Gipson addresses ‘Farm Crisis,’ new China trade deal at Mississippi Hobnob
JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson told state economic leaders Thursday that the long-warned-about “Farm Crisis is here,” but he balanced the dire assessment with optimism regarding a new federal trade deal with China.
Speaking at the 2025 Mississippi Hobnob, hosted by the Mississippi Economic Council, Gipson outlined significant challenges facing farmers while proposing a new economic plan to strengthen the state’s largest industry.
“A year ago, I stood here and shared with you that America was heading into a Farm Crisis,” Gipson said. “Today, everyone agrees, the Farm Crisis is here. Our farmers need our support now more than ever.”
Gipson cited years of global trade instability and the rise of Brazilian soybean production as major factors harming Mississippi producers.
However, Gipson pointed to a new agricultural trade deal announced earlier Thursday by President Donald J. Trump. According to Gipson, China has committed to purchasing 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans this season and at least 25 million tons annually for the next three years.
“The main difference we see from a year ago is that today we have President Donald J. Trump in the White House, negotiating better deals for our farmers,” Gipson said. “I want to thank President Trump for his aggressive policy actions to tackle inflation, reduce regulations and support our farmers.”
Turning to state-level solutions, Gipson highlighted the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) “Future Agriculture Resiliency for Mississippi” (F.A.R.M.) Plan. The initiative will involve a series of statewide public meetings from December through March 2026 to gather input from farmers and stakeholders. The effort will result in a report outlining strategies for the future of Mississippi agriculture.
Gipson predicted that Mississippi and the Southeast are poised to become the primary food production center for the U.S. within 20 years, citing shifting national water resources.
“Food security is national security,” Gipson said, adding that Mississippi has a vital role to play.
He cautioned, however, that this potential must be managed. Gipson called for long-term land use planning to “strategically protect our farmland from unbalanced industrial intrusion” and strike a balance between economic growth and food production.
Gipson also proposed a state-based economic plan focused on “Value-Added Agriculture.” The strategy seeks to expand Mississippi’s role beyond production into processing and marketing.
Key components of the plan include:
- Establishing local food hubs for supply, storage and distribution.
- Processing and marketing a wider range of Mississippi products, from soybeans and cattle to sweet potatoes and tomatoes.
- Expanding the Genuine MS® Program to increase the presence of local foods in major grocery and retail outlets.
“Agriculture and related processing is our state’s largest industry, and it holds the key to our economic future,” Gipson concluded. “I am ready to lead this effort to bring back domestic production.”
