Agriculture & Industry
Poultry Is King: Mississippi's Biggest Agricultural Engine
Broiler chickens quietly generate more farm income than any other commodity in the state, sustaining a vast and demanding industry.
The Next Generation Weighs Whether to Farm at All
As the average age of Mississippi farmers climbs, the question of who will work the land grows more urgent.
Inside the Fight to Save the American Catfish
Mississippi produces most of the nation's farm-raised catfish. A wave of automation and branding is its answer to years of cheap imports.
Blueberries Bloom Into a Mississippi Success Story
Once a minor crop, blueberries have grown into a significant industry in the southern part of the state, drawing both farmers and pickers.
Rice Quietly Becomes a Delta Powerhouse
Suited to the region's flat, water-retentive land, rice has grown into a major Delta crop, and one increasingly focused on efficiency and export.
The Grain Elevator: Rural Mississippi's Unsung Infrastructure
Towering over small towns, grain elevators are critical links in the agricultural economy, and their condition matters more than most realize.
Cotton Farming Enters the Age of the Algorithm
GPS-guided tractors and field sensors are transforming the crop most associated with Mississippi's history into a showcase for high-tech agriculture.
Small Cattle Ranchers Find a Niche in Grass-Fed Beef
Unable to compete on scale, some Mississippi cattle producers are turning to grass-fed and direct-to-consumer models to survive.
The Quiet Giant of Mississippi's Economy: Timber
Often overshadowed by row crops, forestry is one of the state's largest agricultural sectors, and it is navigating a changing market.