Vision 2030

This team is focused on identifying specialty crops and value-added opportunities to expand Mississippi's specialty crop industry. Key crops identified for further development include sweet potatoes, blueberries, and pecans.

The task force is also exploring high-value niche crops and crops traditionally grown in California that may have the potential to migrate to our region due to water challenges in the West. These crops were assessed for climate adaptability in Mississippi. The adoption of priority production systems, such as Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) high tunnels, hydroponies, and indoor vertical farming has been recognized as a means to improve quality and extend the harvest season for some crops.

The task force has also identified key challenges and priority action areas focused on:

· Workforce Development and Labor-Saving Solutions
· Strengthening Infrastructure for Value-Added Processing
· Expanding Market Access and Promotion
· Grower Collaboration & Organization Development
· Enhancing Collaboration, Education, and Extension Programs

The Al Task Force is focused on technologies that assist Mississippians to produce more efficiently, conserve resources, and educate the workforce on effectively leveraging Al technologies, with a particular focus on agriculture. MSU plays a key role through educational programs like 4-H and FFA, hence helping prepare the next generation to implement Al practically and industry relevance.

This task force also emphasizes the importance of ethical Al use and regulatory frameworks to ensure responsible Al implementation. Al task force values an integrated and coordinated effort among MSU's researchers, teachers, and Extension service to reach its potential. The Al task force understands the importance of integrating the land-grant mission—learning, research and service—to provide a comprehensive and impactful approach to Al. The task force is actively exploring Al-driven innovations and identifying practical solutions to develop actionable and achievable recommendations for integrating Al into agriculture, forestry and animal production

The agriculture and forestry sectors contribute to and depend on vibrant communities. Challenges arise when there are major population fluctuations. This task force is addressing how changes in Mississippi communities' populations (decline, growth and stability) affect future opportunities. Assessing state and county population trends—especially population decline through out-migration—and exploring the implications for community-level services sensitive to

population fluctuations, the task force is emphasizing multi-sectoral (businesses, governments, water systems, school systems and nonprofits) and multi-community regional collaborations as strategies for increasing vitality. This will require sharing data and analysis along with information on opportunities and best practices with stakeholder associations, community leaders, state and federal agencies and policymakers.

The task force is addressing Mississippi's environmental challenges with a mission to guide agriculture and forestry industries toward sustainable practices and long-term resilience.

Our strategies focus on fostering growth in agriculture, forestry, and natural resource enterprises through innovative management approaches and emerging market opportunities, such as bioenergy, diversified profit streams, and value-added products. Efforts include detecting, preventing, and mitigating threats like extreme weather, invasive species, zoonotic diseases, and water resource challenges.

By restoring critical habitats and enhancing resilience, the task force is paving the way for sustainable development. Through workforce and economic initiatives, we’re building a stronger, more adaptable future for Mississippi’s agriculture and forestry sectors.