Ag Commish Cindy Hyde-Smith to focus on jobs

Interview: Hyde-Smith will focus on jobs

Cindy Hyde-Smith wants to emphasize the “commerce” part of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

The Brookhaven Republican, sworn in Thursday as the state’s first female agriculture commissioner, sees a chance to increase not only the quantity of food grown in Mississippi, but food processed in the state as well.

“There’s always a demand for safe, affordable food,” Hyde-Smith said.

In addition to using her office as an economic development tool, she said she hopes to promote agritourism, make sure farmers have a voice in any state immigration legislation and improve revenue at the state fairgrounds.

Hattiesburg American
1/8/12