodities.


I encourage everyone to support our Mississippi agritourism operations, farmers and producers across the state by visiting farms in your area and 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. 


Be sure to thank a farmer and rancher in honor of National Ag Day coming up this month!



Andy Gipson

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce 

MDAC STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Congratulations to MDAC's own Claude Nash, Hannah East and Jared Vardaman for receiving an Award of Merit for their work on the History of the Missisippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. Under Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson's leadership, Nash, East and Vardaman recently wrote a book on the complete history of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.


The trio began this project in March of 2021, and one year and eight months later, the first batch of books had been published. In January of 2023, they, along with Commissioner Andy Gipson, presented the one-of-a-kind publication at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History's (MDAH) History Is Lunch program. History Is Lunch is a weekly lecture series that explores different aspects of the state's past. Following this presentation, the group was chosen by the Mississippi Historical Society to receive the prestigious Award of Merit at the Society's annual conference, held at the Two Mississippi Museums.


Claude Nash, longtime employee and editor of the Mississippi Market Bulletin, has been with MDAC for 33 years. Hannah East, marketing specialist, has been with MDAC since 2019, and Jared Vardaman, multimedia coordinator, began working for MDAC in 2020. All three work in the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce's Market Development Division.

Order Yours Today!

DIVISION SPOTLIGHT


Weights & Measures Division

Director: Brent Bowman

MDAC's Weights and Measures Division inspects and tests scales and measurement equipment used in commerce to ensure compliance with state laws and equity in the marketplace.


Division 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. The Division also investigates complaints involving weighing and measuring devices.


In addition, the Division licenses livestock facilities, livestock auctioneers, pulpwood facilities, bonded weighmasters, scale service companies, and repairmen that install and repair weighing or measuring devices within the State of Mississippi.


Last fiscal year alone, MDAC's Weights and Measures Division inspected over 4,480 total active scales and conducted 56 Weighmaster inspections, 20 pulpwood/timber inspections and 29 UPC inspections statewide. Division inspectors also conducted 120 oven tests (corn, rice, wheat, soybeans) and calibrated 18 dairy farm milk tanks.


If you have any questions or concerns about the weight or quantity of product purchased, please contact MDAC's Weights and Measures Division at 601-359-1149.

Learn More

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

MDAC Recognizes March 1-7, 2023, as National Weights and Measures Week

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) joins the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) in recognizing the week of March 1-7, 2023, as Weights and Measures Week. Until President John Adams signed the federal weights and measures law on March 2, 1799, each state had its own system for weighing and measuring products in commerce. The unification and standardization of weights and measures ensures fair and accurate commerce across state lines.


“This week, we are proud to recognize National Weights and Measures Week and highlight the work our regulatory inspectors do every day to ensure equity in the marketplace,” said Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “Anytime someone buys a product sold by weight or quantity in the state of Mississippi, our agency is directly involved in that product exchange. So, when you’re checking out at the grocery store or buying fuel at the gas pump, be sure to look for the MDAC ‘seal’ of approval.”


MDAC’s Bureau of Regulatory Services 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 2022, MDAC’s Bureau of Regulatory Services tested 10,623 scales and 63,178 devices found at gas stations, and conducted 1,383 UPC inspections across the state. 

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Keath Killebrew Memorial Rodeo and Mississippi Ag & Outdoor Expo to Be Held at State Fairgrounds

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson, joined by Don Brazil with the Foundation for Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks, Alyssa Killebrew and Mack Ginn & Jeremy Smith of Deep South Rodeo Company, announced the inaugural Keath Killebrew Memorial Rodeo and Mississippi Ag and Outdoor Expo will take place at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds beginning July 28.


“We are excited to serve as the host site for the Keath Killebrew Memorial Rodeo and the Mississippi Ag and Outdoor Expo at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds for one entire weekend in July. This weekend will be about bringing together Mississippians for a good time and for a good cause, supporting the Killebrew Ag Foundation,” said Commissioner Gipson. 


The Keath Killebrew Memorial Rodeo, presented by the Killebrew Ag Foundation, will take place July 28-29 at the Mississippi Coliseum. Mississippi’s own Chapel Hart will perform on July 28, and Drake Milligan will perform July 29. Proceeds from the Keath Killebrew Memorial Rodeo benefit the Keath Killebrew Charisma Award Fund at the Community Foundation for Mississippi. The Killebrew Ag Foundation provides scholarships and other programs to support Mississippi youth interested in agriculture. The Keath Killebrew Memorial Rodeo will be one of the largest two-day rodeos in the nation featuring over 500 contestants participating in standard rodeo events, along with ultimate bull fighting and bull poker. Rodeo tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.ardenland.net or at the Mississippi Coliseum Box Office.


