Elected and Appointed Government Officials 2023
Mississippi's Top 50 Most Influential
Andy Gipson serves as Mississippi’s eighth Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce.
As a farmer, lawyer, minister and former State Representative, Gipson brings rural sensibilities together with state government experience to work with all Mississippians to promote, market and strengthen agriculture and commerce in the state.
Since taking office on April 2, 2018, Gipson has visited each of the state’s 82 counties on a Mississippi Farm Tour to listen to the issues, challenges and opportunities facing Mississippi farmers. He launched the Genuine MS® branding initiative to increase public awareness of Mississippi’s farm, food, crafted and fabricated products to increase sales and market opportunity for Mississippi producers. Gipson established a “County Correspondents” program in every county to provide local farmers with information from MDAC and to hear directly from them on local issues. He launched the Agricultural Workforce Development initiative, which includes internships through the department, to connect future leaders to careers in agriculture.
Gipson is leading the way on truth in labeling laws for meat products to prevent consumer confusion from the entry of plant-based and cell-cultured foods. He has introduced regulatory reforms to increase opportunities for small farmers, mobile vendors and roadside produce stands. Also, Gipson created an office within MDAC to promote forestry and timber and to expand those markets domestically and internationally.
Prior to his service as Commissioner, Gipson served in the Mississippi House of Representative for ten years (District 77: Simpson and Rankin counties), first elected to public service in 2007. Gipson chaired the House Judiciary B Committee from 2012-2018 and the Ethics Committee from 2016-2018. He also served as a member on the House Agriculture, Appropriations, Ways and Means, County Affairs, Insurance, Municipalities, and Transportation committees. Gipson was Treasurer for the Mississippi Legislative Conservation Coalition from 2010-2017 and Treasurer for the Mississippi House Republican Conference from 2012-2016.