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Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson Announces Strategic F.A.R.M. Plan for Future of Mississippi Agriculture at Neshoba County Fair
PHILADELPHIA, Miss. – Today, during annual remarks at the Neshoba County Fair, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson addressed the critical priority of Mississippi agriculture and announced his strategic Future of Agriculture Resiliency for Mississippi (F.A.R.M) Plan to help strengthen Mississippi’s agriculture industry for the future.
“Today, American agriculture stands at a pivotal crossroads, with stakes higher than ever for our Mississippi farmers and rural communities. The strength of America’s future depends on our farmers’ ability to continue producing the food, fiber and shelter that sustain us all. Make no mistake — food security is national security. To protect our agricultural way of life, we must act with foresight and determination, planning boldly for our future. Because if we fail to plan, we are planning to fail — and failure is not an option for America’s farmers or for our nation,” said Commissioner Gipson.
By way of background, Commissioner Gipson emphasized the existence of a very real trade war and reduced market prices for many commodities, and the urgent need to reduce burdensome regulations and inflationary pressures.
“Just within this past week, we have seen three positive trade developments from the Trump Administration for new and expanded markets, specifically with Asia, Australia and the European Union. These successes combined with other pending trade deals will move the needle in getting America closer to winning this trade war,” said Commissioner Gipson. “Between lower prices and high inflation-driven costs to raise a crop, our row crop producers can’t make a living. We have no option but to win this trade war to see our commodity prices increase. And, with President Trump’s leadership, we will win.”
With regard to the F.A.R.M. Plan, Commissioner Gipson called for statewide engagement in all aspects of our agricultural economy to conduct a full-scale F.A.R.M. Strategic Planning initiative with the goal to establish concrete legislative policy, regulatory and/or industry Action Items, both at the state and federal levels.
“We must begin planning now for our State’s future. No farmers, no food. I believe the Future of Agriculture Resiliency for Mississippi Strategic Plan, the F.A.R.M. Plan, is probably the single most significant initiative undertaken during my tenure as your Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce,” said Commissioner Gipson. “Over the next 12-16 months, I will be leading a F.A.R.M. Plan Council of select agricultural leaders from both the public and private sectors — including farmers, ag organizations, policymakers, industry representatives, researchers, educators and government officials. Together, we will discern the issues and opportunities, and we will craft a bold comprehensive strategy to secure the long-term success, resilience and competitiveness of Mississippi agriculture for generations to come.”
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The F.A.R.M. Plan will focus on locally driven policies and action items that will support producers, strengthen markets, protect resources and improve quality of life in rural Mississippi communities. The plan will delve into key agricultural focus areas including market development and crop diversification; workforce and labor; infrastructure and food supply resilience; land, water and resource stewardship; technological innovation; and quality of life throughout rural Mississippi.
Discussing the strategic plan further, Commissioner Gipson added, “As a core component of the F.A.R.M. Strategic Plan, we will convene regional roundtables across five regions of Mississippi (Northeast MS, Delta, Central MS, South MS and the Coast), bringing together key stakeholders from every sector of our agricultural industry. We will take a hard look at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing Mississippi agriculture today and in the future. From these discussions, we will develop concrete, actionable policy recommendations to strengthen our state’s agricultural foundation at both the state and federal levels. When complete, I expect the full F.A.R.M. Plan and related policy Action Items will be presented to state and federal leaders during 2026.”
Commissioner Gipson closed by summarizing the F.A.R.M. Plan initiative: “Over the next 12-16 months, our F.A.R.M. Plan Council will be asking and answering the question, ‘What seeds do we need to be planting today, for the future Mississippi agriculture needs, tomorrow?’ Then, we will be making sure that the work gets done.
“Rather than following the path of least resistance, with the F.A.R.M. Plan, we intend to blaze a trail into a brighter future for Mississippi, and for all of our farmers, ranchers and landowners.”
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