MICROFARMING: Growing for Farmers Markets August 27, Susan Head Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce

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1 MICROFARMING: Growing for Farmers Markets August 27, 2014 Susan Head Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce

2 Mississippi Agriculture $7.4 Billion farm value $26 Billion economic impact Employs 1 out of 4 citizens, either directly or indirectly Approximately 38,076 farms Over 10.9 million acres of farmland 19.7 million acres in forest land

3 Mississippi Agriculture Average farm size is 287 acres Gender of MS farmers: 86.1 % male 13.9 % female Average age of MS farmer is 60.4

4 Mississippi is in the TOP 20 in production of 15 agricultural commodities. #1 - Catfish #3 - Pulpwood #3 - Sweet Potatoes #5 - Broilers #6 - Cotton #6 - Cottonseed #6 - Rice #7 - Peanuts #9 - Blueberries #9 - Pecans #10 - Grain Sorghum #12 - Soybeans #17 - Eggs #17 - Hogs & Pigs #17 - Corn for Grain Source: USDA-NASS

5 Make Mine Mississippi Mississippi s agricultural promotions program Includes any product that is at least 51% grown, processed, or manufactured in the state of Mississippi Carried out as a logo identification program Created by law in 1999 We currently have 898 members!

6 Make Mine Mississippi To expand the market for Mississippi products by increasing consumer awareness To unify the promotion of all Mississippi-made products To promote a positive image of the state Above all, to increase the sales of Mississippi s quality products

7 Farmers Markets Local farmers markets are a growing trend across the state.

8 Growth of Farmers Markets in MS

9 Farmers Markets in Mississippi Certified Market Non-Certified Market

10 Certified Farmers Markets 2 or more growers Direct sale of onfarm produce and/ or products

11 Check out the New Mississippi Farmers Market App to Find: What s Fresh at the Market Local Vendors Upcoming Events Other Markets across the State Restaurants that Purchase Local

12 Agritourism Agritourism is the largest growing sector of both agriculture and tourism in Mississippi.

13 Agritourism in Mississippi U-pick Pumpkin Patch Christmas Tree Farm Corn & Hay Maze Petting Zoo

14 Agritourism in Mississippi Limited Liability Law $50 per year 61 registered Venues Directional Signage Program programs/agritourism/ agritourism-venues.asp

15 Agritourism To register your farm: Contact: Donna West

16 From Gate to Plate Many local restaurants are purchasing from farmers and farmers markets.

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18 Mississippi Farm to School Efforts Farm to School Interagency Council. Mississippi Farm to School Week. Educational Opportunities from MSU-ES, MDE, and MDAC.

19 DoD Farm to School Program MDAC & MDE effort to purchase from Mississippi farmers since Approximately $250,000 spent annually on Mississippi fruits and vegetables in Total projected sales for are over $1 million.

20 DoD Farm to School Program Product offering has increased to 19 this school year. Farm to School products: butterbeans, sweet potatoes, blueberries, collard greens, sweet corn, green beans, southern peas, cucumbers, eggplant, bell peppers, grape tomatoes, cabbage, satsumas, strawberries, squash, zucchini, broccoli, cantaloupes, and seedless watermelons.

21 DoD Farm to School Program Contact: Aaron Rodgers:

22 Mississippi Farm to School Week 2013 Sherman Elementary School Vicksburg, MS

23 GAP/GHP Cost-Share Program This program will reimburse MS farmers that have successfully passed a GAP/ GHP certification for 75% of the cost up to a maximum of $500 per year. Reimbursement is for the initial audit only.

24 GAP/GHP Cost-Share Program Audits must be completed by an approved USDA certifier. Funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis until the funds are depleted. Only audits for specialty crops are eligible for reimbursement.

25 National Organic Cost-Share Program USDA-Agricultural Act of 2014 To assist producers and handlers of agricultural products in obtaining certification under the National Organic Program.

26 National Organic Cost-Share Program Organic operators are eligible for reimbursement of 75% of the 2014 (October 1, September 30, 2014) certification costs or a max of $750 per category of certification Crops Wild Crops Livestock Handler

27 National Organic Cost-Share Program Applicants must provide: Proof of certification issued by USDA accredited certifying agent Competed reimbursement form Itemized invoice for certification-related expenses IRS W-9 Documentation of payment

28 National Organic Cost-Share Program Must be a Mississippi organic producer located within the State of Mississippi Questions: Contact Michael Lasseter: michaell@mdac.ms.gov

29 Growing Lunch- A School Garden Grant Schools can receive a grant up to $500 to purchase supplies needed to develop a school garden. K-12, in the State of Mississippi Schools that already have a school garden may also apply

30 Growing Lunch- A School Garden Grant It is encouraged that schools applying have support from their local extension office, area farmers, or Master Gardeners. Only one grant can be awarded per school

31 Growing Lunch- A School Garden Grant To obtain an application: Contact Susan Head susan@mdac.ms.gov

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35 Agritourism Restaurants Farmers Farmers Markets Fishery Processors

36 registration

37 U.S. Farmers Feed the World Source: American Farm Bureau

38 Susan Head Marketing Specialist, Market Development Division (601) Cindy Hyde-Smith, Commissioner