Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson urges individuals within the agriculture industry to register for the first Future of Agriculture Resiliency for Mississippi (F.A.R.M.) meeting to be held Thursday, December 11, at 10:00 a.m. inside the Capps Center at Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville. These meetings are part of the development of the F.A.R.M. Strategic Plan, a plan of action for policy recommendations to aid and strengthen Mississippi’s agriculture industry.
“Mississippi farmers are at a pivotal moment, with many facing uncertainty about the future of their operations,” said Commissioner Gipson. “Agriculture remains Mississippi’s largest industry, and we have a responsibility to strengthen and support the farmers, ranchers, producers and workers who sustain it. They are the backbone of our communities, our state and our nation, because they provide the food, fiber and shelter needed by all. That’s why their voices and experiences are essential to shaping this strategic plan, and why I’m asking them to participate in these important meetings.”
Visit www.mdac.ms.gov/FARM to register for a F.A.R.M. meeting in your area now. Those who are unable to attend the meeting but would like to share their input are encouraged to submit comments using the link provided.
The F.A.R.M. Strategic Plan is being created with assistance of an Advisory Council representing private and public sectors with input from farmers and agriculture industry stakeholders. These meetings, moderated by Commissioner Gipson, will give farmers, agriculture stakeholders and industry leaders the opportunity to share challenges they are facing, issues that should be addressed in the strategic plan, policy recommendations, and other pertinent information that may guide the Council in developing the strategic plan. The finalized strategic plan is expected to be presented to the Mississippi Legislature and Congressional delegation by the fourth quarter of 2026, with interim recommendations provided along the way.
The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce will host five regional meetings in total across the state in the coming weeks. Meeting times are as follows:
- December 11, 2025 – 10:00 a.m.
Capps Center at Delta Research & Extension Center
82 Stoneville Rd.
Stoneville, MS 38776
- January 21, 2026 – 10:00 a.m.
Pearl River Community College (Forrest Campus) - Woodall Center
906 Sullivan Dr.
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
- February 4, 2026 – 10:00 a.m.
North MS Research & Ext. Center - Auditorium
5421 MS-145
Verona, MS 38879
- February 26, 2026 – 10:00 a.m.
Brookhaven (FEMA) Building
1154 Industrial Park Rd. NE
Brookhaven, MS 39601
- March 6, 2026 – 10:00 a.m.
Mississippi Trade Mart - Atrium
1207 Mississippi St.
Jackson, MS 39202
Visit www.mdac.ms.gov/FARM for additional information about the F.A.R.M. Strategic Plan and to register for a regional meeting.
