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Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation
Agricultural News and Information
Greg Gibson, Coordinator
Public Relations / Multimedia
1-800-227-8244 ext. 4154
or 601-977-4154
email: ggibson@msfb.org
Mississippi Ag Day set for State Capitol
JACKSON – Farmers and other interested agriculture professionals will gather at the state Capitol on March 17 to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by Mississippi agriculture.
“We want the public to understand the importance of agriculture to their daily lives,” said Farm Bureau President David Waide. “Agriculture is Mississippi’s number one industry, employing over a quarter of the population either directly or indirectly. Consumers need to understand that if agriculture does well, the state of Mississippi does well.”
Agriculture contributed more than $5.5 billion to the Mississippi economy in 2009 with the top five commodities being:
1 - Poultry / Eggs - $2.3 billion
2 – Forestry - $817 million
3 – Soybeans - $432 million
4 – Corn - $380 million
5 – Rice - $214 million
“The efficiency of the American farmer benefits the consumer right in the wallet,” said Waide. “Americans spend just ten percent of their disposable income on food annually. That’s less than any other developed nation in the world. Because of research and improved technology, farmers can now feed themselves and 155 other people.”
Hundreds of farmers are expected to be at the Capitol for the celebration which will start at 8:00 a.m. and run into the afternoon.
Mississippi Ag Day is being sponsored by the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation and the Farm Families of Mississippi.
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