Southern Organic Resource Guide / Mississippi Organics
Mississippi Organics
- Statistics and State Resources
- Certified Organic Producers in Mississippi
- Organic Producer Profiles
- Mississippi Farm Characteristics
Statistics and State Resources
Mississippi Organic Statistics
According to USDA/ERS statistics for 2001, Mississippi was one of two states in the U.S. with no acreage in certified organic production.(USDA/ ERS, 2002. Organic production. www.ers.usda.gov/Data/organic/) In May 2005, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture Organic Program certified the first five organic producers in Mississippi. Private certifying agents report two certified organic handlers in the state.
State Resources
- The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce
(MDAC) is involved in several activities of importance to organic producers.
Accredited certifying agent. MDAC received accreditation by the
USDA-National Organic Program (USDA-NOP) in crops, wild crops,
and handling on June 1, 2004. The Organic Certification Review Board
meets quarterly to review and approve certification applications.
USDA-NOP Certification Cost Share Program. Up to 75% of the
certification costs can be covered by this program, up to a maximum
of $500 per farm per year.
Contact:
Kevin Riggin
MDAC Program Coordinator for the Certification
Cost Share Program
601-693-3382 or 601-354-6818
Kevin@mdac.state.ms.us
Guy Feltenstein
Director, Regulatory Services for Fruits and Vegetables
601-483-3451
GuyF@mdac.state.ms.us
Organic System Plan forms:
www.mdac.state.ms.us/n_library/pub_form/forms/pdf/reg_fruitveg_organic.pdf
Farmers’ Market Program. Farmers’ markets are located throughout the state, serving as a marketplace for locally grown organic and non-organic vegetables and fruits, as well as meats, eggs, bee products, and processed farm products.
Contact:
Jake Hutchins, Director
P.O. Box 1609
Jackson, MS 39215
601-953-2445 601-354-7330 FAX
Jake@mdac.state.ms.us
www.mdac.state.ms.us/n_library/departments/farm_mkt/ index_ farmmkt.html
Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce Plant Pathology Laboratory. Identification of fruit (strawberry, cherry, and blackberry) fungal diseases, as well as other plant diseases.
Contact:
Dr. David Ingram
601-857-2284
- The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Extension Station
(MSU-MAFES) provides expertise in all aspects of commercial fruit
(specializing in blueberries and grapes) and vegetable production.
Contact:
MSU Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station
P.O. Box 231
2024 Experiment Station Road
Crystal Springs, MS 39059
www.msucares.com
Dr. Bill Evans, Research Coordinator—Mississippi Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station, is conducting a USDA Specialty Grants organic and integrated pest management research project. The research is using a six-point rotation system of vegetables to evaluate crop yields and economic returns of organically and conventionally produced vegetables. The research is in its second year, with one year remaining on the grant. Preliminary results show that it is economically feasible to grow some varieties of vegetables organically in Mississippi.
Contact:
Dr. Bill Evans
601-892-3731
601-892-2056 FAX
wbe@ra.msstate.edu.
www.msstate.edu/dept/cmrec/truckcrops.htm (Truck Crops Branch)
Dr. Richard G. Snyder, Professor and Vegetable Specialist, answers questions on commercial vegetable production, including organic production, and aintains an excellent Web site with information on local organic production of vegetables and fruits as well as links to organic agricultural information.
Contact:
Dr. Richard Snyder
601-892-3731
601-892-2056 FAX
RickS@ra.msstate.edu
www.msstate.edu/dept/cmrec/organic (Organic fruit and vegetables)
www.greenhousetomatosc.com (Greenhouse Tomato Short Course)
www.msstate.edu/dept/cmrec (Central Research and Extension Center)
www2.msstate.edu/~ricks/ (Vegetable Resource Page)
- Mississippi State University (MSU) Coastal Research and
Extension Center. This center focuses on horticultural and field
crop production.
1815 Popps Ferry Rd.
Biloxi, MS 39532
228-388-4710
228-388-1375 FAX
www.msstate.edu/dept/crec/crec.html
Dr. David Veal, Head, Coastal Research and Extension Center. Focus on ornamental horticulture and environmental protection.
228-546-1000
228-388-1375 FAX
cdv@ra.msstate.edu
Dr. John Braswell, Associate Horticulture Specialist. Specializing in blueberry and muscadine production, as well as general horticultural practices.
601-795-4525
601-795-0653 FAX
braswell@ext.msstate.edu
- The Deep South Fruit and Vegetable Conference and Trade
Show is a cooperative event held annually in one of the four participating
southern states (Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi).
The conference features workshops on fruit and vegetable
production, including organic production, presented by academic
personnel from the four states, and programs from the Farm Service
Agency and other state and federal agencies. Typical attendance at
the conference is more than 500 people.
Contact:
Guy Feltenstein
MDAC Director, Regulatory Services for Fruits and Vegetables
601-483-3451
GuyF@mdac.state.us
- Small-Scale/Limited Resource Farmers Initiative. Mississippi
was one of 11 states that received funding of up to $6 million for a
Small-Scale/Limited Resource Farmers Initiative. The USDA-NRCS
offices in Mississippi will dedicate up to $500,000 for this program
to help farmers with 100 acres or less of cropland to implement conservation
practices.
To be eligible, at least 10% of the cropland acres must be planted to alternative crops. Cost-share rates will be up to 90% for all practices, and contracts will be limited to $10,000. Farmers interested in the Small-Scale/Limited Resource Farmers Initiative should contact their local USDA Service Center or NRCS office. Information is also available at http://offices.usda.gov/ or in the telephone book under “Federal Government, U.S. Department of Agriculture.” Additional information for small farmers and ranchers is on the Web at www.usda.gov/oce/smallfarm and www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/AFSIC_pubs/altlist.htm.
- The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is a state agency that publishes an occasional newsletter, Watershed
Harmony, on non-point source pollution in Mississippi.
Contact:
P. O. Box 20305
Jackson, MS 39289-1305
601-961-5316
www.deq.state.ms.us