Vision 2030

Mississippi has established strength in sweet potatoes, blueberries and pecans--but we're just scratching the surface. Federal trade policies and health initiatives create unprecedented market conditions for Mississippi specialty crops.

Our state ranks #3 nationally in sweet potato production, yet we're losing $4 million annually by shipping our raw products elsewhere for processing, including sweet potato snacks imported from China that we could manufacture right here.

Mississippi's blueberry harvest season creates a strategic market advantage, falling between Florida's early season and the Northeast's late season, allowing our growers to command premium prices. Despite doubled consumer demand, our blueberry acerage is declining.

Demand for pecans is rising. Per capita availability increased by 43% over the past decade, while our acerage expanded by 20% in five years. With high mechanization lowering the need for labor, Mississippi could become a leading national pecan producer within 6-10 years.

Strategic infrastructure investments in processing facilities, cold storage hubs, and modern orchards will transform these three crops into economic powerhouses, recapturing millions in lost value and positioning Mississippi as the Southeast's specialty crop leader.

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Artificial intelligence is going to change the way we do everything in agriculture, forestry, and farming—and Mississippi must be ready. We’re building a comprehensive strategy to ensure our producers, educators, and communities don't get left behind in this technological revolution.

This initiative tackles the real barriers holding us back: limited broadband access, high costs, and the urgent need for practical, hands-on training. Our plan includes local demonstration projects, AI training through Extension offices, and camps to inspire the next generation about agricultural innovation.

The long-term vision is transformative: statewide data platforms, virtual models for livestock and forestry management, and new certification programs to develop a tech-savvy workforce ready for the AI-driven future.

By collaborating across sectors now, Mississippi has the opportunity to position itself as a leader in agricultural AI and capture the significant economic advantages this technology will bring to agriculture and natural resources. Together, we can ensure Mississippi's agricultural future is innovative, competitive, and prosperous.

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Mississippi’s agriculture and forestry sectors are the backbone of our rural communities, but population decline threatens this symbiotic relationship. With 52 counties experiencing net out-migration from 2020-2024, rural Mississippi faces critical workforce shortages and reduced economic activity that directly impact agricultural productivity and community sustainability. 

But what if we could turn demographic data into a strategic advantage? Understanding the nature and impact of population change is essential for informed planning. 

We propose two critical steps: first, systematically tracking population shifts and their ripple effects on infrastructure, services, and economic activity across local, regional, and state levels. Second, fostering unprecedented collaboration between organizations to tackle challenges too big for any single community to solve alone.

Our proposed roadmap would leverage Mississippi State University's statewide presence to create innovative "rural innovation hubs" that could bring together industry, government, education, and healthcare leaders. Through advanced data analysis, digital platforms, and cross-sector partnerships, we could develop targeted strategies for workforce retention, economic diversification, and infrastructure improvements.

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Mississippi's agriculture and forestry industries face increasing pressure from development, climate variability, natural disasters, and invasive species. Traditional approaches aren't enough—we need innovative solutions that enhance resilience while creating new economic opportunities.

Major recommendations include expanding the enhanced efficiency of soil, water and nutrient use on farms, along with exploring value-added crops and ecosystem service markets. Priority areas in forest health and stewardship involve advancing longleaf pine restoration and management, supporting markets for small-diameter wood, expanding research on environmental solutions, and improving urban forestry through education, partnerships, and policy integration. We also emphasize the critical need to broaden a one-health approach for preventing disease transmission between domestic and wildlife populations, continuing research and management of invasive species, mitigating wildlife damage, and restoring critical wildlife habitats that provide resilience, protection, recreation and tourism for Mississippi communities and economies.

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Row crop agriculture faces significant challenges, from financial pressures and rising input costs to workforce development needs. But within these challenges lie tremendous opportunities for Mississippi to strengthen its position as an agricultural leader.

Our initiative is exploring multiple pathways to unlock these opportunities, including strategic workforce development through certificate programs and micro-credentials in farm management, pesticide record keeping, and precision agriculture. Enhanced partnerships with community colleges and expanded internship programs could provide producers and workers with specialized skills for modern farming operations and help capitalize on emerging market opportunities. With the average farmer age at 59.6, these workforce development efforts are especially critical for ensuring successful intergenerational farm transitions.

We're exploring high-value specialty crops like long-staple cotton and brown cotton that could command brand recognition and premium pricing while utilizing similar production methods to current crops. Mississippi's proximity to the Mississippi River provides crucial infrastructure advantages, reducing shipping costs and enabling farmers to separate specialty crops from commodity crops to access higher-paying markets.

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The Animal Systems task force has identified exciting opportunities to revolutionize Mississippi's livestock sector. Key ideas include using advanced sensors and robotics to monitor animal health in real-time, promoting mindful antibiotic use, and encouraging stronger producer-veterinarian partnerships for optimal animal health and biosecurity.

A major focus involves capturing farm gate value that currently leaves our state by developing innovative ways to add value to animal products here in Mississippi. Despite producing significant food quantities, we need more products in forms that Mississippians purchase at grocery stores, addressing both food insecurity and economic opportunity.

The initiative explores capitalizing on interconnected animal systems to increase production efficiency through diversification and reduced dependence on Asian-produced feed additives. Ideas include recycling and repurposing animal sector waste into value-added products, utilizing by-products as co-products, and researching alternative feed sources from other industries.

Additional concepts focus on sharing Mississippi's agricultural story through expanded Farm Families programs, workforce development with emotional intelligence training, addressing barriers to entry for smaller producers, ensuring consumer transparency, developing U.S. catfish products, and building international trade awareness.

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