Mississippi Agriculture Youth Council Class meets
Photo: MAYC students heard from Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson, as well as officials with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Mississippi Board of Animal Health and National Agricultural Law Center. (Courtesy photo)
Sept. 4, 2024 – Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson announced that the 2024 – 2025 class of the Mississippi Agriculture Youth Council (MAYC) held its inaugural meeting in Jackson on Wednesday, Aug. 28. Fourteen students from across Mississippi came together to hear from Gipson, as well as other officials with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Mississippi Board of Animal Health and the National Agricultural Law Center.
“It was a pleasure to meet with this year’s Ag Youth Council,” said Gipson. “These bright students are Mississippi’s future, and our agency is dedicated to providing these potential leaders with an understanding of the vast opportunities and overall importance of our state’s largest industry, agriculture. With an ever-increasing demand for a trained and experienced workforce, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce will continue to play an active role in developing the next generation of leaders in agriculture.”
During their meeting, MAYC students learned about various aspects of Mississippi’s agriculture industry including regulatory services, marketing and public relations, timber commerce, and veterinary medicine. Council members also engaged in discussions with National Agricultural Law Center Director Harrison Pittman regarding important policy issues impacting agriculture at the state and national levels.
The MAYC is a workforce development program that seeks to expose agriculture-minded high school seniors to a variety of unique, behind-the-scenes experiences within the agriculture industry. Over the course of one year, council members visit agricultural companies and organizations; learn about the legislative process and how it affects the agriculture industry; hold discussions with industry professionals; and hone career-development skills.
Visit www.mdac.ms.gov/mayc for program guidelines and additional information. Questions regarding the Mississippi Agriculture Youth Council can be submitted to Nick Hall at Nick@mdac.ms.gov.
