Genuine Mississippi Podcast

Tourists Flock to the Farm

Join Mississippi's Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson for a great conversation about agritourism. As one of our guest’s, Neal Williams, said, “We grow memories.” And that kind of encapsulates Genuine Mississippi’s fast growing agritourism sector. Agritourism is tourism that takes place on a working farm or other agricultural enterprise offering fun and educational experiences for visitors. Mississippi has 77 agritourism operations registered with MDAC. For this podcast, we’re excited to talk with Jo Lynn Mitchell of Mitchell Family Farms in Collins, Michael May of Lazy Acres in Chunky and Neal Williams of Williams Family Farm in Wiggins. Come with us for a real adventure down on the farm!

Mississippi on the MOOVE

Join Mississippi's Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson for Mississippi on the MOOVE!, all about the Magnolia State’s proud dairy industry. Dairy farming is not just a job, it’s a way of life—something that these folks are passionate about, and farms often go back generations. In this Genuine MS podcast, Andy has lively conversations with Julie Ard of Ard’s Dairy in Ruth, Doug Popwell of Popwell Dairy Farm in Tylertown, and Larry Martin of L&M Dairy Farm also in Tylertown, which is situated in Walthall County, once touted as the "Cream Pitcher of Mississippi.” And, today’s dairy farmers are not only producing rich, creamy milk, but also yogurt, butter, a variety of cheeses and more. Listen in, and discover what’s happening in this industry on the MOOVE!

Leaders in the Field

Join Mississippi's Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson as he chats with leading producers and makers from several different fields. In the studio, we’ll have Brent Brasher of Kengro in Charleston, Matthew Summers of Speedbox of Ridgeland, and Dennis Short of Shortline Manufacturing in Shaw. Each of these producers has taken their real-life experiences and given back by bettering their profession through creating a better product for the generations to come.

Sugar & Spice and Southern Delights

Join Mississippi's Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson as he talks with Genuine Mississippi bakers, culinary crafters and gelato makers about Sugar & Spice and Southern Delights. We’re featuring three Genuine MS Crafted members who have unique products and stories to tell. And, they all have one thing in common – a passion for flavor. For this episode, our guests will be Joan Anderson of CJ’s Southern Seasonings from Collins, Hugh Balthrop of Sweet Magnolia Gelato in Oxford, and, Mary Jennifer Russell of Sugaree’s Bakery in New Albany.

Reelin' It In

Join Mississippi's Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson as he chats with guests about catfish in the Magnolia State. For National Catfish Month, Andy and Katy Simmons Prosser, Marketing and Brand Development of Simmons Farm Raised Catfish in Yazoo City, chat about raising catfish and how to prepare it for your meals. Andy also talks with Chris McGlawn, the President of Catfish Farmers of America from Indianola, about the connection of catfish farmers around the state. And, the Commissioner visits with Roger Barlow, President of the Catfish Institute, and Jeremy Robbins, Vice-President of the Catfish Institute, about the impact Mississippi-raised catfish has not only nationally, but also globally.