Agribusiness

With a rich agricultural history and support from local industry and education partners, our region is the ideal location for the agriculture industry. Within a 60-minute drive time, we have more than 500 agricultural establishments accounting for over 4,000 jobs. We are home to Mississippi State University's Delta Research and Extension Center (DREC), a research and extension facility working in crop and agriculture production to uncover new information and solutions to area producers.

Also located nearby is Stoneville State Wildlife Management Area, a 2,500-acre parcel owned by Mississippi State University. This area is dominated by bottomland hardwood stands of varying age classes with some mature timber stands scattered throughout the area. This resource provides students in the agricultural field with the unique opportunity to receive hands on training and experience that will give them a competitive advantage upon graduation.

Regional stats (60-minute drive time) – JobsEQ® 2022 Industry Spotlight Reports

No Sales Tax on Raw Materials or Electricity – While Mississippi boasts energy costs approximately 15% below the national average, according to EIA (2020), businesses classified by the Department of Revenue as agricultural or manufacturing may apply for a full exemption on sales tax on electricity and raw materials used in the manufacturing process.

R&D Capabilities: DREC focuses its research and extension activities for a variety of agriculture crops, including cotton, rice, soybean, corn, catfish and other agricultural activities. Scientists and extension specialists work hand in hand to resolve crop and aquaculture production problems and transfer new information and technology to producers. [A good visual would be pic of someone(s) in the field with a quote about how the research they are doing impacts one of the area employers.]

Mississippi State University offers an Agribusiness major with concentrations in Agribusiness Management, Agribusiness Policy and Law and Agribusiness Production. These programs prepare students for a variety of career fields options, including agricultural law, agricultural policy analysis, economic consulting, agrarian production management, commodities marketing and food chain supply management, including processing, sales, and distribution. Additionally, qualified students are available for internships to companies.

The USDA ARC Jamie Whitten Delta States Research Center consists of seven research units where scientists are conducting basic and applied research in areas such as genetics and basic physiology, control of principal crops enemies, production systems and techniques, equipment innovation and development, safety and human health and technology of pesticide application.

Mississippi State University's Extension Service offices, located in each county throughout the state, offers a variety of agricultural economic resources and tools, including areas related to crop, farming, agri-tourism, livestock as well as certification and leadership opportunities.