Mississippi Shines

A man stands next to an ATV with a young boy sitting on the seat.

Mississippi Shines as Spotlight State at Sunbelt Ag Expo

The MSU Extension Service, along with Alcorn State University, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, and the Mississippi Farm Bureau, hosted the Spotlight State building at the Sunbelt Ag Expo, North America’s premier farm show, in October 2015.

More than 50 Extension employees and other sponsor representatives volunteered their expertise to staff Mississippi’s “Sweeter in Mississippi” displays. In addition to offering sugarcane, fried catfish, Alcorn State’s soy nut cookies, MSU’s Edam cheese, wild-caught shrimp, and sweet potato cake bites and biscuits, volunteers shared bags of Mississippi rice and showed attendees Maggie, the milkable demonstration cow. MSU President Mark E. Keenum, above center, and Extension Director Gary Jackson, above right, said they appreciated the opportunity to share Mississippi’s No. 1 industry, agriculture, with the wide range of participants. Mississippi Farmer of the Year Allen Eubanks, above left, cut the ribbon to open the Spotlight State display for the thousands of Sunbelt Ag Expo attendees as Dr. Ivory Lyles, Dean and Director of Land-Grant Programs at Alcorn State, above far left, looks on.

Agriculture-related technology, including tractors, trucks, and farm equipment, were on display for all participants. Mississippi welcomed visitors with educational displays, delicious food, and friendly staff to meet and greet the thousands who toured the Spotlight State building.