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New ag expo emerges from...

New ag expo emerges from #finishthepumps controversy to essentially replace Extravaganza

By: Courtney Ingle - October 2, 2019

The Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Foundation–the only Mississippi based non-profit that directly supports Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks– is launching its own expo set for the end of July 2020 that seems to be geared as a direct replacement of the event held historically by the MS Wildlife Federation.

This is not to be confused with the controversy-ridden Wildlife Extravaganza, which saw a large migration of state-supported agency vendors after the Mississippi Wildlife Federation, a conservation group associated with National Wildlife Federation, did not grant a booth to Victoria Darden. Darden was hoping to spread awareness about the devastating flooding across the Mississippi Delta and to support the #finishthepumps movement, which MWF and NWF opposed. 

Primos Hunting and MWFP abrupty pulled out of the Wildlife Extravaganza last year after the controversy.

https://www.facebook.com/primoshunting/posts/2366887043393700:0

The release announcing the MWFP federation expo didn’t refer directly to #finishthepumps but it didn’t mince words, either.

“Mississippi farmers are our best conservationists. This marks a historic partnership between Mississippi’s agriculture and wildlife communities. I am pleased that the Mississippi State Fairgrounds will be the site of new wildlife and outdoor event that will also feature agriculture and forestry. After all, agriculture is the largest industry in Mississippi. I believe this has the potential to become one of the largest events held on the fairgrounds and perfectly fits the mission of the Fair Commission to promote Mississippi agriculture,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson, who also serves as the Chairman of the Mississippi Fair Commission.   

A plethora of vendors; an exhibition of agriculture, livestock, and forestry equipment; educational seminars; property management demonstrations; youth activities and more are expected for the expo. 

“We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with the agriculture community to provide a new experience for conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts.  The Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Foundation will be working with partners on forthcoming details for the 2020 event,” said Don Brazil, CEO of the Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Foundation. 

Additional details for participants, vendors, and attendees will be made available at https://foundationmwfp.com/ as event details are finalized. 

About the Author(s)
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Courtney Ingle

Courtney Ingle is a veteran journalist with more than a decade's worth of experience in print, radio, and digital media. Courtney brings her talents to bear at Magnolia Tribune to cover family-centered education and to elevate those unique aspects of Mississippi culture.