Steve Martin, interim director of the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said agriculture is Mississippi’s No. 1 industry, and it provides 17.4% of the state’s jobs and more than $16 billion in added value to the state’s economy annually.
“Proper representation of all of our farmers and ranchers is critical to this important industry in our state,” Martin said. “Census data inform decisions about policy, farm and conservation programs, infrastructure and rural development, research, education and more.
“I encourage all Mississippi farmers to submit their data, as the Census of Agriculture is your opportunity to have a voice in the future of U.S. agriculture,” he said.
Source : msstate.edu