Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce

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The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce abbreviates to MDAC. For all other references see MDAC.
Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce of Mississippi
Incumbent
Andy Gipson
since March 29, 2018
Term length4 years
Formation1906
First holderHenry Edward Blakeslee
Websitemdac.ms.gov

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (also sometimes referred to as the MDAC) is a government department of Mississippi, headquartered in Jackson. MDAC regulates agricultural-related businesses within Mississippi, as well as promotes Mississippi products throughout the world.[1] To fulfill these goals, the department was created by the Mississippi Legislature in 1906.[2]

The Commissioner of MDAC is an elected office. The position is contested every four years at the same time as the gubernatorial election.[2] The commissioner regulates agriculture and aquaculture in the state and promotes their products.[3]

Commissioners of Agriculture and Commerce, 1906–present[edit]

Agricultural Commissioners
No. Agriculture Commissioner Term in office Party Source
1 Henry Edward Blakeslee 1906 – 1916 Democratic [4]
2 Peter Parley Garner 1916 – 1928 Democratic [4]
3 J.C. Holton 1928 – 1940 Democratic [4]
4 Silas Corley 1940 – 1968 Democratic [4]
5 Jim Buck Ross 1968 – 1996 Democratic [4][5]
6 Lester Spell 1996 – 2012 Democratic (1996 – 2005) [4][6]
Republican (2005 – 2012)
7 Cindy Hyde-Smith 2012 – 2018 Republican [4]
8 Andy Gipson 2018 – present Republican [4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "About MDAC". Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Wilson 2017, p. 19.
  3. ^ Clark, Eric (December 2007). "The Government of Mississippi: How it Functions". Mississippi History Now. Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Mississippi Official and Statistical Register 2021, p. 553.
  5. ^ Wagster, Emily (October 23, 1995). "Candidates for top state offices go one-on-one on ETV". Clarion-Ledger. p. 9.
  6. ^ Elkins, Ashley (June 4, 2005). "Spell switches to Republican Party". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.

Works cited[edit]

Further reading[edit]

  • History of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. 2022.

External links[edit]