Applications open for Mississippi Agriculture Youth Council

Mississippi’s Commissioner of Agri-culture and Commerce Andy Gipson recently announced the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 Mississippi Agriculture Youth Council. This statewide youth council is a unique program to enhance leadership skills, promote career development and provide industry exposure for high school students interested in agriculture.

For one academic year, selected council members will engage in hands-on experiences to broaden their understanding of Mississippi’s agriculture industry. Participants will have opportunities to visit leading agriculture companies and organizations, learn about agriculture advocacy and legislative processes, shadow industry professionals, and hone their professional skills. The experiences are designed to cultivate leadership and foster career growth while helping develop Mississippi’s future agriculture workforce. Any public, private, or homeschool student can apply to become a member of the Agriculture Youth Council, with representatives of MDAC choosing final applicants.

The Mississippi Agriculture Youth Council is open to qualified high school students across the state. To be eligible, an applicant must currently be in their junior year of high school to serve during their senior year, August 2025 – May 2026. Additionally, students must exhibit an interest, passion and/or experiences in agriculture.

The application period closes on April 18. All application materials must be submitted via the online portal at agnet.mdac.ms.gov/youthcouncil/. Semi-finalists will be notified by April 25. Final interviews will be held virtually, and fourteen youth leaders will be announced by Friday, May 16.

For more information about the Mississippi Agriculture Youth Council and the application process, visit www.mdac.ms.gov/mayc/, or contact Nick Hall at [email protected] or 601-356-1100.