NESHOBA COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – During his remarks at the 2025 Neshoba County Fair, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson (R-Miss.) announced the 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 Gipson.

He called for statewide engagement in all aspects of Mississippi’s agricultural economy to conduct a full-scale F.A.R.M. Strategic Planning initiative.

“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 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.”

According to the commissioner, 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.