In conjunction, the fall edition of the Mississippi Ag and Outdoor Expo hosted by the Foundation for Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks will take place the same weekend, July 28-30, in the Mississippi Trade Mart.

MDAC Celebrates National Ag Day

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) joins the Agriculture Council of America in recognizing National Ag Day on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. 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 Agriculture Workforce Education, Outreach and Development Division is dedicated to advancing Mississippi's agriculture workforce through a variety of outreach programs, such as the Mississippi Agriculture Youth Council and MS AgWorks portal.

www.agday.org

Ongoing Investigations Lead to Additional Arrests by MALTB in Multiple, Unrelated Ag Theft Cases

The Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau (MALTB), the law enforcement division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, made additional arrests in two unrelated, ongoing investigations involving the theft of agricultural property. These arrests were made in conjunction with local law enforcement.

 

In November 2022, the MALTB made an arrest in the theft of an airplane engine in Issaquena County. The alleged suspect, Christopher Douglas Showah, was arrested again without incident on February 9 by the MALTB and the Sunflower County Sheriff’s Office. The new charges stem from the original search warrant conducted of his property on November 9, 2022. This is still an ongoing investigation.

 

In an unrelated case, the MALTB uncovered a theft ring during a multi-state investigation into a stolen farm truck from Missouri in January. Multiple stolen trucks were recovered by the MALTB and the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office. This ongoing investigation led to the recovery of additional stolen vehicles and arrests. On February 7, agents with the MALTB, along with the Port Gibson Police Department, recovered a stolen Ford F250 truck in Claiborne County. On February 9, a Ford F350 truck was recovered in Richland by officers of the Richland Police Department. Arrests have been made, with additional arrests forth coming as the investigation continues to develop. This remains an ongoing investigation.

Learn More

MDAC Now Accepting Applications for

Specialty Crop Block Grant

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson announced that the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) is now accepting proposals for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

 

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and authorized by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill). The purpose of the program is to enhance the competitiveness of Mississippi’s specialty crop industry by leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops; expanding availability and access to specialty crops; and addressing local, regional and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers.

 

Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. Specialty crops are an important part of Mississippi’s agriculture, accounting for more than $223 million of our state’s agriculture industry last year. Projects cannot be awarded to an individual or farm to begin their own specialty crop (fruit, vegetable, etc.) farm or operation or expand on existing operation or farm. This is not an eligible use of program funds.


Applications must be submitted to MDAC by March 20, 2023. No late applications will be accepted.

Learn More

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training

and GAPs Course to Be Held

Mississippi State University Extension, Calhoun County Extension Office and the Mississippi Sweet Potato Council will host a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training & GAPs Course on Friday, March 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This effort is supported in part by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce through a FDA CAP grant under agreement #14-SCBGP-MS-0028 and by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2015-70020-24397, and by Mississippi State University and the Mississippi State Extension Service. The course will be held at the Calhoun County Extension Office, located at 121 Parker Street in Pittsboro.


Pre-registration is required. A donation of $20 per person (at the door) is needed to cover costs not covered by the grants (food, breaks). Participants will receive the course, materials (including PSA manual), and other information for attending and participating in the complete course. This is estimated value at over $250 per person.


After attending the entire course and completing all evaluations/documents, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course. To receive an AFDO certificate, a participant must be present for the entire training and submit the appropriate paperwork to their trainer at the end of the course. 

Learn More

That's a Wrap on the 2023 Dixie National

Livestock Show and Rodeo!

The 58th Annual Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo

could not have been better! BIG thanks to all our sponsors, volunteers, participants and so many more for making this

"The Greatest Show on Dirt." We hope to see you next year for

the 59th Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo,

February 9-17, 2024!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mississippi 4-H and FFA State Judging Competition to Be Held at the Mississippi Fairgrounds

The Mississippi State Fairgrounds, a branch of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, will host the 4-H and FFA State Judging Competition on Monday, March 6, inside the Kirk Fordice Equine Center. Students with both Mississippi's 4-H and FFA organizations will compete in judging multiple, different livestock species during this event.

Annual Spring Farm Days Event to Be Held at the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum

The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, a division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, invites the public to attend the annual Spring Farm Days event Thursday, March 2, through Saturday, March 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Admission is $8 per person for ages 3 and up.


This three-day event is a wonderful opportunity to come out and see the Ag Museum come to life! Visitors can expect a variety of educational exhibits that display farming, gardening and forestry, as well as cooking demonstrations by the Mississippi Egg Marketing Board. The Children’s Barnyard will also be open, which includes a variety of animals like pigs, goats, horses and other farm animals.

msagmuseum.org

Ag Museum's Interactive 'Uncle Story' Continues

to Make Monthly Appearance

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 on Tuesday, March 14th!





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.

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[601-359-1100]  [121 N Jefferson St, Jackson, MS 39201]  [https://www.mdac.ms.gov/]